I bought a couple 3C 2-ply ardents on closeout from Jenson for $20 each. And now QBP has the same tires on closeout for 1/3rd of their normal price. It seems a bit crazy to see 3C DH tires going this cheap, did everyone hate the Ardent or what? I've yet to ride them.
Maxxis to discontinue Ardent?
- Thread starter Banshee Rider
- Start date
Ardents aren't going away.
They might be getting rid of the 3C 2.4/2.6s, but looks like the folding bead tires are continuing on based on this article:
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Maxxis-Ardent-folding-Tires-parts-check-2010.html
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Maxxis-Ardent-folding-Tires-parts-check-2010.html
I used Ardents on my trail bike with mixed results last year- 3C 2.4 in front and 2.25 60 durometer in the back. Rolled great but you really had to lean them over to get any turning traction. When you did so and it broke free, it just didn't as predictable as a Minion. They didn't handle in the wet as well as I thought they would also - 3C included - had the front tire wash out more than once. Not horrible, but just not what I expected.
I'll probably keep the front and get a minion for the rear for this year.
I'll probably keep the front and get a minion for the rear for this year.
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I don't know if anyone ever considered these to be viable DH tires. Personally I have heard very mixed reviews from people I ride with.
I ran on out back on my DH bike, it sucked.
I tried it up front... sucked.
The was in dry, dusty and rocky conditions. It was super squirrley
I tried it up front... sucked.
The was in dry, dusty and rocky conditions. It was super squirrley
You're joking, right? I thought that was the corniest thing to ever write in a tire ad.
I've been running the 2.4 single-ply 60 durometer up front on my AM bike. Comparing to the Advantage I had on there before it's performing much better then the Advantage ever did - holds a more solid edge cornering, maintains traction better on off camber drifts (the Advantage just seems to want to slide right out if your pushing on it stood up) and sheds mud better. However, they haven't seen dry conditions yet (it's tacky to muddy right now), so I'm not sure how they'll react when it turns back into loose over hard-pack.
The side knobs feel like they might not be stiff enough for a softer durometer.
Maxxis - 2.5/2.4 Minion DHF + High Roller kevlar bead single-ply PLEASE!!!!
The side knobs feel like they might not be stiff enough for a softer durometer.
Maxxis - 2.5/2.4 Minion DHF + High Roller kevlar bead single-ply PLEASE!!!!
go with the advantage best trail bike tire i have ever used...ardent seems a bit lacking for what it's intended usage is...
The minion is a FANTASTIC tire as well but def rolls a bit slower, if you want the most traction go minion, if you want a bit faster rolling tire i say go advantage...
Ardent? maybe as a rear when the dirt is nice and dry....
The minion is a FANTASTIC tire as well but def rolls a bit slower, if you want the most traction go minion, if you want a bit faster rolling tire i say go advantage...
Ardent? maybe as a rear when the dirt is nice and dry....
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I have never ran these tires before but used minion 2.5's, what size in the 2ply do you guys run for dh, 2.4 or 2.6?
Man, i am the complete opposite of you, i cant see how the advantage would EVER have better traction unless you are riding only hardpack with no loose stuff or mud...I have to say I completely disagree here...
im not sure why you would ever use this as a front tire. i run one on the back when not racing, dry, mellower stuff, and its fine, lighter and rolls fast
Other way around - Ardent has much better traction for me then the Advantage.
I moved my front Advantage to the rear...hopefully it'll wear out soon. Not a fan.
You need to turn your sarcasm radar on
http://www.bustedspoke.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=46072&view=next
^
This was the first thing that I thought about when I saw this thread.
I should have specified in my OP that I wasn't suggesting they're discontinuing the Ardent entirely, just from DH 2-ply offerings so it seems.
I've used the 2.25 folding Ardents on my XC bike, but the sideknobs seemed to be placed further to the outside on the larger 2-ply versions. It would make sense that they are a relatively loose riding tire because of that. Whatever, the price is right and the brand doesn't begin with K, I'm picking up a second set.
I've used the 2.25 folding Ardents on my XC bike, but the sideknobs seemed to be placed further to the outside on the larger 2-ply versions. It would make sense that they are a relatively loose riding tire because of that. Whatever, the price is right and the brand doesn't begin with K, I'm picking up a second set.
I've used the 2.25 single ply as a rear tire, and it's fast rolling, light, and drifts predictably. It wears fast and the sidewalls wear too, making it easy to pinch flat. I need a more durable tire on my trail bike, but I got a couple of 2.4 3Cs for the DH bike. The knobs are bigger and taller than on the 2.25s, but I haven't tried them yet.
Swampthing 2.5 ST are also $20 at Jenson.
Swampthing 2.5 ST are also $20 at Jenson.
I have a set of 2.25 Ardents on my trail/FR bike, and absolutely love these tires. To start: I obviously don't expect a 60 durometer, 650 gram trail bike tire to have the same grip as a 3c, or super tacky minion. I do find that they still grip very well, and was especially surprised at how well they gripped in wet, slick, rooty situations. Due to them being on my FR bike I didn't shy away from any gaps or drops and even did some DH runs at my local hill on days that I was riding (not hiking tot he top) These tires are light and roll amazing well. The other area I was impressed in was there flat resistance. Ionly flatted them a couple times all year and they were wel earned flats. Another bonus is that after a full year of usage they still look almost new! To me this tire sets a new standard for a all mountain, light FR tire. I hope they keep making them for a long time.
Yeah, off interwebz sarcasm day for me!You need to turn your sarcasm radar on
http://www.bustedspoke.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=46072&view=next
^
This was the first thing that I thought about when I saw this thread.
I just got a set, and I have to say I never expected them to be a minion. there has to be a trade-off. I wanted lighter and less rolling resistance. It definately has those things, and I have been impressed with them so far. I have mainly ridden wet/tacky dirt, so we'll see how they do in the dry.
As far as tread pattern, they don't make sense to offer in a 2 ply version. I mean, they are meant to roll fast and obviously don't have the predictable cornering bite of a true dh tread pattern. Maybe that's why the 3c's are being blown out.
As far as tread pattern, they don't make sense to offer in a 2 ply version. I mean, they are meant to roll fast and obviously don't have the predictable cornering bite of a true dh tread pattern. Maybe that's why the 3c's are being blown out.
I would/can make this exact same statement - I run it on the front w/ Advantage or Larson in rear - Great combo (for me anyway) on Vermont loam / rooty / wet trails. You do need to lay into them though - I have actually noticed a few roostertails from my front w/ this tire...
PS - haven't tried the larger sizes...
Hmmm. Where I ride (northern Rockies) the Ardent is the best tire I've used, as an all-around tire. it's the perfect combination of rolling speed, cornering traction and braking traction. I ride 2.25 front and rear most of the time, but if it's going to be really chunky for a big part of a ride then I run a 2.4 front. Single ply, 60A.
I haven't used one in a DH casing. I'm pretty sure I'd prefer it as a rear tire on a DH bike, for a pedally course.
You can't be lazy on the tire like you can on an ADvantage 2.25 or 2.4, or a Nevegal 2.35. There's a tread gap that can surprise you if you're not using it to drift the wheel.
I haven't used one in a DH casing. I'm pretty sure I'd prefer it as a rear tire on a DH bike, for a pedally course.
You can't be lazy on the tire like you can on an ADvantage 2.25 or 2.4, or a Nevegal 2.35. There's a tread gap that can surprise you if you're not using it to drift the wheel.