Which tyres for xc racing?

xcMuttley

Hi, wanting to get some tyres for xc racing as the 2.3 wtb prowler xt are very heavy and what i have seen from other forums a bit big for racing on, Have been Looking at buying a Continental Mountain King 2.0 for the rear and Continental race king 2.2 for the front, Anyone else run that setup? other suggestions/ advice would be very helpful, Thanks

andy46

I don't race but I do have Race King Supersonics on my bike and they are great in the dry and tbh not too bad in the wet as long as its not thick mud.

They can puncture easily though.

xcMuttley

Thanks for the advice, anyone used the x king tyres? looking at reviews and maybe x king 2.2 front mountain king 2.2 rear what do you all think?

nicklouse

TBH it is impossible as there are too many variables. The conditions of the day have as much effect on tyres as anything else.

xcMuttley

Would the 2.2 x king and 2.2 mountain king be a good set up for most things apart from thick mud? I can not afford diffrent sets of tyres but i have the prowler xt's the new pair i will be getting and if it comes to it and i need a thin tyre for muddy tracks i will take one of my brothers bike, Would the prowlers be any use at all for xc racing? I wont be able to get any more than 2 unfortunatly so am looking for the best setup as possible

Rushmore

I used either Nobby Nics or Racing Ralphs depending on course/conditions last year..

timmo1978

cant beat ralphs to be honest, im using them tubeless front and rear all year round at the moment and touch wood never let me down!!!!

RevellRider

If you went for the Conti's, I'd probably run them the other way around. I.E the X King on the back. I've used a X King and found it to be a very good tyre in the dry and an ok tyre in the mud.

agg25

I run Nobby Nics front and back, they've been good to me for the last few races around London. I found the Rocket Ron / Racing Ralphs light and quick but a bit slippy on the wet roots. Bontrager Mud X's when it's a full mudfest have served well. I think Nobby's are the most popular at races when looking around at the start line, doesn't necessarily mean they're the best but must say something.

grenw

Just changed from X-Kings to Ralphs on the back of mine (always with Nobbys up front). The grips does seems to be better, especially over roots although I'm not sure they handle mud as well - seem to go sideways a lot more. maybe its just the time of year.

dan man

i used maxxis ignitor 2.1 last year found them grate better then nobbly nics for me

cooldad

dan man wrote:

i used maxxis ignitor 2.1 last year found them grate better then nobbly nics for me

What I use, with a soft exception up front and standard one on the back.

jakestanworth

raceing ralph

d00m

Kenda dred tred front, and kenda small block 8 on the rear. Thats a fast rolling, grippy set up.

In the wet/mud, maxxis medusa.

ste0649

I use Mountain King 2.2 on the front and X-King 2.2 on the rear, both the basic folding version and they have been great all year round. I do the odd marathon and XC race and find they are a good balance of grip and speed. Great set up, for me anyway .

xcMuttley

Thanks for all the replies, have been looking around and cant afford much so am going to go for the mountain king and x king as they seem to be the best price and have had many good reviews alot of people seem to use them all year all weather so think i will go for them, wish i could get the nobby nics or racing ralphs but simply cant get them as i dont have enough money and i need to get a few other things too so will stick with the bassic contis for now , Thanks again been a great help

nicklouse

Check On-One for deals. They had NN & RR at a good price a while back.

ste0649

Here is a website I found last night, cheap for Conti's http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k371/folding.html Just click on the UK flag at the top if it comes up as German.

evo3ben

Make sure you get the 'Black Chilli' compound Continental tyres and not the cheap standard ones that the likes of Halfords sell. Big difference

I would also be inclined to have a thinner tyre on the rear this time of year maybe 2.2 front, 2.0 rear.

Good site for tyres here: http://www.nextdaytyres.co.uk

xcMuttley

Thanks again for all the replies got x king and mountain king would tell you how they were but my back is still bad and they may not get ridden for a while just wanted to get them now before i spend the money on somthing else lol