Lapierre Zesty - Tyre Choice

partyboy1101

I'm about to take delivery of a brand spanking Lapierre Zesty 314 and I can only begin to explain the excitement!!!!

The only thing I'm not entirely convinced about is the manufacturers tyre choice - Conti Race Kings don't exactly suit my style of riding!!!

Anyone got recommendations for tyre choice and size, the trails I ride are thick gloop in the winter (so was using Maxxis Swampthings on old bike) and hard like concrete on the rare dry spells. Britich summer usually gived me a mixture of both!

Kiwi Kranker

Maybe the single ply folding Maxxis minions? They work well for me except on wet chalk :evil: They have had good write ups as a good do anything tyre. I am sure there will be a lighter and better combination out there but these handle pretty much everything I throw at them.

JK in the UK

Kenda Nevegals? DTC version (and SWS if you ride in rocky areas). 2.35 front, 2.1 rear or both 2.35...

partyboy1101

Had thought about the Nevegals, will have a nosey at the Minions too...always been a big fan of Maxxis tyres. Is a 2.5 too big?

Kiwi Kranker

partyboy1101 wrote:

Had thought about the Nevegals, will have a nosey at the Minions too...always been a big fan of Maxxis tyres. Is a 2.5 too big?

On my Ransom I am using 2.35's so I would possible say yes 2.5 may be on the large side. More of a personal preference thing though and what and how you are riding.

I am pretty sure that in the case of the minions you wont get the folding ones any bigger than 2.35.

Steve_b77

Maxxis Advantage suit the bike really well.

partyboy1101

I think my sway towards 2.5s would be more through asthetics than necessity!!!
I'm sure 2.35s would suffice.

I'll have a look at the Advantage's too, cheers Steve

Northwind

Old trick that, fit really fast light rubber to a bike so that it feels like a missile when you first ride it, or test ride it :roll:

If you want one tyre to do everything, then Nevegals or High Rollers are definately worth checking. Nevegals slower and grippier, High Rollers a bit faster, but both tough, practical all-seasons tyres. Not expensive either. But it's just one of those things, no one tyre can be brilliant at everything. I'd sooner tolerate a slow tyre in the dry than a gripless tyre in the wet so I love the nevegals but ymmv.

The other nice thing is that the 2.35 Nevegal actually measures 2.35 inches, in a daring diversion from the norm- Kenda have a ruler and they know how to use it And tbh 2.35 is pretty damn big.

Oh, Mountain King 2.4s probably come in the same category but I hated the 2.2s so I doubt I'll try their big brothers. And there are loads of others that are probably also just as good.

partyboy1101

Looks like it will be a case of lining up a few options and chasing the cheapest deal on the bay!!

Cheers for all the good advice. I may just run the Conti's for a bit as the trails are dry, but must have the alternatives in the garage for a quick swap once the inevitable summer weather lands and I'm back in the swamp! Maybe Swampthings may be good again!!!

Richard-Dublin

I'm currently running Hutchinson Toros on both my bikes - I love them - brilliant "All Round" tyre! Might put something else on for a while if we get a "dry spell" but not holding my breath!!

nferrar

Got my 314 a few days ago to, temporarily swapped (already had on another bike) the front for a Panaracer Rampage and the rear for a Maxxis Larsen Mimo, works well in intermediate to muddy conditions and not too draggy. Planning to switch the wheels soon (to a tubeless set I have) and will use a High Roller on the front and Advantage on the rear

gypsy3006

I use Maxxis ignitors UST on my Zesty , 2.35 on the front , 2.1 on the back


works a treat

lawman

ive said on a couple of threads and ill say it again intense system 4 exdc lite

they may be 60 quid a pair but by god they flly stick like dog eggs to a carpet to on everythin and great driftin fun in the mud :P

toasty

I'd just get a couple of 2.35" High Rollers for when it's a bit muddier/rougher. Keep the Race Kings for really fast dry trails. Using knobbly, soft, huge tyres on flat hardpack in summer just makes you go slower.

I think they made an awesome tyre choice personally, it's trail bike, but it's definitely at the light/fast end of the spectrum.

higher48

I thought the Conti Racer was the wrong choice for this bike, and as mentioned earlier, only put on to make the bike ride well on test.

I have the Zesty 314 and will change to Maxxi Minion, only because the reviews look good and that’s all I have to go on. If I don’t like them after purchasing I am screwed !!! and will have to spend money and time trying all kinds of other tyres.

The Conti’s don’t have much grip on the loose flint I ride on and the treads don’t clear well, of mud, cow pat, or other stuff. They also puncture due to low tread pattern.