Studs, as in knobs?
Just talking dry conditions and Schwalbes.....

I find the Nobby Nics to be quite fast rolling and grippy in the 29x2.35 Evolution/Addix.
They also are pretty durable riding in Utah.

If I were to get the Racing Ray/Racing Ralph combo, I would go for the 29x2.35" versions. They will roll very well and in my experience, 2.35" tires wear better than 2.25" while gripping better and rolling just as well. I don't expect that the Racing Ray/Ralph would wear very well in any size, though.

I tried the Rock Razor in a 29x2.35 and liked it, but it was only marginally better rolling than the Nobby Nic and I damaged the cornering knobs within 50 miles of pretty hard riding. I would not recommend it as a front tire. It does corner very well but would have little braking traction.

I also rode the 29x2.25 Rocket Ron and found it again, to be no faster than the Nobby Nic in rolling resistance and I also damaged the corner knobs on it within about 50 miles.

I time my climbs, not my descents and I found the Nobby Nics to be faster than any Maxxis tire including the 29x2.4 and 2.6 Rekons. I've not tried any of the Maxxis tires that are less aggressive than the Rekons, though. The Nobby Nics also cornered and gripped better than either of the Rekons.

 

I guess knobs as well.
You must have some obscene amounts of rocks where you ride or something

 

Get some Rocket Rons. Done. They are great in all conditions. Fast and grippy. And light.

SpeedGrip (blue) in front, Speed (red) in back.

These are 29x2.25.

This is the rear width - true to size unlike many tires. I just got the front so haven't yet measured but it should be the same.

 

Oh you mean get Ron for both tyres? I didn't think about that.

 

Well you can mix and match. That's totally up to you. I was running a Racing Ray on the front. But going to try a Ron on front.

On the rear I tried a Racing Ralph (new one) briefly but preferred the Ron.

 

Biggest my Rons came out to was 2.12. This is on 21mm IW rims.

I'm using the Nobby Nic and Rock Razor on my 120/130 bike. They give me more than enough traction on varied terrain...including some wet.

 

What I showed above was on 26mm internal. Pressure 23psi. After about 3 weeks of install.

 

I have since started looking into other brands and remembered I enjoyed the tires on Trek Top Fuel 8 when I rented it, which has Bontrager XR3 tires on it. They held absolutely perfectly in both dry and wet conditions, and I might just grab one for the rear (I will get either Racing Ray or Rocket Ron for the front).
The weight though, 740g, ouch. Rekon Race, which looks like a viable alternative, is 100g lighter. I'm actually curious how these would compare since they look very similar.

 

no no no:nono:

- If you run different tires front/rear you want the grippyer & more durable tire up front and the faster rolling tire rear.
- If you want to go with the Bont XR series (which are great tires) then do XR2 rear, XR3 front.
- If you want something as beefy as an XR3 then also consider the Specialized Ground Control
Dont compare the XR3 to a Recon race. Completely diff tires. Compare Recon race to a tire like Ralph & Spec Renegade.

Lastly, although i respect LCW's opinion & feedback, i do not think Rocket RON is the right tire for you. I think if you provide more info than you'll get some more solid recommendations though.
Like:
- How much do you weigh?
- What specific trail systems are you currently riding with your hardtail?
- What tires do you run on the hardtail?
- What specific trail systems are you planning on riding with the new Trail bike?
- One a scale of 1-10 with 1 being cautiously riding down hills using a lot of brake, and 10 being BOMBING down hills, what number describes your approach to downhills?

 

2.5 Assegai Exo 3C Maxxterra - up front... absolutely bomb proof!!

Out back... 2.5 Aggressor DD - fast rolling centre w/ enough grip when leaned over [emoji869] [emoji481] [emoji1783]

Sent from my HD1900 using Tapatalk

 

Magic Mary / Rock Razor is a fantastic combo for a fast setup that still corners decent.

 

LCW, thanks for the update.
- How many rides did you have on the Ray before coming to that conclusion?
- How much do you weigh and what PSI did you try on the RAY & RON ?
- What rear tire ?
- Also, do you set your PSI to prioritize climbs, descents, or balance?

What i gather from reading about the RON is that it is a light/fast/grippy tire that is most appropriately used for racing because of its fast wearing soft rubber compound and thinner higher thread count casing that dosnt hold up acceptably with regular use. I assume that the newer designed RAY is more durable & slower wearing since it is not advertised as being as extreme as the RON. I just mounted a RAY today to try out and the rubber is noticeably softer/grippyer than the RALPH's that i am familiar with. I worry about the soft knobs being squirmy and plan to play with pressure to dial in the feel as i do with all tires. Guess i will find out after logging some miles. I would like to hear more feedback form others who have used both the the RON & RAY. Maybe i'll start a separate thread on it.

 

Answers:

- How many rides did you have on the Ray before coming to that conclusion?

About 20 rides on various trails. Average 10miles per ride or so. Some a bit longer. Same amount on rear Ron.

- How much do you weigh and what PSI did you try on the RAY & RON ?

200 lbs, I run 20/23 (frt/rr) psi with the Rons, but with the Ray I ran 18.

- What rear tire ?

Ron, Speed Snakesin

- Also, do you set your PSI to prioritize climbs, descents, or balance?

General trail riding. A bit of everything. Climbs, rock gardens, roots, etc.

What i gather from reading about the RON is that it is a light/fast/grippy tire that is most appropriately used for racing because of its fast wearing soft rubber compound and thinner higher thread count casing that dosnt hold up acceptably with regular use. I assume that the newer designed RAY is more durable & slower wearing since it is not advertised as being as extreme as the RON. I just mounted a RAY today to try out and the rubber is noticeably softer/grippyer than the RALPH's that i am familiar with. I worry about the soft knobs being squirmy and plan to play with pressure to dial in the feel as i do with all tires. Guess i will find out after logging some miles. I would like to hear more feedback form others who have used both the the RON & RAY. Maybe i'll start a separate thread on it.

Disagree with the notion that Ron is any less durable than the Ray or Ralph. I have the SnakeSkin Ron's, not the Liteskin. Rubber compounds are the same between the Rons/Rays/Ralphs. I run blue (SpeedGrip) front and red (Speed) on the rear. I'm just not a fan of the new Ray/Ralph tread patterns.

You noticed the Ray being softer than a Ralph because it is. Each is only available in one compound. Ray in Addix SpeedGrip (blue, softer). Ralph in Addix Speed (red, a bit harder). Rons are available in either, but I run a blue in front, red in back.

 

What do you run on your hardtail? Why not just run the same if you like them.

 

The Rock Razor is a decent cornering, fast rolling tire for dry conditions. I'm not sure I would run it on the front as it won't brake as well as a tire with full knobs. You might consider a more grippy front tire as the front doesn't add as much to the total rolling resistance. In the Schwalbe lineup, the Hans Dampf might be a good choice.

For wet weather, the Nobby Nic has climbing grip that is quite good. It also rolls surprisingly well. In the Schwalbe line-up, the Hans Dampf might be a good choice for wet weather as well.

 

This site has a lot of info regarding Schwalbe rolling resistance

https://www.bicyclerollingresistanc...eviews?b=schwalbe&maxweight=841&max=46&min=15&minpr=5&minknobc=0.4&minknobe=0.4

 

Octopuss,

- A trail system is an interconnecting network of trails. Usually defined/named by a park or geographic feature like a mountain or lake.

- We can utilize websites like MTBPROJECT.com to understand more about the trails you ride and make more specific recommendations. It is possible that we can learn more about your trails and how to properly set up a bike for them by looking at a website than you can by putzing along on them with your wife.

 

Like I said, I need some more universal (and not overly slow despite speed not being a priority at the same time) tires for now because I will be riding with my wife too (she's getting my hardtail with 2x10 drivertrain, which will leave me in very slightly unfavorable position on a full suspension bike ).

More trail-oriented tires are a thing for autumn/damp conditions.
The Ron looks good enough for now I guess. It's just a question of 2x Ron (likely) or Ron and something.

Later on I will probably get Hans Dampf or Nobby Nic or something for more serious terrain OR shitty conditions. I haven't given this too much thought yet, nor have I explored the possibilities much.

I only ever rode a hardtail and mostly on forest/dirt roads, so I have no idea about anything related to me riding full suspension bike in near future whatsoever, which makes answering any questions difficult.
I know there are a few bike parks in Czech republic, but I have no idea where will I ride and whether it's rideable for someone with questionable skills and zero experience with "downhillish" style.

 

Of course, the XR3 is not out of the question for trails at all, they seemed to roll pretty damn well when going down(hill) including in mud, they just seem a bit heavy for recreational riding. Not sure whether to get a pair or just in the front and something else in the rear (that might look really weird). I guess the 2,4" is just about right width.
Same goes with the Schwalbe combinations of course.

 

I have tried a crapload of tires in the past year so and I ended up sticking to the Nobby Nic Addix Speedgrip TLR front and rear in 29x2.35. IMO it's not PERFECT but it had the perfect balance as far as speed and grip goes. I love the DHR, DHF, Highrollers and all that but man they are anchors compared to these tires. IMO a do all tire. I ride XC, Enduro style trails mostly but have done bike parks with them as well and I never had an issue unless things start to get wet. Other than that I think I'm going to stick to this combo.

 

If the tires weren't so expensive, I would probably buy several and test them myself

 

Yeah it can get pretty expensive. But well worth it when you find the perfect combo for you.

 

I don't think I'd notice unless the differences were huge, but that doesn't stop me from making life more difficult for me by digging in the options, heh.

Oh btw does anyone have experience with Rocket Ron on asphalt? I was told its thread was fairly annoying on roads.

 

The only drawback to any of the Schwalbe Mountain bike tires is that they waste very quickly on asphalt. No matter which one

 

Tires seem expensive but the options for performance really include rim width and pressure. 30, 35, 40mm inner rim width can change what tire combo gives the better performance. Trying different width wheels that's too expensive for just about everyone, imo.
Anyway, Bontrager tires have a 30 day no questions refund policy to give you a chance to try a tire. Don't like it. Bring it back for a refund.

 

The rims on my bike will be 27+25mm or 27mm both it seems.

 

Hm, after yesterday, I removed XR3 out of the equation. They are really fast despite the weight, but they seem to slip whenever the terrain gets even just a tiny bit loose.
I'm most likely going to get 2xRon, but I wish they made them in 2,35". 2,25, despite not being slimmer in any meaningful weight, doesn't feel right on a trail bike.

 

^ That's how I felt about the xr3 as well. Anything loose at all, even a fine dust covering, and it was like ice skating. One if the worst tires for my conditions.

The cross king has massively more traction all over and rolls similarly fast. It's great out back, even for aggressive riding.

 

I'd like not to mix tires for aesthetic reasons , so I'd like to stick to Schwalbe.

I do have Cross King on my HT though and like it.

 

I do have Cross King on my HT though and like it.

I have been abusing the black chili crosskings 2.3 on 30mm id rims for a year now. Love them. Maybe not the strongest front tire, but such great all around tire, I accept the trade offs

Serious chunky rock gardens, to gravel, to clay mud, to leafy loam and roots. They hold up well

Love these tires and I ride with a guy with bone xr4's and neither of us can leave the other in the worse conditions, the only difference is on paved or hardpack downhills, the contis roll much faster

You cant go wrong with schwalbes either, i run 2.25 G one all arounds on my gravel bike. just wish they lasted longer

 

But isn't 2,25" a bit too narrow for a trail bike?

 

Yes and no.

I am only running 2.25 for my gravel bike, which is not my trail rig.

I have some 2.1's on another older 29er and they are great trail tires

really its a level of comfort with larger tires as you can run less pressure

 

You guys on 29x2.3 Cross Kings....what width are you seeing mounted up?

I'm getting 2.406" on a 2.35 NoNi on a 27mm rim at 16.5 psi.

 

Im over 2.4 as well.