Which wheel size btw? I started using the Tsali 29x2.2 on the front of my airborne goblin and love it. I was using Geax AKAs 29x2.2 front and back and thought they were fast, but the Tsali rolls a tad faster. The only negative is that casing is on the small side and these measure more like a 2.1. But for the price and the grip, they are my goto cheap tire atm.
I was using the Tsali on the rear of my old 26er hardtail. Based on how it performed on the rear, I never would have put it on the front. Maybe it's just me - I'm slow to begin with, so I don't notice or mind when a tire has more rolling resistance if it grips enough for me.:?: If grip is more important than fast rolling, go with the Pisgah. It's the same price as the Tsali right now. EDIT: I'm now using a Nobby Nic on the rear of my 29er, and love the traction. Jenson has it (in basic, no-frills mode) for the same price as the Pisgah and Tsali. At this price, I'd go with the Nobby Nic.
One of my favorite back tires is the Intense System 4 ran backwards. It rolls well, climbs really well and has more volume than my Panaracer Rampage 2.35 and my Mountain King 2.4. It's kinda like a cross between a Straight 8 and a Nevegal
Review continental trail king: So here is my take on this tire. First off, right off the back I noticed increased traction as a rear tire. This was really nice to have in good old laguna as most of our climbs are super losse and standing up whle pedaling is horrible if you don have the proper tire in the rear. Cornering also felt realy impressive and I only felt the rear slide out once or twice and that was a fast catch because it gives you a good warning ( that oh shoot moment). All this came at a sacrifice however. Right off the back I also notcied this was a slower tire than the ardent. You can feel a bit of a drag at times on flat fire roads and ridges, so I tried to compensate by putting some more air in. I was impressed with wear though. It as been about 2 months now, and I put in 80 to 100 miles a week and only now am I starting to notice a performance diffrence. And this is with all my foot down skid stops in parking lots for show and commutes to my school with lots of pavement included. I ran it with tubes as the side wall is super thin and I wasnt going to chance it. Overall Im really impressed with this tire. For the $10 I got it on sale and $20 it retails for it is a really good value.
Thanks Mo, what model trail king is this that retails for $20? are you running it on the ltc? I rode one for awhile but tore the sidewall (casing was wider than the sideknobs, did not have the protection sidewall) but might try again for $20.
i have this in the 2.2 protection black chili version. awesome tire so far, you can really feel it dig in on the climbs and once you get used to the slide/catch on it its great. not that fast of a roller but I've had worse.
I just order a set of Bontrager XR4 team issue 2.3 front and 2.2 rear. Bike: 12 Anthem X 26er Rim: Crosstrail Rider Weight: 135lbs (50:50 weight distribution ... jk I wish .... bottom heavy) Tire pressure : approx F 25lbs R 28lbs Trail: Upper Brown > El Prieto Monroe Benchmarked against: Stock: Racing Ralphs (Performance Line) 2.1 F&R Current: F WTB Weirwolf (2.3 Comp Line) R WTB Wolverine (2.2 DNA rubber) Will report back shortly.
Well I am about to try the Conti Mountain King II 29x2.2 Protection, Black Chili running tubless on an Archex on rear of my 429c. PIcked it up at the Path during sale, ~$25 less than the RR. Replacing Racing Ralph 29x2.25 TL Snakeskin, which once I got pressure right (28 lbs for me) was very good , pretty much scrubbed the center bald in 500 miles. Looks feels a little beefier than the RR, expect a little better traction little more rolling resitance ...fine with me Im a traction over speed guy... I seem to get plenty of speed to hurt myself . Running Nobby Nic in front, still good like it but not as good as Hans... Rear tires are a little less critical to me... Will report back. With all tires.... finding correct operating pressure probably critical. Any words of advice/caution??
Von, I've been usin the bontrager xr4 since Sept..stock on my trek fuel ex7.they've been very good,traction,durability. I'm 150 lbs, tubeless at 28-32 psi. Ridden Jpl,palm canyon,oaks/weir
These are very nice tires for the rear.......loved it on the SS. Tons of traction. I ran the normal casing/compound, and did tear the sidewall 4 weeks after I got it coming back down from Modjeska Peak.
I just put on some 2.5 Muddy Mary in Vertstar DH wired casing. They are HUGE! They sidewalls are also super stiff. The are rated 20 to 46 pounds. Put in some Kenda DH tubes and will be taking them to snow summit next week. If these things don't stick, nothing will
Hello all. I had a chance to test out the Bontrager xr4 team issues. I had 2.3 f and 2.2 rear. Weight: Front 760 grams Rear 582grams Mounting: Easy breezy. No tools slipped right on. 30lbs to bead. 0 problems Rolling resistance: Front 2.3 felt heavy. Noticed decreased rolling resistance on pavement. Rear 2.2 had a lower resistance than the previous WTB wolverines. Turning: Awesome in wet or dry conditions. It gripped wet rocks and roots very well. Corner bite is amazing. This tire sure sticks. It was so much fun turning on these tires. Conclusion The xr4s are great tires. The tire seems to wear well so far( will report back a few rides later). The grip and brake well. I think this is a great alternative to hans dampf. The XR4s have the knob patterns that some seek. The knobs are prominent but it rolls fairly quitely.
Magic Mary and Rock Razor TWO NEW TIRES from SCHWALBE Schwalbe Magic Mary Details • Aggressive yet fast rolling, intended for wide range of conditions. • Ramped center knobs for reduced rolling resistance • Available in 26 x 2.35", 27.5 x 2.35" and 29 X 2.35" • 26" DH casing: 1190 grams • 26" Super Gravity casing: 995 grams • 26" Evo-Snakeskin casing: 780 grams • Angled outer knobs to prevent rollover during hard cornering • 27.5" DH casing: 1250 grams • 27.5" Super Gravity casing: 1025 grams • 27.5" Evo-Snakeskin casing: 800 grams • 29" Super Gravity casing: 1100 grams Schwalbe Rock Razor Details • Designed for hardpack and loose over hardpack condition • Best suited for rear wheel usage • Available in 26 x 2.35" and 27.5 x 2.35" • 26" Super Gravity casing: 920 grams • 26" Evo-Snakeskin casing: 665 grams • Tall outer knobs and fast rolling, low profile center knobs • 27.5" Super Gravity casing: 965 grams • 27.5" Evo-Snakeskin casing: 695 grams IMO, knowing Schwalbe and this new Magic Mary, they will probably make the money magically disappear from your wallet. Pinkbike first impression; http://www.pinkbike.com/news/First-Look-and-Riding-Impressions-Two-New-Tires-From-Schwalbe.html Pinkbike video; http://www.pinkbike.com/video/316383/ More tires selection for Schwalbe fans and for those who love DH, Enduro and Trail riding. :clap:
I love Schwalbe.... my Fat Albert / Hans Dampf rear is my killer combo. These are gonna step up the game a bit.... faster rolling and the extra grip, you can't go wrong
Except they don't have to. If you think a $90.00 Schwalbe is any better than a $50.00 Maxxis you're fooling yourself. Same with $10,000.00 bikes. The only thing a $10,000.00 bike does better than a $6000.00 bike is impress idiots at the trail head.
Agreed they don't have to. But for $50 are you getting UST or even tubeless-ready, with extra sidewall protection? I'm not defending Schwalbe's prices, but Maxxis - like all mfg.'s - seems to have its versions of the too-expensive tires also. If I'm missing something, which $50 Maxxis compares with, for example, a $90 Schwalbe Hans Dampf with TL-ready and snakeskin sidewalls? Not being sarcastic or anything - I'm really interested, because I hate these tire prices as much as everyone else.
