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Favorite rear tire for the PNW winter?

2431 Views 18 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Sparticus, Nov 13, 2021

habaden

Discussion Starter · Nov 11, 2021

Hey everyone, I am in the market for a new tire and with the rainy season starting here in the PNW I would like something to give me a bit more grip.

I'm going to be putting it on my SB130LR so I don't really want to get something that's 1300g to make it a total slog to ride, so I'm torn on what compromise to make.

What are you guys riding on your trail bikes this winter?

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Sparticus

· #2 · Nov 11, 2021

habaden said:
Hey everyone, I am in the market for a new tire and with the rainy season starting here in the PNW I would like something to give me a bit more grip.

I'm going to be putting it on my SB130LR so I don't really want to get something that's 1300g to make it a total slog to ride, so I'm torn on what compromise to make.

What are you guys riding on your trail bikes this winter?

I'm aboard a Guerilla Gravity Smash (140mm), running Schwalbe Magic Marys F&R.
You said you don't want a 1300g tire because you don't want it to be a slog to ride but IME the mud is a far bigger factor in "slog" than my tires are.
But I admit that I don't mind heavy tires in the off season. I'm not racing, I'm riding for fun and to keep my fitness.
A tire that offers more grip contributes to the fun and a heavy tire contributes to my fitness.

So I don't mind the Magic Marys.
I've also had good experience with Maxxis DHF & DHR.
FWIW: been riding Oregon's sloppy singletrack year 'round since '85. Good grip is paramount.
=sParty

ocnLogan

· #3 · Nov 11, 2021

habaden said:
Hey everyone, I am in the market for a new tire and with the rainy season starting here in the PNW I would like something to give me a bit more grip.

I'm going to be putting it on my SB130LR so I don't really want to get something that's 1300g to make it a total slog to ride, so I'm torn on what compromise to make.

What are you guys riding on your trail bikes this winter?

What rear tire are you using right now? What casing/compound?

I'm in the greater Seattle area of the PNW, and have been riding a Michelin Wild Enduro rear for the past year and a half, and I actually quite like it. Its kind of a midweight tire. Kind of between EXO+ and DD. I think my 29x2.4in version weighed... 1050g? Maybe 1100g? Its been a while since I weighed it, but I remember it being in that general ballpark. I'd also probably guess that the DHR2 will be another safe choice.

Before that I used a DHF in the rear. But the DHF has much worse braking traction, and it is much easier to drift. Plus its climbing traction was worse. I've also ridden a buddies bike with the Aggressor on it. And... that was like the DHF, but worse for aggressive riding in the PNW winter in every way. None braking power, and easier to drift than the DHF. Not that its a bad tire, but for winter usage out here I don't think its great. But I do have relatively little saddle time on that tire, as its just been for a lap or two here and there, rather than anything consistent.

I did notice that the Wild Enduro was harder to pedal, but I attribute most of that to the thicker casing (my DHF was a thin EXO casing that the bike came with). And honestly, in the PNW, a lot of the time the actual power suck from the mud... comes from the mud itself. Climbing up a trail where you can feel the trail deforming under your tires, just drains the watts right out of your legs.

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habaden

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 11, 2021

ocnLogan said:
What rear tire are you using right now? What casing/compound?

I'm in the greater Seattle area of the PNW, and have been riding a Michelin Wild Enduro rear for the past year and a half, and I actually quite like it. Its kind of a midweight tire. Kind of between EXO+ and DD. I think my 29x2.4in version weighed... 1050g? Maybe 1100g? Its been a while since I weighed it, but I remember it being in that general ballpark. I'd also probably guess that the DHR2 will be another safe choice.

Before that I used a DHF in the rear. But the DHF has much worse braking traction, and it is much easier to drift. Plus its climbing traction was worse. I've also ridden a buddies bike with the Aggressor on it. And... that was like the DHF, but worse for aggressive riding in the PNW winter in every way. None braking power, and easier to drift than the DHF. Not that its a bad tire, but for winter usage out here I don't think its great. But I do have relatively little saddle time on that tire, as its just been for a lap or two here and there, rather than anything consistent.

I did notice that the Wild Enduro was harder to pedal, but I attribute most of that to the thicker casing (my DHF was a thin EXO casing that the bike came with). And honestly, in the PNW, a lot of the time the actual power suck from the mud... comes from the mud itself. Climbing up a trail where you can feel the trail deforming under your tires, just drains the watts right out of your legs.

Was running the Vittoria Agarro in the trail casing on the rear until I just got a huge tear in it. Was planning on swapping it soon for the wet anyways, now I just need something sooner haha.

Have you tried the new Michelin Wild AM2s?

ocnLogan

· #5 · Nov 11, 2021

habaden said:
Was running the Vittoria Agarro in the trail casing on the rear until I just got a huge tear in it. Was planning on swapping it soon for the wet anyways, now I just need something sooner haha.

Have you tried the new Michelin Wild AM2s?

I haven't tried the new Wild AM2 yet. Looking at it, it seems to fit into their lineup slightly below where the Wild Enduro Front sits. It looks like it has more aggressive/bigger knobs than the wild enduro rear, but with a slightly lighter casing weight (100g). It honestly seems a bit more like a front tire to me.

If I was lighter, or easier on tires, I might try one in the back, but as it is the Wild Enduro rear is borderline if its thick enough for me. But, I'm like 200lbs with gear on. So the Wild AM2 might be perfect for what you're looking for.

I'd also assume the Schwalbe Big Betty is pretty good (although pricey). And then the WTB Judge is SUPER beastly, but that might be more tire than you want/need.

habaden

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 11, 2021

ocnLogan said:
I haven't tried the new Wild AM2 yet. Looking at it, it seems to fit into their lineup slightly below where the Wild Enduro Front sits. It looks like it has more aggressive/bigger knobs than the wild enduro rear, but with a slightly lighter casing weight (100g). It honestly seems a bit more like a front tire to me.

If I was lighter, or easier on tires, I might try one in the back, but as it is the Wild Enduro rear is borderline if its thick enough for me. But, I'm like 200lbs with gear on. So the Wild AM2 might be perfect for what you're looking for.

I'd also assume the Schwalbe Big Betty is pretty good (although pricey). And then the WTB Judge is SUPER beastly, but that might be more tire than you want/need.

I'm keen to try the Michelin tires, might just have to pick up a set of Wild enduros and Wild AMs to try out. Which front compound do you prefer on the wild enduros?

Grinchy8

· #7 · Nov 11, 2021

Watching to see where this discussion goes. Ran cross king and race king in the summer and that worked good for relearning, but this winter I expect to get a bit more speed and difficulty.

ocnLogan

· #8 · Nov 11, 2021

habaden said:
I'm keen to try the Michelin tires, might just have to pick up a set of Wild enduros and Wild AMs to try out. Which front compound do you prefer on the wild enduros?

Perhaps surprisingly, I don't run matched brand tires front and rear. Partially because of COVID shortages and when I could find deals/or stuff in stock. So strangely, I've not used the Wild Enduro Front.

I've read though that the Magi-X compound on the WEF doesn't do well in low temperatures (like under 40f). So that may be worth considering the gumx.

I'm currently on a WTB Verdict front tire, and of the tires I've tried so far (DHF, WTB Verdict, and a harder compound version of the Magic Mary), its definitely the best I've used in the wet.

Here is a good review from someone in the same sort of climate as we are in.

nsmb.com

NSMB.com - WTB Verdict 29 x 2.5 Front Tire Reviewed (w Judge Rear)

For a long time, I thought of WTB as 'California rubber' and I had bumped them off my list of tires to try - but this combo has me rethinking that opinion...

nsmb.com

norcalbike

· #9 · Nov 11, 2021

Don’t live in PNW but I was always under the impression something like a Shorty/DHR2 would be a good winter combo for up there?

Reactions: 1

Grinchy8

· #10 · Nov 11, 2021

Drainage is really good on the limited trails I've been on so far. I guess it has to be. I was very surprised at the limited damage that bikes + 14 days of straight rain had inflicted. I did knob up to Mountain King / DHF which has been fine, but I'm interested to hear what has been effective.

ocnLogan

· #11 · Nov 11, 2021

norcalbike said:
Don’t live in PNW but I was always under the impression something like a Shorty/DHR2 would be a good winter combo for up there?

Yeah, I'd expect that would work great.

Just looking at what I see at the trailheads, I'd say the DHR2 is probably the most common rear tire in the region.

I haven't noticed anyone running a shorty (I mean, not that I check, just saying I don't remember any offhand), but the tread pattern is actually super close to the WTB Verdict.

And at least for where I am, the Assegai is pretty common as well. Its not great in deep mud because it can clog up easily. But where I live we don't often get goey-sticky mud. Instead we get ... pine needle soup? Its more like water and loam bits. So there isn't really a problem with it clogging.

cassieno

· #12 · Nov 12, 2021

Martello if you want to stick with Vittoria. It roles decent and weighs in at 950g for the 2.35 trail casing.

Grip is decent in the wet. But like anything be careful on wet roots.

eshew

· #13 · Nov 12, 2021

Whatever you get, make sure it's a soft compound. I ride a DHR exo 3C, works well.

Reactions: 3

Juansan

· #14 · Nov 12, 2021

Conti Der Baron Apex front and rear. I'm on my second PNW winter season using the Conti tires. Great traction in mud and roots. But until it gets really muddy I've been running Trail Kings which I find the best in semi slick conditions, especially roots. I have tried other brands, which I will not mention cause it just causes controversy. During the summer I've been running Vittoria Martello's.

Reactions: 1

habaden

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 12, 2021

Juansan said:
Conti Der Baron Apex front and rear. I'm on my second PNW winter season using the Conti tires. Great traction in mud and roots. But until it gets really muddy I've been running Trail Kings which I find the best in semi slick conditions, especially roots. I have tried other brands, which I will not mention cause it just causes controversy. During the summer I've been running Vittoria Martello's.

Conti tires have always looked good to me, might give them a try. Have you tried a Der Kaiser on the rear?

JK-47

· #16 · Nov 12, 2021

habaden said:
Was running the Vittoria Agarro in the trail casing on the rear until I just got a huge tear in it. Was planning on swapping it soon for the wet anyways, now I just need something sooner haha.

Have you tried the new Michelin Wild AM2s?

I currently run a 2.4x29 wild AM2in the back and a 2.6 in the front. I had a Wild enduro in the rear. Prefer the AM2, maybe due to the slightly rounder profile. The Wild enduro side knobs make for a fairly square profile draggy ride. I didn’t try them back to back, I snuck a force AM2 on the back in between, but felt the AM2 rolled slightly better than the WE.

I ride the dusty loose over hard of SoCal and weigh 225lbs, so far no flats…knock on wood.

ehfour

· #17 · Nov 12, 2021

DHR2- all rear round in the wet PNW

cookieMonster

· #18 · Nov 13, 2021

MaxxGrip Shortys are the most amazing mud tires I’ve ever tried. UltraSoft Magic Marys are next.

The PNW is a big place though. If you’re riding hardpacked yet wet trails you might prefer shorter knobs such as offered by Minions or Assegais.

I don’t live in the PNW but have ridden the Shore a lot and have always found it to have pretty grippy dirt when wet. We have similar trails where I live but a lot more clay in our soil which practically requires mud spikes or you just can’t ride safely in the wet.

With the tires I mentioned above, you can ride down the side of a building. I don’t care about rolling resistance and very little about weight though. I care only about getting down gnarly trails in one piece.

Reactions: 1

Sparticus

· #19 · Nov 13, 2021

cookieMonster said:
MaxxGrip Shortys are the most amazing mud tires I’ve ever tried. UltraSoft Magic Marys are next.

The PNW is a big place though. If you’re riding hardpacked yet wet trails you might prefer shorter knobs such as offered by Minions or Assegais.

I don’t live in the PNW but have ridden the Shore a lot and have always found it to have pretty grippy dirt when wet. We have similar trails where I live but a lot more clay in our soil which practically requires mud spikes or you just can’t ride safely in the wet.

With the tires I mentioned above, you can ride down the side of a building. I don’t care about rolling resistance and very little about weight though. I care only about getting down gnarly trails in one piece.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, cookieMonster.

Lots of clay in our soil. When talking well designed tires, I equate "rolling resistance" with traction. Between now and mid-May I can descend faster on a tire with more rolling resistance than I can on one with less because... traction.

As for climbing, well, climbing is just something I do to get to the top. I don't care about rolling resistance while climbing, either. Increased rolling resistance contributes to bigger muscles and besides, I enjoy improved traction while climbing just as I do while descending.

During summer our trails offer traction galore (we enjoy awesome hardpack.) That's when I run lighter weight tires with shorter, less aggressive knobs. But 8-9 months of the year, give me real knobbies, rolling resistance be damned. Real soft knobbies.

I'll have to try those MaxxGrip Shortys.
=sParty

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