For the UCI XCC (short track) race yesterday, Jenny Rissveds won on Specialized’s new Fast Trak tires. The rest of the Specialized racers seemed to be running Renegades.
Looked like Mathias was using a Racing Ralph in front. I thought that trend had died off (I’m pretty sure he also still goes 2.2 often).
I definitely saw some ThunderBurts too.
Looking for suggestions for tyre choice. Have a 50k race coming up that’s mostly on doubletrack/farm roads but also has several rocky river crossings. I’m running vittoria Mazzas now to mess around on the local trails but thinking of something lighter and better rolling for the race.
Racing Ray / Ralph Front and Thunder Burt rear does it for me 2.35. or 2.25 if it is more farm roads.
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The aforementioned Schwalbes or any of the super fast-rollling XC tires (Conti RaceKing Protection, Maxxis Aspen/Rekon Race/Ikon, Vittoria Mezcal, Specialized Fast Trak, etc) are probably ideal for a course like that.
Or if you’re willing to give up some seconds in exchange for a better all-around tire that’s still fast (to leave on instead of the Mazzas) you could go with the best tire ever made (Maxxis Rekon) or similar (Vittoria Barzo, Conti Cross King, Specialized Ground Control, etc).
I’m currently looking at changing the stock Specialized Ground Control 2.35 on my 2022 Epic Evo to something lighter with a slightly faster tread design. I think the S-Works casing is probably just to thin and not something I want in a marathon race so I would most likely go with the Control Casing, either in the Specialized Fast Track and/or Renegade combo.
I do have a question about this. In the front I will go with the 2.35 fast track but in the rear I’m not sure if I should go with a 2.35 Renegade or 2.2 fast track? Is there an advantage to run a faster tread (renegade) in a wider tire as opposed to running a slightly slower tread (fast track) but in a narrower size?
So I’m basically wondering if tracking/speed would be better with lower tread/faster pattern but wider rubber as oppose to higher tread/slower tread but in narrower rubber?
There might be not clear answer but I would like to have the most all-around tire combo possible and would like to try something else than my previous Ikon/Rekkon combo.
Do you ride in mud? If so don’t use the Renegade. Right now I’m using the Renegade Control 2.3 on the rear with a Ground Control 2.3 in the front for the leaves that are starting to fall. This spring I’m going to try the new 2.35 Fast Trak in front with a new 2.35 Renegade in the rear. I love the Renegade in the rear but I don’t ride in muddy conditions. When muddy I have a Gravel bike to ride gravel, a road bike to ride road, or a Stages Bike to ride in my basement.
Does anyone have any insight as to when the new Schwalbe tyres will be available?
Seems they haven’t restocked any tyres anywhere in anticipation of the new 2022 versions, but I am hoping to get a few options for summer.
I’m actually about to switch my 2.3 for a 2.35 fast trak
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Let us know how you like it compared to the old Fast Trak.
I also have 2.35 fast track on order in the control casing. Hopefully they won’t be too fragile as my all-around every day and race day tires. I really loved the older fast track so finger’s crossed on the new one. I’m especially hopeful front grip will be a little better with the new rubber compound and tread pattern.
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Anyone seen this floating about the interwebs? Doddsy from GMBN has been raving about it.
I’m not convinced it’s such an incredible leap forwards. A heavy and stiff sidewalls 60tpi tyre without the traction of an equivalent weight 120tpi trail tyre with an insert 
.
Christ, 60 euro for a down country tyre means the xc premium pricing is being applied to what is essentially trail, rebranded.
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I just went from Barzo to Maxxis Forekasters. It’s been extremely wet in western Massachusetts this year & the Barzos are no fun in the wet. Forekasters roll a lot better than I thought they would & grip wet rocks & sometimes wet roots. Glad I went to them for the confidence they’re giving me in our presently sloppy conditions.
At first sight, those Syerras looked interesting til I saw 60tpi & 860 grams. No thanks.
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Yeah, it seems odd. I think the new tyre fills a gap in their lineup in terms of tread, but not in that configuration.
I just weighed my 2.6 Barzo that I haven’t used yet and it’s lighter than my 2.35 Nobby Nic. It made me wonder if it’s a better option than I thought, but are you suggesting it’s not that grippy/sure-footed?
I like the Barzo a lot if it’s dry but when it’s wet, they are well below average in terms of grip. I’m in New England & we have roots, rocks & leaves. Add rain every few days & the Barzo is just not a good choice. They also pack up with mud pretty bad.
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Interesting. I assumed they’d be a bit stronger in the wet. Sounds like they are similar to the Racing Ray, and not really that much of a step up from the Mezcal in terms of grip.
I’ve been running my Nobby Nic on the front recently which is what I exclusively ran for the entire decade of 2010’s and it reminded me how nice it is to have that confidence under the front of the bike. I’d like to try the Wicked Will in front and get a bit less weight and a bit more speed.
I’ve got a 2.6 Barzo and 2.35 and 2.6 Mezcal’s sitting here too .
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I can’t really decide wheter to choose between Ray / Ralph or the Barzo / Mezcal combo. The Schwalbes are supposed to be a bit faster, while the Vittoria’s seem to offer more grip. Since I came from timetrialling, I am fast on the straight parts (thus would prefer R/R) but I am still pretty poor technicall (so would prefer B/M here).
Anyone has experience with both sets?
Also two more related questions:
- I like the skinwall colour. The R/R is only available in superrace (not in superground) in that colour. Does that mean even less grip, or will it not make such a difference?
- The B/M combo is only availble in TLE in skinwall. I read it’s hard to get these tubeless and I’d be better of choosing the TNT (grey) versions.
I think those combinations will work similar in regards to grip and rolling resistance. If you’re not married to tan sidewalls I’d recommend the new 2.35 Fast Trak front/2.35 Renegade rear as another option.
I’m wondering about this exact comparison too (except TNT for protection).
Have you tried either? What are you currently running?
At this stage I will also vouch for the Schwalbe’s, they have great grip and speed, look great, and have proper protection.
I was wondering about the Vittoria combo under the assumption that the Barzo would provide more front grip but I can’t confirm that yet.
If you go the Schwalbe’s you can always get a Wicked Will for the front next year if you need more grip at the front, then you have options based on race/conditions.