Rekon Race could be another rear alternative in the Maxxis line up.
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Ardent Race 2.35 vs Rekon 2.4 x 29 for all around XC to Light Trail
I have a Specialized Chisel 2021 currently running Maxxis Rekons 29 x 2.4 with inner tubes. I am planning on upgrading my wheels to a set of Hunt Trail Wides and also plan on getting a new pair of tires to setup tubeless. I mostly do XC and the trails are pretty mellow with some good descents thrown in here and there. I also plan on racing this same bike and do not have the money to have a separate set of wheels and tires. I already have a pair of rekons which ride pretty good but I am wondering if something like the ardent race will give me more speed without sacrificing too much grip.
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On my xc bike (Exie) I'm running a Rekon 2.4 front/Ikon 2.35 rear on my daily wheels. Good combo of grip and speed. Rekon on back is kinda slow, Ardent Race is a little faster but the Ikon is faster and has 98% of the grip of the AR. The Rekon Race doesn't have enough climbing traction IMO for anything but a hardpacked xc course. The Ikon is an old design but still works well and the 2.35 blows up to a pretty big bag size.
Rekon 2.4 front with a Rekon Race Rear. I've had this setup on my SB100 for a year now. Grippy enough in the corners but fast enough to race. I've ran Ardent Front and Ikon rear in the past as a similar setup to this as well, would recommend. Aspen/Aspen would be the move if it's going to be raced A LOT.
The Rekon as a rear isn't necessarily slow rolling but it's slow enough that it bothers me on an XC bike setup.
The Rekon as a rear isn't necessarily slow rolling but it's slow enough that it bothers me on an XC bike setup.
Look at specialized for some great xc tires. I run rekons front and rear on my single speed and rekon rear, dissector front on my geared squishy bike. I have been looking for some faster rolling tires and decided on specialized ground control t7 2.35 front, specialized fast trak t5 2.35 rear. I asked Santa to get them for me so I can’t give feedback yet but they seem perfect. I’m excited to try them out, from what I have read and heard from buddies who run them, I will love them. The are light and fast and should offer great grip, probably improved grip going from rekon the ground control t7 on the front of my single speed.
Above all, go tubeless.I have a Specialized Chisel 2021 currently running Maxxis Rekons 29 x 2.4 with inner tubes. I am planning on upgrading my wheels to a set of Hunt Trail Wides and also plan on getting a new pair of tires to setup tubeless. I mostly do XC and the trails are pretty mellow with some good descents thrown in here and there. I also plan on racing this same bike and do not have the money to have a separate set of wheels and tires. I already have a pair of rekons which ride pretty good but I am wondering if something like the ardent race will give me more speed without sacrificing too much grip.
The Ardents are great but I found Bontrager 3 and 4 treads less prone to packing up in some conditions. A nice controllable and speedy combo I've come to enjoy is WTB Riddler back and Trail Boss front. Newer Bontrager 3 are more like a Riddler.
IMO almost all the tires are replicating same basic ideas and profiles. I tune into whether or not a tire is more squared at shoulders, more or less open tread, and reinforced casing or not.
Other factors that started my getting more of the Bontrager is good weight and feel for reinforced (SE) models and good prices available at times. All their stuff has a satisfaction guarantee they honor. I don't know about those Hunt wheels but the good and bad post sales experiences I've had influenced me and contributed to getting Bontrager wheels when I took the plunge for composite and high engagement.
Yeah I was actually thinking about a front Ardent Race 2.35 and Rear Ikon 2.35 since that would be grippy enough for what is normally ridden and help me keep speed. I was planning on front and rear Aspens but i am worried about general durability.Rekon 2.4 front with a Rekon Race Rear. I've had this setup on my SB100 for a year now. Grippy enough in the corners but fast enough to race. I've ran Ardent Front and Ikon rear in the past as a similar setup to this as well, would recommend. Aspen/Aspen would be the move if it's going to be raced A LOT.
The Rekon as a rear isn't necessarily slow rolling but it's slow enough that it bothers me on an XC bike setup.
My experience shows Ardent Race 2.35 is an excellent front choice combined with Ikon rear. Ikon has a more squared transition from treadblock to sidewall and is better suited to rear for me. Ardent race has a more rounded transition from blocks to sidewall and is better for front predictability. I ran Ikon/Ikon combo for years before Ardent race was available. I always felt a little sketchy in loose over hardpack with Ikon in front .... but am more comfortable with Ardent race profile. Hope that makes sense.
Ardents are notorious for letting go without warning, but some also say the same thing about Rekons, which I love on my hardtail and are one of the few Maxxis tires I have ever gotten along with well. If you are riding loose conditions, also consider the Forekaster front. For your stated use, I would run the Rekon front and Rekon Race or Ikon rear.Yeah I was actually thinking about a front Ardent Race 2.35 and Rear Ikon 2.35 since that would be grippy enough for what is normally ridden and help me keep speed. I was planning on front and rear Aspens but i am worried about general durability.
As others have said, going tubeless will be a big benefit. More traction, better ride, less flats. It should be a noticeable upgrade with the new wheels (also in part because the wider rims will allow lower pressures with the same support).
I am now torn between front rekon 2.4/rear ikon 2.35 or just Ikon 2.35 Front/Rear. What are your thoughts between those 2?
I run rekon 29 2.60 front and rear. In 2 bikes, Love them. Cant say enough about them. They are very predictable. Rode them in desert and back 40 bentonville , bentonville, I love them. The drift before they break loose, I. Can always feel what the trail is doing.. I would run them for all trail and xc,pretty much anything but TRUE DH
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I wont lie, I already have a pair of 2.4 Rekons front and back but they are the non TR or EXO version and all indicates I will be going Rekons 2.4 TR for my new setups as I do like the way the bike handles with this. Thank you for the pictures the bike looks awesome.Rekon 2.60 front and rear x2![]()
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We run 2.60 29ER 3C ECO TR 120 tpi WT max terra wt average was 740. Very light for "wide tires"
I.posted pics, because some people post about things the have never tried. Oh and the look great on bikes
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I.posted pics, because some people post about things the have never tried. Oh and the look great on bikes
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I have heard that comparison zero times. lolArdents are notorious for letting go without warning, but some also say the same thing about Rekons
I found the Ardent as a front would let go completely without warning. While the Rekon does move around, it hangs on letting you know that you're close to it's limit, but not past it.
Rekon Race is a good fast rear tire. The only downside is that rear braking suffers. They are not horrible, but I have to be very gentle on my rear lever or they lock right up. It seems to climb just fine on everything I encounter. Mostly hardpack, rocks and roots with some loose over hard, and some sand.
My bike came with an Ardent Race rear. I couldnt get that tire off of my bike fast enough. Its a fast tire, but breaks loose on everything. After trying a few other rear tires, I've settled on the Rekon. The Rekon 2.4 has been a perfect rear tire for me. It rolls well, climbs well, and dosen't wash out. The more I've been riding this tire the more I love it.
Any chance to try these out yet? Where did you find them? I can't even find the new ones at the local specialized concept store out here or online.Look at specialized for some great xc tires. I run rekons front and rear on my single speed and rekon rear, dissector front on my geared squishy bike. I have been looking for some faster rolling tires and decided on specialized ground control t7 2.35 front, specialized fast trak t5 2.35 rear. I asked Santa to get them for me so I can’t give feedback yet but they seem perfect. I’m excited to try them out, from what I have read and heard from buddies who run them, I will love them. The are light and fast and should offer great grip, probably improved grip going from rekon the ground control t7 on the front of my single speed.
we got them from Jensen, my local shop also had lots of stock but only one ground control T7. Jensen had all the models in stock a month ago. I have already installed the fast trak t5 on the back of my squishy bike and 1st impressions are great, but we have had hero dirt out here in Arizona lately with all the rain.Any chance to try these out yet? Where did you find them? I can't even find the new ones at the local specialized concept store out here or online.
Thanks, just ordered a pair from Jenson (ground control t5 / fast trak t5) both with the control casing. Hopefully they survive ok. Wanted the grid casing but couldn't get it on the fast trak with gum wall.
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