Old gen Forekaster is my go to wet tires. But I’ve heard a lot of people dislike them in the wet. I do not understand why, as they are as good as it gets while still beeing light and fast. I have them in 2.35, and running a bit lower pressure (2-3 psi lower front, and 1-2 back unless insert then maybe more). Speed is lower in the wet, and you probably dont ride as agressive down rocky descents (if you have any) so lowering the pressure is pretty safe.
1 Like
Absolutely, but a great wet weather front tyre. Even for XC.
Update on the Kenda Rush SCT 2.4s.
I was out in Leadville last week and gave them a go on the Leadville LT100 course. Initially all was well. They continued to feel good with plenty of traction in the techy sections but still felt like they were rolling well. However then I ran into some issues.
I initially noticed I had a slow leak in the rear tire. It was getting soft a couple of hours into my ride. I carried a hand pump and was able to pump it back up. There was no obvious leak so I wasn’t quite certain what was going on. However I completed my ride without issue.
The next morning the tire needed a little more air but again I didn’t see a leak. That day I climbed Columbine and got to the top (or near top since the Goat Trail still had snow) and all was find. I started down the decent. The top of Columbine is pretty rocky and after bouncing over a few rocks I heard a distinct hissing sound and the rear when flat. I have Tubolight inserts in place so was able to roll easily to a stop on the inserts. Again initially I did not see a hole but after putting a little air in I found the spot. A pretty big sidewall hole had formed right on the edge of the rim.
I tried to plug it with several Dynaplugs and several Stan’s Darts, but after 6 plugs it was still leaking, so it was time to take out the insert and put in a boot and a tube. This allowed me to finish the ride.
I ended up swapping the tire out that night for a 2.35 Ikon as I had another day of riding planned. The Ikon held up fine the next day.
It may be bad luck, but I haven’t had a pinch flat like wth my ENVE M525s since I started running them around 2019. I’ve run a mix of Maxxis, Schwalbe and Conti tires along the way, so getting a pinch flat like that with the Kenda’s, with an insert in place, is concerning to the point that I wouldn’t feel comfortable using them for upcoming races (Leadville LT100, Leadville Stage Race). It’s a bit of a shame because the tire felt great otherwise.
Next up to try will be Aspen 2.4s in MaxxSpeed compound. Have a set on the way to test.
4 Likes
That’s a bummer to hear. I have a pair of Rush’s I was going to try out and potentially run for the Leadville Stage Race, but your post has me second-guessing that.
It seems like Bontrager never gets a lot of mention in these discussions. Are their tires just not up to par? My bike came with Bontrager XR2 Comp tires (2.2"). They are not stellar and I’ve been thinking of upgrading to something like an XR4 as that seems closer to the kinds of treads I see around here (Central TX), but it seems like I should be looking at other brands.
It seems Trek has put resources into tire development and are pretty far behind where other manufacturers are.
The Bontrager GR1 Team Issue gravel tire testing really poorly when Bicyclerollingresistance.com recently tested them. I have a hard time telling subtle differences in rolling resistance between tires when riding, but when I rode on the GR1’s that came with my Checkpoint I immediately thought that they felt extremely slow and I took them off in the first week. Now a few years later when finally tested on Bicyclerollingresistance.com it felt somewhat validating to see their results.
That all being said, I haven’t ridden on any Bontrager XC tires. Whichever ones came with my SuperCaliber got taken off before the first ride…
1 Like
Surprised to see a pinch flat while running inserts on any tire, especially if you don’t remember having a big hit. I’ve run aspen 2.25’s at leadville a bunch (2 LT100’s, stage race, and a bunch of pre-riding) without inserts and had my first slow leak last year coming down powerline (probably a bit too agressive). Planning to try conti race kings in 2.2 this year and I’m debating inserts. I’ve never run them, but I really don’t want tire issues this year. So, figure I’ll either try inserts or just make it a point to slow down a bit on chunky downhill sections. Do you recommend the tubolight inserts or are there others you’ve used?
I’ve been using the Tubolights for a couple of seasons for gravel and XC. They are light and easy to install. Universalcycles.com usually has them in stock. Some sell as a pair and others are singles, so check that if you order from them.
Vittoria Airliners are another option. Dylan Johnson seems to be using those this year and he was on Tubolights last year. I have a set that I may put in when I change tires when the Aspen 2.4 MaxxSpeeds arrive 5hat I ordered. I don’t expect them to behave much differently than the Tubolights, but figured worth trying to get some experience with them. I did run their road inserts this winter and interestingly at the same pressure, the tire with an insert in it did have slightly more volume.
1 Like
I just installed a set of Vittoria Airliner Lights on my primary wheel set with Racing Ray/Ralph. Install was easier than Cush Core , but the liner does sit against the bottom of the valve, so make sure you’ve got a good liner friendly valve. Muc-Off 2.0 were okay, but the cross in the bottom isn’t as good as some other designs.
Unlike standard Airliners, I couldn’t even tell they were there. So that’s good, right?
1 Like
I’ve tried the Tubolight and the Airliner XC. Now, never pinch flatted with the Tubolight or the Vittoria yet, but initial impression is I like the Vittoria a little better.
For lack of a better term, less porous and seems a little more durable. I had a Tubolight rip at the “joint”. Tubolight also has the channel in the middle where Vittoria does not. That channel could hold sealant that should be on the outside of the insert where it stands to help. Was a little bit of a pain trying to add sealant through the valve with the Vittoria - need a good seal between your valve stem and whatever tube you’re using to inject.
Just got back from the Lutsen 99’er (mud fest) and then the Leadville MTB Camp where all rides where on 2.25 Race King’s and the Airliner inserts. I’m not the best descender so was taking it a little easy where it got chunky (especially Powerline), but no issues.
For comparison with that tire I swapped out to pathfinder and instantly my riders for a similar power were over 1mph faster
1 Like
Anyone have thoughts on the Pirelli XC RC Pro Wall?
1 Like
I’ve tried them in the 2.4 version. They measured 59mm wide on a 25mm internal diameter rim and weigh within 5g of their published weight.
They felt good on the trail until… I flatted the rear within 8km of the first ride on a rocky descent that was part of the race course I was practicing. The flat was dead centre on the tread, so not on the sidewall. So with that, my experience has not been great.
Two of the people I race with are using them this year and have not had any problems. I really want to like these tires, but my trust is very low given my experience and the number of flats that Trek Factory racing have had at the world cups this year — although I don’t know if TFR are using the Prowall version.
2 Likes
I am 180lb and revisiting my tire pressure on my new rig.
On my HT Stumpjumper I ran 2.35 Schwalbe R/R on narrow rims at 14/16 psi (F/R). It was pushing the low end but I was on an HT.
I just got a Transition Spur (120/120) with 2.4 Dissector/Recon (F/R) and 28mm rims and have them at 15/17psi (F/R). Everything feels fine so far.
I’m not running inserts.
I’m using a digital pressure gauge, so it’s pretty consistent, maybe accurate.
This seems like much lower pressure than most people use. Am I crazy?
I run my Spur with 25mm rims and 2.35 Ikons with about those same pressures (no inserts), but I’m a lot lighter than you at 120lbs. It’s hard to say because I personally feel like pressure gauges can be variable enough (particularly if using the one on your pump) that pressure values can vary from person to person just because of the gauge they use (i.e. your 17psi may not be my 17psi), but my gut would say that’s low for someone at 180lbs not running inserts.
1 Like
I’m 190 and can run pressures almost as low. I landed off kilter once and folded the front tire leading to a really hard crash. It was a paper thin xc tire though. But that and rim strikes let you know you’re too low.
It’s pretty low and you run the risk of rim strikes, the tire folding over in turns and burping it. I weigh mid 170s lbs on a 2023 Spark (120/120) with 2.35 f/r (25mm internal) and don’t go any lower than 18/20.
2 Likes
How often you guys replacing tires?
Ok I keep going back and forth. Someone tell me what to do 
Choosing tires for XCM in Central Texas (and Austin Rattler). Loose over hard, limestone rocks, hardly ever wet. Running on a HT with probably 2.3" max clearance in the rear and maybe 2.35 or 2.4 in the front. 165lbs.
Trying to decide between,
Front: Maxxis Rekon 2.25
Rear: Maxxis Aspen 2.25
OR
Front: Vittoria Mezcal (or Barzo) 2.35
Rear: Vittoria Mezcal 2.25
These will go on Hunt XC Wide v3 rims (28mm int. front/26mm rear)
It’s been a long time since I’ve run Vitoria stuff but I run a lot of Maxxis and race Rattler every year (and sometimes live in ATX). 2021 I ran 2.4 Rekons f/r for rattler and ran 2.4f/2.35r Rekon Race in 2022. Both are great tires and depending on what you’re really going for either can suit. For an all-purpose setup that isn’t totally dedicated to all out speed, a 2.4 rekon front and a 2.35 rekon race rear would be a nice combo. With your wheels I think you will appreciate the extra volume, especially with the looseness in TX.