[bikemonona]

Just picked up these to replace the Minion DHF/Aggressor combo I was running on my 2021 Trek Top Fuel 8. Anyone else have any experience with the Barzo/Mezcal combo?

The Maxxis combo felt way too heavy and sluggish especially on the uphill and I was washing out too much on the XR3s. I’m hoping these will fall somewhere in the middle.

I’m doing mostly trail riding in the Madison, WI area. I’m a roadie that gave MTBing a try this year. I’m now hooked and plan on racing XC a bit next season.

 

[pedalinbob]

I've never tried the Barzo, but the Mezcal on the rear is excellent for Midwest trails (Michigan for me).
It is VERY fast and predictable.
Really good on the front too, but doesn't like aggressive cornering.
But, a smooth technique works well.

I prefer to run them at lower pressure: 17-18f, 22-23 rear. I'm 160lbs.

I like the Vittoria tires, and have been intrigued by the Barzo.
Yet, the tallish spiky knobs are a concern. I've found that that knob-type tends to skate around on sandy loose-over-hardpack. They can let go without warning.
This happened with a Cross King at 20lbs last year.
This year I tried it at 17, and it felt better...but I was nervous.

BUT, I'd really like to try the Barzo.
Let us know your thoughts!

Bob

 

[williamson36]

If you are in pursuit of an awesome lightweight combo - check out the Racing Ray/Racing Ralph combo. I have been riding Maxxis for 10+ years and I feel the compound of the Ray/Ralph is superior. These tires are a LOT lighter than most tires, however their compound is lot grippier and more than compensates for the less aggressive tread. I am running this combo on both of my down-country bikes.

 

[norcalbike]

I’ve ridden this combo on my gravel bike that has clearance for 2.1 as well as in 2.35 on my Ibis Ripley. It’s one of my favorite XC combos, but can get out-gunned in situations that require a lot of grip if you are charging the downhills.

Vittoria has a couple other good candidates for a front with a mezcal rear, but more grip - Agarrro and Syerra.

 

[MTB Engineer]

Lovely combo and would buy them again for dry conditions. The Mezcal with its continuous center tread is really sketchy in the wet but otherwise a good rear tyre. Availability in Europe is awful ATM.

 

[Zerort]

If you are in pursuit of an awesome lightweight combo - check out the Racing Ray/Racing Ralph combo. I have been riding Maxxis for 10+ years and I feel the compound of the Ray/Ralph is superior. These tires are a LOT lighter than most tires, however their compound is lot grippier and more than compensates for the less aggressive tread. I am running this combo on both of my down-country bikes.

A better combo is the Ray / Ron. Rons are faster, lighter, and have better cornering. Not too many people run or know about Rons, but they are superior to Ralphs.

Ray for the front everytime. I've never washed out in over 3 years now having switched.

 

[A2PM]

Since you mention you're relatively new to MB, take a look at your cornering technique if you're washing the front end out. For me, on flatter corners (SE Michigan) it made a real difference once I concentrated on pushing the bike down (leaning it into corners) while weighting the outside pedal in corners. This creates two benefits. First, you get the tire on the bigger side knobs that are there specifically for better cornering grip and second, getting your weight on the outside pedal helps if you do start sliding... you're more likely to slide than crash since you're weight is more over the contact patch of the tires rather than inside if you weight your inside pedal. Note that it's easier to do this if you're seat is out of the way (dropper post).

That said, tires do make a difference as well. Have fun and good luck.

 

[Cerpss]

I'm about 4000 miles into a Barzo/Mezcal combo next door in Minnesota. They're on an open mold frame with 120/115 travel so similar to your Top Fuel. I think the Mezcal is getting pretty worn so I'm thinking it's time to get a new one. I ride a lot of flow trail/xc and they seem to roll fast and do well. Mezcal can get a little sketchy at race speed in the wet, but our trails close when it gets wet so I'm ok. I try to combat the low grip of the rear with lower pressure. I'm about 150-155 when riding and Barzo on the front I run about 17psi and Mezcal on the rear about 19psi on 30mm inner width rims. If it's going to have bigger rocks or roots I might bump up the pressure a little more because the sidewalls are pretty supple and I've banged the rim a couple times.

 

[akmtnrunner]

I tried the Barzo/Mezcal on my 2021 top fuel after riding the XR3's. Pros were that they were noticeably faster on smooth and firm surfaces for sure and offered plenty of traction in dry conditions. The cons, however, were they were pretty harsh over roots and larger rocks from (I think) the firmer trail casing than that of the XR3's. I had some concerning moments on wet roots that ultimately swayed me away from them. I didn't ride the XR3's in the wet so I can't say that this wouldn't have been a problem or not with these, but I next went to 2.6 Agarros and I think these are better than either combo for me. They grip and float over root gardens and chunky areas shockingly well so much that I can brake less and carry more speed and are pretty fast in the smooth too. If I were racing and I knew the trail was smooth and dry, sure, the Barzo/Mezcal would be better (probably Mezcal/Mezcal) but I ride wet roots often enough that I'd prefer to keep the Agarros on.

I'll probably try the new Syerra's when they are available.

 

[pedalinbob]

I commented only on the Vittoria tires, but Zerort's comments are accurate.

I have a Racing Ray 2.25: it grips and steers way better than it has any right to.
It has eerily fast turn-in, whereas many tires have a slight hesitation. It makes the bike feel as if it has a steeper HT angle.
I crashed hard a few weeks ago partially because of this.
I was definitely going too fast, apexed too early, and may have burped it--I didn't think I had the guts or ability to corner hard enough to cause it. There was a small splatter of sealant on the tire, and it lost a few lbs.

Anyway, "Precise" is the best descriptor of it.

It is a little on the low-volume side, but I usually run it on a 23mm rim.

Let us know about your experience. I love reading regular folks' thoughts on various gear.

Bob

 

[pedalinbob]

I couldn't edit my post, but wanted to say that wet roots are freaking scary. We have a huge amount of roots in my area (Brighton and the Poto are notorious, right Zerort?), but they usually aren't wet...thank God.

I went down super hard years ago on the Poto, and still get the creeps when encountering them.

Bob

 

[NordieBoy]

Macky Franklin ran the Barzo/Mezcal at the SS Nationals and Breck Epic and seemed to like them at race pace.

 

[cirecc]

I like the barzo/mezcal combo and have ridden them for xc and endurance races in the pnw. I also like the ray/Ralph combo. They are pretty similar. I personally found the schwalbes to be softer and smoother and the Vittorias to be tougher. So, I preferr the Vittorias for races with lava rocks, etc like in Bend. I like the ray/ralph when there are fewer things to cut them (though, I can’t remember the last time that was an issue, so maybe I’ll try pushing them a little more). They are pretty similar though once they’re broken in.

As far as the Ron vs Ralph, I have both tires and see them as different. The Ron and Barzo are very similar tread patterns where as the Ralph has a faster center with cornering knobs. I like the Ron better in the wet, though I’ve used all these tires in the wet and on our wet roots here.

You get used to riding wet roots when you have them for a good chunk of the year. We can ride in the wet here in western Washington, so you get your wet root skills and comfort (otherwise, you’re not riding until the spring). I still prefer them dry however.

 

[bikemonona]

Thanks for all the comments! I’m several rides in with the Barzo/Mezcal combo and I’m definitely sold. Not only are they significantly faster than the Maxxis but the traction held up in slightly greasy fall Wisconsin conditions. I’m especially impressed that the Mezcal traction has been locked in on the climbs. I feel like I can fly over climbs with the Top Fuel again.

I did by another Barzo just in case the Mezcal traction was a concern this time of year but I’ll probably save that until the current Barzo wears down.

Im running 21psi front, 23 psi back and I weigh about 175lbs btw.

 

[pinkpowa]

That's my go to combo on my '18 Top Fuel. As far as front end washing out, aside from the technique issues that have already been addressed I'd look at the smoke stack of spacers under you riser stem. That's pulling weight off that front wheel.

 

[pedalinbob]

Not sure about the '21 Top Fuel, but my '18 has a VERY low stack.
I think it is 577 mino low, 570 mino high...I put a riser and spacers on mine as well.

But, yes, the front end could be light.

Bob

 

[Samuraioodon]

I’ve ridden this combo on my gravel bike that has clearance for 2.1 as well as in 2.35 on my Ibis Ripley. It’s one of my favorite XC combos, but can get out-gunned in situations that require a lot of grip if you are charging the downhills.

Vittoria has a couple other good candidates for a front with a mezcal rear, but more grip - Agarrro and Syerra.

Im looking to have barzo front and mezcal rear. I need to ride 50/50 together to a gravel trail. Would barzo/barzo be good?

 

[Samuraioodon]

Lovely combo and would buy them again for dry conditions. The Mezcal with its continuous center tread is really sketchy in the wet but otherwise a good rear tyre. Availability in Europe is awful ATM.

So would barzo/barzo be best for all conditions when weather isn’t accurate?

 

[norcalbike]

Im looking to have barzo front and mezcal rear. I need to ride 50/50 together to a gravel trail. Would barzo/barzo be good?

Either is fine. Barzo/barzo probably better in loose conditions or mud

 

[flgfish]

I put the Barzo/Barzo combo on my Ripley and hated it. They felt squirmy in corners at lower pressures and terrible off roots at higher pressures. I have never been so perplexed by tires before in my life.

I did get the TLR version because I wasn’t paying attention when I bought them. It’s possible the TNT version is better. I won’t find out, because I’m putting the Rekons back on… if anyone wants some brand new Barzo 2.35 TLR tires, let me know before these end up in the trash…