I’m getting ready to make the final changes to my mountain bike in preparation for the West championship race this upcoming weekend. Given what I’ve seen of the course, which isn’t too much, is that it’s primarily not very technical, but includes lots of climbing.
I’m thinking about throwing on dual stans “the raven 29x2.2” tires on to my bike, to give myself the advantage of lower rolling resistance because there isn’t too much technical of the course. Anyone have any insight on the course? Or am I going to be setting myself up for failure with this setup?
Probably not setting yourself up for failure but there are better choices. I’d recommend either of the following (in 2.2)
-Maxxis Icon Exo
-Conti Race King Protection
Both of those tires are better in terms of grip and rolling resistance. If there is a chance of wet trail conditions in some places, then the edge goes to the Maxxis, if it’s dryer, then the edge goes to the Race King.
By the way, both of those tires (in their respective puncture-resistant casings), are still really light, and the security of having the extra protection is worth it to me. A tire that I would not recommend are the Schwalbe Racing Ralphs. Even their protection “Snake Skin” model just doesn’t hold up. I had a very blunt 1/2 root go straight through the sidewalls of one of those tires and the tread life is woefully short. Too bad too. It was a lovely tire from a performance perspective.
Something with a strong sidewall. While the course might not be super technical in terms of rock gardens, the rocks that are there are sharp. And what goes up must come down - on that course, it means steep and loose (at least when I raced it.) Ravens are road tires - not something you’d want to riding straight downhill in several inches of sharp desert rocks. The trail will be bone dry and dusty unless they have weather like last year - then there might mud.
I’ve raced there three times - I’ve used the Specialized FastTrac 2.0 (26) and the Maxis Larson TT 2.0 (26) (I have since switched to 29 and 2.2 for all my tires) Both worked well for me - but it’s been long enough that I can’t remember which one I liked better for the course. Do not go with S-Works, no matter how much lighter they are. I think now I would run the Maxis over the Specialized for the side wall strength and the slightly larger tread.
Hrm… I have the Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29er on my rear and the Schwalbe Nobby Nic in the front. While it’s not a “ridiculous” tread pattern, I just feel that it’s overkill for whats to come. That being said, it’s ideal for the trails down here in southern New Mexico, where it’s nothing but kitty litter and baby heads. I think for this race I’ll definitely take your guys’s advice and stay with a beefier tire.
There’s some kitty litter moments for sure on that course. The Nobby Nic won’t be too much overkill, but it’s better then a Raven! I haven’t looked at course map to see if it’s similar to the last time I raced.
I’m getting ready to make the final changes to my mountain bike in preparation for the West championship race this upcoming weekend. Given what I’ve seen of the course, which isn’t too much, is that it’s primarily not very technical, but includes lots of climbing.
I’m thinking about throwing on dual stans “the raven 29x2.2” tires on to my bike, to give myself the advantage of lower rolling resistance because there isn’t too much technical of the course. Anyone have any insight on the course? Or am I going to be setting myself up for failure with this setup?
Unless you’re anticipating sand or mud, why are you using such wide tires?
I usually find that 2.0 for standard conditions is wide enough, lighter, and faster than >2.0.
Sand is a norm where I’m at. You’re either in some kind of sandy terrain, loose gravel or loose dirt. I had anticipated on using tires with less rolling resistance, but that’s my fault. I can compensate by just adding a few PSI to my tires I would assume.
I ran FastTrac 2.2 front and rear on my HT and Captain 2.2 on my FS for the 24 hrs of OP earlier this year - very loose and sandy this year, but nothing like some sections of the Xterra course - there might have been extra rolling resistance from the 2.2 vs 2.0 on the hard pack sections, but the extra width allowed me to float through the twists and turns without washing out. I’d stick to what you are used to riding - at this point, there isn’t enough time for you to get used to the difference in handling between 2.2 and 2.0 and its not worth it for the Xterra West course. There’s enough sketchy sand and gravel that the wider tires will be nice. Decide what air pressure you want to run after a pre-ride.
One of my MTBing friends says you should run the heaviest tires you can get away with because the addition traction will save your a$$ on sketchy descents… I’m running a Butcher 2.3 from on my Stumpy FSR…