[Sweeney]

I'm building up my first Niner right now and I have a set of Hutchinson Python's ready to go for spring time. I was out today on my 26er with Michelin Mud tires and the trails are getting pretty sloppy. I try to get out early before the ground thaws, but what tires do you use for winter when things get muddy?

 

[ionsmuse]

Conti Mtn Kings live for that stuff.

 

[sean salach]

depends on where you live, what type of soil, and what your acceptable ratio of spinning tires/damaging trails you want. the best option where traction is paramount and trail damage doesn't matter would be a really narrow tire like bonty mud-x 1.8 or fire cross. or you could try for really wide with a bit of float, damage the trail less, but have less traction than the other option.

 

[sean salach]

or you could do what he said. ^^

 

[Barney123$]

Bontrager Jones Mud X

Hi,

I have a new Gary Fisher HiFi Pro 29". It came stock with Bontrager XDX but the trails I ride are shared with horses so can have 4-6 inches of clay/mud mix often with standing water on the top having put Bontrarager Jones Mud X on the rear I get more amazing traction My legs run out of strength before the rear breaks traction as long as I stay in the saddle. I've also noticed the 29's have great lateral traction too and are less prone to wash out when riding across slopes, cornering on loose gravel or going over wet roots. I still run the XDX on the front as this helps tends to grip better under breaking on tarmac. I hope this helps. Thanks Barney

 

[ridenfish39]

I realy like the Michelin XC AT tires for sloppy riding.

 

[aussieinswitzerland]

I have a GF HiFi Pro 29er fitted with conti mountain kings 2.2 and are really pleased with them. Have just finished a 7 race winter cup series here in some pretty crap conditions( snow, ice, mud etc) and they handled it all really well. Top points!
Cheers

 

[Englehardt]

The Nokian 294's are studded for ice and they also make excellent mud tires. I think they are the ultimate tire for winter trail riding.

From Bicycles

 

[Singlespeedpunk]

2nd for the Michelin AT's. Pretty much a year-round tyre in the UK for the last 2 years!

It does clog in really bad clay but in sloppy stuff it hooks up well and clears fast. It does not seem to flick too much stuff on to the rider either!

SSP

 

[aussieinswitzerland]

The Nokian 294's are studded for ice and they also make excellent mud tires. I think they are the ultimate tire for winter trail riding.

From Bicycles

I have them as well on my El Mariarchi but find them really slow and quite a few studs keep on turning on their sides. I don't know if thats normal as they are the only studded tyres i've owned, maybe it is, but it's annoying anyway.
Cheers

 

[collideous]

I have a GF HiFi Pro 29er fitted with conti mountain kings 2.2 and are really pleased with them.

I run those as well in the 2.4" size right now and love them. My trails (Swiss Jura) at the moment go from wet, muddy and leaf-covered at low elevations to snow-covered higher up, and the tires perform really well. I climbed a snow-packed trail on my SS out of the saddle on Saturday and didn't have to worry about the tire slipping.

 

[sean salach]

I have them as well on my El Mariarchi but find them really slow and quite a few studs keep on turning on their sides. I don't know if thats normal as they are the only studded tyres i've owned, maybe it is, but it's annoying anyway.
Cheers

did you 'bed' them in properly before taking them offroad? i believe it's either 20 or 30 miles that nokian recommends in order to set the studs properly in the tire. i've never heard of them turning sideways. i used to have a set of hakkapellitas on a fixed gear and loved skidding(on pavement) to kick up some sparks. never lost a stud or had it end up on it's side....

 

[aussieinswitzerland]

did you 'bed' them in properly before taking them offroad? i believe it's either 20 or 30 miles that nokian recommends in order to set the studs properly in the tire. i've never heard of them turning sideways. i used to have a set of hakkapellitas on a fixed gear and loved skidding(on pavement) to kick up some sparks. never lost a stud or had it end up on it's side....

I did do about 20kms with them,maybe it wasn't enough. I must admit i haven't lost a stud yet and they are easy enough to get them back in, it's just annoying.
Cheers

 

[jeffw-13]

I'm building up my first Nine right now and I have a set of Hutchinson Python's ready to go for spring time. I was out today on my 26er with Michelin Mud tires and the trails are getting pretty sloppy. I try to get out early before the ground thaws, but what tires do you use for winter when things get muddy?

I'm rockin' the 2.3 Pythons on my 26er and rode through some pretty sloppy stuff yesterday. Climbed some steep, snowy hills with wet rocks, roots & leaves and they plowed through like it was dry. Only problem I had was when the front washed out on some ice & sent me careening into the bushes :lol: I doubt anything short of a studded tire woulda gotten ahold of that, though.

Here's a good example of a muddy climb with a slick rock at the top.

 

[Sweeney]

Well, I guess I'll have to at least give the Pythons a try. They sure don't look like they would be good mudders, but I try to get out early and off the trail before it gets bad.

 

[NJ YetiMan]

Loving the Mtn Kings!

Switched to the 2.2 on the rear about a month ago (was running Maxxis Ardent which is a great tire when it is a little drier). The thing really hooks-up in the slop. Have some friends running the 2.4's, but I prefer the skinnier tire (and it is skinny) in the muck

 

[NCtrailX]

I find the Bontrager ACXs to be a good all-rounders. Knob spacing means it cleans pretty well and you can just leave em on rain or shine. Not the fastest rollers on hardpack, but they hook up well and are very predictable in most conditions.

 

[mtbnachos]

Sweet looking bike, can I see more pics? I was thinking of getting an Erikson custom or Seven, not sure which way to go.

 

[dblspeed]

'nother vote for the king :thumbsup:

 

[29buzz]

Mt King 2.4 very good in the leaf/snow/mud we got in Wv melts oneday-freeze next!
Odd-they will in frostheave type of crust catch a rail i call it-gotta pick a good line-the tyre wants to hold tight!We have some guys on Rampages who rave about them as well-lotta float and still corner well.
Bz