Complete Guide to Downhill Rubber

[drkenan]

I wish they were. It's one of my favorite rears despite the weight. Plus, it lasts forever!

+ Rep for the OP - awesome thread!

Now (oh so shameless)...I've got some DH 24's around if anyone wants a set for cheap.

[BmxConvert]

Decline did an issue on cutting the Clutch and Chunder tires; is that something we can get added in here as well?

If I remember correctly there is a how to on cutting the Excavators/Nevegals as well that may be worth posting is someone knows where to find either.

['size]

Decline did an issue on cutting the Clutch and Chunder tires; is that something we can get added in here as well?

If I remember correctly there is a how to on cutting the Excavators/Nevegals as well that may be worth posting is someone knows where to find either.

cutting specialized
moar

cutting excavators

[Jeremy R]

"Originally Posted by Jeremy R
The only new Michelin tires that I have are the trail tires. The new 2.1 wildgrip'r tires that Brian posted a pic of the 2.4 version. I really like these tires. Fast rolling, and a good compound for trail riding. Its a little more of finesse tire on the front. It didn't like getting up on the front tire and pushing aggressively, but it carves sweeping turns really well on those side knobs.
Also, size wise, my 2.1 tires are the same size as a 2.25 Maxxis advantage tire or a 2.2 Specialized Purgatory tire for reference. They run big and have good volume for their size. "


Um yeah, I must have wrote that right when I first got those tires, because my opinion of them changed quickly. I would not recommend the wildgrip'r tire to any aggressive riders. They work ok for some light steering xc riding, but they tread pattern gets sketchy quick in cerrtain conditions.
That said, the wildrock'r trail tires are my favorite trail tires of all time. I have the 2.25 version which is huge, and the 2.1 version which is grippy enough to make a great slalom tire. Right now, I have the 2.25 rock'r on the front and the 2.15 wildrace'r on the rear. Great traction on the front, and the rear rolls really fast and breaks loose gradually. Its a fun setup to slide around with the rear brake.
I really want to try the wildrock'r tire in the DH casing.

[marshalolson]

might be worth including some baseline tire pressures?

-conti der kaiser/rain king/der baron 2.5 really need 32-34 psi
-maxxis dhf/high roller 2.5 ~27-30 psi
-schwalbe muddy mary/big better/wicked will ~22-25psi

[rpet]

Pressure suggestions would be nice, but I think they need to be addressed subjectively and thoroughly include information like: tubeless or not, brand and thickness of tube, rim type, course, conditions, possibly even bike set-up (frame suspension design).

I mean someone running 20psi using one of those 2001 motorcycle tubes is not much help to me; neither is some kid trail-riding a DHF Exo with 45psi.

[Acadian]

When you compare Schwalbe and Maxxis compounds, what are the equivalents?

Schwalbe vs Maxxis
VertStar = ST/3C?
TrailStar = 60a?
PaceStar = Lust?

I'm thinking of trying some Muddy Mary's for my trail bike but cannot figure out what compound to get.

[rpet]

I propose a real world tire width measurement standard for us to agree upon.

Something along the lines of:
Brand new tire, mounted on same rim (Mavic 721 or something similarly common), with same tube (Maxxis Welter or w/e), pumped up to 30psi, left to sit overnight to account for some stretch, and then measured with digital calipers.

Veering into weenie-ism here, but at the same time it would be nice to find out how far the newer or rarer tires vary from manufacturer's claimed sizing.

Or maybe this standard already exists somewhere... I don't read MTBR much.

[Udi]

When you compare Schwalbe and Maxxis compounds, what are the equivalents?

I'm not an expert, but went from Maxxis (40a / SR) to Schwalbe (VertStar), and the latter is similar or slightly softer (at the tips at least). I'd say it's definitely softer than 3C. They (muddy mary / dirty dan) work very well though, especially in muddier or loamier conditions.

Also, 2.35 in Schwalbe is *slightly* bigger than 2.5 in Maxxis (at very least a match).

buckoW would be the one to talk to for a better description.

[Rhubarb]

What are you looking for from members for this thread? I expect its not about turning it into a bash thread. I think it would be great to have user feedback on tires prefered.

I have read many people bash Swampthings but they seem to work great for my style of riding and maybe its also due to my conditions. Would something like this work:

Swampthing 2.5 super tacky front on 721. 26Psi with regular tubes.
Swampthing 2.5 60A rear on 721. 28 Psi with regular tubes.
Rider weight 185lbs on Knolly Delerium. Tires used for moderate to fast trails when conditions are wet. Local trail conditions are hardpack with clay resulting in slippery conditions, Swampthings seem to find grip when intermediate tires dont and Wetscreams are too much spike. These tires can still handle dry conditions if you dont want to change tires between rain days. I also run these tires in loamy wet trails where intermediate tires choke up. At Psi listed the ties are excellent through moderate sized rocks. I have not tried dropping the Psi below listed figures. I run 60A on the rear for durability.

[jnooth]

Specialized tire question-

Ok, its time for a fresh set of tires. they will be used to race Mount Saint Anne, and Bromont. I have started running cut spikes more and more often and really like the way they feel so I am leaning towards hillbilly. I really like the idea of it but have never tried this tire. my fear is that bromonts race course is known for its long rock slabs. I think the hillbilly will be fine in the bone dry but lets face it, thats never something to count on. I think the butchers would be better for that situation but this is only based on speculation. anyone have any insight on what tire is better for my situation?

and please... lets keep it between the specialized Butcher, and Hillbilly. They are the two tires I can purchase for my shop before the weekend.

[DH biker]

Good thread idea... certainly useful!

[banrider]

i'd like to see this thread supertacky oops, I mean sticky as well... nice work

[mtg]

When you compare Schwalbe and Maxxis compounds, what are the equivalents?

Schwalbe vs Maxxis
VertStar = ST/3C?
TrailStar = 60a?
PaceStar = Lust?

I'm thinking of trying some Muddy Mary's for my trail bike but cannot figure out what compound to get.

In addition to Udi's input, the PaceStar compound feels like a similar ballpark in durometer as the Maxxpro 60a, the PaceStar may be slightly harder.

I just ordered a bunch of Schwalbe DH tires for mostly dry, rocky and dusty Colorado and ordered most of them in the TrailStar compound. I'm expecting this to probably be in between Maxxis Supertacky and Maxxpro as far as durometer.

On my trail bike, I'm currently running a Nobby Nic Pacestar front, Racing Ralph Pacestar rear. I love the Pacestar in the rear, its pretty decent up front, but I could definitely see people preferring TraiStar up front, especially if you're riding in damp conditions.

[Acadian]

In addition to Udi's input, the PaceStar compound feels like a similar ballpark in durometer as the Maxxpro 60a, the PaceStar may be slightly harder.

I just ordered a bunch of Schwalbe DH tires for mostly dry, rocky and dusty Colorado and ordered most of them in the TrailStar compound. I'm expecting this to probably be in between Maxxis Supertacky and Maxxpro as far as durometer.

On my trail bike, I'm currently running a Nobby Nic Pacestar front, Racing Ralph Pacestar rear. I love the Pacestar in the rear, its pretty decent up front, but I could definitely see people preferring TraiStar up front, especially if you're riding in damp conditions.

Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to order a VertStar for the front and TrailStar for the back. Will test that combo first and see.

Just a bit worried that the PaceStar compound will be too hard