UST Tyres for an all-round Mega AM

trigger118

Hi,

I'm currently building a 2013 Nukeproof Mega AM to be a pretty well rounded bike that I will use for XC rides and light downhill.

Ive just bought some Stans Flow EX rims for my first ever tubeless set up so now I am after some advice on tyres.

I have Maxxis Minions on my DH bike and have no issues with them at all but sort of fancy a change really. I've been looking at the Conti Rubber Queens UST (black chilli) but just mildly put off by the price if I'm honest. Also I have no idea how hardwearing they are, the Minions on my DH bike are fine (Maxxpro 60a compound) but I have found that the Supertacky 42a compound wore a bit too quickly for my liking and my budget!

Anyone got any advice on the Contis? Or anything else that I should be looking at for a good all round tubeless set up?

Bike is a 26" wheel and am probably looking at around a 2.3/2.4 width but not 100% sure

Thanks

peter413

By UST I'm assuming you just want tubeless ready?

If so then take a look at the Specialized Butcher Control's. I run them on my Mega TR and they're amazing. They're basically you're Minion's but better in every way. They're lighter, grippier, bigger (the 2.3 Butcher is the same as a 2.5 Minion), faster and cheaper than the dual ply's. They've proved to be plenty tough under my 100kg weight and make one of the best all rounders I've ever used. Don't be put off by the softer compound either, they last just as well as Maxxis' 60a IME but still grip like a softer compound should. Sure there are faster tyres out there but none that I've tried have the grip of the Butcher. When it isn't muddy I pair a front Butcher with a 2.25 Crossmark on the rear and this makes a fast but super grippy combo.

I use them on Flow EX rims as well and they couldn't be easier to set up. Put the tyre on, add some sealant and inflate. They even seated without issues with my hand pump!

If you still want the Conti's then take a look on the german sites like bike-discount.de, Conti tyres are much cheaper from there than in the UK.

lawman

Schwalbe all the way. Trailstar Hans Dampf up front, Pacestar Rock Razor out back. End. of. Thread.

poah

Have a look on bike-discount for good prices of tyres. Schwalbe tend to wear quickly and get damaged easier than contis

paul.skibum

I have High Roller 2's on my Bronson - seem to be jack of all trades - possibly master of none.

I do like Specialized tyres - have Ground Control on my HT and they have been good - little flimsy in the side wall perhaps. Had a Clutch/Butcher mix on the old Big Hit and they were both excellent in DH casing - fantastic grip in all conditions.

I do have a slight objection to putting Specialized tyres on my non specialized bikes though. :oops:

jairaj

I won't recommend any particular tyres as they can be such a personal thing. What one person likes another hates and we all ride in different conditions.

But I've found Maxxis EXO and normal carcasses and Specialised 2 bliss work well with Stan's rims. I found Schwalbe UST tyres very hard to get onto the rim but easy to seat and seal once on. Friends have said the tubeless ready versions are easier to get on.

trigger118

Thanks all, I'm liking the Hans Dampf/Rock Razor combo atm in a snakeskin carcass? I don't know much about schwalbes casings and compounds.

Also can anyone fill me in on the difference between UST and tubeless ready?

Sorry for all the questions but this is my first venture into tubeless.

poah

tubeless ready tyres generally need sealant to make the side walls air tight where as UST tyres don't. you still need sealant to close any punctures obviously. tubeless ready are lighter. using UST tyres seems pointless these days.

jairaj

Yep pretty much as above. The UST system was designed to work without the use of sealant. The beads are a different shape to normal beads and fit inside UST rims with a corresponding bead hook. The bead is also tighter and possibly made to a high tolerance to enable easy inflation and a good sea. The carcass also has extra layers to prevent air loss and punctures as a result the tyre is heavier and sometimes also more expensive. UST is also created by Mavic (I think) and I guess you have to pay them a licence fee to put a UST logo on your kit.

UST is resistant to punctures but not totally impermeable. So people started using sealant to seal any holes while still on the move.

Tubeless tyres are a half way house, they have the air tight and easy inflation bead but do without the extra air sealing layers (and the licence fee?). The tubeless ready rims may also have a slightly different bead hook to a real UST rim. The use of sealant is used to ensure an air tight seal around the bead and in the carcass. Tubeless ready tyres are effectively a win win situation. A lighter, cheaper tyre that with the addition of sealant (which most people already use anyway) still has most of the puncture resistance of a UST tyre.