Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

Magura Shiftmix 4 I believe

EDIT:

https://r2-bike.com/MAGURA-Shiftmix-4-for-Shimano-I-Spec-EV-Pair

You can't get good grip in mud and reasonable rolling resistance without going to a smaller tyre.

Bontrager XR Mud and Specialized Storm are both good XC mud tyres in 2.0" that are still quite fast on dry ground, but you'll have to give up some cush. I've ridden both, the Bontrager especially, for years and years, and I really like them, but I don't place that much importance on volume and that's just how I learned to ride.

Otherwise you just have to put up with an intermediate conditions tyre that doesn't clear mud very well and will slip on climbs if you're not careful. Don't get Nobby Nics, they're shit. Maybe a Hans Dampf. Someone can probably chime in on Vittoria options

Thanks. That's useful.
Sizing up looks rad and feels good but I come from cross so 2.0" is plenty for the stuff I ride I reckon. Currently I am Conti Speed Kings 2.2"
But they won't be good in the upcoming fall season obviously. But they very fast and fun

If that's anything to go by its Hans Dampf front Nobby Nic rear.

Just for the record in running this set up with 14psi front and 17psi rear with Rimpact inserts, and they're quick.

Don't get Nobby Nics, they're shit.

Happy to endorse the schwalbe love. Switched to Magic Mary 2.35 up front & Smart Sam 2.25 at the back a few months ago, been very happy with that combo on and off road (where it eats up everything from gravel to slop). Already bought same again for sparage.

I had Ardents for one ride, during which their utter lack of traction in anything loose scared the life out of me.
I've since been running Magic Mary front, and a Conti Mountain King 2 on the rear. They buzz like anything on the road, but they've proven good in the mix of peat and rocks we have here in the Peak.

Front: Onza Ibex 2.4
Rear: Onza Canis 2.25

Having tried Maxxis Aspen's and Schwalbe Racing Ray / Ralph combo I've come to realise confidence is speed, and much of the rolling debate is mental.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll have a look.

I've come to realise confidence is speed

100%

180mm. Maybe that would help, but I've got two sets of wheels, so new larger rotors and a new set of pads would have been a similar outlay anyway. It's all ordered now though...

I kill Schwalbe tyres in anything less than RH* carcass really quickly. I hate them. Maxxis are spenny so Specialized for me; grip well, last ages, loads of options.

*REALLY HEAVY

I found this video pretty useful, although from 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqrbqRYrnB0

Based on his criteria and review I thinking I am leaning towards Maxxis Shorty 29x2.5".
Sounds like they are capable for my intended use, come up slightly smaller so will fit my bike and they look smashing with the yellow decals.
Schwalbe ruled them selves out with the coloured strip on the tyres.

Maxxis Shorty 29x2.5"

You'll get very strong riding those everywhere!

Edit - I realise that's not particularly helpful, but I've always found tyres quite a personal choice. Everyone seems to like the ones that they currently have, and has differing opinions. It also depends where you ride, as I've always liked Ardents in the past, but then I've never tried riding them around The Peak District.

I'm currently using Vittoria Barzos, for a mixture of farm tracks, forest and tarmac riding, ( and even gravel! ) and find them to be fairly fast, grippy and slow-wearing. I've not had the chance to try them in proper mud yet though.

(https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com­/mtb-reviews)

is this legit?
hans dampf faster than a mezcal?!

I am also quite surprised, of course with MTB tyres its not just about rolling resistance

Perhaps if the majority of your riding is done on a large metal drum

a large metal drum

even so .. how is hans dampf faster than mezcal?

and if it is, why not run it all year round?

Dunno. That is the harder compound Pacestaer HD, which I'd rather not use, rather than the Trailstar, which is much further down

I also don't see how the Maxxis Ikon, Rekon Race, and Kenda Small Block 8 have ended up so low on that list

you've tried shortys?

I hoping to become a better rider technically so more grip seems like a good options.
And I guess I just need to try some tyres out to find out what works. It is just sooo expensive buying a million tyres

you've tried shortys?

I have not, though huge, widely spaced knobs like that will be great for traction in mud, they will drag terribly everywhere else and feel horrible on the road

If you want something from Maxxis, I'd suggest the Forekaster for the sort of riding you described

https://www.maxxis.co.uk/catalog/tyre-518-18-forekaster

I wonder if they'll fit Reba forks??

They look a bit like Conti Trail King ii 2.4" which is on sale for £20 on Bikester...

Talks about Trail King ii from 6.00min ish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz3LokpQhuY

Old style Hans Dampf, hard compound. That list is pretty dated.

And also mostly pointless for real MTB tyres.

this tyre talk has thrown me.
I was planning on Nobby Nic 2.35, speedgrip (blue stripe) F&R on the new build.

My tyre history is basically Panaracer Fire XC 2.1 since my MTB awakening (and subsequent nap) so am very far removed from knowing whats good.

XC/ Trail is my zone of terror (I'm heavy, the bike is heavy) with a mile or so of road to get to the fun stuff. Is my choice silly?

I have Maxxis Minion DHR's front and rear (29x2.4"), they were ok on the tarmac, but I was either going up or down, no experience of long flat sections.