[ctw55]

I am familiar with Maxxis DoubleDown and have had pretty good luck with it for a few years.

Looking to try something new.

Specialized markets their Grid casing as something between trail and DH - similar to DD.

Schwalbe's Super Gravity is also marketed as a similar casing. Everyone seems to love the Magic Mary/Hans combo.

Can anyone comment on similarities / differences between the three?

Which is toughest?

 

[legitposter]

I've been testing a lot of tires recently, including these casings.

Doubledown is really just thick and heavy. It doesn't seem to offer much sidewall support. It offers the best puncture protection of these types of casings but, size for size, is also the heaviest. I have to use similar PSI with DoubleDown as I do with EXO because it doesn't offer any more stability and can squirm or roll in corners.

Grid is actually closer to Maxxis' EXO than Maxxis' DoubleDown, at least on the larger Butcher Grid 2.6 tires I tested. I was surprised and disappointed by this but the weight of Grid vs EXO is very similar so it makes sense. Grid seems to offer the same stability and puncture protection as exo in addition to the similar weight. I think Grid is the best middle-ground casing for anyone looking to run a larger 2.6 or 2.8 tire without getting too heavy and without giving up too much puncture protection. Still, Jared Graves had a nightmare of a time running 2.6 Butcher Grid in EWS last season. One failed race was due to tire puncture, another failed race was a complete full race but he just couldn't find his speed the entire race, and another failed race was a bad crash which we'll never know if the tires were playing with this confidence.

Super Gravity is, by far, the most sidewall stable non-DH casing I've ever used. It's hard to even fold it in my hand it's so stout. This results in low PSI on the trails without tire roll or squirm (though the Magic Mary's knobs will squirm). It's really an impressive casing and is, usually, slightly lighter weight than a similar Maxxis DoubleDown tire (1100g Magic Mary vs 1150g 2.5 DHF Maxx Grip). The catch is Super Gravity's extra beef is all in the sidewalls. It has zero added protection under the tread. This allows for a nice compliant feel on the trail and pinch flat protection but if you have a history of puncturing tread then you'll still puncture it with Super Gravity tires.

It sounds like I'm knocking DoubleDown tires but I actually ended up going with 2.3 DoubleDown front and back on 26mm rims. It just worked best for me as I'm a shorter lightweight rider and can run a little less psi on 2.3 tires, with DD giving my carbon rims a little insurance.

 

[Spectre]

To me, Grid is pretty much equivalent to EXO and not at all in the same league as DoubleDown or Super Gravity.

 

[dirtrider76]

Supergravity has proved to be the toughest for me. TBH the casing feels right, weight is good, they take a beating. People say Schwalbe wear fast but they outlast others and actually wear out instead of get removed due to damage.

I wont even try another DoubleDown tire. It lasted 2 days which to me is a waste of money.

I ran a Mavic Charge XL and it was decent but I dont feel like the bead sits very tight on the rim. It actually replaced the DD tire and had 2 rides on it with no damage.