Ran conti race kings this summer on 30mm (inside, DT Swiss XRC-1200). No problems, zero flats (that sealant didn’t fix), probably 1200 miles. Ran 17/19 psi, front/rear. 5mm = 0.1968503937 inches. I can’t tell the difference once mounted. I think this wheel build is very, very, stiff. Also ran 1500 miles on Rocket Ron’s 2.1r, 2.25f without any issues spring to early summer. Same pressures. The rear wore pretty quick.
How was the wear on the race kings after 1200 miles compared to the Schwable?
The rear tire wore pretty quick, pitched it when I took it off. The front is now a rear for a bit, probably about half knob left. The race kings start with a lot less tread, probably have another 800 miles, but mostly road/gravel use at this point. Will get me thru the winter when I ride outside. I like the Rocket Ron as an everything tire (Colorado mountains), very durable, reasonable amount of tread, pretty darn light (compared to maxxis). Not as fast on pavement, the way the race kings are.
Did you like the profile? Do you have any pictures?
I also have a review/opinion on the Pepi’s Noodle insert.
Having now run it for a few months, trying different tyre pressures and a few different style of trails I can confirm that it’s definitely not the same as a CushCore XC. The CushCore adds a sort of progressiveness to the “bottom out” of the tyre, the Pepi just doesn’t. It does an excellent job of keeping the tyre on the bead and protecting the rim from contact with the ground.
I thought it was all just marketing guff, and I’m not sure yet whether I’ll go back to CushCore and pay the extra 70g weight penalty, but there’s definitely a difference between CushCore and the noodle varieties!
First ride completed on the new 2.35 Fast Trak Control T5 front and 2.35 Renegade Control T5 rear. I’m really impressed by the cornering grip the Fast Trak provides and the Renegade rolls fast as ever compared to the old 2.3 Renegade. I’m set for next season now.
After a week of using the new 2.35 Fast Trak Control T5 on the front it feels like a little bit less grip than the older ground control but it’s more predictable if that makes any sense
A tire that can be very suitable for mtb marathons is Continental Cross-king protection. At 2.3 it weights ~750gr which is comparable to many tires with similar puncture protection and grip. Where it differs for me is rolling resistance due to middle knobs and predictability. It grips well on loose and loose over hard surfaces (gravel roads etc) and when it looses its grip it does not go out in one big slide. There are no big holes on its profile so consistent grip at all lean angles. Knobs are not very big but big enough to perform on rock and roots as well. I want to try some other tires but afraid to get disappointed.
Tire to stay away from is Continental Race King. On anything other than hard surface it is a disaster. When it goes it goes, you are going down. No knobs to grab anything.
On the rear I did two seasons with Maxxis Icon 2.35 and pleasantly surprised by its performance. Good traction even on roots and loose gravel. Only time it fails is loose, steep sections with bigger than, say 1cm diameter. Its knobs are too short to overcome these. But at those sections many other xc tires cannot hold as well so not a loss for Icon.
Seems like I am the only one really disliking Specs Fast Track control 2.3
I come from an old 26er with a cheepo CST tire on the back and a Crossmark front. FT is less supple, looses grip more frequently on wet hardpack and is less predictable cornering than my old setup. I am running 22 and 25 ish psi on 25 iw rims. Any ideas? Maybe just not for me?
Personally I run much lower pressures than that - at 22/25 I think they would slide around quite a bit.
How much do you weigh and what bike?
Thanks. 155 lb (no gear).
Its a chisel.
I weight about the same. Tires pressures are very individual and dependent on where/what you’re riding, but I run mine as low as 18-19 sometimes without inserts. I even had 2.35 FT’s down to 16-17 without inserts when it was wet/loose, but you have to be pretty careful of ricks in those cases.
I would agree with Mr Fenwick, 22/25psi sounds like quite a lot more than someone as light as you would need for optimal traction and rolling resistance.
Unless you’re riding a lot of quite gnarly rooty/rocky sections at a very hard-charging speed (which I assume not based on your bike choice) that would mean you’re contacting the rim a heap, then try dropping down a smidgen (regardless of tyre).
There are definitely differences in suppleness though between tyre brands and tyre models within brands also. It may be that your previous set were just nicer tyres. Schwalbe tyres in general I find have a beautiful suppleness and level of traction. I’m currently trying some Vittoria tyres that are not as supple, nor as soft/grippy compound.
Are you running the old 2.3 Fast Trak or the new 2.35 Fast Trak? They are different tires with different tread patterns.
I agree. The old 2.3 Ground Control has more cornering grip than the new 2.35 Fast Trak. It all depends on what you are using it for. The Fast Trak is a lighter tire and probably rolls a little faster.
Are there XC tires that work reasonably well on pavement? I’ll be using my hardtail for some gravel events and rides next year, so there’s usually a fair bit of pavement. I know I won’t be on any podiums!
I was thinking maybe Conti Race Kings or Schwalbe Thunderburts for example. They seem to be comparable (or faster) than some dedicated gravel tires on bicyclerollingresistance.com
Thanks!!!
What about for cornering?
less than 22/25psi for someone at 155lbs (same as me) sounds like it’s going to squirm and “roll” in corners? At least that’s my experience on 30mm rims with 2.4" - 2.5" tires. I can see getting away with it in terms of pinch flats no issues however
Thank you everyone.
Apparently I am running the old Fast Trak (unexpected as this is a recent build).
And yes, nothing too gnarly on my usually rides. Mostly oldschool xc.
I’ll try dropping a couple psi at a time. I read somewhere that these tires tend to fold under 22 psi so that’s why I didn’t go much lower, but a couple psi at a time and testing before pushing it and I should be fine.
I do have the RRay/RRalph combo on the radar. My lbs is out of stock but as soon as they get them I will definitely give those a try.
I don’t have 30mm wide rims so I’m not sure if that’d change things or not. I do think rim shape and tyre casing have an effect, plus obviously insert use.
You have to try it for yourself, I’d have thought you wouldn’t have issues but with race casing, no inserts, and hard riding, I could definitely imagine squirming.