I'm about to embark on a new adventure. I am still on 26" wheels by virtue of just being old, and I've *always* run shit that's overbuilt/downhill oriented and just lugged it up the hill anyhow. But I want a longer-legged, all-day-comfortable bike that can keep up with some of the climbier buddies I'm riding with here. Found a 29"er that will suit and am building with a lightish set of rims with 24mm internal width.
So...what to shoe it with? I don't want to repeat my usual "buy too heavy and suffer" routine but I also don't wanna be dealing with torn sidewalls...I know I'm also going to sacrifice some grip for some rolling. I'd like something in the 700-800g 2.2-2.4"ish range.
Terrain will be wet during rainy season till like Nov, then rapidly move to bone-dry. I would prefer a single tire solution but realize seasonal change may be in the cards. Maxxis Shorty has been a great front tire on my bigger bike here for it, but as a general purpose tire I have doubts...
Considering after reading much online:
Maxxis aggressor (I have in 26x2.3 and find they're light enough and roll fast enough while giving some great grip in the dry...but not gonna be great in the wet in the near-term...may be bearable though.)
Maxxis Forekaster 2.35 (seems ideal but Maxxis 2.35s have traditionally been about a 2.1 real-world size...but they've changed sizing...)
Maxxis high roller II (an old all-conditions favorite I ran in the original tire front and rear on many bikes...skinnier ones were always a tad disappointing tho)
Continental Mountain King 2.4 Black Chili/Protection (how do these do in the dry? Better paired with trail king?)
Hutchinson Toro
Michelin surprisingly seemed to offer nothing in the range I want, either dry condition XC tires or 1000g+ enduro meat.
Comments/input/obvious answers? I swear I've read all I could. But I've been out of the new-mtb-stuff game for many years and living off old tire stacks. Appreciate input.
So...what to shoe it with? I don't want to repeat my usual "buy too heavy and suffer" routine but I also don't wanna be dealing with torn sidewalls...I know I'm also going to sacrifice some grip for some rolling. I'd like something in the 700-800g 2.2-2.4"ish range.
Terrain will be wet during rainy season till like Nov, then rapidly move to bone-dry. I would prefer a single tire solution but realize seasonal change may be in the cards. Maxxis Shorty has been a great front tire on my bigger bike here for it, but as a general purpose tire I have doubts...
Considering after reading much online:
Maxxis aggressor (I have in 26x2.3 and find they're light enough and roll fast enough while giving some great grip in the dry...but not gonna be great in the wet in the near-term...may be bearable though.)
Maxxis Forekaster 2.35 (seems ideal but Maxxis 2.35s have traditionally been about a 2.1 real-world size...but they've changed sizing...)
Maxxis high roller II (an old all-conditions favorite I ran in the original tire front and rear on many bikes...skinnier ones were always a tad disappointing tho)
Continental Mountain King 2.4 Black Chili/Protection (how do these do in the dry? Better paired with trail king?)
Hutchinson Toro
Michelin surprisingly seemed to offer nothing in the range I want, either dry condition XC tires or 1000g+ enduro meat.
Comments/input/obvious answers? I swear I've read all I could. But I've been out of the new-mtb-stuff game for many years and living off old tire stacks. Appreciate input.
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