XC Race Tire Thread

The AccuGage on your bottom picture is known to be accurate

2 Likes

To break the tie!

But if it comes in higher then you’re in worse shape lol

Joe

2 Likes

Exactly… perhaps at the next race I will take the accu gauge around and compare with other people that have, “precision” gauges and hopefully get to the bottom of this.

BTW… hope to see you at the Ocala events next month and later this year.

:slight_smile:

1 Like

…or just use the squeeze test. I know how I like my MTB and Gravel tires to feel when I squeeze the sidewalls with my hands. Too soft, add some more air. Too hard, let some air out. This is the way. Different tires have different construction and need different pressures.

I use TB Speed 2.1 on my gravel bike and the rear tire is very sketchy in steep loose descends.

No it’s not sketchy, it’s actually just helping you carry more speed than you’re used to. :grimacing:

When the bike is upright, the TB is essentially a slick, so your observation is accurate.

1 Like

I’ve been playing around with some different tires lately, one set: Roval Control SL (older version) Maxxis Forecaster front/Ikon out back.

Second set: Roval Control (Came on the bike, new version with better snakebite sidewall) Schwalbe Wicked Will front and rear. Speedgrip compound

Epic Evo 2022-setup 110/110 suspension wise.

Location: Upstate SC and WNC
Observations: The Maxxis tires never give me the best confidence, although they roll fine, the grip at times on the front doesn’t give me extreme confidence.
The Schwalbes are a set I’ve ridden a good bit. Even though the rim and tire combo is heavier, they roll fast and the SpeedGrip gives me the confidence in our tight woods.
I’d like to try the Schwalbe’s new Rick XC to see what they feel like.

I’ve also thought about going to a soft compound when it’s wet and winter

1 Like

What tires did you settle on? I’ll be racing that too, and picked a Vittoria Mezcal front, Peyote rear combo. XC Race casing, 2.4 width. The trails there are very hard-pack, just have to watch out for loose conditions on the inside of the corners.

1 Like

Sticking with the Aspens. No one suggested it was a terrible choice and they are on the bike, so at this point I’m good to go! I’d be interested in your thoughts on your tires post-race. Not many people on Vittoria’s in my neck of the woods, but they seem to be popular on this thread. Hearing your feedback after riding in the same conditions would give me some context for how they handle.

Looking forward to the event. We were supposed to do it a couple years ago but it didn’t run because of wildfires. Fingers crossed it is a go this year. Good luck out there!

3 Likes

Good call, definitely some value in running what you know! I normally run the latest Forekasters in the Seattle area on my 120mm Tallboy, so wanted something a bit faster for Bend. Not getting overly concerned with competition, just shooting to finish sub-5hrs is all. Done a decent amount of riding in Bend over the years but first time racing, should be fun!

2 Likes

New month, new BRR voting - I put mine behind the Kenda Booster Pro SCT 29x2.4, it needs a few more votes to make onto the list and will drop off after this month.

Schwalbe Rick XC Addix Speed 29x2.4 and Vittoria Mezcal XC Race 29x2.4 made it this month

3 Likes

Super solid month for XC tires getting the Rick and the Mezcal XC on the list. I’m pretty curious about both. The Mezcal XC felt fine on the trails but “felt” slower on gravel and pavement when I tried it a few months ago. We will see if my feelings are validated…lol

Vote going in for Booster this month. Another good tire to get data on.

1 Like

After two monts on Race Kings I went back to Pirelli Scorpions XC RC ProWall 2.4 and on the gravel and asfphalt you can feel how less snapier they are. And slower also. But…
2.2 is just too low volume for rocks and especially wet rocks so at the end of the day when you count all the lost time RK can be lot slower on technical routes… not because of traction or grip but because of volume…

I somehow have a feeling that guys from continental have some bet or something to see how long we are wanting to wait for bigger RK… they are releasing gravity and road tires multiple times per year…

There’s been a good couple months with XC tires lately, but the Booster could definitely use the help - close voting month so far. My vote is in.

1 Like

Voted for the Booster as well. I’d like to see that one make it.

2 Likes

Same. Booster. Hopefully!

Joe

2 Likes

Booster boosted

3 Likes

Boosted

1 Like

There are pics of some Specialized riders running 2.5 Captains at Mont-Sainte-Anne. Does anyone have any info on these or when they will be released?

Anyone try a Rick XC front and rear setup? Thoughts?

I’ve been racing with a ray/ray combo and it’s doing well but the front seems to track too well and often found myself fighting to stay straight on faster single track.

:slight_smile: