For XC, I currently use Ground Control front and Renegade rear. I love this combo.
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Purgatory looks like a pretty good mid grip front tire option, and if it works for you don’t worry about changing it. What those reviews are likely saying is that it is a good rear tire option matched with something much more aggressive on the front (Eliminator or Butcher from Specialized). The same things that make it good for hard trail riding/Enduro on the rear usually make for a good light trail front tire option, but that is just a less vocal internet group.
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Thanks, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. 
The Eliminator/Butcher would definitely be overkill for me. The Purgatory is hardly any heavier than the Ground Control (775g vs 760g) and they both roll pretty well imho.
I’ve just installed my Barzo 2.6 on my spare front rim and can confirm it didn’t measure 2.6". According to my calipers it is 61mm wide at the casing. It may stretch some yet, or might measure a smidge wider on wider rims (my spares/winter wheels are ~27mm Syncros wheels).
I’ll report back when I install the rear/go back to the front. I will get more pictures and measurements, I just wanted to slap it on there for the thread.
I will say that it looks visually/noticeably larger than the 2.35 Schwalbe’s on my main wheels.
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I wish tire manufacturers specified what rim width is assumed when they quote their tire width.
Seems like the widths of newer cross country tires assume they will be mounted on 30mm rims. I have 25mm rims, and all the tires I try are consistently about 1/10” narrower than spec.
If the 2.6” Barzos assume a 35mm rim, then on a 27mm rim, they’ll measure about 4mm narrower - which is about what you are seeing.
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I agree wholeheartedly, and that’s why I’m not that miffed about it. They appear larger, and my 2.35 Ray/Ralph look and measure just fine on the 25mm rims.
I’d love to get 30mm wide XC rims but the weight and cost of getting another set/something comparable in weight and performance is eye watering.
Are you also installing 2.6 Barzos on the rear wheel? My current 2.25 Nobby Nics measure 56-56.5mm on my DT Swiss 22.5 internal rims. I guess I will go with 2.25 Mezcal TNT G2 in the rear, as that’s supposed to be more or less true to size or even wider than average. I’d be happy to try a 2.35 Mezcal instead, but I’m not sure if that would be too wide for the chainstays (it’s an old 2012-13 Giant XTC carbon hardtail). In the front, I’d most likely go with Barzo 2.35 (if and when I can find them in stock). The 2.25 Barzo is available from several webshops, and I would be happy with those too if they measure more or less the same as the Nics (i.e. at least 56mm on my 22.5mm rims). But if they run narrower, I guess I should rather wait for the 2.35 Barzo to come back in stock
I’m going to install a Mezcal on the rear of those wheels. I’m waiting until a bit closer to my reconnaissance trip as I’ll take the Cushcore out of my current wheels and put it on the winter ones.
I have new Ray and Ralph 2.35 SuperRace tyres and a noodle to go in. They’ll be in for about three weeks before my race which should go perfect.
If it helps, I had an Anthem of the same vintage which had similar clearance and I was able to run 2.35 Racing Ralph without issue.
Thanks, that’s good to know. Tire clearance is not bad for a 9-year old bike without Boost. There’s at least 6mm between the 2.25 Nics and the chainstays on each side. But I’m afraid the 2.35 Mezcal might run a bit wide (at least reviews mention that the Mezcal runs wider than the equivalent Barzo). Perhaps I’ll try the Barzo 2.35 in the rear for winter (and use the 2.25 Mezcal in the summer).
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I’d think everything is measured on a 30mm+ rim nowadays since that seems to be coming on most new bikes, even XC ones from what I’ve seen.
I’ve been using Mezcal‘s for years, and they are true to size. I normally pump them up to 50 psi and leave them that way for a couple of days to stretch them out (on 24.5 and 26.5 id rims).
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Any experience with Barzos? Do they really run a bit narrower than the equivalent width Mezcals?
I bought a Barzo for the front a couple years ago. I didn’t like it and I don’t recall how they sized. I do recall hearing that they tend to run small but I don’t know if people are doing the proper stretching procedures and what rims they’re using.
what is this voodoo you speak of?
I have decided to switch my rear from badly leaking Conti Race King to Maxxis Rekon race.
First (very subjective) feeling was that rolling resistance is higher. I will do some timed tests with the powermeter. Grip is very nice and it feels like it is smoothing rough terrain a bit better. I am really surprised, mostly that I felt any difference.
Also I was surprised, when I found out, that Maxxis is stating rolling efficiency as 2/4 (Aspen 3/4, Ikon 4/4). Since my focus is XCM, I am thinking to try it as front tire and pair it with Aspen for dry conditions and run it as rear with X-King on front for muddier terrain.
What are your thoughts?
Inflate to maximum PSI (50-ish) and let sit in a warm area for 24-48 hours.
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Maxxis chart doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when matched with all of the pros pictured in the following pages. Almost all you can zoom in and see the Aspen is the tire of choice, but there are a few Rekon Races hiding in there and no one runs Ikons any more. If the 2,3,4 in rolling resistance were accurate that would not be the case.
Then the Rekon Race Semi Slick pattern is a 2 but the Minion SS pattern is a 4, which is also the same as the Aggressor and Disector? Very odd.
Only thing I truly agree with that chart on is the Ardent having a 2 for control, that tire has needed to go for so long. Who would take its complete lack of grip until the cornering knobs when the Rekon exists?
I would like for you to zoom in to MvdP’s tires at Nove Mesto. Go to PinkBike for photos. I’m pretty sure he was running Ikons, maybe not?
Aspen’s according to the bike check they did
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Yeah, that sounds correct and that is what I wanted to hear. Just one cent, looking over XCM world championship, I saw lot of riders on Ikons. And they had dry conditions last year…