Interesting. Looking at them in person I kind of thought the knobs were too widely spaced on the Barzo compared to the Mezcal for dry conditions?
One interesting thing I’ve been looking at recently after having a big discussion with a mate who used to race high level downhill competitions is the side knobs and the height relative to the rest of the tread.
I’ll try take some comparison pics.
+1
Don’t ride the Barzo in mud. It just packs in.
Curious, I run Barzo/Mezcal and have been thinking about putting some better muddy day tires on backup wheels. What would be some good options to try?
I generally lean towards the Forekaster for wetter conditions, but I rarely have need of them given I’m in SoCal.
People in wetter regions would be better to offer guidance.
I hear you. I’m in South Texas and get about 5 days of rain per year (exaggeration, but feels like it). I generally don’t have a problem were I live, but there are a few marathon races that seem to get rain every year, and I don’t feel too confident in that mud. I’ll see if others suggest anything. Thank you.
I just did a MTB 100 that 2 hours into the race it rained for a couple hours and left the course muddy. I was quite happy with the Mezcals 2.35. No, they are not a mud tire, but they handled the wet roots and mud pretty well and didn’t feel sketchy at all.
Hi all - any (UK) recommendation for a mixed terrain Wet XC tyre up front, I was thinking Forekaster…?
The Barzo is a tire on my list to try as a rear tire. It has a very similar tread pattern to the conti cross king. The conti is good, but I’ve poked a hole in two different tires, so I’m looking to try something else. I’d also like to try the Wicked Will as a rear. I’m fully happy with the XR4 as a front tire - when I can get them.
I run a 2.35 barzo front and 2.25 Mezcal rear on 25mm rims. Our trails in west Michigan are sandy, loose over hard.
For what it’s worth, I’ll probably do a 2.35 mezcal all around next year. I’ve been trying to practice cornering more aggressive lately and can feel the mezcal hookup when I’m dialed, and the barzo does it’s job when things are just right. However, I’ve lost front end a few times when I hit an early apex and catch some loose dirt at the edge of the trail. That’s more on me than the tire obviously, but it’s not very forgiving where as the mezcal seems to bite more.
I have a Barzo currently as a rear. I think it works well, but I’m not 100% sold on it, yet. I have found climbing on loose, the rear will spin out slightly - that could be on me. Shift the weight back slightly and it’s ok. Ripping on singletrack, down flowy trails with jumps and b erms, and well, just going fast it’s great.
How’s the tread life and puncture resistance of the Barzo?
On a whim, I ordered some of the new Fast Traks to try. Partially because I realized my current setup is getting worn down and I am planning a longer event in September so I didn’t want to be without tires in case the supply chain was dry
Nice! Let us know your impressions after a ride or 2 with the new Fast Traks.
So far so good. Have been down the typical Colorado sharp rock gardens, loose Eagle dust, Breck/Frisco etc. It’s only a 2.`1 rear at around 18-20 psi and no issues yet. The tire has maybe three weeks on it 100/120 miles a week and looking good. Will probably run it at the Firecracker.
I would switch to my standard Ikon or try the Mezcal in the rear, but as you know, getting tires right now is a struggle.
I have the XR4/XR3 combo on my Fuel Ex. It’s very nice to ride, tons of grip, but it’s downright slow. It’s crazy too cause the XR3 looks like a Rekon Race, but it rolls a decent amount slower in actuality.
Maybe more like a Rekon but I dunno, I had it out today and it feels zippy for a non-XC bike, granted I’ve got a decent fitness level. I feel like it’s definitely quicker with the 3 on the back. What do you weigh and what do you run for pressures? I’ve settled on 27ish front and 30ish rear with both tires on a 29mm rim in a 2.4” and I weigh 175lbs. I used to run them lower but like the sharper feel of higher pressures more and they roll very well for me
I can confirm @MI-XC measurements of Vittoria Mezcal tyres. Both 2.35 and 2.6 appear true to size (at maximum pressure - they’re currently stretching)
The side knobs aren’t quite as pronounced once mounted on the wheel compared to when folded.
I have had the same issue with some but not all of my Maxxis MTB tyres. There is a residue on the sidewalls (never from the tread however). It doesn’t appear to affect the sealant or its ability to seal though, I only change the sealant approx. every 6 months, if they’re lucky 
I wouldn’t call the residue sealant though, maybe a component of the sealant. I ride with a lot of people and it definitely doesn’t happen to everyone. Maybe its a Stan’s thing. What sealant are you guys running?
Orange Seal Endurance mostly, occasionally Stan’s Race. I guess I can’t say for sure whether this has happened with one or both, but I think both (pretty sure it happens to some extent on all my tires).
