New Season, New Tires, New Thread

I need a new rear on the fs since I put a hole in the magic Mary I had on. Pnw riding with a preference for loamy tech steeps. I have a hardtail for more xc ride as well.
I really like the Mary up front all year, in the back it’s good in the winter but I don’t love it in the summer. I put an old Michelin rockr 2 that I had but the side knobs are pretty rounded and it was looser than I prefer at this point so I’m looking for a replacement. Mary was an old snakeskin so I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did even with an insert(tannus) The Michelin casing feels pretty good without the insert.
Debating big Betty vs kryptotal re vs butcher. Big Betty looks slow but the super trail casing I know I like. Kryptotal looks great but 29x2.4 enduro casing is hard to find for a decent price. Butcher is on sale which I like and sounds like a good fit. Would get the 2.3 but should I do grid trail plus an insert or grid gravity?

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Originally Posted by carlh

I need a new rear on the fs since I put a hole in the magic Mary I had on. Pnw riding with a preference for loamy tech steeps. I have a hardtail for more xc ride as well.
I really like the Mary up front all year, in the back it’s good in the winter but I don’t love it in the summer. I put an old Michelin rockr 2 that I had but the side knobs are pretty rounded and it was looser than I prefer at this point so I’m looking for a replacement. Mary was an old snakeskin so I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did even with an insert(tannus) The Michelin casing feels pretty good without the insert.
Debating big Betty vs kryptotal re vs butcher. Big Betty looks slow but the super trail casing I know I like. Kryptotal looks great but 29x2.4 enduro casing is hard to find for a decent price. Butcher is on sale which I like and sounds like a good fit. Would get the 2.3 but should I do grid trail plus an insert or grid gravity?

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The Butcher is a higher volume tire at 2.3 than a DHR or Kryptotal at a 2.4. I was running a grid trail at 25psi with and without an insert the majority of the year and I didnt notice any rim strikes when not running one at 220lbs riding pretty fast. If you want the extra stability id go grid trail with an insert. I have been very happy with the Butcher Grid Trail in the rear this year.

Found butcher t9 grid trails 29x2.3 new take offs for $39 at pro bike supply so ordered 2.

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Originally Posted by frorider

Downcountry ;) rear tire recommendations in a 29 x 2.4 ? The kenda regolith pro on my Hei Hei has been great, decent compromise between proper lugs (for the loose DG) and lowish rolling resistance but it’s worn out & I’m open to something new.

I am deeply familiar with the usual suspects from maxxis so don’t go there…more interested in new options. Bought a Delium Steady 2.4 but it was 175 g heavier than advertised, not putting it on my lightest bike.

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I just went from a Forekaster v1 (735g) to Spec Ground Control T7 (845g), both at 2.35 and like the T7 so far. It has noticeably better lateral grip and still rolls well. Also a great price point at $48

Is Specialized completely changing their tires every year now? Why on Earth do they think that is a good move?
So you get a shiny new bike, and in a year or 2 when you need new tires, you can't even replace yours with the same ones? Makes me loath to even try Specialized again, because I know if I really like what I have, I won't be able to get another pair later.
Probably just stick to/go back to Maxxis.
E13 had to go do another revamp, too, instead of just maybe offering more sizing.

FYI, if anyone's looking to find a Conti Kryptotal FR Enduro in 29, the cheap ones on BikeInn are made in China, not Germany like the other 5 Conti tires I have. :mad: Tread etc looks real, so probably not a fake, but there's a reason why they're only $56 shipped to the US and out of stock everywhere else.

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Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

Is Specialized completely changing their tires every year now? Why on Earth do they think that is a good move?

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What are you even talking about? Specialized doesn't change their tires any more often than any other brand out there.

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Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

So you get a shiny new bike, and in a year or 2 when you need new tires, you can't even replace yours with the same ones? Makes me loath to even try Specialized again, because I know if I really like what I have, I won't be able to get another pair later.

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Which models are you talking about? Some of the tread patterns have been refined over the last 15 years while keeping the name the same, but that’s because the overall application for that model has remained the same.

Bummer about the made in China Contis. From what I heard Conti is only using Black Chili compound on the made in Germany tires to avoid IP theft.

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Originally Posted by alpinevibes

I just went from a Forekaster v1 (735g) to Spec Ground Control T7 (845g), both at 2.35 and like the T7 so far. It has noticeably better lateral grip and still rolls well. Also a great price point at $48

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Thx, ordered a GC T7. It’s been a few yrs, might as well check out the current version.

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Originally Posted by Andeh

FYI, if anyone's looking to find a Conti Kryptotal FR Enduro in 29, the cheap ones on BikeInn are made in China, not Germany like the other 5 Conti tires I have. :mad: Tread etc looks real, so probably not a fake, but there's a reason why they're only $56 shipped to the US and out of stock everywhere else.

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IIRC only the DH versions are made in Germany.

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Originally Posted by HAB

IIRC only the DH versions are made in Germany.

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I have a Kryptotal Re Enduro Soft 27.5 that I bought in the US that's made in Germany. That's why I was surprised. Maybe they changed production due to all the demand? Makes sense to build the race tires (DH) in Germany and casual tires in Asia though.

Any recommendations for a 29x 2.0-2.4 fast rolling tire for use on a rigid Karate Monkey….I mostly use it for mellow trails, backpacking, and springtime ski access. Currently has 3” Panaracer Fat B Nimble, which work pretty good but i could drop some weight. When I’m doing miles i have them pumped up so high that the width doesn’t add much cushion anyway, so i could go lighter and save weight for climbs.


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It certainly sounds to me like you're looking for a Mezcal...

Not a huge fan of my current dhf/dhr combo so looking for something that rolls noticeably better without completely neutering my pivot switchblade.

What is the spesh equivalent of exo+? Grid or grid trail?

Impulsively grabbed one of those jensen $25 t7 grid eliminators but now wondering if I should have paid 2x for grid trail for the rear (and probably pair with a t9 butcher for the front).

Also considering conti xynotals - pretty sure trail casing would be fine since I don’t rip apart exo+ - but they’re at least weight of minions and 200g apiece heavier than the spesh (and if i’m go that heavy I’d prefer casing+compound combos they don’t make - trail+soft front and enduro+endurance rear).

Here let me google that for you

https://www.jensonusa.com/blog/specialized-tire-guide

Every major brand does the same basic breakdown. Every major brand has their issues with manufacturing and the occasional batch of shit tires hitting the market. Every major brand is trying to provide tires that hit all the demographics. Every brand has target weights so people can geek over grams.

I'm getting good durability from the T7 Eliminators. Better than Maxxis that's for sure. Cost me $5 and I run Cush core so low expectations but good enough I bought more.

The sidewalls on the Ground Control Grid T7 felt more supportive and stronger than EXO+ on the same bike. They didn't weep sealant like every Maxxis seems to. Double Downs felt a bit firmer than the Grid Trail sidewall, IMO.

Tacky Chan is a fucking terrible name for a tire. Schwalbe has really outdone itself.

The tread pattern looks decent though.

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Originally Posted by toast2266

Tacky Chan is a fucking terrible name for a tire. Schwalbe has really outdone itself.

The tread pattern looks decent though.

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Checks calendar. Not April 1. Actually I kind of like it.

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Originally Posted by toast2266

Tacky Chan is a fucking terrible name for a tire.

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I don't know, There's something inside of me that, embarrassingly, loves it.
Then again, I run a Huck Norris.

Wow, running a Huck Norris in a Tacky Chan. THAT would be a badazz combo.

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Originally Posted by Roxtar

I don't know, There's something inside of me that, embarrassingly, loves it.

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It's certainly funny in a "it was decided on by some German guy who is oblivious to how that name would be recieved" kind of way.

All of schwalbe's tire names are fairly terrible, but this one takes the cake.

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Originally Posted by Roxtar

I don't know, There's something inside of me that, embarrassingly, loves it.
Then again, I run a Huck Norris.

Wow, running a Huck Norris in a Tacky Chan. THAT would be a badazz combo.

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That movie can still get made!
Honestly, that tire looks awesome and I love the name. Hopefully they make a 2.6 something something trail.

I think the Purgatory might be closer to an Aggressor than an Eliminator.

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Originally Posted by jacob_dbu

I think the Purgatory might be closer to an Aggressor than an Eliminator.

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I'd agree. Eliminator is more "DHR-esque"

Sometimes I think we're all splitting hairs over these things. I switched my 2.3 DHF/2.23 Aggressor combo out for a 2.4 XR4/2.4 Rekon thinking it would run faster up and down (on smoother trails). Strava says my times are nearly identical. The only thing I gained, was a lack of cornering confidence and braking traction (not really affecting the times). I switching back to the DHF/Aggressor next time.