I should also add I guess to stay closer to the topic. I’ve got the new Schwalbe Racing Ray and Racing Ralph combo in 29x2.35 Snakeskin protection. I also have a Nobby Nic as a wet track alternative.
Where did you get these and how much were they?
i got them trough a local wheel builder. model of the rim is NXT29UL34. he got them directly from nextie trough their website. weirdly enough you don‘t find those trough their listed rims. you have to search for this exact model on google to find them (that‘s what he told me).
and to add to the topic: I‘m now running Ikon 2.35 in the front and Rekon Race in 2.35 in the back. Adjusted pressure to 19/20 psi. I‘m 85kg or about 185 pounds kitted. We‘ll see how low I can go with these rims.
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To be fair that dropper button looks terrible to use . I’d definitely opt for the wolftooth over that
That’s what I ride, 2.35 EXO for front and rear. Not the best in wet of course, but great in many conditions and good in others. Seems fine on rocks too.
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Has anyone tried the Kenda Booster Pro tires in 2.4 size? I’ve heard they grip well and are pretty light for a 2.4 size tire.
I’ve been running Bontrager Team xr3’s on the front at 2.4 wide and their team xr2 ar 2.25 on the rear both tubeless.
Definitely noticed a lot more grip going larger volume at the front. Recommended.
Picked up a set of Pepi’s Tire Noodles today, the red XC ones which I’ll install over the weekend, good timing as the latest podcast talks about them. Certainly hoping that I can drop the pressures a little and save my carbon rims at the same time.
I’ll report back.
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I’m running 2.6 XR2 on 35mm rims. Significantly more grip than smaller tires, but still good rolling speed.
What are you guys running for psi?
I’m running 2.25s on 24mm id wheels and I’m 165 lbs. I’m currently running 20psi front and rear but I’m wondering if I could drop that some
I like the new XR3s. Good grip. Predictable. Robust (enough for a descent of the whole enchilada in Moab).
The one downside I’ve found is tread life when used as a rear tire. The center knobs tend to wear quicker than some other tires, as the knobs are not solid - which no doubt helps with grip - but means they wear a little quicker.
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Slightly off topic, but since you are in Bentonville I had to ask. Are you familiar at all with the course they are running for the Big Sugar Gravel Event later in October. Some of the pro’s who pre-road most of it last year said it was quite rough for a gravel race and expect some people will probably run XC hardtails and XC mountain bike tires.
Wondering what your thoughts are and whether more than a 43c Gravel King SK would be needed.
I’m not going to be the best at answering your question, but I can point you to those that can.
The gnar is real on that course. Some of the course is tarmac smooth to washed out craziness. There is a Facebook group called “NWA Gravel Grinders” that would be able to give you a more qualified answer than I could. Just knowing the area, I wouldn’t hesitate to come to town with my race tire of choice and then something for the gnar if a flash flood hits…
Those that I know racing plan to do so on a drop bar gravel bike. Bentonville is now the home of Allied, which is pushing their new big tire bike. However, I have not heard of our roads beings as harsh on tires as Dirty Kanza.
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My 2 cents… I’ve previously ridden and raced Aspen, Rocket Ron, Racing Ralph, Thunder Burt, Renegade, Fast Track, Ground Control and many others. I’m a certified tire nerd. Unlike many products and bikes pumped up on marketing BS, tires DO actually make a significant difference in XC racing. It’s science…
As amateurs we can chose any brand. It’s a luxury the pros don’t get. Very few would run the tires you see them on if they had the choice. I doubt any Specialized Pro XC racer would run Specialized tires if given the option. I’m also sure Anton Cooper would not run the Bontrager XR1 if he had the option of any tire brand.
I’d personally rate the new Schwalbe Racing Ray as the best all round front XC tire I’ve ever used.
Rolls fast, has proper aggressive knobs on edges, compound is softer than most XC tires so it’s superior in wet conditions, works better on roots as claimed because of diagonal tread layout.
I feel it’s best suited to dirt, loam, medium conditions, slightly damp etc. The knobs are too aggressive for rock or hardpack.
It’s about time we got XC tires designed for front or back wheels. It’s been going on for years in motocross and DH MTB. This is the first front specific XC tire I’ve tried and unsurprisingly, it’s an improvement on non wheel specific tires.
Schwalbe really nailed this tire. Paired with the new Continental Race King Protection as a rear tire and you have the current fastest XC tire combo. I really hope nobody I race uses it. I legitimately wanted to keep it secret.
I run it at 17-19psi depending on conditions. 2.25 size. Rider weight 61kg.
This really sounds like an ad…
Whatever. Try it if your trail conditions match up.
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I weigh 150lbs, I’m on Barzo 2.35 front & 2.25 rear, 26.5 internal width rims. Running 16.5psi front /18.5psi rear for everyday riding. Shouldn’t say this but I haven’t had a rim strike yet. I have a 6hr race Sunday which has some fairly rocky sections, mostly loose stuff up to potato size but also some sharp shale here & there. Think I’m going to air up .5 to 1 full psi for that.
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Yep - the data on the new conti race king pros show very low rolling resistance. So as a rear tire, seems like that’s the best option. Although in my experience, the less aggressive tread means they don’t do so well in dusty and loose over hard conditions even as a rear tire (at least the prior generation).
The racing rays look good as a front tire - although here I think there’s more subjectivity on how much grip you’re looking for and the terrain you are on - and here there’s more options on what might work well.
I’m running 2.25 Mexcals on 27 id wheels and I’m 185 lbs. I usually run about 18 front and 19 rear. I live in SE Michigan so I’m not smashing through downhill rock gardens at high speed but I think I’ve only had a couple rim hits
How are you finding your Oiz? I’ve got my eye on one!
So I’m having a toss up between some wheels I’m looking at. I’m currently running crest mk3s on my scale.
Looks like I can get enve m50, or crest cb7s, both with torch hubs for the same price.
The cb7s are around 80-100g lighter, but are less stiff than the enves for sure. But I figure that extra compliance from less stiffness might be good on a hardtail.
Hard decision.
what does tire pressure do to stiffness? e.g., will less air make a stiffer wheel more compliant?
how heavy is your Scale? does 100 grams matter on a sub 20# bike?
Where are you riding? do you need the stiffer wheel?
Caveat: i don’t know enough about the wheels to know if cb7 is floppy or stiff enough and enve is just really stiff.