Hi everybody.
I'm planning about racing 2013 Aidan Hardin's EWE.
I think you know the terrain and perhaps you could help me without the tires election.
My bike: 29er full rigid.
I'm thinking about three options:
1.-Maxxis Crossmax Lust rear and Maxxis Arden Lust front
2.-Schwalve Racing Ralph TLR Snakeskin protection front and rear
3.-Continental Race King 2.2 Protection front and rear
Cheers from Spain.
The trouble/really good thing about the UK is that over the distance of the EWE you'll get to ride just about every type of terrain and surface you could imagine. There certainly won't be an ideal tyre that'll cover everything you encounter.
My own priorities would be fast rolling and puncture resistance. From your list, I'd go for Race Kings set up tubeless. However I'm sure there'll be a lot of love for the Maxxis combo too ... just that Race Kings are my own tyre of choice and I really like them.
If it looks like another wet year (I'm sure it can't get as bad as last year) I'd consider using an X King 2.4 on the front paired to a Race King 2.2 on the back.
PS. You're English is much better than my Spanish (and at times my English too)
Stu speaks the truth, looking at Aidans route the terrain will vary hugely.
I personnally really like Maxxis tyres but dont like the weight of the LUST versions, nor do I like the cost of the tyres!
Based on on the pure mileage of the route, I too would look to fast rolling combos set up tubeless.
Maxxiss now do a tyre called the IKON in a 29x2.2 TR, which is a Tubeless Ready tyres. This would give some good puncture resistance and is a nice fast tyre. These are considerably lighter than the LUST versions.
Personally I would be happy with these front and rear but a grippier front would be the Ardent.
For what its worth, I'm currently using a pair of specialized tubeless ready tyres which I really like.
Fast track 2.0 Rear, this is nice and fast but a bit sketch in mud (I've been using it right through the snow)
Ground Control 2.2 Front, Plent Grippy enough
These are being used tubless, they fall a little short of the Maxxiss offerings I think but only when pushed, so generally are fine and for about half the price, I like them very much.
Schwalbes I do like, but find them to be a bit flimsy on the sidewalls for the price paid. Conti's, I have some sort of personall aversion to so I wont talk about them :D
I'm with FLV on the tyre choice. I've been riding the Specialized tyres for a year now and they've been faultless - the Ground control is fast, grippy, robust, sets up really well tubeless, has worn well and is cheap (£30) and I'm hoping the fastrak will work out well on the rear - these will be my tyres for the Highland Trail 400. I really like the weight and speed of Schwalbe's but after ripping through a racing ralph tread @ 10 under the Ben after a total of 40 miles I wouldn't use them for anywhere remote - however I'm sure others will disagree.
I've been on my fast track for a good while now, I used it in the snow and mud and then for my road / firetrack trip round tenerife recently. Its proven pretty good so far, rolls well. I'd like a little more volume maybe but can always bung another ground control on if needed.
I'm kind of itching to try the renegade but it might be a step too far and be a bit alarming :D
