Should I change my Michelin Wild Rockr 2s for something quicker?

garnett

Hi - hoping for some help from more experienced riders.

In short, my bike has Michelin Wild Rockr 2s which I am finding heavy going and I'd like suggestons for replacements.

The long version:-

After a fair bit of road cycling, then a couple of years of nothing, I bought a 2nd hand Voodoo Bizango, that came with 2.35" (29er) Michelin Wild Rockr 2 on both front and rear (despite, I read, being a front specific tyre).

I'm not used to such chunky tyres and they are far wider and chunkier than the tyres used by the guys I ride with.

We ride a bit of tarmac (roughly 15%), and gravelly roads (15%), then mainly fire trails (50%) with a bit of more wild, offroad woodland tracks with a fair few tree roots etc (20%).

I'm a big guy (110kg) and not especially fit currently (27 min 5k running speed) but I'm working at that. I mention my weight mainly because I may need grippier tyres than the whippets I ride with.

I am holding back the guys I ride with, and (while weight loss and fitness are the priorities) it feels like the Wild Rockrs are sucking themselves to the ground. I concur with a review I read that, "with a heavy (over 1kg) weight, and super-glued ground-hugging ride feel, something has to give, and the rolling speed is so pedestrian you need to be totally DH-focused or super-fit."

I also can't get over the width of these tyres. I would be minded to put something much thinner on - 1.6-1.75" - but (and this is where I'd appreciate the input of experienced riders) I seem to be out of sync with prevailing wisdom on this because most MTB tyres seem to be 2.25-2.5" wide.

So can anybody recommend a replacement (or tell me I should stick with what I have)?

Thanks a lot for any advice.

steve_sordy

To answer your question: Yes!

For your riding requirements, I would fit something like a Maxxis Ardent on the front and a Maxxis Rekon on the rear. The Ardent is a well established all-round tyre that comes in a wide variety of sizes and can be run tubeless. The Rekon is a newer tyre that is fast rolling and is perfect for a rear tyre in your conditions. It too comes in a wide variety of sizes and can be run tubeless.

I believe (as do many) that it is important that the front tyre is grippier than the rear tyre. If you are blasting round a corner and the tyres start to lose grip, it is very much better that the rear lets go before the front!!

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/maxxis-ardent-mountain-bike-tyre-exo-tr-/rp-prod149591
https://www.bikester.co.uk/maxxis-rekon-folding-tyre-29x240-wt-exo-tr-1214379.html

Try a 2.4 on the front and a narrower tyre on the rear, 2.2 or 2.25.

If funds are tight at the moment, go for the Rekon on the rear first as that will have the biggest impact. Also the last thing you want is a grippy tyre like your current ones on the rear and a less grippy one on the front!

If you are more used to riding on the road, then I can see why you might initially favour narrow tyres (you quote 1.6-1.75). These would indeed roll faster on tarmac, especially at the high pressures needed to support your weight. But they would be very uncomfortable on the rougher stuff and would in fact slow you down. On trails that are not smooth, tyres are an essential part of your suspension and by conforming to the rough bits they actually smooth your progression. There is a reason why MTB riders have wider tyres than road riders and it's not just for show!

I would also consider going tubeless. But that is a whole new thread, with a whole new raft of plusses and minuses to consider.

PS: The reason I say tyres "like" the Ardent and Rekon is that you may have little choice. Currently, everything to do with mtb is in short supply.

garnett

@steve_sordy Thanks so much for such a comprehensive reply. That's brilliant.

Like you guessed I'm struggling to find stock (and, frankly, I'm a bit surprised at how much ££ some tyres are).

After a bit of researching and shopping around, I'm considering a 2.2“ Schwalbe Rocket Ron for the back, and a 2.35" Schwalbe Hans Dampf for the front.

steve_sordy

I am sure that they will be a significant improvement.
Don't discard your old tyres unless they are worn, you may want to use them on the front again at some time in the future if your riding requirements change.

mully79

Tyres might not be the magic bullet you'd hope if your mates are significantly lighter and fit. They may still crush you uphill until you lose the weight. Changing to lighter tyres usually means pinch flats if you run tubes so definitely consider tubeless first.

I have a 16 mile strava loop on a canal towpath which is flatish so have some real world data. Im a similar weight and slightly slower at 5K.

Times with tyres as follows.

Rigid MTB with Bontrager xr3 tyres = 1:13
Rigid MTB with Continental Baron mud tyres = 1:23
Full sus with Maxxis minions = 1:15
Full sus with Hans dampf bikepark magic mary tyres = 1:28 (very cold weather)

The magic mary bikepark are an extremely heavy dh tyre and the barons slow rolling mud tyres . The xr3s are similar to rocket rons.
The minions are similar but probably faster rolling than michelin rockr.

You might save a few minutes over a 15 mile ride for a £100 outlay.