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Ok folks, I need some input on a xc race tire given the following info.
The average, local xc course, which will be in Pennsylvania, is 40% fire/logging road (yuck!), 60%single track. Both will be quite rocky and you may see a moderate amount of mud depending on the time of year. The rockiness makes the average trail fairly technical by xc course standards. At least a few stream and log crossings pepper the trail. The longer fireroad hill climbs are usually steep and are often 1-1.5 miles.
Bike setup for the rider. Trek 8500 HT, large, mostly XT, with a Mavic 517 on the rear and the same on the front. If it's very wet I'll swap the front out for a disc set up. Fox Float fork at 80mm up front. The rider will be using old fashioned tubed tires. No Stan's or tubless.
Rider. 6'0. 180# plus gear. Technical xc abilities: 7.5/10. Cardiovascular fitness level: 7/10. (Scale: as compared to other expet catagory riders.)
So, given that information what tire would you suggest... Right now I've got a Mutanoraptor Race 2.4 on (listed weight about 595g but some actual weight may be closer to 550g). Yeah a bit heavy for a race tire but these roll very well and do a great job of soaking up the bumps given their large size. Also, keep in mind this is 180# rider on a HT on rocky trails. A super lightweight tire would be slow going on the rough stuff and could very likely pinch flat. I've not tried them but a Bontrager Revolt Super X looks nice. Been through Mosquitoes, too thin, burst. Conti Explorers, too skinny which makes for poor handling on the rocks. Fires, too heavy, clog with mud, don't roll well.
So what would you recomend for this rider?
Thanks,
Mike
The average, local xc course, which will be in Pennsylvania, is 40% fire/logging road (yuck!), 60%single track. Both will be quite rocky and you may see a moderate amount of mud depending on the time of year. The rockiness makes the average trail fairly technical by xc course standards. At least a few stream and log crossings pepper the trail. The longer fireroad hill climbs are usually steep and are often 1-1.5 miles.
Bike setup for the rider. Trek 8500 HT, large, mostly XT, with a Mavic 517 on the rear and the same on the front. If it's very wet I'll swap the front out for a disc set up. Fox Float fork at 80mm up front. The rider will be using old fashioned tubed tires. No Stan's or tubless.
Rider. 6'0. 180# plus gear. Technical xc abilities: 7.5/10. Cardiovascular fitness level: 7/10. (Scale: as compared to other expet catagory riders.)
So, given that information what tire would you suggest... Right now I've got a Mutanoraptor Race 2.4 on (listed weight about 595g but some actual weight may be closer to 550g). Yeah a bit heavy for a race tire but these roll very well and do a great job of soaking up the bumps given their large size. Also, keep in mind this is 180# rider on a HT on rocky trails. A super lightweight tire would be slow going on the rough stuff and could very likely pinch flat. I've not tried them but a Bontrager Revolt Super X looks nice. Been through Mosquitoes, too thin, burst. Conti Explorers, too skinny which makes for poor handling on the rocks. Fires, too heavy, clog with mud, don't roll well.
So what would you recomend for this rider?
Thanks,
Mike