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

On a different note, my 26" hardtail is running 2.5" Maxxis High Roller tyres
front and rear (these were on it when I bought it). I've only been riding the
trails around Epping so far but on the less technical stuff my cross bike with
40c tyres is waaaay faster and significantly less effort. The MTB is way more
fun, but it's so slowwww on flat stretches (especially tarmac, grass, gravel,
fire roads, etc.) and even mild climbs are a killer.

Any advice for me? Would I benefit from a different tyre setup? I'm currently
exercising HTFU but I wouldn't mind making my life a little easier.

What compound?

You don't really need 2.5s for Epping, and tyre casings have got quite a bit lighter since the High Roller, so there's certainly a good chunk of weight and Crr to be saved.

.

those tyres weigh over 1kg each
lighter tyres might make it more fun and agile and better on the flat ?

What compound?

Their "3C Maxx Grip" compound.

You don't really need 2.5s for Epping, and tyre casings have got quite a bit lighter since the High Roller, so there's certainly a good chunk of weight and Crr to be saved.

This is what I was hoping. Got any recommendations?

They're the expensive ones!

Tbh I'm a bit out of touch with mtb tyres, you're probably better listening to someone else. But people generally seem happy with Continental Mountain Kings and Maxxis Ardents.

This is what I was hoping. Got any recommendations?

For epping specifically? Something narrowish that cuts through the mud might be good, maybe nobby nic / racing ralph in 2" or less.

For epping specifically?

Not necessarily Epping specifically, I'm going to Swinley this weekend and attending @t_w's Surrey Hills ride on the 19th, although Epping's where I'll spend the majority of my weekends as it's near me.

Something grippy, fairly large and fairly robust.

Last time I was in the SH, I was on Rocket Ron 2.2" which on reflection was a brave choice as it doesn't really meet the 'grippy' criteria. Least it was dry :)

Something grippy, fairly large and fairly robust.

Perhaps I should keep the 2.5" 3C High Rollers for the odd occasion in SH etc. then pick up something smaller and lighter like 2.2 Mountain Kings for the rest of the time.

Full-on downhill tyres are going be soooo draggy for XC bimbling :-)

You'd notice a fair difference from just swapping out the rear tyre. So if you like the way the High Roller handles, try one of the XC versions in 2.35", or the Ardent or Advantage. Stick a faster rolling tyre on the back, like the Aspen, Ikon, or Crossmark and you'll get decent straight-line speed, without worrying about your front wheel washing out in the corners.

I always liked 2.35 HR rear with a 2.35 Minion DH-F front, both 60a compound. But the HR was basically a semi slick, so rolled quite nicely.

Thanks for this info!

I've been reading up and I've seen good things written about a Hans Dampf/Racing Ralph (front/rear) combo for a mix of XC/trail stuff.

I think I'll give that a whirl as I'm not particularly attached to the High Rollers and this Schwalbe combo can be had for around £40.

Be wary of cheap Schwalbe tyres, they have a million different compounds and their cheap ones are shit.

Was that on your Ragley? Not exactly a lightweight XC bike :-)

Conti protections are another alternative. The black chilli versions are grippy yet fast. All round yet not too slow is a Trailking front and Xking rear.

You can get tyres significantly cheaper from ze Germans eg bikediscount.de, just be aware returning is a pain.

Run a pair of Ardents before as a good all-year combo, Ardent front Ikon rear sounds like a good summer combo. Got Hans Dampf front, Ardent rear at the moment and it still rolls well. Using Snakeskin/Exo versions, avoid the HD Super Gravity though, they weigh an awful lot...

All round yet not too slow is a Trailking front and Xking rear.

I haz this in 2.4, seems good but only tested once.

Just fitted a pair of Ardents on mine, looking forward to taking them out this week. They'll be replacing a Kendal Nevegal and WTB Weirwolf both of which are 5 years old...

Looking forward to being a bit quicker!

If it doesn't rain until Thursday, what are the chances of Epping being rideable (on Thursday)? Thinking of going up and bringing a friend, but he'll have to rent a bike. It'd be pretty sad if we went through the hassle and it was a mud pit.

I was up there Sunday, and apart from some small squelchy puddles (that probably never go away!), it was fine....actually, it was good.

Cool, sounds promising.

Didn't know where to put this:

1 Attachment

Epic wtf

It's a stans bogey. Pretty common, I've had several. On Tour divide, it got so heavy it made the wheel wobble at speed. Had it taken out and new goo added.