[mtg]

@toodles Not all EXO casings are the same. That's an Ardent you have in the picture, and that EXO is less tough than an Aggressor or Minion.

As far as WTB tires, it depends if you're talking about their Light or Tough casing. There's a big difference. The Tough casing is a DH tire with a folding bead. The Light casing feels thinner than most EXO tires.

Edit: if you're looking at WTB for a rear tire, get the Tough casing, and I liked running a Vigilante with the center knobs cut down to half height. Then, it rolled fast enough, and gave the side knobs more space to grab dirt, and the knobs wore completely down before the casing gave up. That was about an 1100g tire in 27.5x2.3, fyi.

 

[kidwoo]

GRID sidewall strong enough? Or you running the full DH?

grid 2.6

They're about the same size as a 2.5 dh tire fwiw. And lighter than a tough casting wtf tire.

 

[toodles]

@toodles Not all EXO casings are the same. That's an Ardent you have in the picture, and that EXO is less tough than an Aggressor or Minion.

Absolutely! I've run EXO casings on Aggressors and Minions without a hassle through some pretty decent shit. But I've murdered all 3 EXO Ardents I've tried. The rubber is super super soft and just cuts like anything. If I do any more XC events I'm just gonna run the Aggressor and blame that for my mid-pack finish and complete exhaustion.

@kidwoo - I'm not running tyres that bike on either the enduro or trail bike yet. 2.35 minion DHF on the front of both. I'll try to get my hands on a 2.3 GRID Slaughter for a go, but they're harder to get here than US apparently.

 

[StiHacka]

2.3 GRID Slaughter

Good choice, you won't be disappointed.

 

[PBHAS]

PEBSAH

 

[jonKranked]

You're not special. That was an acronym.

 

[sbabuser]

Ass me where his signature is

FTFY

 

[mdc]

I've been pretty happy with the eThirteen TRSr set up. Sidewalls are plenty strong, and the grip and traction is MUCH better than the Minions they replaced. They are a bit slower rolling for trail rides( super soft rubber, etc), but for park riding, and/ or wet conditions they have been great.

 

[profro]

I ended up with a Hutchinson Squale in Hardskin from a raffle and thought I would give it ago. The quickness with which it completely blew off the rim in a corner was staggering. Slightly less impressive was how easily it pinch flatted on the smallest of rocks.

I usually don't feel this good throwing away a new tire.

 

[StiHacka]

Michelin Force AM GUM-X3D is a no-go. I partially ripped a center knob off the casing during a climb in chunk. Into the trash can it goes.

 

[Gallain]

I've been pretty happy with the eThirteen TRSr set up. Sidewalls are plenty strong, and the grip and traction is MUCH better than the Minions they replaced. They are a bit slower rolling for trail rides( super soft rubber, etc), but for park riding, and/ or wet conditions they have been great.

But my super tacky dh Minions are better still for park riding...

 

[SkaredShtles]

Michelin Force AM GUM-X3D is a no-go. I partially ripped a center knob off the casing during a climb in chunk. Into the trash can it goes.

Didn't someone in this thread warn you that the only Michelin that is worth a shit is the Wild Rock'R2?

 

[kidwoo]

I ended up with a Hutchinson Squale in Hardskin from a raffle and thought I would give it ago. The quickness with which it completely blew off the rim in a corner was staggering. Slightly less impressive was how easily it pinch flatted on the smallest of rocks.

I usually don't feel this good throwing away a new tire.

Michelin Force AM GUM-X3D is a no-go. I partially ripped a center knob off the casing during a climb in chunk. Into the trash can it goes.

I used to wonder why companies continued to make shitty tires.

You gotta stop encouraging them.

 

[dump]

I used to wonder why companies continued to make shitty tires.

You gotta stop encouraging them.

And yet folks continue to buy them hoping for a different result... when there are many, well-established, good tires out there. Or put in other words – changing the awesome tires you're already riding isn't going to make you any faster.

 

[KenW449]

I just have some glimmer of hope that there is a more burly option out there for mid-class casings than the EXOs

L.U.S.T.? I know some Maxxis tires have it. Supposed to have an extra layer of material on the outside to help stop tears.

 

[profro]

I used to wonder why companies continued to make shitty tires.

You gotta stop encouraging them.

But, it clearly was specified for ENDURO use!!!

 

[slimshady]

L.U.S.T.? I know some Maxxis tires have it. Supposed to have an extra layer of material on the outside to help stop tears.

Wasn't L.U.S.T. all about the extra layer of material inside to make them airthight and self-sealing? All in the name of not using any liquid sealant.

 

[KenW449]

Wasn't L.U.S.T. all about the extra layer of material inside to make them airthight and self-sealing? All in the name of not using any liquid sealant.

This is what i got from the website... seems i may have added some words in with poor memory recollection..

"Lightweight Ultimate Sidewall Technology (L.U.S.T.). This technology offers better puncture resistance, improved air retention, better longevity and lower weight than previous tubeless technologies. By adding a thin fabric layer to the sidewall, covered in a special airtight rubber compound, Maxxis created a casing that is lighter, tougher and holds air better."

 

[iRider]

I used to wonder why companies continued to make shitty tires.

You gotta stop encouraging them.

I want to stop encouraging them, but Maxxis is refusing to produce enough Shorty and DHR2 in 26" (or their EU distributors suck). With the now muddy trails full of leafs the DHF/Ardent combo doesn't cut it anymore, so I am contemplating buying Magic Marry tires. Shows how desperate I am!

 

[iRider]

This is what i got from the website... seems i may have added some words in with poor memory recollection..

"Lightweight Ultimate Sidewall Technology (L.U.S.T.). This technology offers better puncture resistance, improved air retention, better longevity and lower weight than previous tubeless technologies. By adding a thin fabric layer to the sidewall, covered in a special airtight rubber compound, Maxxis created a casing that is lighter, tougher and holds air better."

I use(d) them and they were actually not too bad. Yes, the extra layer of rubber was meant to make them full UST tires, but it also helped with puncture protection. The 2.35 HR LUST was about 150 heavier than the regular version if I remember correct, giving it a fair bit more sidewall support also when ridden with a tube. Somewhere between EXO and DD I would say.

 

[StiHacka]

I used to wonder why companies continued to make shitty tires.

You gotta stop encouraging them.

I am still in a search mode for a little moar aggressive rear tire (> than SS or Slaughter) that does not weight 950g+ for our ishty technical climbs. Forgive me for being a naive Joey.

Didn't someone in this thread warn you that the only Michelin that is worth a shit is the Wild Rock'R2?

Thanks, Obama!

 

[mtg]

I am still in a search mode for a little moar aggressive rear tire (> than SS or Slaughter) that does not weight 950g+ for our ishty technical climbs. Forgive me for being a naive Joey.



Thanks, Obama!

Try the Aggressor. The knobs look....random, but it works well.

 

[kidwoo]

I am still in a search mode for a little moar aggressive rear tire (> than SS or Slaughter) that does not weight 950g+ for our ishty technical climbs. Forgive me for being a naive Joey.



Thanks, Obama!

What size you looking for?

 

[6thElement]

Try the Aggressor. The knobs look....random, but it works well.

That's what I've gone to instead of a Minion SS. It's been good all summer having a little more braking traction in the loose stuff which is what I was after versus the SS.

 

[profro]

I use(d) them and they were actually not too bad. Yes, the extra layer of rubber was meant to make them full UST tires, but it also helped with puncture protection. The 2.35 HR LUST was about 150 heavier than the regular version if I remember correct, giving it a fair bit more sidewall support also when ridden with a tube. Somewhere between EXO and DD I would say.

Is it really necessary for one manufacturer to have so many variants to cover riding bikes off road?

How about I simplify it for you Maxxis.

1- DH
2 - Trail riding*
3- XC racing

with only 2 compounds

1- Sticky
2- I'm cheap

* If trail riding is more aggressive these days because of better bikes and suspension then make the adjustment. EXO sucks.

 

[djjohnr]

Try the Aggressor. The knobs look....random, but it works well.

Good tire, doesn't meet his weight criteria unless he goes to EXO though.

 

[SkaredShtles]

I am still in a search mode for a little moar aggressive rear tire (> than SS or Slaughter) that does not weight 950g+

Just quit it. Suck it up and put the 1000g rear tire on.

Or you could always start riding like a pussy.

 

[mtg]

Is it really necessary for one manufacturer to have so many variants to cover riding bikes off road?

How about I simplify it for you Maxxis.

1- DH. DH Casing
2 - Trail riding*. EXO and Double Down
3- XC racing. Tubeless Ready (aka TR)

with only 2 compounds

1- Sticky 3C
2- I'm cheap Dual Compound

* If trail riding is more aggressive these days because of better bikes and suspension then make the adjustment. EXO sucks.

That's basically what Maxxis has done. In the trail riding category, that's a wide enough usage case to justify both EXO and DD. As you pointed out, some folks need thicker than EXO, but there are a lot of folks where that would be overkill.

Now, if you were talking about tread patterns, I would agree there are possibly too many, and the whole spectrum could better be covered with less tread patterns. However, not every rider sees it that way.

 

[mtg]

Good tire, doesn't meet his weight criteria unless he goes to EXO though.

Tougher than EXO without the weight of DD are mutually exclusive until newer technology debuts. Pick your poison.

 

[profro]

That's basically what Maxxis has done. In the trail riding category, that's a wide enough usage case to justify both EXO and DD. As you pointed out, some folks need thicker than EXO, but there are a lot of folks where that would be overkill.

Uh no,

EXO is a horrible solution for trail riding. Its well documented, in this thread alone, that EXO is not sufficient for today's trail riding. DD should not be required for riding a modern trail bike.

As for compounds... per Maxxis website

1. Single (whatever that means????)
2. Dual (?)
3. 3C MaxxTerra
4. 3C MaxxGrip
5. Triple (?)
6. 3C (?)
7. Super Tacky
8. 3C MaxxSpeed

 

[StiHacka]

Try the Aggressor. The knobs look....random, but it works well.

I have that on one rear wheel now and I don't see much difference compared to SS on our NE trails. It sucks in the wet as much as the SS and we don't really have loose over hard stuff to make a difference. I can kill the side knobs in 2 months. Besides, I hate the looks of that tire.

I've kinda given up and ordered a 2.3 HR2 EXO DC.

What size you looking for?

2.3-2.35ish

 

[kidwoo]

Uh no,

EXO is a horrible solution for trail riding. Its well documented, in this thread alone, that EXO is not sufficient for today's trail riding.

Depends on which one you're talking about (like mtg said), not all EXO casings are the same. The orginal ones.....good, and they're still made that way. New ones are shite for sure. But an old dhf 2.5 or dhr2 2.4 are pretty legit.

 

[djjohnr]

Tougher than EXO without the weight of DD are mutually exclusive until newer technology debuts. Pick your poison.

Totally. Doesn't seem to stop people from looking for them though. The lightest weight casing I ever came across that was actually tough was the old WTB Laser Freeride casing from the early 2000s.

 

[slyfink]

This :

Tougher than EXO without the weight of DD are mutually exclusive until newer technology debuts. Pick your poison.

or, put another, less diplomatic way:

Just quit it. Suck it up and put the 1000g rear tire on.

Or you could always start riding like a pussy.

I have been riding the DD Agressor on the rear wheel, and it has been pretty decent in the Northeast wet season with fallen leaves, roots, mud, rocks etc... I'm running a Magic Mary in the front, which is also quite good for these conditions. It's a good combo. When things dry out a bit, I'll likely put a DHF on the front. It rolls noticeably faster, and I prefer how it feels in the corners (I like that channel), but it's not quite as good as the magic mary in wet conditions.

 

[6thElement]

I'm clearly not shredding the gnar hard enough on pointy enough rocks as I've been fine with DHF/Minion SS and Aggressor EXO's

 

[rideit]

Smash it nao

 

[SkaredShtles]

I'm clearly not shredding the gnar hard enough on pointy enough rocks as I've been fine with DHF/Minion SS and Aggressor EXO's

Deer Creek. The rock garden just before the hard right switchback coming down Red Mesa.

I've heard rumors of people running 30+psi in their EXOs and perhaps surviving this stuff... I don't much like a tire that's pressured up that much.

So beefy sidewalls it is!

 

['size]

Uh no,

EXO is a horrible solution for trail riding. Its well documented, in this thread alone, that EXO is not sufficient for today's trail riding. DD should not be required for riding a modern trail bike.

As for compounds... per Maxxis website

1. Single (whatever that means????)
2. Dual (?)
3. 3C MaxxTerra
4. 3C MaxxGrip
5. Triple (?)
6. 3C (?)
7. Super Tacky
8. 3C MaxxSpeed

regarding actual durometers - this is what i've found recently. supposedly direct from maxxis.
https://www.mountainbikesdirect.com.au/blog/maxxis-tyres-everything-you-need-to-know/

 

[canadmos]

Most of my riding is done on dirt, with a sprinkling of rocks and the EXO DHR2's have held up great. Only one flat over the last two seasons. They even went through Pisgah with no flats.

Then again I ride with my tires up near 30psi, so....

 

[slyfink]

Depends on which one you're talking about (like mtg said), not all EXO casings are the same. The orginal ones.....good, and they're still made that way. New ones are shite for sure. But an old dhf 2.5 or dhr2 2.4 are pretty legit.

does this hold true for the new, larger sizes? I was very happy with my 2.5 DHF EXO in 26" (I'm pretty sure it was the MaxxTerra EXO). For next year, I'd like to get the same tire for my 650beez. But they don't fucking make it. So which DHF to get for the front of my Patrol?

All the 27.5x2.5 are WT. There's a 2.6 DHF in EXO. Essentially, I think the difference between the 2.5 and the 2.6 comes down to the WT. On a Arch Mk3 rim (26mm internal I think), would it be worth going WT? I think you've experienced both, so I'm wondering what your thoughts are.