New Season, New Tires, New Thread

[whyturn]

I really don't have much to compare the aggressor to other than the ardent and I like it better. After ardent on rear wears I will move aggressor to rear and run DHF on front to be like th cool kids. I felt like aggressor was beefy and was grippy but was stable.

For me I do mostly cross country or down, some light up and trails are loose or dry. I'm like a blue rider so I can't really get techy deep on review and don't have alot of miles. For me it felt like first time on fat skis, and thats good enough for me.

[Jonny Snow]

Any comments on 26" downhill/bike park tires? I just mounted up some old style 26x2.5" 2-ply DHF's, they are surprisingly tiny, smaller than my very old 2.5 single ply DHF's (stretched out), and about the same or smaller than the new style 2.3's. Very rounded too. Will the 2-ply's stretch a bit more? Rim is around 28mm internal.

My rims aren't tubeless ready, so any tubeless retrofit will be pretty sketchy unless I run some sort of rim protection with bead lock such as Procore or Cushcore. Was leaning towards running the Procore with the DHF's, but after seeing how narrow they are I'm reconsidering.

Now I was thinking about maybe going to a 26x2.35 or 2.5 Magic Mary, as they are both considerably bigger and available in multiple gravity versions. For example, I could get a 2.35 Magic Mary Supergravity Vertstar, and run it with Cushcore, this would be a fairly light setup. Supposedly these measure just shy of a maxxis 2.5WT?

I haven't ridden much DH or park in many years, but I'm building up an older bike with parts I have.

Ended up popping for the Cush Core, with Magic Mary Super Gravity 26x2.35, Addix Ultra Soft front, Addix Soft rear. $224 for the combined package from ebay with yesterday's coupon. Bigger, lighter, more "give" on my 7" travel park bike, tire bead lock when running tubeless.

Have a pair of brand new 26x2.5 Maxxis Minion DHF 2-ply to sell, one each Super Tacky and 3C Maxx Grip. PM me an offer.

[doebedoe]

New Aggressor going on the rear tonight. Hoping it holds up longer then the Hans Dampfs I've been running. I'll still have an HD up front, Aggressor going straight on the rear. Either the HD sidewalls kinda suck or I kinda suck. Probably both.

[skaredshtles]

New Aggressor going on the rear tonight. Hoping it holds up longer then the Hans Dampfs I've been running. I'll still have an HD up front, Aggressor going straight on the rear. Either the HD sidewalls kinda suck or I kinda suck. Probably both.

Nope - it's def the HD. I'm surprised that the sidewalls STILL suck.

[doebedoe]

Nope - it's def the HD. I'm surprised that the sidewalls STILL suck.

Now that I'm thinking about it, the rear one that sidewall cut was the lower end HD "performance" model. The other one bit the dust last season after a day at Trestle. I have a nearly new HD on the front, but its snakeskin/trailstar. Hoping it last a bit longer up front cause i like it's traction and feel, but durability in the rear has blown.

Aggressor supposedly has less volume, but i'll trade off a little bit of cush for reliability at this point.

[skaredshtles]

<snip> but durability in the rear has blown.

In Schwalbe's defense - they've been well-known for this for a long time.

[D(C)]

So I haven’t had a ton of luck with Huck Norris preventing rim rents. The insert has holes in it from rim impacts, so it must be doing something, but I definitely have a few good dings. My guess is that the insert shifts to the side when the tire rolls, allowing for rim impacts.

One thought is to run dual-ply DH tires instead. Right now, I’m running ~1000 g tires with Huck Norris, so overall weight would be similar. Would DH tires be effective in reducing dents?

[toast2266]

Would DH tires be effective in reducing dents?

Probably not. Sounds like you just need more air pressure.



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[D(C)]

Probably not. Sounds like you just need more air pressure.



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Maybe. I run around 26-27 psi in back but our trails are pretty rooty and generally more slow and technical. I guess dented rims are a price to pay for traction.

[toast2266]

Maybe. I run around 26-27 psi in back but our trails are pretty rooty and generally more slow and technical. I guess dented rims are a price to pay for traction.

I guess it depends on what you weigh. 26-27 psi with 1000g tires and inserts should be fine if you're 150lbs. Not so much if you're 220.

Or maybe just get some carbon rims. They don't dent.

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[skaredshtles]

<snip>
Or maybe just get some carbon rims. They don't dent.

Nice one!

[coach]

I have a set of 29er cushcore inserts if anyone is interested. Used one week - didn’t end up needing them. Thinking $75 plus shipping from Canada.


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[grinch]

So I haven’t had a ton of luck with Huck Norris preventing rim rents. The insert has holes in it from rim impacts, so it must be doing something, but I definitely have a few good dings. My guess is that the insert shifts to the side when the tire rolls, allowing for rim impacts.

One thought is to run dual-ply DH tires instead. Right now, I’m running ~1000 g tires with Huck Norris, so overall weight would be similar. Would DH tires be effective in reducing dents?

Just refilled my tires w sealant. My Huck Norris is pretty beat at this point. Not as rocky rooty here but still have a fair bit. That’s where I end up hearing my rim hits or double checking them. The same spots it’s nice to have not too much psi for traction. In the year I’ve had my lb carbon rims they’ve been trouble free and others around here have put them thru the ringer without problems. Another ball game on the coast though. I’m guessing you may want try cushcore in your 1000g+ tires and/or maybe full dh tire in the rear with cushcore, just so you can keep the psi reasonable for traction. ATM my 1000g plus cushcore is working for me here but that could change. I question them when I think of s couple local rocky dh trails(blanket trails and Martha creek)

[Jonny Snow]

So I haven’t had a ton of luck with Huck Norris preventing rim rents. The insert has holes in it from rim impacts, so it must be doing something, but I definitely have a few good dings. My guess is that the insert shifts to the side when the tire rolls, allowing for rim impacts.

One thought is to run dual-ply DH tires instead. Right now, I’m running ~1000 g tires with Huck Norris, so overall weight would be similar. Would DH tires be effective in reducing dents?

You should try running the MOR-AERE, it can definitely help with pinch flats.

Helps to accurately set your tire pressure before riding.

Large volume tire can't hurt.

If you're having to run low pressure to get traction, you should probably be on a softer compound tire or more aggressive tread.

Stop abusively slamming into rocks and watch where you're going?

[Jonny Snow]

Ended up popping for the Cush Core, with Magic Mary Super Gravity 26x2.35, Addix Ultra Soft front, Addix Soft rear. $224 for the combined package from ebay with yesterday's coupon. Bigger, lighter, more "give" on my 7" travel park bike, tire bead lock when running tubeless.

Have a pair of brand new 26x2.5 Maxxis Minion DHF 2-ply to sell, one each Super Tacky and 3C Maxx Grip. PM me an offer.

My Cush Core's came in. Pretty nice, seriously stiff foam. Way, way more stiff than pipe insulation, and I think stiffer material than huck norris. The valves are way too long for my old school aluminum rims which are drilled for schrader anyway, was hoping to use some auto racing valves I had on hand but they look like they'll stick up into the foam too far. Going to order some 949 Racing schrader valves, they look like they'll work well with the inserts.

Value wise, I'd say you're getting way more product for your dollar with the Cush Core. I paid $119 for my set. Consider that the valves (if you can use them, I'm going to sell mine) are worth about $20, the inserts are about $50 each. I paid $30 for a single Huck Norris. So that's a 260g, high density engineered cast foam donut vs. a 75g die cut piece of nice foam held together with a velcro strap. HMMMM.

If Cush Core could bring to market a kit that weighed 100-150g per wheel for trail riding, and sold for $99 without valves (worked with standard valves), they would sell a ton of them.

[D(C)]

Just refilled my tires w sealant. My Huck Norris is pretty beat at this point. Not as rocky rooty here but still have a fair bit. That’s where I end up hearing my rim hits or double checking them. The same spots it’s nice to have not too much psi for traction. In the year I’ve had my lb carbon rims they’ve been trouble free and others around here have put them thru the ringer without problems. Another ball game on the coast though. I’m guessing you may want try cushcore in your 1000g+ tires and/or maybe full dh tire in the rear with cushcore, just so you can keep the psi reasonable for traction. ATM my 1000g plus cushcore is working for me here but that could change. I question them when I think of s couple local rocky dh trails(blanket trails and Martha creek)

I’m coming around to the idea of CushCore. I could run something like a Maxxis Exo with CushCore and come in around DH tire weight. I’m not tearing a ton of sidewalls, so Exo is probably fine.

I’m around 170 lbs but probably not the smoothest, and my bike sees some enduro racing, which is when a lot of the wheel carnage happens.

I also agree that a lighter ‘trail’ version of CushCore would be ideal. I am mostly interested in protecting my rims but could give up the ability to ride on a flat tire in exchange for some weight reduction. I think CushCore’s design works well because it stays out against the rim bed, whereas Huck Norris sits in the widest part of the tire and is prone to shifting if the tire rolls.

[doebedoe]

In Schwalbe's defense - they've been well-known for this for a long time.

Yah -- Ive only been mtbing for a few seasons. I came from the touring world where Schwalbe's are standard long-distance touring tire due to durability.

[grinch]

I’m coming around to the idea of CushCore. I could run something like a Maxxis Exo with CushCore and come in around DH tire weight. I’m not tearing a ton of sidewalls, so Exo is probably fine.

I’m around 170 lbs but probably not the smoothest, and my bike sees some enduro racing, which is when a lot of the wheel carnage happens.

I also agree that a lighter ‘trail’ version of CushCore would be ideal. I am mostly interested in protecting my rims but could give up the ability to ride on a flat tire in exchange for some weight reduction. I think CushCore’s design works well because it stays out against the rim bed, whereas Huck Norris sits in the widest part of the tire and is prone to shifting if the tire rolls.

Riding on the coast and enduro racing that’s stuffs to be expected. Probably not your lack of smooth riding, impossible to be smooth all the time. Especially racing, start the clock and shit happens that never does when it’s a regular ride. Many a race I’ve heard “I’ve never seen that happen before” lol. I haven’t tried cushcore. Just basing my theory off what I have now and the good reports on them. A lot of those enduro races I see them using full dh tires with cushcore. Not all the time but it seems more and more. I don’t think many are using exo weight tires. Like I said, I haven’t pedaled cushcore around so maybe I’d consider exo weight tires if I had to pedal them around a bit. Curious how it works for you though. After looking at my beat up Huck Norris I’m considering cushcore

[Jonny Snow]

Do they still have to ride up hill for enduro racing?

[Jonny Snow]

Sorry for the MTBR link, but here's one of the most recent and long Cush Core discussions I've seen:

http://forums.mtbr.com/guerrilla-gra...e-1069614.html

[Jonny Snow]

Finally got to get some rides in on the Ardent/Ikon combo I'm running on my hardtail. Fast rolling by my standards, pretty decent traction in the dry for what it is. The 2.4 DC Ardent is definitely better than I remember the old 2.25 being. It's definitely not a DHF 3C though.

[Andeh]

If someone's looking for nearly new, fat-ish rubber, I've got a set of Minion DHF / DHR II 27.5x2.6 EXO 3C tires that I used for a few rides and took off. I was trying them on my 27.5+ hardtail before I decided to convert it to a 29er. They should fit a pair of 30-35mm internal rims perfectly.

[Jonny Snow]

Ended up popping for the Cush Core, with Magic Mary Super Gravity 26x2.35, Addix Ultra Soft front, Addix Soft rear. $224 for the combined package from ebay with yesterday's coupon. Bigger, lighter, more "give" on my 7" travel park bike, tire bead lock when running tubeless.

Have a pair of brand new 26x2.5 Maxxis Minion DHF 2-ply to sell, one each Super Tacky and 3C Maxx Grip. PM me an offer.

The Magic Mary's came in.............meh. They both weighed about 1150g, which is over a 1/4lb more than claimed, and within a 1/4lb of the DH casing DHF's I have. Freshly mounted at 50 psi the casing measured 54mm, same as a 26x2.5 DHF 2-ply. ETRTO 60-559. We'll see what it stretches out to. Stout looking tire.

[jono]

I'm looking at putting a set of Maxxis' WT tires on my wife's 29er, which is sporting 21 mm rims. I ran a DHF in (old) 2.5" width on rims of about that width on my old 26" bike with good results, but what's up with being "optimized for 35 mm rim widths?" Is WT too wide to work on a 21 mm rim? Is she gonna die?

She wants to go wider than her worn out 2.25 Rapid Robs, which seems a solid move. Considering 2.5 DHF/2.4 DHR2 vs. 2.3's which don't seem like a minimal step up (she's going to be looking down at that front tire; apparently this is a major factor). TIA

[D(C)]

I'm looking at putting a set of Maxxis' WT tires on my wife's 29er, which is sporting 21 mm rims. I ran a DHF in (old) 2.5" width on rims of about that width on my old 26" bike with good results, but what's up with being "optimized for 35 mm rim widths?" Is WT too wide to work on a 21 mm rim? Is she gonna die?

She wants to go wider than her worn out 2.25 Rapid Robs, which seems a solid move. Considering 2.5 DHF/2.4 DHR2 vs. 2.3's which don't seem like a minimal step up (she's going to be looking down at that front tire; apparently this is a major factor). TIA

I’d go with the 2.3s. On my 26 mm Arch MK3, the 2.5 DHF was workable but looked a bit balloon-like. The Minions, even in 2.3, should be a good step up grip-wise from the Rapid Robs.