Clifton CC

What are the best tyres for Dalby. Riding Giant Anthem X. Currently have Schwalbe Racing Ralphs 2.1 which slide faster than an olympic bob sledger. Even at 30psi. Have also tried Panaracer Trailraker but have them in the 1.95 which seems a bit narrow, although they felt pretty grippy for such a narrown size?

What would be the best tyres for grip on the rocks which is where most of the sliding is happening? Along with a decent volume of air for bigger hits and confidence. Are the Trailraker 1.95 ok and should I stick with them? Are any other Schwalbies ok such as Rocket Ron maybe in a 2.25?

I'd still like a fairly fast set of tyres that don't weigh a kilo each as I want to go for a lap record at Dalby.

If I end up staying in this country I may even end up joining Clifton to do their Dalby TT. Sounded excellent.

Cheers.

Agree with you on the Racing Ralphs. I've been trying to get on with them for a couple of years for competing on and now given up. They're puncture prone and never give any confidence inspiring grip, esp. in Forest mud.

Be prepared for a string of 'these xxx are the dogs do das' responses as tyre choice is very personal.

My favourite all rounder is one Charlie recommended and used to race the NPS on and use all year round - Panaracer XC Fire Pro 2.1. Not the 1.8 that's a completely different tyre. They're tough, fairly light, fairly fast rolling but grip well in all but the deepest winter bogs you find on the moors. They're also really adjustable with pressure, pump them up fairly hard and they're good for dry firetrails, let them down and they grip well on wet roots. They're not the last word in speed but good enough that they're still in production nearly 10 years after launch, which must say something about their following.

Ive been using Racing Ralphs's at 2.25 on the rear for 3 years now without problem. Never really suffered with punctures and have had one ripped sidewall at drumlanrigg a couple of years ago ( right at the start and anotherpaul gave me a park tool tyre patch which got me all the way round on what was a full out ride!!). Use a 2.25 Nobby nic upfront most of the time but this summer have used a 2.25 Rocket ron which will be my front tyre of choice from now on. I can knock out a 2hr 5 min red route, have done xc racing, enduros and trailquests on the tyres and will not be swapping them out for the Kielder 100 next week. Earlier on in the year I put a pair of nevegals back on for the white horse trailquest and it felt like I had put a couple of stone back on they were that draggy. I usually run 28psi back and 30 psi front. I may try the Rock ron on the back over winter with a NN on the front.....
BTW, I too have an anthem.

Fats'

There is far too much talk about what is a good or bad tyre, look for a good set of side knobbles on any tyre, as that is the bit that keeps you on the track.

The other thing to consider is your conering technique, this make a much bigger differance than any tyre change!

Astounding Adventures do a range of courses that can help you with that, see the link below for course dates.

Cheers,

Simon

Not sure it is cornering technique, rather what is being ridden on. On rocks and especially off camber rocks it just slips and slides, even on the flat/straight. Whether all tyres do this off road I'm not sure, perhaps someone could advise? I am used to being on the road and sliding is bad unless you are Valentino Rossi or Casey Stoner. Maybe I just need to get used to the sliding? Also my tyres now probably do not have as much depth to the nobbles as they once had but then they never had loads to begin with.

Interestingly Cube fit a Nobby on front and a Ralph on back straight out of the factory. Planet X has got some good deals at moment. Slightly wider may also be better. 2.25 as opposed to 2.1. Cheers for the info.

Would love an mtb course but time is a bit against me at moment having a nearly four year old and a nearly two year old. A case of grabbing a Dalby when all the stars move into position and I have child care, its not raining, don't have jobs to do etc.

Im running Maxxis Crossmarks on my Stumpy FSR and i found them to be great around Dalby, fast rolling and plenty of cornerring grip in the dry. If its wet then i have heard great things about Shwalbe Nobby Nics although not tried them myself!

For Dalby at this time of year you would do well with a Maxxis Ignitor 2.1 or 2.35 on the rear and a Maxxis Advantage 2.25 on the front. The ignitor is great over roots, even wet ones (as good as tyres can be over them!). At 2.35 it's actually just as wide as the Advantage 2.25. (Have owned both and run them together before). The 2.1 is fast over hard packed dirt and the loose stuff. The advantage has loads of front end grip but keeps a good low level of rolling resistance in all conditions. The Advantage is better than the Ignitor in the wet, however. I run this set up on my freeride bike and on my XC bike I run the afore mentioned Racing ralph on the front and Rocket Ron on the back, which I'm happy with in most conditions, not as grippy as my freeride setup but quicker. I know several people who love the Panaracer Fire XC Pro's-for good reason too. A pair of those is a good bet if you don't have the time/money to experiment and fine tune the choices out there for your specific needs/style. Hope I've given you a few useful ideas!

Just seen an advert on Planet X for Racing Ralphs for £15 for the 2.4 inch. Two questions. Would this give reasonable grip this time of year in the 2.4 inch version - I already ride the 2.1 inch? Would they be too slow. Would they fit a giant Anthem X? Seems such a bargain to try them out in a bigger bouncier size. Bigger sizes are in in road bikes, so maybe the same for mountain bikes. Otherwise I think I'll look out for some Nobby Nics. Some good reviews, but some say they are a little fragile on the side walls - but them I've had no trouble with Ralphs. Still thinking of going bigger though. Thanks to everyone for advice so far. There is always a lot of personal views on what is best but it is still good to hear peoples experiences and how they get on with stuff. Cheers again for all the advice.