If you’re in Europe I think you can get them from Lordgun.
In the US, I saw them at my LBS, which is a specialized dealer (but also for more MFRs).
Seems like a good 3 tires to look at. What do you think would make the best front tire out of those 3? I’m not opposed to mixing and matching as long as they are both black!
The way I like to ride is a slight front tire bias in the corners, so I do rely on front grip as a priority. Low tread front tires scare me!
Conspiracy theory… Schwalbe trying to save material by under-sizing to pad profits! 
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Shrinkflation is even hitting the mountain bike tire market 
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I’m a bit of a rear tire Bias rider, so take this with a slight grain of salt. The rekon would have the most grip for sure, but I likely wouldnt race with it. I like the booster tread for the front more than the mezcal personally. For me, If I wanted something to pair with the 2.6 mezcal rear, I would go with the 2.4mezcal RACE front (softer compound) or even better wait for the Barzo race front.
I’d also be fine running any of these with a 2.4 rekon race front.
I ride a hardtail, and believer in higher volume in the rear is more important than front.
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I don’t think I’d ever go with a front smaller than the rear. I have done it once but it totally did not feel right at all
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I used to feel the same, but come to think of it, I do the same on the enduro bike as well. I dont love huge tires on the front, some say its an precision thing, but it just feels a bit more “pointy” to me, running a more average tire in the front. I also am never surprised by what I hit with my front wheel, and need the tire to compensate. For the rear, I tend to get more surprises as to what my tire lands on, or maybe I just am more careless with the rear wheel in the style I ride, and I’m fine with that (to an extent).
I guess, I’d be curios, why do folks think they need more volume in the front than rear? I feel like this is the old standard, and I’ve been questioning it the last few years as tires have been getting bigger. To me the main benefit seems to be the ability to run a significantly lower pressure tire in the front than rear. To me, that would get to the point of squirmy, but I’m likely alone there.
huh, interesting. The tread does look a bit different than the 2.4, as a heads up.
I buy quite a bit of tires from lordgun in the US. I’m sure it will change soon, but its quite a bit cheaper for most brands.
Thanks for your insight and opinion - because I’m front bias, I def feel better with a larger tire up front if anything. Interesting to hear other folks perspective though.
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I likely still have odd habits from racing way too small 26" downhill bikes growing up that will never be unwritten, I try to be aware of that though, especially as a coach. For most, I imagine/suggest running the same volume front and rear is the right idea, for predictability sake.
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I’m always shopping for new places to get tires for a decent price and this is the first time I’ve heard of lordgun. They have some great prices but I’m not seeing any availability of tires I’m interested in larger than 2.2. Is that normal? Also, what makes you think prices may change soon?
I use lordgun all the time. In fact I just got a shipment of gp5k’s and Rick’s. The shipping is slightly more but the tire prices are way cheaper.
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Lordgun’s got some nice pricing on inserts too. Vittoria Air-Liners for $33.
I’ve been on a mission to actually try some different tires vs just going on data sheets or simply using what everyone else uses. Early spring racing here is sloppy, messy and cold. The trails are technical with roots, small- mid size drops and fast descents.
Late spring into summer is dry and dusty. Some races look more like enduro laps while others are more like a gravel race.
Last season I was on:
2.35 Ground Control T9’s for wet/sloppy races
2.2 Race King Protection spring and summer races
This winter I’ve purchased a bunch of tires. Here’s what I’ve got:
Currently riding 2.35 Rocket Ron f+r - I like these a lot for the wet, they drip really well.
In the wings waiting to be tested or on the way:
Schwalbe Ray + Ralph Super Race 2.35
Schwalbe Rick Speed 2.4
Hutchison Python Race
Might also snag some Aspen ST’s but I do like to also actually race my bike at some points so tire testing must come second lol.
Happy to answer questions about feel, set up, weight and size if anyone has any.
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I would really like to read your updates. Please keep us posted.
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Interesting, I’ve actually always thought the rocket ron was an underrated tread pattern. I even like them as cyclocross tires a bit.
I’ve got a set of tubular mtb rocket rons kicking around that I’d love to find an excuse to try, ha. I dont have any boost tubulars though, I’m sure they’d rip if I got a gravel bike that could fit them though.
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if anybody has a vote left on BRR… Python Race is just 2 votes ahead of a gravel tire, and if the trend continues…it will lose its winning spot
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Completely subjective assessment, but I’ve been getting the distinctive feeling that the 170tpi Aspens are grippier than the 120tpi. Surely the last time I used the 120tpi was back in October, so hardly a proper comparison, but they feel different. Comfort feels the same though from what I remember
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No experience but I suspect a “more supple” casing would conform to the trail better which would provide better grip.
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