What 2.2" - 2.3" Winter MTB Tyre...?

[Boab]

So I've got my new 29er wheels, but need some rubber for them. I'm after a complimentary pair of tyres in the 2.2" - 2.3" range for running in the New Year slop. I'm after something confidence enhancing, rather than fast, as I imagine I'll be taking it easy for a while, making sure I don't stack it again. I have a 2.25" Rocket Ron on the old back wheel that I could use, but have no idea what to stick on the front with it. While I quite fancy trying the oft recommended XR2 or Barzo / Mezcal combo, they all look like they'd struggle in the claggy crap around these parts. I quite fancy trying Minion's, but am open to suggestions.

[Bearlegged]

We don't have much in the way of claggy mud in the Peak, but when it has got a bit sloppy, I've found Magic Marys a bit grippier than Minions.

[whitestone]

I wouldn't use XR2s on the front in winter just not enough tread. I used to use an XR4 front/XR3 rear for winter but the tread on the XR3 isn't the same on the current versions.

[AndreR]

Now into my 3rd winter running WRB Vigilante's front and back and very happy with them, a bit draggy but excellent grip and shed mud well.

[Lazarus]

The shorty is the Maxxis mud tyre and its certainly very grippy in the mud - mines a 26 er though- and superior to the Minion* in wet and skiddy.
I use a high roller on the back

I dont think an xr2 is a winter tyre personally.[ ok if its a + tyre but that is the size rather than the tread. ]

* if i was leaving it on all year i would go Minion as they are ok.

[samwise]

2.35" Nobby Nics currently working out well for me in claggy North Essex.

[benp1]

Just getting in there before Reg does

I'm after a complimentary pair of tyres

Aren't we all! Would you like them to work well with each other too?

[Alpinum]

My suggestions going from grip in soft to less grip and faster rolling:
Schwalbe Magic Mar
Onza Porcupine
Schwalbe Nobby Nic

If you're not only looking for slop grip, but also grip on roots and rocks, I find Maxxis Dual compound to work better below about 5 °C than their Maxxgrip stuff.
With Schwalbe I recommend Soft over Speedgrip.
With Onza's I only have limited experience, their 60a/45a did a good job, but no idea how it compares to their 50a offering.

[boxelder]

I find Specialised Purgatory tyres good, grippy all rounders. Good value too.
https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/purga ... 66EALw_wcB

[jameso]

I like the older Purgatory tread as a winter all rounder, was good even in the Chilterns. The new one looks a bit different but probably a good rear with a Butcher up front.

[AndreR]

The shorty is the Maxxis mud tyre and its certainly very grippy in the mud - mines a 26 er though- and superior to the Minion* in wet and skiddy.
I use a high roller on the back

I dont think an xr2 is a winter tyre personally.[ ok if its a + tyre but that is the size rather than the tread. ]

* if i was leaving it on all year i would go Minion as they are ok.

Used these for 2 winters in 27.5+ (650B) flavour and found them to be very draggy. Superb grip but bloody hard work!! 2 x 2.5 in pretty good nik if anyone wants them.

[Lazarus]

found them to be very draggy.

You cannot get more grip without more drag so it really depends what you would rather have. Mine replaced a minion front and rear and cannot say i have noticed much difference tbh.

[AndreR]

found them to be very draggy.

You cannot get more grip without more drag so it really depends what you would rather have. Mine replaced a minion front and rear and cannot say i have noticed much difference tbh.

Agreed, my summer tyres are WTB Rangers and the difference in drag between that and the Shorty's was huge. Vigilante sits somewhere between the 2 for me, less grip than the Shorty but still plenty grip and good mud shedding with less drag. But then I'm an old git and don't ride as hard as most!

[Boab]

Never did get round to buying tyres, so am still on the hunt. Vigilante's seem hard to come by at the moment, neither the Nobby Nic or Magic Mary come with the necessary compounds in 2.25" size; i.e. Super Trail, rather than Super Ground*. The Hans Dampf does though, so getting that in the 2.35" Super Gravity ADDIX Soft, should just fit in the SID SL on the front, I'd run the existing Rocket Ron on the back. It's either that, or getting some Pirelli Scorpion™ XC S for both the front and back, on the basis that they're supposed to be the soft terrain tyre, the come in the right size and are significantly lighter than a proper trail/enduro tyre.

Anyone run the Scorpion's...? I like my Cinturato's on the gravel bike, so would be more than happy if they're similarly puncture resistant, it's just wither they have enough grip...








* Having said that, the Rocket Ron on the back is a Super Ground, I thought it was a Super Trail...

[faustus]

The latest iteration of the Maxxis Forekaster looks a decent XC all-rounder. Sure, not meant for mud but the knobbles are well spaced and it gets good reviews...e.g. https://www.bikeperfect.com/reviews/max ... ire-review