Hello everyone!
*Yes, cross-posting is too hard and it results in displayed image with no post.*
**TL:DR** 215-235lbs total, tubeless 2.4-2.6″ set for everything from tarmac to lighter, recreational enduro, scroll to the end for list of tires I ask about.
It seems like there was no question about the tires in the last few hours… So let me begin! I know, I know – do-it-all means do-nothing. Yes. A mediocre allrounder is what I’m looking for.
General purpose hardtail – on working days typically doing \~30km (\~20mi) rides in flatlands \[70/30 hardpack + sand / asphalt\], on free days getting more love off the beaten trails (this season did a few 100km+ dailies and a single 150km+ offroad daily). Bikepark weekends definitely are not the regular thing (but rarely I will hit some trails up to EU red /US single black I guess?/ with some lift/shuttle. On multiday trips all kinds of surfaces are to be expected – from asphalt to steep, muddy and rooty singles with some smaller rocks ([PIC](https://preview.redd.it/p5cpyztx4myb1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a0a74f7be575c08b524bc489b960d923d0e25179), [PIC2](https://preview.redd.it/wpdtqstx4myb1.jpg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=450e0dd707b1da8c98095d2b2d9e534d776e612e)). Many of the said singles have the clay-like mud, when it’s dry it’s a great hardpack, but when the weather gets worse, they totally change their character. Total weight is very approximately up to 110kg (240lbs): 85kg (185lbs) of me + 15kg (30lbs) bike + 10kg (20lbs) baggage.
What I’m looking for? I’m thinking about 2.4″ or 2.6″ tires (rim width suggests rather 2.4″, but on the hardtail, on longer rides maybe 2.6″ may be beneficial for that additional bit of vibration damping?). More aggresive and softer compound tire for the front + ‘faster’ and more reinforced tire with the harder compound for the rear. Tubeless of course. I expect universal (or just any) tires to clog with the wet clay, but they should clear themselves reasonably fast.
Last season I spent on XC with older geo and TNT Barzo 2.35″ / Mezcal 2.25″ combo on i23 rims (now moving to a bit sturdier trail HT). In dry conditions it was amazingly good combo… And crap in wet. On hard and wet surfaces Barzo tends to suddenly wash out in turns – used as a front tire it gave me over a month of unplanned brakes from any sport activity and forced me to postpone and shorten a longer trip for about a week last season after 2 such washouts at higher speeds. Mezcal was amazing as long as it didn’t meet wet clay ([PIC](https://preview.redd.it/5s4j1ytx4myb1.jpg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=903af0a32710e7354a01cc47bfb1719ec2dd0c9d)). Almost the only way to clear it is to do it manually with a stick. So going over a patch of clay-ish mud on a descent almost guarantees no traction on the rear for the rest of descent (which I prefer over the front washing out, but still could be improved with a bit more spaced tread).
I went through tons of online discussions form last years and no matter what tread – it seems like the poor performance in wet conditions has something to do with Vittoria’s G2.0 compound. People were complaining about the issue with washing out no matter what tire was – Barzo, Syerra, Agarro, even Mazza!
My stock wheels came with Kenda Regolith 29×2.4″ SCT on i31/i32 rims. As long as they are unused, selling them won’t be a problem. Considering the availability, I came up with possible alternatives:
Front:
* Vittoria: TNT Agarro G2.0 (2.4″ / 2.6″), \~45 EUR
* Maxxis: Dissector WT 3C (MaxxTerra 2.4″ EXO+ or EXO, MaxxTerra 2.6″ only EXO, MaxxGrip is way more expensive and sounds a bit like an overkill), \~45 EUR
* Conti: KrFR may be a bit of an overkill? Rubber softness vs reinforced casings are the opposite of what I’m looking for. \~55 EUR Trail / 60+ EUR Enduro
* Michelin: Wild AM2 (GUM-X3D, Gravity Shield) almost 60EUR
Rear:
* Vittoria: TNT (e-)Barzo G2.0 (2.35 is cheaper in e- version, 2.6 regular) \~40-45EUR
* Maxxis:Forekaster M362RU WT (60TPI 2.4″ EXO(?), 120TPI 2.6″ 3C MaxxSpeed EXO(?)) \~45EUR,
Rekon (60TPI 2.6″ 3C MaxxTerra EXO+, 60TPI 2.4″ Dual EXO, WT 2.4″ 3C MaxxTerra EXO+) \~40-45EUR
* Conti: Xyn / FrR may be a bit of an overkill? Rubber softness vs reinforced casings are the opposite of what I’m looking for. \~55 EUR Trail / 60+ EUR Enduro
* Michelin: Force AM2 (GUM-X3D, Gravity Shield) \~55EUR
I will gladly hear your opinions and suggestions!
by BZab_