REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

29 x 2.4 tires

1825 Views 11 Replies 11 Participants Last post by 02Bullit, Jan 16, 2010

02Bullit

Discussion Starter · Jan 15, 2010

Posted in the wheels and tires forum but no luck.

I was wondering if anyone has tried both the Ardent and Mountain Kings in a 29 x 2.4? I've seen the Ardents but haven't been able to locate the MK's locally. I'm currently running Racing Ralphs front and back on Flows. I love the volume of the Ralphs just looking for a little more knobby tire. I would like to compare them side by side without having to buy then try.

Are the two tires pretty close size wise?

Which would be the better all around tire?

Bike is a RIP which is my do it all rig for SOCAL trail riding. Thanks in advance for the help.

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1 - 12 of 12 Posts

syl3

· #2 · Jan 15, 2010

My 2.4 mk is smaller than my 2.4 ralph, it's more similar to the 2.3 exiwolf in size, and that's only because of the tall knobs, the casing puts it on par with the 2.2 saguaro.

That being said, i just love the mk as a rear tire, it never slips no matter what, i gives me utmost confidence

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Cloxxki

· #3 · Jan 15, 2010

Twentynineinches.com is testing the 2.4 Ardents I think.

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fallzboater

· #4 · Jan 15, 2010

I hated the MK's (with tubes) on my 26er, mostly due to the extremely thin sidewalls. Now running the Ardent 2.4s (tubeless) on my Sultan, great tires.

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EBasil

· #5 · Jan 15, 2010

Mike at North of the Border bikes is running 2.4 Ardent(s) on his 29er. If you don't find him here (not sure of screen name), he's in the forums on Dirt Treaders a lot. He's a good reviewer of gear.

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pinkrobe

· #6 · Jan 15, 2010

I ran the MK 2.4 last year on my EG, and I was very happy with it. With the bigger contact patch of a big wheel and a wider rim [28mm or wider], it would be even better. I'm running Stouts on my Misfit, but I'm thinking that the Ardent might make a good front tire for me. I'm very interested about the twentynineinches review, as I am seriously considering P-35 rims for an upcoming wheelset.

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DirtDummy

· #7 · Jan 15, 2010

I've run both: Ardents are higher-volume, have thicker sidewalls for tubeless application, and IMO have better cornering traction and lower rolling resistance.

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BruceBrown

· #8 · Jan 15, 2010

DirtDummy said:
I've run both: Ardents are higher-volume, have thicker sidewalls for tubeless application, and IMO have better cornering traction and lower rolling resistance.

There you go!

I've got the Ralph 2.4 and the Ardent 2.4. At least between those two - the RR and Ardent - Ardent wins hands down for more aggressive tread and thicker sidewalls for tubeless riding (keeping in mind I don't have the Ralph snakeskin version, but the first lighter weight version - and I have torn a sidewall). The 2.4 Ardent, for me, shines up front.

To the OP - since you have the Ralph 2.4, you could buy one Ardent 2.4 and try it out on the front and then the rear along with one of your 2.4 Ralphs to get a good feel for the Ardent. As far as that goes - you could buy one Ardent and one MK to try them out. The one you don't like - sell, and order another of the one you do like.

BB

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DMFT

· #9 · Jan 16, 2010

Purg!

OP - Ever consider the 2.4 Purgatory Control 2Bliss from Specialized?
In the very mixed conditions I ride in on the Central Coast of Ca. I have yet to find a weak spot. They inflated (all 4 of em') with a floor pump and a scoop of Stans and if you dislike them Spec. has a customer satisfaction guarantee. Kinda hard to pass up that kinda deal...

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Sweeney

· #10 · Jan 16, 2010

Bullit, what is it that you don't like about your RR's? I have a st that I'm ready to mount up for my singlespeed.

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Guitar Ted

· #11 · Jan 16, 2010

First of all, thanks for the interest in the Twenty Nine Inches review, but I thought I'd chime in with a few thoughts so far.........

Racing Ralphs are light, fast, and have decent grip. I would liken them to a racing tire that happens to be really big. (Racing Ralph....it's named that for a reason.

) So you get light, thin sidewalls and a super supple casing. It is what it is, and that isn't a AM or heavy duty trail tire. If you run single speed, rigid, and don't hammer your rig through sharp rocks, Racing Ralphs will work fine.

Ardents are a different animal all together. At least the 2.4 inch ones are. (Not as impressed with the 2.25 as most folks are) Thicker sidewalls, a wee bit more aggressive tread. (mostly just different than a Racing Ralph) Better bead shape and construction for tubeless application. Great volume. Far better suited for aggressive riding than a Racing Ralph and far better suited for severe terrain, based on its construction alone. Weigths on the two I have are 810 grams and 830 grams each.

So, to recap: Racing Ralph- racing applications, or use on XC terrain where light weight, low rolling resistance, and no sharp severe terrain is encountered.

Ardent: Better traction, heavier duty casing, big footprint. Toughness is prized over light weight, and the rider prefers more aggressive lines.

Just how well the Ardent does in its intended use will be determined in my review.

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02Bullit

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 16, 2010

Sweeney said:
Bullit, what is it that you don't like about your RR's? I have a st that I'm ready to mount up for my singlespeed.

It's not that I don't like them, they are great tires. Right now I'm running them tubeless on Stans Flows. 28 PSI in the back and 24 PSI up front. I think they would be a better set up for my SS EMD than the RIP. Right now the SS has 2.25 Ardent (F) and 2.1 Ignitor (R) set up tubeless on Flows.

EBasil said:
Mike at North of the Border bikes is running 2.4 Ardent(s) on his 29er. If you don't find him here (not sure of screen name), he's in the forums on Dirt Treaders a lot. He's a good reviewer of gear.

Spoke to Mike already. I saw the Ardents on his Ells. Man that thing is sweet! Looks like the Ardents would be the better choice for my set up and all around riding conditions. I was looking at the MK because a buddy was running them on his Nomad and suggested they might be a good tire for the RIP.

I was looking at mtbtires.com and they have the specs for the Ralphs in 29 x 2.4 and MK 29 x 2.4 but only the Ardent 29 x 2.25. Looks like the Ardent will fit the bill though!

Thanks for the help guys. :thumbsup:

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