29er Tyre Thread

top_oz_bloke

top_oz_bloke

Likes Dirt
ok tyre aficionados I have a bit of a dilemma.

I want to try something different on the 29er which will be running Crests.

On the 26" I am running Ignitor/Larsen UST combo on XM819s which has worked flawlessly for the last 18 months. No leaks, easy to mount, easy to fit a tube if you get into trouble and no flats (except when I put a cut along the bead but I blame that on stupid low pressure and a lack of talent).

After reading all the good press I was pretty much sold on Racing Ralphs, maybe with a Nobby Nic on the front but then I came across this thread which has me a little worried:

http://messageboard.notubes.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2895

TBH the idea of a major shitfight to stick a tube in by the trailside is really off putting. Especially since half the point of the A29 is for 100km races.

I also started looking into Conti's offerings and the Race King and X-King both seem to get plenty of good feedback. The RaceSport with their 'tubeless ready' feature sounded like the go but reading this thread it seems a bit hit and miss.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=653404

Maybe the Protection series is a better idea? Anyone here tried them out?

Are there any local experiences fitting the new Schwalbes onto Crests?
 
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top_oz_bloke

top_oz_bloke

Likes Dirt
Actually I am not even sure what Conti are offering on their 29er variant. Maybe just the no frills version for which tubeless seems a major PITA?
 
abevern

abevern

Likes Dirt
As far as I know, Continental only make their "standard" rubber/180tpi casing in 29er. I've run my Race Kings ghetto tubeless on DT rims as well as with yellow-tape on Stans ZTR. The latter I managed to seat with a particularly lame floor pump, so I wouldn't imagine you'd have any issues getting them to seat on your Crests.

I've only run them on the rear, but the tread wears well and seems to hook up predictably on climbs. The sidewalls have so far been bullet proof, though they haven't been shot at. Certainly they've had the opportunity to be sliced by rocks. I run them at about 25psi - the 2.2 version has a really big bag which works well on the hardtail. Ah yes, they're also very fast rolling.

I really like them, though I imagine they would suck in mud.

bev
 
iscarrr

iscarrr

Likes Dirt
I just got some Maxxis IKON's from the states, will post pictures of weight and shots of them on the rim once i can be bothered to slap them on. Hopefully this weekend.
 
C

cjmmtb

Squid
iscarrr said:
I just got some Maxxis IKON's from the states, will post pictures of weight and shots of them on the rim once i can be bothered to slap them on. Hopefully this weekend.
Click to expand...
Where did you get them from? I'm thinking of getting some too, so I'm interested to see what your thoughts are. I presume the sidewalls are pretty thin?

Cheers
 
aaron01

aaron01

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Currently running an ignitor front and small block 8 rear on my specialized stumpjumper 29er, both in the 2.1 variety. Haven't had an issue with this setup but I'm thinking of swapping to a small block 8 front with a slant six rear for rolling resistance and a little weight saving. Anyone have any thoughts on the small block 8 as a fonr tire and the slant six as a rear? most of the trails I ride tend to be a little loose with a smattering of rocks.
 
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72Fury

72Fury

Likes Dirt
cjmmtb said:
Where did you get them from? I'm thinking of getting some too, so I'm interested to see what your thoughts are. I presume the sidewalls are pretty thin?

Cheers
Click to expand...
The Ikon is also available with EXO sidewalls. I'm keen to run some tubeless.
 
Big JD

Big JD

Wheel size expert
Specialised tyres

I am running Spec 2 Bliss / tubeless tyres front and rear on both my bikes.
Purgatory up front and Captain on the rear. Need alittle bite on the rear of the SS and due to all the wet weather. Brought Racing Rs but not enough grip - and too expensive to run for general trail riding. Like to see a tubeless ready Nobby Nic. Like the Renegade but worn out very quickly - now a commuting slick.
Spec tyres seal well, inflate with a floor pump and are ok weight.
 
Pizzaz

Pizzaz

Likes Dirt
top_oz_bloke said:
ok tyre aficionados I have a bit of a dilemma.

I want to try something different on the 29er which will be running Crests.

On the 26" I am running Ignitor/Larsen UST combo on XM819s which has worked flawlessly for the last 18 months. No leaks, easy to mount, easy to fit a tube if you get into trouble and no flats (except when I put a cut along the bead but I blame that on stupid low pressure and a lack of talent).

After reading all the good press I was pretty much sold on Racing Ralphs, maybe with a Nobby Nic on the front but then I came across this thread which has me a little worried:

http://messageboard.notubes.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2895

TBH the idea of a major shitfight to stick a tube in by the trailside is really off putting. Especially since half the point of the A29 is for 100km races.

I also started looking into Conti's offerings and the Race King and X-King both seem to get plenty of good feedback. The RaceSport with their 'tubeless ready' feature sounded like the go but reading this thread it seems a bit hit and miss.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=653404

Maybe the Protection series is a better idea? Anyone here tried them out?

Are there any local experiences fitting the new Schwalbes onto Crests?
Click to expand...
Run crests with Racing Ralphs... yellow tape (old compound, not the new one) and they hold air just fine (Caffelatex, not stans though).

My tyre of choice used to be conti race or mountain kings. Run that combo tubeless with yellow tape for 24hr racing / marathons / whatever... and its been utterly reliable.

The Contis look to have a slightly thicker sidewall than the RRs but I like the bigger bag of the Ralphs.
 
Timmy!!!

Timmy!!!

Likes Dirt
Yup, posted before but bloody useful nevertheless.

Question: I have a pair of tubeless 29er wheels in my hot sweaty little mailbox. What's the best/lightest/fastest and (most importantly) readily available tubeless XC tyre available in Melbourne?
 
Steve_N

Steve_N

Likes Dirt
Steve_N said:
I've ordered the Aka 2.2 folding from OS... With the AUD over parity with the USD it was a no brainer... Will let you know how this pans out...
Click to expand...
OK... So I've set up and used the Aka's front and rear at a 4 Hour at Yarramundi as well as out at the Mt Annan Botanical Gardens. Both were set up with tubes at approx. 35psi on DT X470 rims.

I'm not sure about actual width measurements but after riding these on the above trails I have to say that loose over hardpack is not it's forte. The front felt it would break traction without warning and it certainly felt sketchier than my 2.4 Racing Ralph's. In fact I dropped the bike in one of the corners at Yarramundi (just before the moto track).

The Aka's definitely felt good as a rear tyre and traction was good. I didn't feel any tendency to break loose, even on off camber turns. I think this tyre is better suited as a rear than front.

I think I will return to an RR at the front for those trails but if the chance comes to try them in different conditions then I will give it a go, definitely in hardpack...
 
Bodin

Bodin

GMBC
Steve_N said:
Both were set up with tubes at approx. 35psi on DT X470 rims.
Click to expand...
[OT]
I've had 2 sets of these rims on 2 different bikes and had no trouble converting them to tubeless with things you probably already have in your garage:
-1 layer of sticky filament tape across the spoke holes
-2 layers of electrical tape (each layer touching the opposite side of the internal rim wall)
-Valves with removable cores cut out of old tubes
-2 scoops of Stan's for non-tubeless tyres (Specialized Fast Trak Control LK 2.0)
-1 scoop for tubeless tyres (S-Works 2Bliss system - Fast Trak LK & Renegade).

No burps, no leaks, no flats, even when I tacoed the rear one day. My riding buddies popped it back in to shape by hand and I was able to keep on riding like it had never happened.

Just letting you know in case you were thinking about ditching the tubes one day...
[/OT]
 
Big JD

Big JD

Wheel size expert
Ravens

Hi Timmy

I had some Ravens and loved them for their ability to seal straight off. Also they were ok (surprisingly) offroad for cornering. If they were for a SS l would suggest a little more grip as you are out of the saddle more often (rear wheel unweighed).
One thing l did find with the Ravens was that the tyre profile (height) was tall and had to add more air to stop them rolling - but l am a big unit so might not affect you.
JD
 
Timmy!!!

Timmy!!!

Likes Dirt
Thanks JD. I fitted my Ravens to my shiny new Easton EA90 XC wheels today. On the Easton rims they didn't seal all that easily, but nor were they a major pain.

Interesting points to note: The claimed Raven weight is 520g. One tyre weighed 500g, but the other weighed 580. That's a surprising variation, but I imagine the heavier one will be that much more durable. The lighter one has a hole in the sidewall, but it appears to have sealed OK with the Stan's sealant.

Given their much less "knobbiness" compared to the Crossmarks and/or Rocket Ron's I've been using, I am very interested to try them out off-road. I'm not on a single speed and I climb in the saddle, so I'm optimistic about the grip. I'll keep you posted.
 
Timmy!!!

Timmy!!!

Likes Dirt
I tried them out tonight at Wombat/Woodend. I used 27 psi front and 29 psi rear.

On the wettish-from-overnight-rain single track of Wombat they were fine. Absolutely fine. Wet roots, greasy surfaces, leafy climbs were all no problem.

On the first 10km of the Clock-to-Clock course they were just as good, if not better. On the road: excellent. On very steep damp dirt climbs: no problem. On fast fire-road descents, again they were fine.

Verdict: Bloody good, and light with it.

It just shows to go that you can't tell how a tyre will perform just by looking at the tread pattern.
 
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