Tyres for MTB Marathon

Denua

Hi,

I have a mountain bike marathon coming up next month and im trying to think of what tyres would be best. I am also thinking about my distance training on the toe path and green lanes.

The Bike Currently has 2.35 Maxis tyres which feel a bit like trying to turn square wheels some times but when its boggy they do grip quite well. I was thinking as its hot at the moment of going for something like a Conti Speed King 2.1 so i can get the miles down with hopefully a better rolling resistence.

Does anyone have a good suggestion of tyre that isnt going to break the bank.

Cheers

Den

RealMan

Keep the maxxis on for the training, something similar to the speed kings for the actual marathon.

When you say marathon, what distance will it be? If its long distance, you may want to stay away from speed kings, unless you run them tubeless, else a puncture could ruin your chances.

Denua

Hi,

Thanks for the info, its 100km

As the event is in wales ive no doubt it will be hammering with rain and ill be using the maxis anyway lol

Cheers

RealMan

Yeah, for that distance just stick with what youre used to.

Dirtydog11

Denua wrote:

Hi,

I have a mountain bike marathon coming up next month and im trying to think of what tyres would be best. I am also thinking about my distance training on the toe path and green lanes.

The Bike Currently has 2.35 Maxis tyres which feel a bit like trying to turn square wheels some times but when its boggy they do grip quite well. I was thinking as its hot at the moment of going for something like a Conti Speed King 2.1 so i can get the miles down with hopefully a better rolling resistence.

Does anyone have a good suggestion of tyre that isnt going to break the bank.

Cheers

Den

Hi Mate ,

I was in a similar dilema. I take it this is the Ruthin round? After a bit of searching I settled on a pair of 2.3 speed king supersonics (450 grams) from Ribble cycles £47.00 pair delivered. I should have them tomorrow. They also have the Protection versions if your worried about the sidewalls.

I expect it to be raining so that rules out Dry summer tyres like race kings, small block 8s etc. The speed kings are supposed to clear really well (I dont wont wanna be riding round with 1/2 pound of mud stuck to each tyre).

I've not done the event before so I'm not familiar with the surface so I cannot give any specific advice.

Have a look here

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... c-23-16742

Not the toughest tyre out there but you can't have tough and light. I'm gonna carry a spare tyre with me just in case!

Both Nobby Nics and Racing Ralphs are also a popular tyre for this event but from what I've heard they also have thin sidewalls.

TheHappyClown

I've been using 2.3 Supersonic Speed Kings for a several months now. They are very, very quick and grippy but seriously puncture prone. To combat this I'm using Sludge sealant in my tubes at the moment and haven't had a puncture for two months now (touch wood!). I'd recommend keeping them pumped up at a high psi. I'm not sure what mine are at exactly but if its too low you'll get snakebites a-plenty.

I'd try and have a few rides on them before the race too, just so you can get used to how hard you can push them before losing grip. Hope this helps!

RealMan

Yeah dirtydog for a 62 mile mtb race youre gonna want to put some sort of sealant in those tyres and run them tubeless, otherwise you are going to get a lot of punctures. Those things are thin as tissue.

Dirtydog11

Cheers guys,

I don't know about going tubeless but I'll probably try a bit of sealant and I'll be carrying a spare tyre in my bag.......... just in case.

P.S. I'm going to be doing the 50k I would try the 100k but I know for a fact that I wouldn't be able to finish it.

RealMan

Dirtydog11 wrote:

P.S. I'm going to be doing the 50k I would try the 100k but I know for a fact that I wouldn't be able to finish it.

Not with that attitude

If youre doing it alone, and wont hold anyone up, why not..?

Dirtydog11

RealMan wrote:

Dirtydog11 wrote:

P.S. I'm going to be doing the 50k I would try the 100k but I know for a fact that I wouldn't be able to finish it.

Not with that attitude

If youre doing it alone, and wont hold anyone up, why not..?

I'm doing it with a mate, not that that it matters, its simply the fact the head says yes the legs say noooooo. Its not that I don't believe I could do 100k its just my current fitness levels are below what would be required.

I ride Penmachno and the Marin regularily but I can't imagine what 3 laps would feel like. (actually I can )

nferrar

I would stay far far away from Speed Kings for a long event, you might get lucky but chances are you'll be fixing punctures.

I did the last couple of Merida Marathons in South Wales (albeit only 50 & 70km) and stuck with my usual all-round tyres (High Roller front, Advantage back and swapped to a Blue Groove front for the 70km one as the HR was on the heavy side). Not exactly lightening quick tyres but the courses had a lot of muddy and rocky parts so was glad I didn't go for a low tread tyre.

Denua

Cheers for all the advice!

As for doing the 100k i thought about it and then thought how annoyed i would be going all the way there and not going for the full slog even if it will destroy me