Has anyone ran the dubnitals in the mud yet?
Conditions have changed in Uk and it’s looking very wet this weekend.
Radial racing ricks are being tested
I’m interested in how the Dubs are handling sharp rocks etc. I see they had some flats at Unbound
I flatted a 2.2 Race King Protection at Unbound this year, some of the sharp little bits out there will get you no matter what tire you’re on. Fairly clean puncture right in the center of the tread while grinding up a flinty hill.
I’ve got a set of 2.4 rapid race’s on order and hope to give them a proper thrashing before Leadville.
I had a discussion with the Conti guy at Unbound specifically on the question of Dub Rapid Race durability vs. Race King. He definitely wasn’t claiming the Dub RR was more durable with the different casing and it was basically a TBD whether it’s similar to the RK Protection. All the performance results I’ve seen on the Dub Rapid Race 2.2 show it to be similar in speed to the RK Protection 2.2. I’ve bought an extra set of 2.2 RK’s since it’s still TBD on the Dub durability and the new tires don’t initially seem to be measurably faster. I plan to run the 2.4 Dubs at Leadville this year if they prove reasonably durable, it’s not a course that destroys tires unless you really bang down the descents.
This is the exact same reason I asked the question - Leadville. I’d prefer a 2.4 to a 2.2 but St Kevin’s decent is the question. Elsewhere not an issue generally.
Same 
Wanted to update on the Mezcal 2.6, it actually hasnt left my bike this year, and Im converted to a high volume believer for XC bikes. As a bigger rider, I’ve never “got” what folks are getting out of correct tire pressures, I’ve had to run over 30 psi for as long as I can remember, and lately with more wight, an insert. With the 2.6 I started in more of the normal mid to upper 20’s range, no insert. It feels like an incredible amount of travel has been added to the bike, its on a hardtail, so even more amplified. It feels faster, and easier to pedal through the rough stuff, especially the type where theres not much “height” but lots of roots and sharp rocks, feels like im floating on a pocket of air, you know like… pneumatic tires. I did manage to pinchflat on a square edge when the pressure had dropped to the low 20’s and I was getting a bit overconfident in them, but it sealed up ok.
Back to the mezcal, I dont think this tire is super fast, its not slow, but its hard to compare now, as there is too much change in volume (and fitness) for me to really comment on that. That said, its super grippy, mezcal is the opposite of a mud tire but it did pretty great in mud, this might be due to the wider spacing than the normal mezcal.
I think this is the ultimate bikepacking tire, fast on roads, can handle mud, and durable. For me, I’m just enjoying the volume experiment.
I have a 2.5 mile XC course in the backyard, so once it gets a bit dryer, I’m going to do back to backs I think, not really for time (I will time it of course) but to feel it out a bit.
I have this paired with the booster pro 2.6 in the front currently, not nearly as big volume as the 2.6 mezcal, but I do like it as a front. Will try as a rear soon, as I think it might be faster than the mezcal for what I ride, despite the mediocre BRR test results.
I havent tried the 2.6 rekons yet, but those are really for trying to make the XC bike a bit more fun, not faster.
No flats for me using the race rapid
Big test for them this weekend with a bit of mud.
I’m also I believer in the 2.6 tire size for the terrain and the way I ride. I wish there were a selection of fast xc tires in this size. I haven’t tried the rekons either, but I can’t see them being the ticket. I’d love to see the 2.6 Rick with the same casing and rubber compound.
Man, those are some high pressures. I’m running 15/14 psi in my forecasters (also not the fastest tires…but handle well). I’m not very heavy though. Looking for an update myself.
No, just the rapid race vs protection
What do the 2.6 mezcals and boosters measure? I’m a big fan or large tires, but haven’t tried XC ones
I ran the TB 2.35 rear and 2.35 Racing Ray last year and it was perfectly fine but I’m with you…TB on the front might be a little too much excitement for me LOL.
Not sure of the exact size (not mounted up now) but the Booster Pro 2.6 with the TR casing is pretty quick. It’s like a road bike casing thickness though so if you live where there are rocks you might need the SCT casing (sorry no data on that version). I think the 2.6" size is probably the way to go for bigger riders. Not all of us are 140#'s!
Joe
I have a set of 2.6 Ikons on my rigid bike. Which is basically my adventure/bikepacking rig. They are way comfortable and roll quickly enough. Not my first choice to rail singletrack, however, just because I think there are better rolling tires with better side lugs. Hard to beat the reliability of a Maxxis EXO casing though.
I’m just under 100kg, so yeah the volume is nice. That said I run my 2.4 Ricks at 19/21 with Air-Liner XC inserts and am happy with that in the midwest. If I was riding somewhere more square edged rocky, I’d add a few PSI probably.
Toughest course in the Uk today with rock gardens and sharp Rocks - no flats.
Was very muddy and they struggled a bit with the clay like mud.
I just couldn’t face changing them out for barzo’s for one race.
I have bontrager carbon wheels and the rims are so tight it’s unbelievable. I couldn’t face the swap.
On the rock A lines the tyres were spot on. But the mud bits in between they clogged and I was skating. But most people were.
Dubnital in sharp rocks and mud - just got back from a weekend up in Marquette coaching at Marji Camp and running these through the ringer in RAMBA. Running Race/Grip front and Trail/Rapid rear. I’m 180lbs and was running 17.5F / 18.5R. Yes playing it dangerously with tire pressure, but wanted all the plushness and traction I could get. Smashed these tires around on rocks and through mud all weekend.
Was able to get them to break loose on rock slabs under higher wattage trying to climb slow speed tech on my SS. Outside of that and some loose downhills, I couldn’t be happier with them. Felt more planted and much faster than the TNT Barzo/Mezcal combo I was coming from. I could have just gotten lucky, but the fact the Race casing on the front faired so well at low PSI was particularly impressive. Only a couple weeks in on them, but so far very happy.
Last fall I got bike specced with a Wicked Will/Racing Ralph combo. I’ve been enjoying the ride much better than the Vittorias I had ran before. With dryer weather around the corner (fingers crossed), I’d like to put on a Ray and save the WW while it still has some life for winter/spring.
The WW is in super race/speed grip, but I can only find Ray in super ground/speed grip or super race/speed. How much of difference is there in those two tires? (Be mindful this roadies’ skills are not awesome and damp roots are my bane in the humid east) Are stocks low because Schwalbe is set to release more tires in their new casing like the Rick and I should wait?
New Aspen “AT” being spotted at WC XC races. Usual Aspen pattern but with taller lugs. If they maintain the casing size and offer it in the 170tpi version I might be tempted
Sounds like it comes in a 2.35 vs their 2.4WT, but agreed, very interesting tire!
Yes, in the UK too. Best described as ‘lively’, I’d say. What I expected from a fast hardpack-focused tyre.