Winter tyres. Too much to think about.

MTB noob

It's approaching the wet side of the year again and I've yet to buy some tyres.

Right now, I have a Conti Race King 2.2 at the back and a 2.3 Speed King and what I've gathered on my ride today, they're not exactly best suited to mud, roots and wet chalk/flint (South Downs stuff). Although I didn't crash, it was very difficult to get traction on the front wheel once lifted and the back wheel wandered off when I pedalled (both tyres at 28psi - I'm a light person).

Last year I had Conti MTB King 2.4" wire tyres at £27 for both wheels. They lasted me the winter but although very grippy and had quite a bit of life after 1500 miles, were quite puncture prone.

I'm not sure whether to buy another pair this year (folding) or try something new. (budget is £50 for a pair - stretching it, £60)

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

bartimaeus

I like XR Mud - though it would be good if they did them a bit wider than 2.0

rockmonkeysc

XR muds are good for cutting through the slop and they find traction anywhere. As a mud tyre they are great but thats all they are good for.
Something like a Continental Baron should be good.

The Rookie

Maxis Beaver is a well rated 'winter' tyre.

coulddobetter

If you did basic mountain king I gather the black chilli folders are much better. I took basic wire mountain king off very quickly as they felt unsafe to me . Currently running bontrager xr4 team issue and they are coping well on wet roots and mud . Thought I may have to change for winter but apart from the odd area that is rutted and gloopy due to horses I am fine. ( even then I can get through and they don't clog up)

white91

Was really impressed with my black chili rubber queens today

passout

Depends how much mud there is where you ride. Not too bad for me & I find 2.35 High Rollers a good option. Sometimes opt for a thinner mud tyre on the back though that said - not often though.

MTB noob

Mud isn't really a huge problem for me. The majority of the stuff I ride on is exposed roots, rocks and chalk. I did consider Rubber Queens but the fact that they're almost a kilo would make my XC bike heavier than a Santa Cruz V10.

Maxxis Beaver on the other hand does look like a good option but they unfortunately don't do it in a large tyre size.

lostboysaint

RockmonkeySC wrote:

XR muds are good for cutting through the slop and they find traction anywhere. As a mud tyre they are great but thats all they are good for.
Something like a Continental Baron should be good.

Complete tosh. They're just about the most allround of the winter tyres as they're not draggy as fuck. They are also the weapon of choice, along with the Panaracer Trailraker, which offers similar mud grip but IS a drag, of most of the riders that I know who do the wonderful chalk-soap surface of the South Downs trails.

swod1

The Rookie wrote:

Maxis Beaver is a well rated 'winter' tyre.

Are these better than maxxis medusa as a winter tyre and would you use these only on back or front as well ?

I see they do a 2.25 size which could be used as a front tyre.

Mojo_666

Wet screams for me when its muddy.

MTB noob

The wet scream looks like a thin MX style tyre which for the South Downs are NOT a good option. I tried a pair of Medusas up on the hills and with wet chalk, I'd be better off with tubular road tyres.

I had 2 moving wheel lock-ups and 4 bails in 5km of riding - the first time I've encountered traction that poor in my whole MTB experience (including many snow & sub-zero rides).