As a guide, tougher and more technical trails require chunkier tires. No matter if you're looking for cross-country, downhill, or even the best e-MTB tires , there are lots of deals to be found especially as Black Friday is nearing. There are a variety of online shops where you can find the best mountain bike deals , and often the best mountain bike tires are on sale as well.
No different from choosing the best mountain bike wheels , it's vital that your tire choice matches your riding style and what types of trails you find yourself on. Cross-country tires prioritize less rolling resistance, while downhill and enduro tires have bigger knobs and tougher casings. That's why we've split this best mountain bike tires guide into different sections for different riding disciplines. Generally, more cross-country-focused tires will have smaller knobs with less rolling resistance.
They're also lightweight, which comes at the expense of puncture and sidewall protection. Tires meant for more aggressive trail and enduro riding will have bigger knobs, with the biggest chunks of rubber being on the shoulder of the tire. This allows riders to dig into loose terrain and maintain the maximum amount of grip. Each manufacturer has its own rubber formulations and technologies. The most popular brands will offer their models in a broad array of widths, wheel sizes, and even carcass or casing technologies.
This is good news, as riders can choose what works best for them and their local trails. Read on to see our top picks of the best mountain bike tires for cross-country, trail, enduro, and downhill riding.
Or skip to the bottom to find Bike Perfect's guide on how to choose the best mountain bike tires. Specialized has recently overhauled its lineup of cross-country tires, and we're big fans.
The Fast Trak is a great all-around option for XC riders, but with different treads and compounds, there's something for everyone from the casual rider to pro racer.
The Fast Trak featured here uses an alternating diagonal centerline tread with small center depressions. There are also closely spaced intermediate and lower shoulder tread for cornering support. The T7 compound is stickier so it works well as a front tire, while the fast-rolling attributes of the T5 is great for a rear tire.
For the ultimate speed, go with the S-Works version which isn't all that more expensive. The Syerra is one of Vittoria's latest tires and the brand's entry into the downcountry market.
They have even labeled it as a downcountry tire on the sidewall. And with downcountry's unique considerations compared to regular cross-country riding, Vittoria has developed a new construction, casing and tread pattern for the Syerra. A 60tpi nylon casing is combined with an Anti-Pinch flat insert, which also helps support the sidewall. The open tread uses a fast-rolling center section with more aggressive shoulders. The brand's Graphene compound rubber is used, combining a fast-rolling XC compound in the center with a more grippy and supportive trail compound on the sides.
The tire rolls fast on flat sections as well as on climbs and rolling terrain. A wider profile and more aggressive trad help with grip and cornering support compared to a standard XC tire too.
The Syerra is best in dry or intermediate conditions; maybe choose something different if you regularly ride wet rocks and roots. We found that the Vittoria Syerra is a worthy contender in the new downcountry space. While the XC M doesn't offer as much support as a downcountry or trail tire, it still offers plenty of support for classic XC rides. The XC H is fast-rolling but may be held back by the heavier carcass so it's not a pure racer. Toughness and durability also increase the value if you're covering a lot of miles day in and out, too.
Maxxis is the generally accepted performance benchmark for aggro and trail tires and the Dissector sits very neatly into that crossover point. While there is a momentary breath catch as you cross the center to shoulder gap that High Roller users will definitely recognize. Make the leap of traction faith though and cornering grip is decent with a controllably lazy fade into drift rather than a dramatic snap out.
The tire can be used both front and rear. As a rear tire, it adds more grip and control than a semi-slick and still rolls nicely. It was easily too squirmy if the psi wasn't high enough and too high psi it just didn't feel planted or stable. It was very rare that it ever felt good or grippy enough for me to forget about. Oddly one area it did totally shine in was snowy trails that didn't require studs.
Replacing the front RR with an X-King was a huge relief. Just wanted share some of my experience with these tires which may not apply to your local trail's style of dirt. After people stomp the course the pro class gets the worst of it. On the open sections it really helps to have a fast roller, the speeds get ridiculous in pacelines. TucsonDon Dec 28, at I'd like to try it on one of the slacker xc bikes, where you need to lean the bike more for cornering.
When did Holland become the 51st state? Overnight news claims a large oil reserve has been found just underneath The Hague. It's pretty good. Ardent Race is a really well done tire. All out fast but with good side knobs hookup. Thankfully it has nothing to do with a regular Ardent. Rekon Race was another tire I was impressed with for the same reasons. A few years ago I was racing in California and got tired of washing out my front tire on all of the loose marbles-and-moondust.
The whole season, my front tire never let go once. Eventually I got self-conscious about having a g front tire and went back to an all-Ikon and Aspen setup. But the confidence was worth the grams. They need to be at least Which one makes the best high speed buzz sound on tarmac? AndrewHornor Dec 29, at WTB Vigilante 29x2. K1maxX Dec 27, at Greenday Dec 27, at He likes it that way.
DirkMcClerkin Dec 27, at His setup has been making people who see it uncomfortable for years. DirkMcClerkin : Well it can only comforts me in my decision to boycott specialized products. How can they know what I want and need if they can't even provide components that fit well one of their top sponsored racer from whom they can get direct feedback and input?
I would be Mike Sinyard I would have called my ergo engineers if they even exist to work on his case and provide him a saddle that fits him while setup in an angle it was build for. Myself and my wife have used Specialized Body Geometry products for a decade to fix the odd problem, like sore ulna nerve.
X kings are a pretty good tire, but the sidewalls are kinda thin. Talking about the Protection with Black Chilli. Knobs have been holding up well enough on my local trails.
Had a similar issue with the Rapid Robs that were on the bike previously as well, but the knobs weren't as durable. I wonder how a modern Ritchey Z max preforms? Snowytrail Dec 27, at Snowytrail : Oh, yeah? Tell me more. I also have multiple bikes that I ride so my mileage is spread around. Less punctures. Bar the extremes, e. And as the age-old saying goes, if you want to finish first, first you have to finish, so this one is vital for all those budding XC racers.
This is thanks to particles within the sealant sloshing around inside your tyres. If something does cause the tyre to start leaking, the sealant goes to work, reacting with the air outside and solidifying around the hole. Ride feel. The Racing Ralph has been completely revised in recent design resulting in a very fast and versatile XC profile, specially developed for the rear wheel.
The profile design features numerous gripping edges in the center tread for reliable traction and superior acceleration. Good rolling properties and an extremely quiet roll is what to expect from these racing tires. Winner of the Innovativstes Produkt Award. The Maxxis Ardent tire is considered a "do-it-all trail tire".
Featuring EXO protection in select models and an aggressive, high volume tread this tire is focused on great traction and speed. Large block-style side knobs offers numerous edges for high-speed cornering. The center tread offers texture for braking and acceleration traction, but also features ramped knobs to minimize rolling resistance. Available in a variety of sizes, the Ardent captures every mountain bikers needs. The Ikon is considered the most versatile XC tread in the Maxxis line up.
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