XC mud tyre combo

The Northern Monkey

I've just entered the Wentwood Enduro again, so need some mud tyres. No massive rush for them, as its not till next year... but my current tyres aren't fairing well in anything damp anyway.

The lower sections and climbs the last 2 years have been a mud fest, but once up out of the gloop its usually not as bad.

Need to be light-ish (my 1.8 spashbacks are around the 500g mark each).

I was thinking about some 2.1 Nobby Nic Pacestars as they're light and are supposed to be good in the wet/mud... any opinions?

Northwind

Nobby Nics are rubbish in the mud. Some xc racers choose them basically as a slightly grippier racing ralph but they're still in the same ballpark.

Specialized Storm is getting great recommendations as an XC mud tyre. Depends what level/type of mud we're talking about, if it's horrible then maybe 1.5 black sharks? But they're terrible at anything that isn't a muddy field.

I reckon Kenda Karmas do well in the mud but a lot of people hate them

The Rookie

Panaracer Fire mud in a 1.8 width, my folder is 480g and yes they work very well in mud, clear well and are reasonably grippy elsewhere as well as not being disastously slow rolling, I combine with an XC Pro 2.1 up front.

I've been out a few times where others have ground to a halt with wheelspin and I've literaly had no traction problems at all.

njee20

Whoever told you Nics are good in the mud is a moron!

Dirty Dans are excellent in the mud, 420g for a 2.1 too, or 1.5" Black Sharks if it's proper hardcore sticky mud and nothing else. If there's one root consider something else, they're lethal!

Northwind

The purpose of black sharks is to tell you that an event's going to be awful- if people recommend them, just don't turn up.

IMO

The Northern Monkey

hmm.. its more of a wet mud than a sticky mud iirc... Last year it rained all the week before and it was hard to walk in let alone ride

Problem is its road to begin with, then muddy slop, then a bit of fireroad, then muddy slop and ending on the road again!

Dans look good though!

hahaha... one of the lads we ride with did Wentwood 2 years ago and vows to never go back, it was that bad. Seriously, mention now and he'll go off on a rant (you know who you are!)

njee20

The purpose of black sharks is to tell you that an event's going to be awful- if people recommend them, just don't turn up.

Agreed! I've probably used mine 10 times in 8 years, but when you need them there really is nothing else that compares! Conti XCs are pants in comparison, narrow, but a rubbish tread pattern!

I used Dan's all last winter, often did 10-15 miles on the road, 30 mile MTB, 10-15 miles home. To my surprise they showed no discernible wear, no worse than Mud-Xs, despite being far lighter.

felix.london

Never used them but Bonti XR Mud get good reviews

njee20

Yep XR-Muds are good. Dans are much lighter.

The Rookie

I've not tried Dans and know no-one who has, but the Fire Muds seem the equal of the Bonti's but are lighter (not as light as the Dans) like njee mine has seen a lot of road as well with no real ill effects.