I've been on a Nobby Nic running on it's 2nd year. GREAT tire but spendy.

 

I’m interested in the Mezcals also

 

I was told the quality is not as good as the Bontrager.

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The Rekon 29x2.6 in the front and Bontrager XR2 Team 29x2.6 rear seem to be a great combo so far.

 

This. Fantastic combo.

 

I haven't tried the XR4s but I have tried the Mezcal on Nox Kitsuma i36 rims. The Mezcal are very fast on flat, smooth surfaces due to the semi-continuous centerline tread, but they struggle with grip, only responding when really leaned over. For reference, I was using Racing Ralphs on i30 rims before these and I felt those had better grip but slightly less straight-line speed.

I will probably not keep my Mezcal except possibly for a endurance race tire (Chequamegon 40-style). They're not grippy enough for my everyday MN trail riding.

 

I rode the Mezcals this past summer for about 3 weeks. Ran them tubeless on an i40 rim and they stretched (after ~3 rides) out to just shy of 2.8.

Fast AF on straights. Predictable braking. Supple casing. And, as long as you understand what a low-knob tire with a center stripe can and can't do, they were fine. On kitty litter over hardpack they terrified me when leaned. As expected.

And then one day the rear went flat. Apropos of nothing that was happening -- flat, smooth trail, nothing sharp in sight. Stopped, inspected the tire, found a ~3/4" gash in the sidewall. Walked back the last ~50' (because I was on the rim immediately) and simply could not find anything remotely capable of cutting a sidewall. Think round pebbles the size of your pinky fingernail. Nada.

Booted and tubed it to get home, then pulled them both off the bike and gave them away.

Back to XR2's since then. Not *quite* as big and not *quite* as fast on the straights, but they're predictable and the casings are durable, and that's way more important to me.

 

Back to XR2's since then. Not *quite* as big and not *quite* as fast on the straights, but they're predictable and the casings are durable, and that's way more important to me.

Do you have an opinion on the 2.6 vs. 3.0? I went from a Ranger 3.0 in the front to an XR4 2.6. Better traction in some conditions in the turns, but I'm not digging the rolling resistance. Mulling about an XR2 2.6, though not if it's going to be worse all-around than the Ranger.

 

So the XR2 is gonna give more grip on heavy stuff - right ?

I’m wondering if that’s the way to go - as I ridge rocky terrain , roots etc ...

Maybe the Rekon but doesn’t Maxxis have a rep for a slow roller ?

 

So the XR2 is gonna give more grip on heavy stuff - right ?

I'm wondering if that's the way to go - as I ridge rocky terrain , roots etc ...

Maybe the Rekon but doesn't Maxxis have a rep for a slow roller ?

I think what people are reporting is the Rekon as a rear tire is slow. As a front tire, it's fine, and I find it fast enough. It's no Furious Fred; but you can still roll in the low 20's on a stretch of hardpack.

 

They have been discussed in several threads. Pretty easy to find via:

 

I ride with a lot of guys on 29 2.6 or 3.0. Rangers are ok, but all like the performance of the XR2 more. Performance means grip, puncture resistance and life. The WTB however is cheaper.


My new/used plus wheelset has Ranger 3.0 on them. I plan to replace with XR2 once the rangers are done.

Application have been on Singlespeeds. No feedback on AM type use.

 

Anybody try that new Goodyear Escape in 29 x 2.6 yet?