New tyres, price no object.

Father Faff

I've got a Commie Meta 5. Original High Roller 2.1s were good but a little slow. Mountain King 2.2s are best tyres I've had on in terms of lightness and speed but traction not as good as High Rollers. I've tried Ardent 2.2s which were quite good but heavier and slower than Mountain Kings. I've also tried Captain Control 2.2s which were the worst of the lot. I ride mostly XC with a little bit of rockier, more technical stuff like Kirroughtree red/black.

So if we assume money no object what tyre do I go for. Would one of the Scwhalbe offerings be the best bet - like Rocket Rons? Is the Maxxis Aspen worth a shot? What I want is fast rolling and light but enough grip for most conditions - the holy grail! I am happy to mix different tyre combos front/back - the worst aspect of the Mountain Kings was the front wheeel wash-outs you could get on dusty/loose surfaces so a grippier tyre up fron would be good.

Any thoughts greatfully received.

upsanddowns

For me it would be Rocket Ron front, Racing Ralph rear both 2.25. 2.1 are good but 2,25 Schwalbe are still light and fast and really grippy and soak up roots and edges.

Newest ones are pace star compound, supposed to be even better.

sefton

i just bought some 2011 nobby nics, tubless ready - just fitted them - no probs at all and very light! think they where arund 35quid from nextdaytyres

kenan

I would of said Nics as well. Just swapped a 2.35 high roller on the front of my bike for a 2.4 nobby nic snakeskin. Rolling resistane and weight is lower and grip seems the same.

jakeeeeeee

nobby nic 2.25 £20 from planet x

cooldad

Price no object, I'd have some Pirellis with a Ferrari on top.

trail jacker

if you go for schwalbe, go here!

http://www.on-one.co.uk/news/products/q ... albe-tyres

Tom Barton

Another pair to just confuse your selection that little bit more.. Conti rubber queen 2.2's - wider than the mks by a fair bit but grip is comparible to the HRs (a 2.1 one) and less draggy. you could pair a RQ 2.2 up front with a mk out back. I've done this with both 2.2 and 2.4 RQs up front and a 2.4 mk out back - nice combo, but normally i use RQs. Definately go for black chilli versions as they grip better and seem to roll very well.

richg1979

beware of the on one tyre as a lot are very old stock 07ish.

the nobby nics to get are the later design as they grip and roll a lot better.

id go 2.4 nobby nick up front and 2.25 rocket ron at the rear, both trip nano compound.

have you seen the new mk2 mountain kings and X-king?

x-king rear and mk2 MK up front in supersonic with chillie compound would be a very fast grippy combo.

allthegearnoidea

to look a little out of the Obvious trend tyres, absolutely Love my Hutchinson tryes, Super fast rolling, Great grip levels good wear too, and light too, 640 for 2.35 toro Enduro with Hardskin sidewall protection,
they do lighter ones for dryer trails, piranha and python, lighter, and faster, Cracking tyres though! not cheap mind but Very good imo!

Father Faff

Thanks for ideas. I wouldn't want more than 2.25 up front really. Would a Nobby Nic 2.25 up front and and Racing Ralph 2.2 our back work ok do you think?

jakeeeeeee

yh thats what ive got and they work brilliantly !!!!

rubins4

Aspens are really shallow tread, super fast, pretty light but low on outright grip. I'm looking for a pair of something else for damp/wet conditions as washout is looking likely. Bontrager XR4's in the 2.2 are looking good for me at the minute.

Just to add: aspens are great for road/canal path/fire track type stuff. maybe even some trail centre type stuff, but soon out f there depth if it gets a bit muddy. Great tyres if not looking for massive traction.

Just read the BikeRradar review, they talk of massive side knobs for corner grip... hmmm, mine are only 2.1's, but there is nothing massive in term of side knobs on these tyres.

njee20

Nics, Ralphs or Rons depending on your requirements for grip vs durability. Rons are my favourites.

uk_stretch

richg1979 wrote:

beware of the on one tyre as a lot are very old stock 07ish.

Is that based on experience or are you judging by the pics? The tyres you get are not the same as the pics (in my experience).

I got a set of DD Ralphs and pretty sure they are 2010 model. The Nic advertised is clearly 2010 as well as it's the "AllGrounder". Some of the other models are advertised as latest spec inc the Ron. Mind you the 2011 Nic is nicer if you can get it for anything like the same cash - impressivley grippy in the ice.

On a Meta 5 I would've thought the Nic was your puppy. I'm runing a 2.25 and it rolls better (IMO) than the 2.2 Mountain King Protection it replaced. Grip wise the Nic makes the MK look poor - but again - in my opinion (and on a Carbon Scale HT s just a bit different ).

Father Faff

Trying to buy the right tyre is another matter - you have to be so careful with shop websites giving poor or just plain wrong descriptions.

For example look at Rocket Ron's on CRC's website and in the description it says they are Pacestars triple compound etc but the tyres shown for sale at £20 are cheap wire bead heavy versions and not pacestars. Misleading advertising at best!

Other sites are no more descriptive of their tyres in general though Next Day Tyres did give proper details but were of course out of stock!