New Season, New Tires, New Thread

[scrublover]

A few rides in now on the 26 x 2.8 DHF and DHRII. Front only. Prior tire is a Magic Mary, which I quite like everywhere I've had it so far. Minimal weight difference.

Faster rides with a bunch of climbing? Meh. Not seeing much advantage, unless you feel a shit ton more rolling resistance is an advantage. Not absurdly terrible, but feels as if there is a DH tire on the front of the bike all the time. Even though they don't actually weigh that much. Granted, these aren't the fastest rolling tires even in their skinnier versions. Both have a ton of grip/traction/whatever you want to call it for some of our slower/techier riding. For that stuff they've been pretty excellent!

Not sold on them to have on for daily driver riding, but will give them some more time. Running ~ 16psi if my compressor can be believed. Upping pressure seems like it would defeat the purpose of having that big-ass tire up there.

Am going to leave the DHRII on the front of the trail wheels with a Bontrager 2.35 XR4 rear, and give the DHF a shot for the front of the DH set, paired with a DHRII DH 2.4 in back. This has been on my Nomadc3. Will try them as well on the little bike and see how they feel.

Not sold on the + thing just yet, but I'm also still on 26" stuff, and tire choices for + there sorta' suck.

[Damian Sanders]

A few rides in now on the 26 x 2.8 DHF and DHRII. Front only. Prior tire is a Magic Mary, which I quite like everywhere I've had it so far. Minimal weight difference.

Faster rides with a bunch of climbing? Meh. Not seeing much advantage, unless you feel a shit ton more rolling resistance is an advantage. Not absurdly terrible, but feels as if there is a DH tire on the front of the bike all the time. Even though they don't actually weigh that much. Granted, these aren't the fastest rolling tires even in their skinnier versions. Both have a ton of grip/traction/whatever you want to call it for some of our slower/techier riding. For that stuff they've been pretty excellent!

Not sold on them to have on for daily driver riding, but will give them some more time. Running ~ 16psi if my compressor can be believed. Upping pressure seems like it would defeat the purpose of having that big-ass tire up there.

Am going to leave the DHRII on the front of the trail wheels with a Bontrager 2.35 XR4 rear, and give the DHF a shot for the front of the DH set, paired with a DHRII DH 2.4 in back. This has been on my Nomadc3. Will try them as well on the little bike and see how they feel.

Not sold on the + thing just yet, but I'm also still on 26" stuff, and tire choices for + there sorta' suck.

Check out the 26x2.5 Shorty 3C/EXO/TR, but it's also on the overkill side for most riding. There's also a 26x2.5 DHF 3C/EXO (non TR), it's sized by their old sizing method, which puts it slightly at bigger than the current 2.3". Then there's also several versions of the DHR2 in 26x2.40 EXO.

[ZackDaley]

This year, I'm rocking a Kenda Nevagal 2.35 up front and a Maxxis Ardent 2.2 out back since every trail where I live is dry as desert

[stuckathuntermtn]

That sounds terrible.

[ZackDaley]

Actually its doing pretty well for me. And the grip is a massive step up from the really terrible stock tires that came on the new bike, and weight is no real factor for my size, anyway, though the Nevegal sorta rolls like a plus tire.

[Damian Sanders]

Actually its doing pretty well for me. And the grip is a massive step up from the really terrible stock tires that came on the new bike, and weight is no real factor for my size, anyway, though the Nevegal sorta rolls like a plus tire.

Check out the 2.3 DHF, it rolls pretty well in the 3C max terra, and really well in the DC compound.

[scrublover]

Check out the 26x2.5 Shorty 3C/EXO/TR, but it's also on the overkill side for most riding. There's also a 26x2.5 DHF 3C/EXO (non TR), it's sized by their old sizing method, which puts it slightly at bigger than the current 2.3". Then there's also several versions of the DHR2 in 26x2.40 EXO.

Nah, I'm good.

Have tried several variations of DHF over the years, and like it. But find I prefer the Magic Mary, particularly up front.
Rear tire preference on the back of the Nomad is a DHRII 2.3 for daily driver duties. I do like the 2.4 DH version of it for the rear on lift days/the DH wheelset. Thunder Mtn. for some lift time tomorrow, so I'll see how that 2.8 DHF does on the front there.

Otherwise, XR4, a Speci Ground Control, a couple Nobby Nics I picked up supah' cheap are all in the rear tire rotation usually on the little bike, with the Magic Mary up front.

My hardtail has a Dirt Wizard front/WTB Ranger rear combo that's been working pretty well.

Not a fan of the HRII, and have a couple in 2.3 and 2.4 versions to get rid of.

[Damian Sanders]

Nah, I'm good.

Have tried several variations of DHF over the years, and like it. But find I prefer the Magic Mary, particularly up front.
Rear tire preference on the back of the Nomad is a DHRII 2.3 for daily driver duties. I do like the 2.4 DH version of it for the rear on lift days/the DH wheelset. Thunder Mtn. for some lift time tomorrow, so I'll see how that 2.8 DHF does on the front there.

Otherwise, XR4, a Speci Ground Control, a couple Nobby Nics I picked up supah' cheap are all in the rear tire rotation usually on the little bike, with the Magic Mary up front.

My hardtail has a Dirt Wizard front/WTB Ranger rear combo that's been working pretty well.

Not a fan of the HRII, and have a couple in 2.3 and 2.4 versions to get rid of.

OK then, just pointing out for those who are interested that there a few larger 26" tires that are good front tires for rough terrain and more reasonable all around trail riding choices than a plus tire. While there may not be many 26+ options, there are many very good modern options in tires that are still very large. And if you're going to run 26" wheels, why wouldn't you run reasonably sized tires that allow the maneuverability of 26" to shine?

The Shorty and the Magic Mary are very similar, and some people like the shorty better. They come in 26x2.3 and 26x2.5, 3C/EXO/TR and pair well with a 2.3 or 2.4 DHF2. I own the 2.5 shorty.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/to...d-one-knockout

The DHR2 is also available in two 26x2.4 versions that are potentially interesting for front tire trail use. One is 3C maxxterra/TR/EXO, the other is ST (Supertacky 42a)/EXO. As far as I know, the supertacky 42a version is the only single ply/exo kevlar bead tire available in the super soft ST 42a compound - great for wet, firm, rocky conditions or tons of dry rock where maximum grip is needed. I own both tires, along with a 26x2.3 DHR2 DC/EXO/TR.

That said, the absolute best all around 26" front trail tire is the Minion DHF 26x2.3 3C Maxx Terra EXO/TR. Awesome all around when paired with any DC compound 2.3" maxxis in the rear (DHF, DHR2, Aggressor, Minion SS, etc).

[jm2e]

Is the Aggressor really that much different than an Ardent? Because I think the Ardent is a waste of time. How much traction does the Aggressor give up vs a DHRII?

[adrenalated]

That said, the absolute best all around 26" front trail tire is the Minion DHF 26x2.3 3C Maxx Terra EXO/TR. Awesome all around when paired with any DC compound 2.3" maxxis in the rear (DHF, DHR2, Aggressor, Minion SS, etc).

Did you mean 2.5? The 2.3 DHF is super skinny... the 2.5 is about the same actual width as a 2.3 DHR2.

I'm with you though, I'm running a 2.5" DHF 3C in front and a 2.3" DHR2 DC in back and see absolutely no reason to change.

[Damian Sanders]

Is the Aggressor really that much different than an Ardent? Because I think the Ardent is a waste of time. How much traction does the Aggressor give up vs a DHRII?

It's nothing like the Ardent.

The Aggressor is only available in 2.3 / DC, so you really have to compare it to the same version of the DHR2, not a 2.4 or 2.3 3C version.

So vs. the same size/compound DHR2, the Aggressor is faster rolling, better climbing traction, tracks better, and very similar cornering. The DHR2 has higher limits braking.

Aggressor vs. the same size/compound DHF - pretty much the same observations, but the DHF rolls better than the DHR2, not as good as the Aggressor.

[toast2266]

Is the Aggressor really that much different than an Ardent?

Yes, quite a bit different.

Because I think the Ardent is a waste of time.

This is true.

How much traction does the Aggressor give up vs a DHRII?

Some. The Aggressor rolls faster, doesn't brake quite as hard, and doesn't lock into corners quite as well. On a 1-10 scale of all around grip and traction, I'd put an Ardent at 4-ish, an Aggressor at 6 or 7, and a DHRII at 8 or 9.

[Damian Sanders]

Did you mean 2.5? The 2.3 DHF is super skinny... the 2.5 is about the same actual width as a 2.3 DHR2.

I'm with you though, I'm running a 2.5" DHF 3C in front and a 2.3" DHR2 DC in back and see absolutely no reason to change.

Hmmmmmm. I'm not sure about the DHF in 27.5 or 29, but the new style 26x2.30 minion DHF measures true to size at the knobs on a reasonable width rim, maybe even a bit more, and it uses exactly the same casing as the 26x2.30 dhf2 and aggressor. The 26x2.5 DHF is per their old sizing, it is only very slightly larger than new 2.30, maybe like a 2.35 or 2.4 on their new sizing. The old style 2.35 is significantly smaller than new 2.3 size.

I've got a new style 26x2.5WT Shorty, and it's gigantic in comparison. They may eventually offer a new sizing 26x2.5 DHF, I would have rather seen that than the new 26x2.8 tires.

So, pairing a 26x2.5 old DHF with a 2.3 new DHR2 is reasonable and a great setup for rocky riding. I've been running various configurations of 26x2.30 maxxis front and rear for 4 years now, they are all the same measured size.

On a side note, the much maligned old style "narrow" 26x2.35 DHF kevlar really isn't a bad tire for what it is. It's about 700g, is about 2.2" on maxxis's current sizing, has a nice compliant casing (not tubeless ready), and the single compound 60a maxxpro is a grippy, long wearing compound. Only issue is it's not tubelss ready and the sidewalls are not very well reinforced, it will not stand up to low pressures or rough riding in sharp rocks.

[adrenalated]

Hmmmmmm. I'm not sure about the DHF in 27.5 or 29, but the new style 26x2.30 minion DHF measures true to size at the knobs on a reasonable width rim, maybe even a bit more, and it uses exactly the same casing as the 26x2.30 dhf2 and aggressor. The 26x2.5 DHF is per their old sizing, it is only very slightly larger than new 2.30, maybe like a 2.35 or 2.4 on their new sizing. The old style 2.35 is significantly smaller than new 2.3 size.

...

So, pairing a 26x2.5 old DHF with a 2.3 new DHR2 is reasonable and a great setup for rocky riding. I've been running various configurations of 26x2.30 maxxis front and rear for 4 years now, they are all the same measured size.

Gotcha. I'm talking about 26" - I didn't realize there was a "new" 26" DHF where they fixed the sizing. So I'm running the 26x2.5 old DHF and 2.3 new DHR2 and they're very similar in size.

[kidwoo]

Gotcha. I'm talking about 26" - I didn't realize there was a "new" 26" DHF where they fixed the sizing. So I'm running the 26x2.5 old DHF and 2.3 new DHR2 and they're very similar in size.

There isn't really. The old 2.35 is just 2.3, and is comparable to a 2.1 from anyone else. I've got a 2.5 dhf and a 2.3 slaughter on my bike and I think the slaughter is actually a little bigger. The 2.4s are about the only accurate ones.....and yes they're bigger than any 2.5 they make.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Beasts who can stand up and smash their way up on single speeds seem to really like Ardents, and having ridden one, I guess I can see why, but there are so many better tires out there for the rear. Unless every ride is standing up and smashing your way up loose stuff on a single speed.
If you like to sit and spin, the Slaughter almost seems to speed up when you hit loose sections. Weirdest thing, but it feels like the rolling resistance just drops away when you hit loose-over-hard. Still brakes surprisingly well in it on the way down. A lot like a BBG!

[Damian Sanders]

Gotcha. I'm talking about 26" - I didn't realize there was a "new" 26" DHF where they fixed the sizing. So I'm running the 26x2.5 old DHF and 2.3 new DHR2 and they're very similar in size.

Yeah, that's a really good combo, I've considered picking up a 2.5 DHF 3C EXO myself, but then I'd have too much "quiver overlap" in my tire collection.

[Damian Sanders]

There isn't really. The old 2.35 is just 2.3, and is comparable to a 2.1 from anyone else. I've got a 2.5 dhf and a 2.3 slaughter on my bike and I think the slaughter is actually a little bigger. The 2.4s are about the only accurate ones.....and yes they're bigger than any 2.5 they make.

Ehhhhh....I've got many sizes of 26" Minion DHF at home, multiple examples of each, and the old 2.35" is NOT the same as the new 2.30". Its much closer to what I said in my post above, where the new 2.30" measures between the old 2.35" and 2.5". The ETRTO width of the 2.35" is 52mm, but I'd say it looks a lot like a 2.2" by any classical reference.

Not only that, maxxis reps have publicly confirmed the sizing change several years ago. All new 26", 27.5", and 29" maxxis tires released in the last 3-4 years or so comply with the new sizing. You can even see the difference in the ETRTO's listed on the maxxis website.

http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-468-121-minion-dhf

This is a thing. Hope everybody is fully confused now

[stuckathuntermtn]

oh yeah?

[El Chupacabra]

oh yeah?

It was a bunch of stuff about 26" tires.

Which you knew before I wrote that.

[Damian Sanders]

You guys are weirdoes.

[kidwoo]

Ehhhhh....I've got all sizes of 26" Minion DHF at home, multiple examples of each, and the old 2.35" is NOT the same as the new 2.30". Its much closer to what I said in my post above, where the new 2.30" measures between the old 2.35" and 2.5". The ETRTO width of the 2.35" is 52mm, but I'd say it looks a lot like a 2.2" by any classical reference.

Not only that, maxxis reps have publicly confirmed the sizing change several years ago. All new 26", 27.5", and 29" maxxis tires released in the last 3-4 years or so comply with the new sizing. You can even see the difference in the ETRTO's listed on the maxxis website.

http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-468-121-minion-dhf

This is a thing. Hope everybody is fully confused now

I was working directly with the people actually designing the tires for those maxxis reps when the new tires and naming conventions happened. What I said is exactly what happened. About two years ago they started some different molds for OEM tires. It looks like that's what they're selling as 'normal' 2.3 tires now. I guess you're right on what actually gets sold now. Why they even still have ones called 2.35 I have no idea.

[Damian Sanders]

I was working directly with the people actually designing the tires for those maxxis reps when the new tires and naming conventions happened. What I said is exactly what happened. About two years ago they started some different molds for OEM tires. It looks like that's what they're selling as 'normal' 2.3 tires now. I guess you're right on what actually gets sold now. Why they even still have ones called 2.35 I have no idea.

I'm not clear on what you said previously. I just went down in my basement and compared the casing widths/sizes stretched out FLAT, unmounted, of various 26" maxxis tires:

Old 2.35 DHF - narrowest by far, same as some current gen Schwable Nobby Nic 2.25 tubeless I have.

2.30 DHF DC and 3C, DHR2 DC, Minion SS, Aggressor (mounted now but checked previously), 2.25 Ardent, 2.4 DHR2 ST 42a Exo non-tubeless euro market model - all the casing sizes are the same, about 8-10mm bigger flat than the old 2.35 DHF

Old 2.5 DHF 1-ply Steel, 2.5 DHF 2-ply steel 3c and 42a, 2.4WT DHR2 3C - the casing sizes are the same size, about 5mm bigger flat than the 2.30 etc casing.

2.5WT Shorty, 2.35 Ikon TR - the casing sizes are the same size, about 5mm bigger flat than the 2.4WT DHR2 / 2.5 DHF group casing.

Hope this helps. So overall, you could call the old 2.35 DHF a 2.1 by casing width, but IMHO it's more like a 2.2 by the knobs. The old 2.5 DHF is definitely bigger than the new 2.30".

Bummer about the 2.4 DHR2 ST, I was planning to run that in the front with the 2.4WT DHR2 3c in the rear, but won't now that I know its actually smaller. Reviews implied that the 2.4WT version actually had a smaller casing because it was intended to be used on a wider rim, but the reverse is true, they aren't even the same! I may pick up a 2.3 DHR2 3C to run it with, or maybe the 2.4 non-WT 3C version?? I could run it with the 2.3 DHR2 DC I have, but the imbalance in compounds would be severe. While the casings are the same, the knobs on the 2.4 vs. 2.3 are much bigger.

[WaistDeepGroomers]

On the last legs of my Schwalbes this month. Been a superfan of the Magic Mary/Rock Razor combo but been wanting to try Maxxis again.

Was thinking of doing Aggressor on the back instead of Minion SS, but after a week back east I don't think I'll need a back tire with actual knobs until it's regularly wet out. Plus, #doyouevendriftbro

Anyways, I can get a pretty good deal on either a 29x2.3 or 29x2.5 Minion DHF, but unfortunately only dual compound. No 3C available, which is a bummer, but I think I'll survive, won't I? Or do I man up and spend twice the money to get the 3C version?

Will it be worth adding another 90 grams to the front wheel to get the 2.5 version? Gotta pedal that sucker around, but this'll be the bike I'm be riding any lifts I get to ride with.

[bagtagley]

For the rear, I'd get DC Anyway.