After my ride this weekend ive realised that the Ikon on the back just doesnt cut it in the wet mud and wet grass. Climbing was pretty much a no go. No grip just spinning out most frustrating and time consuming, never mind taxing on the legs!

So what 29" tires are good for winter conditions but not crazily draggy people? ( i may of asked this before at some point but im getting forgetful )

Maxxis Beaver.

Edit - you won't go anywhere fast though

Tyres!!

Can we have a swear filter here please?



I like XR4s for all-year use. Grippy in winter, not too draggy for summer.

For winter use only. Trailpac Impac.
Cheap, durable for one possibly two seasons, cheap. Not racing, not hardpack tyres.
Main disadvantage is weathering the scathing looks from the brand conscious (all the gear, no idea) types.

those xr4s seem good, may have a punt on one of those

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 6:23 pm Tyres!!

Can we have a swear filter here please?

You beat me too it.

^ Intentional, or hoist by your own petard?

Another vote for the XR series, bigger number = bigger knobs (snigger). The XR2 has about the same level of tread as the Ikon. XR4 on the front, XR3 on the back for winter, one number less on each for summer. One of our LBSs reckoned if they had Maxxis written on the side then they'd sell every one as soon as they came in the shop.

They set up tubeless really easily as well.

I like Spesh Purgatory 2.3s, good wet / mixed all rounders for all but proper slop where spikes are needed or dry fast conditions. Not expensive and really easy TL set up.

Hoist with one's own petard, was, I believe, the original Shakesperian version.

Oh, and question mark after "intentional" please.

I'm probably about to be hoisted myself now. And (*) dropped from a great height.

(*) perfectly acceptable usage of a conjunction at the start of a sentence.

And now back to the studio.

Oh, Swampthings of course. Pretty unlikely in 29 I must admit though .

I put my XR4 on the front for this most recent Bearbones ride. Really didn't want to risk a front slip out given I'm not fully healed yet.

Landslide wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 7:42 pm ^ Intentional, or hoist by your own petard?

I think that was a symptom of trying to type with gloves on.

Think I might have some Bonty Mud-X knocking about.

I have one, and a specialized storm... but they're 26er.

I've got some Specialized Control or something tyres - you're welcome to borrow them. Or I have a couple of spare Schwalbe Nobby Nics - they're quite good in the mud

I run Ardents year round which have the same tread pattern as Ikons, only more of it. IMO they're a good all round tyre. If it's messy out I use singlespeed which has NICs, they seem to roll well enough and are more suited to mud than the Ardents.

It's heavy, sticky clay where I live and most tyres fail, frame clearance is the most important thing. It's so bad out at the moment I don't ride off road in the week and drive an hour to Thetford forest at the weekend. Any tyre works there.

Yep, Ardent's good on the back for winter.

Or Ardent Race if the normal Ardent tread is too heavy for you - this then makes a decent front tyre for summer.

In this order for me

Ikon
Ardent (not the race)
Spesh ground control
Spesh Purgatory

I dont really go any grippier than that