What size tyre is best for XC riding?

drewcole81

Hello all, I ride a Kona Kula which currently has some BrandX 1.95 width tyres on, which so far have been fantastic and roll very well.

The bike came with some Maxxis 2.10 width tyres.

My question is this:

What width tyre would be best suited for XC riding?

I am heading to the Peaks next month and from what I have seen looks like there could be some fairly large rocky sections?

El Capitano

TBH, it depends on the conditions. I generally use 2.1's (Panracer XC Fire Pro's) for all round riding. However if the conditions are very muddy, then some 1.8 XC Mud Pro's get put on. Similarly, if the conditions are very dry, and the trails aren't too gnarcore, then I'll use 1.9 Maxxis Worm Drives. I've also got a pair of the XC Fire Pro's in 1.8 and although these are quick and grippy, they aren't as good an overall tyre as the 2.1's are.

So...to conclude, IMO, 2.1's are the better for all round riding.

therealboyjones

I do 99% of my riding in the Peaks and my maxxis rubber is ideal - I use 2.35" high rollers. Maxxis casings are fairly narrow compared to other brands so the 2.1"s will probably be very similar to the 1.95's you already have on, but I'd stick them on to give you a little more volume over the rocky stuff.

Radioactiveman

I have used Maxxis highrollers in the lake district for the last year or so and they seem fine on rocky stuff. A few others use them and no-one had had any splits or other faults.

drewcole81

I was looking at the single ply High Rollers?

I think it is the Maxxis Ignitors that came with my bike... there pretty worn now though.

therealboyjones

I think mine are single ply....may be wrong on that...but they're the 62a compound. Loads of grip when you need it and roll pretty well too.

drewcole81

The other ones I was looking at were these?

Continental Gravity

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=18849

therealboyjones

Knobbly! Never used conti's on a bike so can't advise you on them mate.

Splottboy

I use 2.1 front, and 1.95 - 2.1 rear for general riding.

2.2 for serious terrain, and 2.5 if Really Serious...

Tubless is the way-to-go, and not as much hassle as I thought it would be.

toasty

Careful with tyre widths, it's worth looking at them on bikes and picking one you like the look of. Some brands come up narrow for their width, like Continental, infact come to think of it, it seems to be something more like:

Narrower:

Most Conti - err, except Race Kings
Schwalbe
Older Maxxis (High Roller included)
Newer Specialized

Wider:

Newer Maxxis (Aspen, Advantage, Ardent)
Kenda
Older Specialized (pre-08 or so I'd say)
Conti Race Kings - just to be confusing
Panaracer/Tioga go in here?

Very silly, the difference is a huge, Conti 2.4s are often like other brands 2.1

cgarossi

+1 for the 2.35 Hi Rollers. Im mostly woods/rocks XC

timpop

I was running 2.25 front and back, a bit heavy in the back but took everything else very well. I'm a bit apprehensive for the next week as I'm about to try a 2.1 in the back and a monster 2.35 in the front. Potentially could work very well but I will have to wait and see.
Anyone used that combo?

Gwaredd

What Toasty said.

My 1.95 Tiogas are as wide as my 2.2 mountain kings, which are as wide as my mates 2.1 Kenda SB8's.

toasty

timpop wrote:

I was running 2.25 front and back, a bit heavy in the back but took everything else very well. I'm a bit apprehensive for the next week as I'm about to try a 2.1 in the back and a monster 2.35 in the front. Potentially could work very well but I will have to wait and see.
Anyone used that combo?

As above, things like that are hard to call.

If you were running 2.25" Ardents for example and swapped to a "monster" 2.35" High Roller you'll find it's actually a bit narrower. What brands and tyres?

timpop

Maxxis ADvantage UST (2.1) on the back and Minion DHR (2.35) on the front. Picking bike up from the shop in a couplle hours, new rear wheel and bb too. Wish me luck! Can't wait.

toasty

Sounds like a decent mix

timpop

Previous tires were Panaracer Cinder 2.25

toasty

Cinder? You'll probably find the Minion is a similar size, top tyre though.

timpop

Thanks toasty! I'm outa here.

oki

panaracer cinder 2.25 rear (it was my front but felt a bit sketchy at times)

and a halo choir master lite 2.35 up front

cinder looks a lil wider, but that choir master i'd highly recommend, never felt anything but confident using it.

Raymondavalon

El Capitano wrote:

TBH, it depends on the conditions. I generally use 2.1's (Panracer XC Fire Pro's) for all round riding.

+1 on the Panaracer FireXC Pro choice El Capitano. I have those on my Kona Kula and they make for an excellent all round tyre that rolls very well.