At this moment: Vittoria Barzo 29x2,25 - for UK long distance trails (mostly gravel or mud) for my hardatil XC bike. But I need little more rolling speed, so propably i go down to 2.0" (Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S 50-622) in next season. Something with shallow thread like Vittoria Peyote - is not optimal, because a UK wet weather. And plenty of muddy puddles on trails.
Now I'm using MSC Single Track in front (2.2) and MSC Roller on the rear wheel, for my XC Cannondale FSi. I love tyre science, I love testing myself different combinations and I ride all types of terrains (flowy hard packed terrain, rocky technical descends and I love mud as well). For me the adaptability of a tyre is key, even more than rolling resistance.
Michelin DH22/34 on my full sus trail bike, I live in the Laurentian mountains lot of granite and muddy patches, technical and vertical, up and down no flats..
Thing is, pros know how to handle a bike with 0 grip. For normal people a more aggressive tire is usually the better choice. I've seen pro riders use schwalbe racing ralphs front and rear, with that setup I would lose the front end in every corner. Also, with vittorias, most people would be better with a barzo-mezcal combo than the one in the thumbnail Edit: Just spelling
most people don't actually ride in terrain (and with speed) that require agressive tyres, even though their fancy mtb bikes are designed to do so. for them smoother tyres are just nicer to ride and faster.
That’s the new dry conditions Peyote (which was discontinued for a while, completely re-designed). Not a tyre like Mazcel don’t really work UK (for me) as courses rarely dry enough, Barzo front & rear for me XC race uk me.
@@KlintonSilvey I think the problem isn't cornering, since the side knobs are ok, as with the Mezcal the main issue arises with steep sections, braking traction just isn't enough. Lowering the pressure helps but the casing of the xc-race versiok was too flimsy for that, hope this new 60tpi casing allows for better pressures and traction :), stoked to try it
@@cegalleta Got some coming. I ran a TNT 2.6 Mezcal front and Schwalbe Rock Razor 2.35 rear on 26mm ID 29r rims. The 2.6 Mezcal was a bit rounded on 26mm, but it rolled so fast. I think the new 2.4 Mez front and rear might be great for my riding. I also have the air-liner xc inserts to try. SS HT, 200lb if it matters.
I am currently testing the Vittoria Peyotes on my XC race bike ... they have very supple sidewalls and offer VERY impressive grip given their low knob profile. I have a disease of always trying new tires and so far these are amazing. I do think all the MTB tire manufacturers should find a place in their lineup for a true race day only XC tire - give up a little durability for the absolute best race day performance. Maxxis did this with the ST and people are happy to pay a high price for them. (I tried the Aspen ST 170 2.4 and I think the new Peyote is much better - something strange in that the ST's rode well but not as fast I had hoped). I still have a prized collection of 560 gram Schwalbe tires in 2.25... yes not on trend but man are they supple, light and fast when the course offers reliable traction.
Great comment. I'm thinking about going from Barzo to Peyote for pnw monster gravel into XC racing. Love my rear liner but should add a front so I can go lower pressure. Vittorias mount nicely imo. Love the Barzos.
I always have a couple MTB's that I use to commute to work with everyday...on those I make sure there is a spot on the middle of the tire that is totally smooth and higher than the rest of the treads that the bike runs on most of the time. I can still take it off road a little bit.
Loving the Mezcals at the moment. Have mostly just run maxxis on my various bikes but have been quite surprised trying these. Love how well they hook up in turns.
I have tried multiple XC tyres over the years. I keep going back to Conti CrossKings in the tubeless 4 ply ProTection version as they have given me very little trouble over the years and are robust and will usually take more than a dozen punctures from thorns before they start to lose even a small amount of air. I don't race and just use them 8 months of the year for general 2-4 hour Cross-country rides with no rocks and a few roots
Running Pirelli scorpion XC RC on the rear and XC M up front with their smartubes, super light combo and super quick! Always deals to been had if you don't mind the shipping time and cost from Italy which ain't that bad compared to some uk sellers/distributors
For some tires (such as Continental "X" King), when I put the rolling direction inverted (on the front tire), I notice more grip in curves, precisely because there are intermediate (and lateral) studs in the way the tire Scorpion "XC M" is manufactured - it's difficult to try to explain this..., but it's something like that, the side of the intermediate and lateral spikes, when you turn the handlebars, are more perpendicular to the movement (and not in the direction of movement of the recommended rotation), providing, in my perception, a feeling that these studs are more "ready" and enter the terrain more, giving a greater feeling of predictability and safety in the curves. Of course, I imagine there will be some loss of roll with this, but, up front, I prefer predictability in curves. In fact, this would be a better suggestion for a video theme to be more illustrative, perhaps drawing on opinions from riders not sponsored by tire companies, independent studies and even companies that manufacture tires with side stud patterns like the Pirelli Scorpion "XC M" .
Running a 27.5x2.3 High roller ii 3c front and a 26x2.3 Conti cross king on the rear of my 150mm trail bike I use for down country. Think it's about time I tried a new front tyre. Been on these for too long. I cop a lot of crap for my narrow 23c rims and 2.3 tyres these days. Apparently, roadies are mounting 30c tyres on 25mm rims these days.
The thread is also designed to shed mud and disperse water in a certain direction, if you reverse the rotation then it might get clogged up in wet conditions
I ran Victoria's before not those your showing I ad the older ones great freaking tire man. But a pain to get seated straight without the special tool but the control grip feels bar none compared to my all time tired first the tomac inspired nevegals dhr dh.f dhr 2 continental
I’m thinking of trying out the new version of forekaster after a better tyre for general cross country and light trail. Got minions on my bike but they are overkill for what I ride at the moment
XC tyres save weight due to savings in material. Get "normal" tyres which are 200g heavier. Most of us can save some pounds on their own weight (rolling mass, I know I know). If you like less punctures, go with more weight
Full sus trailbike; Michelin dh22/34 2.4 on 25mm inner width rims at 28/32 psi (saves the rims no need for a cushcore) Hardtail; vredestein bobcats HD 2.35 on 30 mm inner width rims. DH/park bike; just trying onza porcupine rc 2.5, we'll see 😅
While this is true. The new mezcals and peyote’s are the most popular tires as of now for Leadville and Leadville qualifier races. So he’s right by saying there marathon/XC tires. 👍🏻
@@chrisgrigsby4475 several people I know who was at silver rush seen a ton of them. Suppliers have been sold out for months due to the popularity of them. I think it’s mainly the new peyote tho.
Wouldn't a narrower tire be lighter? and thus faster....2.4 seems big for XC @8:30 they talk a bit about it but the normal XC rider isn't doing Marathons or gnarly rock gardens
It would be lighter, but it wouldn't necessarily translate to faster! A wider stance of a tyre can offer more consistency of grip, better traction and braking, so by having more rolling resistance, you actually get more of loads of the factors which can make you faster.
This video was talking about what makes a race winning XC tyre. We have one here where discuss a wider range of tyres 👉 ua-cam.com/video/LQwkdsWAPmo/v-deo.html
What tyres are you using at the moment? What style of riding do you use them for? Let us know in the comments below!
At this moment: Vittoria Barzo 29x2,25 - for UK long distance trails (mostly gravel or mud) for my hardatil XC bike. But I need little more rolling speed, so propably i go down to 2.0" (Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S 50-622) in next season.
Something with shallow thread like Vittoria Peyote - is not optimal, because a UK wet weather. And plenty of muddy puddles on trails.
Now I'm using MSC Single Track in front (2.2) and MSC Roller on the rear wheel, for my XC Cannondale FSi. I love tyre science, I love testing myself different combinations and I ride all types of terrains (flowy hard packed terrain, rocky technical descends and I love mud as well). For me the adaptability of a tyre is key, even more than rolling resistance.
Michelin DH22/34 on my full sus trail bike, I live in the Laurentian mountains lot of granite and muddy patches, technical and vertical, up and down no flats..
I have the china-est sounding tires, Chaoyang Phantom Speed 2.2 on my xc bike. Love them.
As I ride XC mostly, I have Maxxis Ardents. 27.5” x 2.25 with tan walls.
Thing is, pros know how to handle a bike with 0 grip. For normal people a more aggressive tire is usually the better choice. I've seen pro riders use schwalbe racing ralphs front and rear, with that setup I would lose the front end in every corner. Also, with vittorias, most people would be better with a barzo-mezcal combo than the one in the thumbnail
Edit: Just spelling
most people don't actually ride in terrain (and with speed) that require agressive tyres, even though their fancy mtb bikes are designed to do so.
for them smoother tyres are just nicer to ride and faster.
You would be surprised at how much grip this tire has as a rear. I was shocked. It really wasn't that scary
That’s the new dry conditions Peyote (which was discontinued for a while, completely re-designed).
Not a tyre like Mazcel don’t really work UK (for me) as courses rarely dry enough, Barzo front & rear for me XC race uk me.
@@KlintonSilvey I think the problem isn't cornering, since the side knobs are ok, as with the Mezcal the main issue arises with steep sections, braking traction just isn't enough. Lowering the pressure helps but the casing of the xc-race versiok was too flimsy for that, hope this new 60tpi casing allows for better pressures and traction :), stoked to try it
@@cegalleta Got some coming. I ran a TNT 2.6 Mezcal front and Schwalbe Rock Razor 2.35 rear on 26mm ID 29r rims. The 2.6 Mezcal was a bit rounded on 26mm, but it rolled so fast. I think the new 2.4 Mez front and rear might be great for my riding. I also have the air-liner xc inserts to try. SS HT, 200lb if it matters.
I am currently testing the Vittoria Peyotes on my XC race bike ... they have very supple sidewalls and offer VERY impressive grip given their low knob profile. I have a disease of always trying new tires and so far these are amazing. I do think all the MTB tire manufacturers should find a place in their lineup for a true race day only XC tire - give up a little durability for the absolute best race day performance. Maxxis did this with the ST and people are happy to pay a high price for them. (I tried the Aspen ST 170 2.4 and I think the new Peyote is much better - something strange in that the ST's rode well but not as fast I had hoped). I still have a prized collection of 560 gram Schwalbe tires in 2.25... yes not on trend but man are they supple, light and fast when the course offers reliable traction.
Great comment. I'm thinking about going from Barzo to Peyote for pnw monster gravel into XC racing. Love my rear liner but should add a front so I can go lower pressure. Vittorias mount nicely imo. Love the Barzos.
Sworks 2.35 Fast Traks. Very light for a 29" tire. For the dry conditions I usually ride in they are great.
My epic came with 2.2 Fast traks and they were fast. I also washed out a few times with them
Just looking at my sworks fast traks sliced the sidewalls
Barzo 29x2.35 front and rear on my trail bike.
I always have a couple MTB's that I use to commute to work with everyday...on those I make sure there is a spot on the middle of the tire that is totally smooth and higher than the rest of the treads that the bike runs on most of the time.
I can still take it off road a little bit.
For XC, barzo on front and Rocket Ron. For trail, dissector and Recon.
Loving the Mezcals at the moment. Have mostly just run maxxis on my various bikes but have been quite surprised trying these. Love how well they hook up in turns.
I have tried multiple XC tyres over the years. I keep going back to Conti CrossKings in the tubeless 4 ply ProTection version as they have given me very little trouble over the years and are robust and will usually take more than a dozen punctures from thorns before they start to lose even a small amount of air. I don't race and just use them 8 months of the year for general 2-4 hour Cross-country rides with no rocks and a few roots
mezcal is still my go to tire ! the centre knobs almost make a solid ridge so it rolls nice on tar and hardpack (i commute more than i race)
Running Pirelli scorpion XC RC on the rear and XC M up front with their smartubes, super light combo and super quick!
Always deals to been had if you don't mind the shipping time and cost from Italy which ain't that bad compared to some uk sellers/distributors
For some tires (such as Continental "X" King), when I put the rolling direction inverted (on the front tire), I notice more grip in curves, precisely because there are intermediate (and lateral) studs in the way the tire Scorpion "XC M" is manufactured - it's difficult to try to explain this..., but it's something like that, the side of the intermediate and lateral spikes, when you turn the handlebars, are more perpendicular to the movement (and not in the direction of movement of the recommended rotation), providing, in my perception, a feeling that these studs are more "ready" and enter the terrain more, giving a greater feeling of predictability and safety in the curves. Of course, I imagine there will be some loss of roll with this, but, up front, I prefer predictability in curves. In fact, this would be a better suggestion for a video theme to be more illustrative, perhaps drawing on opinions from riders not sponsored by tire companies, independent studies and even companies that manufacture tires with side stud patterns like the Pirelli Scorpion "XC M" .
Conti Race King Protection front and rear for flat and dry XC
Running a 27.5x2.3 High roller ii 3c front and a 26x2.3 Conti cross king on the rear of my 150mm trail bike I use for down country. Think it's about time I tried a new front tyre. Been on these for too long. I cop a lot of crap for my narrow 23c rims and 2.3 tyres these days. Apparently, roadies are mounting 30c tyres on 25mm rims these days.
I like the looks of those Vitoria Peyote 2.4 tires! I bet they would be plenty for my single track trails!
Give them a go and let us know how you get on!
with my vittoria aggaro, would it make it easier to drift if i put it on backwards?
The thread is also designed to shed mud and disperse water in a certain direction, if you reverse the rotation then it might get clogged up in wet conditions
Maxxis Aspen 2.4's front and rear
My ht needs 2.8 or 3.0 tires . What company does the better tires ? I'm not made of money either lol
I ran Victoria's before not those your showing I ad the older ones great freaking tire man. But a pain to get seated straight without the special tool but the control grip feels bar none compared to my all time tired first the tomac inspired nevegals dhr dh.f dhr 2 continental
I’m thinking of trying out the new version of forekaster after a better tyre for general cross country and light trail. Got minions on my bike but they are overkill for what I ride at the moment
Demoed a bike that had them fitted, was so impressed that I bought a pair.. can recommend them. And I’m not even a big Maxxis fan. 🙂
Neil wearing longs in sunny California. 🎉
😂🥵🥵🥵
Mazza trail 29x2.6 👊🏻
Q:What makes a world cup winning xc tyre?
A:Rider!
If they lower the price, I might buy it.
Mezcal 2.35 front and rear 🚵
XC tyres save weight due to savings in material. Get "normal" tyres which are 200g heavier. Most of us can save some pounds on their own weight (rolling mass, I know I know). If you like less punctures, go with more weight
good info, thnx
Full sus trailbike; Michelin dh22/34 2.4 on 25mm inner width rims at 28/32 psi (saves the rims no need for a cushcore)
Hardtail; vredestein bobcats HD 2.35 on 30 mm inner width rims.
DH/park bike; just trying onza porcupine rc 2.5, we'll see 😅
The rider. A winning rider isn’t gonna ride bad tire
Vittoria mezcal there is no better all around tire on the market
Disagree Barzo best all rounder the Mezcal sketchy in the wet.
Barzo no less slow than Mezcal.
The championship racer makes the tyres as the world cup winning one.
To each his own opinion, but in world cup XCO, pidcock just uses crosskings. Not these aspen looking treads.
While this is true. The new mezcals and peyote’s are the most popular tires as of now for Leadville and Leadville qualifier races. So he’s right by saying there marathon/XC tires. 👍🏻
@@tarpontime7562how did you determine the Vittoria’s were the most popular tire for Leadville and the qualifiers???
@@chrisgrigsby4475 several people I know who was at silver rush seen a ton of them. Suppliers have been sold out for months due to the popularity of them. I think it’s mainly the new peyote tho.
Wouldn't a narrower tire be lighter? and thus faster....2.4 seems big for XC @8:30 they talk a bit about it but the normal XC rider isn't doing Marathons or gnarly rock gardens
It would be lighter, but it wouldn't necessarily translate to faster! A wider stance of a tyre can offer more consistency of grip, better traction and braking, so by having more rolling resistance, you actually get more of loads of the factors which can make you faster.
Good video it was really informative. I just wish it wasn't so XC based. I would like to hear something on trail,enduro and DH tires.
This video was talking about what makes a race winning XC tyre. We have one here where discuss a wider range of tyres 👉 ua-cam.com/video/LQwkdsWAPmo/v-deo.html
We'll see if we can get hold of some of the new Mostro tyres to take a dive into :)
lol, peyote is a mescaline sustainable cactus from usa and mexico