Opinion on Tyre advice

Crazyjenkins01

Hi guys,

Just after some other opinions on the suggestion from my LBS...

Need to replace my rear (ardent) tyre. LBS suggested instead of getting another one, to move my High Roller II from the front to the back, and go for a Shorty on the front, especially with the weather starting to turn towards the wetter end of the year.

Anyone have any experience of this? Or similar?
Advice appreciated.

The Rookie

What type of surface will you be riding on? What type of riding? An HR isn't the best rear tyre.

Crazyjenkins01

That's what I thought. LBS guy said that's what he used pretty much all year round now he's tried it as it helps to stop the back end sliding out.
My riding is pretty much XC trail centre/man made trails. But Cann Woods is a winch up/plummet down type, rider made natural area with roots, bit of slatey type rocky-ish sections and plenty of mud when it's wet!

The Rookie

Many decent tyres stop the back end sliding out, an HR has the issue of it's shape meaning a loss of grip as you transfer from running on the centre knobs to running on the side knobs, this is less of an issue at the front than at the rear for issues like traction on adverse cambers, it's also quite 'draggy'.

'Plenty of mud' could mean lots of things, what type of mud (greasy, cloying or deep and wet for example)?

Crazyjenkins01

Yeah, good points thanks.

Mud is mainly just wet and sometimes deep.
Have had a quick look at the Maxxis website, and am considering going down the Minion route for the rear.

Crazyjenkins01

Nobody else have any suggestions?

The Rookie

Schwalbe Nobby Nic is a good safe choice, if it's muddy go a bit narrower so it can dig through for grip.

Crazyjenkins01

Bit of a fountain of knowledge sometimes Rook!
Problem is, I want to stick to Maxxis for the moment as I have a thing about both being the same brand and I dont want to have to change the front as well! Its still perfectly good

The Rookie

In that case have a look at the beaver (so to speak).

Crazyjenkins01

Was considering some beaver....

dusk

I think the Shorty/HR2 combo would be good. I would steer clear of Schwalbe as they aren't anywhere near as robust as Maxxis.
I'm running a Minion DHR2 on the rear at the moment and find it very capable. I was previously running an Ardent which I thought cornered well but lacked braking traction.

Crazyjenkins01

What's the minion like for in the mud Dusk? Got some night rides in December/January and going on last year it's gonna be wet and muddy!!

bigmitch41

You could always go high roller front and rear with a softer compound front?

Crazyjenkins01

Have heard that HRII isn't the best rear tyre...

dusk

Crazyjenkins01 wrote:

What's the minion like for in the mud Dusk? Got some night rides in December/January and going on last year it's gonna be wet and muddy!!

The minion is pretty good in the wet for what it is (I.e. not a wet weather tyre). The shorty should be better as it's design is based on a cut spike tyre.

Danieljephcott

I've got ardent rear and hrII front and it seems great.

I quite like the slight slip at the rear. Minion is meant to be good.

HrII is a great front tyre, I love it

Also the beaver comment was fantastic haha

Crazyjenkins01

The HR on the front has been great, no complaints at all!
Just not sure if I'll replace the Ardent with another or go for a minion/similar to try something new.
Main problem is remembering what the weather was like for last years night rides, there'll be plenty of mud to wade through!

The Rookie

Crazyjenkins01 wrote:

Main problem is remembering what the weather was like for last years night rides

That's just an age thing......

poah

got an HR2 on the back and its decent for most things. if its any sort of mud (scottish mud) I'll run a baron. for the front it depends on the conditions. The HR2 isn't bad in moist conditions but wouldn't use it if there is a lot of mud on the trail. The HR2 is a great trail centre (read man made) tyre. What ever tyre you get it is going to be a compromise in some conditions. I'd get the shorty or say a baron 2.4 for the more moist/muddy conditions and try the HR2 on the back. if you don't like it, get something else to go with the more aggressive front.

Crazyjenkins01

Looking like my tyre stash is about to be born ....

hainman

Im in the process of ditching my Shorty,its breaking up at the side knobs,and 75% of my riding in Muddy Scotland is more wet,rocky,rooty stuff and the Shorty is Sh1t on this stuff,ok in the mud but i don't tend to ride just mud trails,
Im either going for the Vertstar 2,5 Magic mary or the 2.4 Der Baron projekt
both get far better reviews in rooty,rocky trails,and still hold up well in the mud,

poah

I've been impressed with my projeck baron on wet rocks, much better than I thought it would be.

hainman

Noah do u ride Murdock at all?? thats where ill be most winter.so need a tyre that handles the roots n rocks

Crazyjenkins01

Shorty no good for rocks then i take it!
Thanks for all the input guys, appreciate it

poah

hainman wrote:

Noah do u ride Murdock at all?? thats where ill be most winter.so need a tyre that handles the roots n rocks

rocky rooty is where I got impressed with it

Be there tomorrow

dusk

hainman wrote:

Im in the process of ditching my Shorty,its breaking up at the side knobs,and 75% of my riding in Muddy Scotland is more wet,rocky,rooty stuff and the Shorty is Sh1t on this stuff,ok in the mud but i don't tend to ride just mud trails,
Im either going for the Vertstar 2,5 Magic mary or the 2.4 Der Baron projekt
both get far better reviews in rooty,rocky trails,and still hold up well in the mud,

My Magic Mary started cracking at the side knobs on the first ride on rocky terrain, I find Maxxis tyres have far greater longevity.

hainman

My Magic Mary is like a dried up desert,its that cracked I don't know how it's not fell apart
My shorty has started to rip on the side lugs too.

hainman

@Poah I ride the up kilpatrick hills a lot and this time of year it's a mud chute in places,so I need something that will do me at Muggers,the hill and Glentress on the odd occasion plus Aberfoyle,golfie and Dunoon

poah

well unless you are wanting a mud tyre then the baron 2.4 is a good choice but not cheap. I've not used a MM or shorty though so can't compare.