Yes, for sure. Rider skills, terrain, bike, setup, system weight, etc. are all going to affect perceived grip.
If ridden the Trinotal Race Grips, and they’re great. No complaints with the Dub Race Rapid, and these grip better for me and make a better every day tire.
Or it’s a slower rolling tire.
I know it might sound like a joke or being a smart-*s but I did notice I was braking less and being slower overall with slower rolling tires.
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That actually is a good thought. Conti tires do need a break in period before they go faster. I can say my DH times have been faster since I put on trins.
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I suppose it could be true on the flip side. The Tri is a faster rolling tire than the GC, so I could be perceiving less grip because I’m going faster. I still feel the Ricks have better grip, but I am also riding those in a different environment than normal trail riding, so it may not be a good comparison.
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Fast Trak is my favorite tire for the front but unfortunately they don’t have the old model in stock anymore. I feel like I have endless grip with the FT. I did a race a few months back with the Rick in front and didn’t quite have the same confidence I’m used to. I’m trying to decide if I want to try the new version of FT or try out the Dubs.
My only disappointment with the 2.4 Dubs is their size. They are much smaller than 2.4 Rekon Race which was my prior preferred XC tire. But they make up for it in grip and weight. I spin up much faster with the Dubs and they provide as much, or more, cornering grip than the Rekon Race.
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Yes, the Dubs and Tris are much narrower than their marked width when measured with a caliper. Even the width of the tread when the tire is not mounted is significantly narrower than other tires with the same or similar marked width.
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Curious if anyone has some thoughts on this.
I race a lot in super rocky areas (Colorado/Arizona), I used to be all about volume and found that I liked the Rekon Race a lot for this reason. Then for Breck Epic I had an urge to pick a ‘faster’ tire.. So I went with the racing ricks.. They are notably smaller in the 2.4 compared to the Rekon Race.
I noticed with the narrower tires, I could avoid more rocks and get my tires between the rocks better and it ended up feeling BETTER than the big tires.
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I noticed the same thing when I moved to Rick’s f/r that of course measures less, closer to 2.3 if I recall. However, they’re amazing, handle great and have more grip than my other true to size 2.4s. I think the larger is better is overblown and it’s more about compound.
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Two most recent tire setups I’ve run were Maxxis Aspen 2.4 F/R. Felt like the hooked up very well on turns, but getting the tire over to the edge to hook up could be very sketchy especially if wet or muddy. Braking traction was alright but back would lock up quite a bit, especially at speed.
Mezcal F/Peyote R both 2.4 XC Race- much better braking traction and can feel that traction as you are turning the tire over. Seems a hair faster than the Aspen combo, but not quite as confident on the edge of the tire when turning. Don’t know if it’s the offset lugs kind of messing with me but I feel like I’ve felt traction break a bit there when really leaning the bike.
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I just really don’t care for the Mezcal as a front tire for MTB. It’s okay if I’m riding my MTB for gravel, but for XC I prefer the Barzo front if I’m running Vittoria.
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Thoughts on ideal tire for Sea Otter XC race (20 mile sandy/hardpack trails with some high speed gravel road sections)? Would Thunder Burt be faster than Rick XC (raced them last year and they were fantastic)? Think Terreno XC would be an option?
I’ve raced the Ray/Burt combo for years. I tried Peyote/Peyote and just couldn’t get used to it but planning on attempting again - maybe Mezcal on front. Lastly, I did Rick/Rick and thought it was great and suited my riding style well. I bit sketchy in wet/slimey corners but generally I liked them a lot. The rear did wear quickly though.
I ran Ray/Rick last year. They were just about perfect. Burt spun out on some of the sandy climbs. Rick had just enough bite to maintain traction.
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Ray on F/R was excellent. Never had any traction issues. Maybe I’ll try a similar set up as you going Rick/Burt this year.
If you’re doing this race don’t be like me last year and wait until the last minute to sign up. It’ll cost you an extra $50ish (over an already expensive reg) after I think mid-Feb
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ray/rick is probably the best combo for most xc races, I been using ray/ray for a couple years now and have no reason to want to switch, good rolling, grip and supple, i even use the same setup for my winter riding in the snow 
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I’ve got a race or two happening in early spring and they’re always a mudfest with puddles and roots that are wet.
What’s everyone’s go to tire combo for this? I’ve tried Rocket Ron’s, A pair of Ricks, Raceking/Crossking, and a pair of Peyotes.
Nothing has really struck me as the “right” combo. Maybe there isn’t one lol.
Curious what you didn’t like about Rocket Rons? I find them to be amazingly good in wet/muddy conditions. Specialized Ground Control a close second for me …
Oh, they’re definitely my go to right now, but I’m always on the look out for improvement. One of these races is pretty important to me so I like to keep an edge if I can. Ground Controls works well for it, but they were a little heavy and the rr wasn’t as good as the Ron’s.
I wish there was a Ron in a true 2.4 size.
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