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Tyres for races & feedback
I've read reviews of what others are running on Sydney trails, but do you mix it up for races and different conditions? Do you stick to the tyres that you're used to the "feel of"?
Anyone like to share the combination of tyres they're planning for the next event and why. Also later on how they performed.
Perhaps then we can all share from each others knowledge (especially from someone like Whisperer) and all can be well prepared for the conditions.
I'd love to run this as a poll but the combinations are too many.
For example. For the upcoming Mont24 the course at Sparrow Hill is pretty much undulating singletrack loose over hardpack with lots of Pine needles and a little rocky gravel sections (correct me if i'm wrong)
I'll be running a Maxxis Ignitor 2.1 UST upfront and either a Maxxis Crossmark or Monorail 2.1 UST at the back. But if the conditions get a bit boggy or muddy (at the end of the race) I'll change over to some Larsen TT UST. Or I've got some Nobby Nics & Racing Ralphs, or Small Block 8's that i could use. (I normally take a box of tyres where ever i race)
I ride a 2008 Giant Reign and set the TALAS front end to 5inch travel and run the rear Pro-pedal resonably firm for most races. I'm 185cm and weigh 75kg.
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Well, at the last XC race I used a Minion FR front and High Roller rear. Both 2.35 and stans'd up to be tubeless. Was happy as a pig in... erm... mud as I rode down the decent past all manner of riders sliding this way and that!
OK, but enough of the jokes - hard pack I'd usually go Crossmark front, Larsen (or another Crossmark) rear. Although I have a Monorail to try on the back. I don't like Ignitors. Don't often change tires on the Rush as my wheelset isn't 'native' UST and usually struggle to get a seal.
Thanks Rob. I'm guessing that you're refering to the Del Rio 24 Mud-Fest.
I was wondering what people ran in that race to deal with the mud. I would probably run my 2.35 Kenda Nevegals F&R when it gets sloppy. Anyone had any luck with those in Mud?
I find the Crossmark lacking on the grip dept for a front tyre on the Reign but perhaps thats because it's a higher travel fork and the fork feels less weighted due to geometry. I was running them front and rear on my Fisher Cake & Paragons (both with around 4 inches or less of travel) and found them awesome.
with you re the crossmark . I purchased an 09 Anthem in December and changed the crossmarks after one ride at Sparrow Hill , just no grip .....or confidence from my part , tried a Maxxis Minion didnt like that and finally went for an Ignitor for the Syd 24 Mud Bowl and love it . It was as good as anything else out there at Del Rio and its Great at Both Stromlo and Sparrow Hill ( i am luck to go there often and was there on Monday night , Both places ) Although i did have a washout at Wagga last night on a very sandy switchback But overall THE BEST combination i have used so far on the Anthem is Ignitor front and Larson Rear probably because i am a big sook but i feel confident with this combo
I'm currently trying the same combo. Ignitor on the front and Larsen on the back. So far so good
I'm running ignitor front and crossmark rear, which I used at the Fat Tyre last november. I've noticed the crossmark a bit lacking in climbing traction at a few spots around the Dam so I'll probably go back to the Larsen on the rear shortly. All are 2.1/2.0 kevlar beaded normal tyres run tubeless on a UST rim with Stan's.
I've been experimenting with the Nevegal on the front. All info I had was that the OEM versions are gripless, but the StickE compound was much improved over my IRC Mibro. I'll try the Ignitor next on the front.
I've been running Xmarks on the rear on both hardtail and 5" bike for a few months, and apart from limited grip in the wet, and some climbs they track really well and roll fast, which is important if you are a lazy pedaller like me.
At Sparrow on the week end, with the Nevegal up front was the first time I felt I could drift through a corner, and was using a lot less brake than previously. Maybe it was the superb trails, maybe it was the tyre/pressure combo, or maybe I was just dreaming.....
I think as long as you go for the grippiest tyre on the front, you should be sweet. Easy rolling tyres up front on anything but fire roads suck, IMO. I think a Crossmark is the minimum you should use, but I wouldn't do that myself. If you need more grip than a Crossmark, try an Ignitor or High Roller, Nevegel, or WTB Velociraptor or Weirwolf. I have used these in the past and loved them, except for the Nevegel. I think it is too soft for Australian conditions. Or it was just my riding style that killed them.
kendas (nevegal and karma) are soft and wear out fast but boy oh boy what fantastic grip even when they go smooth-ish in the middle!
I use Tubeless 2.35 Ignightor Front 2.25 Cross Mark Rear 30PSI for manly dam is really good for the fast decent from the parkway.