The Rick test results have just been published on BRR. Scored very well.
1 Like
I’m not sure why the Pirelli Scorpion XC RC ProWall is so underrated. At just 700g for a 2.4” tire, it offers excellent cornering, durability, and puncture resistance. I’ve covered 7,000 km with two pairs and only had one puncture, which was entirely my fault. I’ve raced on various terrains—from roots and rocky trails to the Cape Epic—and the tire has performed exceptionally well.
Before switching to the Scorpions, I used Aspens (sometimes with an Ikon on the front). In the last two months, I tried RaceKings, but their 2.2” width wasn’t sufficient for my terrain. When I returned to the Scorpions, I didn’t notice any significant difference in rolling resistance. Considering the terrain and cornering speed, the Scorpions are faster overall.
That said, I’m definitely looking forward to trying the new 2.4” Contis when they’re released.
5 Likes
I see that… I have the speed grip versions that I assume have a slightly higher CRR.
I will try using more air psi this weekend and report the findings.
These new drop’s looks interesting!
The Vallnord is claiming 620g for a 2.4 - curious on how it rolls, puncture resistance etc!
1 Like
I hope it’s a brand new compound, because all Bontrager tires I’ve tried to date have been super slow, unfortunately.
5 Likes
How are they in the wet?
They are good. Not collecting the mud and fine on the rocks.
They have some interesting testing facilities (see here), which IMO should be better than drum testing for simulating real world rolling resistance on bumpy surfaces. I guess they just haven’t been able to develop carcasses and compounds that are as good as the other brands.
2 Likes
Bontrager has had such consistently bad tires for years that I am going to be real skeptical on these until they get properly tested and also get some real world reports from others like those on this thread.
2 Likes
It sounds like they may be worth another look as a pretty viable option. I seem to remember near launch that some of the pros using them in World Cups were getting a lot of flats, but maybe those issues got worked out.
What did you appreciate at Aspens and what were the drawbacks?
The Aspen tires excel in cornering and speed but fall short in braking performance. However, the introduction of the MaxxSpeed compound was the main reason I decided to move away from them. In my experience, MaxxSpeed performs worse than the 3C compound in many aspects (weight, speed, traction…). The only advantage seems to be for Maxxis, as it’s easier and cheaper to manufacture a tire with a single compound.
1 Like
The Aspens also clear mud and soil in general extremely well. The huge volume also provides this magic carpet ride I can’t find elsewhere. In proper deep mud they perform no worse than Racing Ray/Ralph and self clean better. Only reason I don’t use them now is because I find them absolutely deadly on slimy over hard ground. Unfortunately that happens to be 90% of trails from October to May here in the Swiss plateau
4 Likes
BRR results are up for the Rick XC… They lived up to the hype/expectations, in testing nearly inline with the Race King for rolling resistance, while lacking just a bit in puncture protection, but still totally acceptable. They also measured up in spec with their width, and wider than most at 59m/2.3" when they mounted them up to a 17mm internal. This matches my experience, as mine are sitting at 2.52" on my 32mm internal.
4 Likes
I’m still boggled by the 17mm internal rim.
I’m running winter wheels with DTSwiss 30mm iw alloy rims (they are heavy for sure) and Gravel King SK 2.1 (52-622) that measure out at 57.5 mm. I only bring them up because they’re similar to Rick on the center, but lacking in that they don’t really have side lug, but they are gravel tires, not MTB.
2 Likes
Caution. What you see in the default comparison graphic is the newer, sadly worse Race King ProTection E-25.
Only when you switch the graphic comparison list to the 5 best rolling resistance you see the “real” good Race King - which is pretty much in line with the Thunder Burt. Of course no news.
Not to say the Rick XC tests bad. Quite the opposite. But it’s a good deal apart from the real fast guys.
Good catch. It does give up 2 or 3 watts to the fastest Race King compound/version, but still lands up there just behind Schwalbe’s less knobby offering of the recent Thunder Burts.
The “fastest” Race King’s results are a 2020 test which was using innertubes and then later calculated/converted to “sealant results”. I know they tested extensively to determine their conversion, but it would be interesting to see how those tires actually test in that configuration - it seems possible that their conversion model overestimates the savings when switching tubed>tubeless. Evidenced by the fact that not a single tire tested in the tubeless protocol (including numerous updates to the “best”) have tested anywhere close to the <16w that everyone is holding as the gold standard.
6 Likes
Even if the convertion tubeless was accurate, the relevant benchmark for tire selection should be the currently available model, ie the E25. My expectation is that the Rick’s considerably bigger volume more than makes up for the small delta in RR
8 Likes
For sure! I’d choose Rick over the Race King because the extra volume would be welcomed on my hardtail.
2 Likes