{"id":54061,"date":"2023-09-08T13:00:38","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T11:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=745291"},"modified":"2023-09-08T13:36:50","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T11:36:50","slug":"spoke-tension-why-is-finding-the-right-mountain-bike-tyres-so-confusing","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/spoke-tension-why-is-finding-the-right-mountain-bike-tyres-so-confusing\/","title":{"rendered":"Spoke Tension | Why is finding the right mountain bike tyres so confusing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We point the finger at tyre brands for not making their ranges simpler <\/p>

By Alex Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 08 September 2023 at 11:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

For a lot of people, buying a mountain bike tyre is a process shrouded in mystery.<\/p>\n

Confusing and undescriptive product names, a zillion tyre carcass<\/a> options and compounds that appear to defy logical conventions all make deciding which tyre you need for the type of riding you do a mind-boggling affair.<\/p>\n

Even if you\u2019ve read our best mountain bike tyre<\/a> guide, we don\u2019t blame you if you\u2019re still puzzling over what\u2019s what.<\/p>\n

But who\u2019s at fault? Is it reasonable that you\u2019ll need a bachelor\u2019s degree in MTB rubber before understanding and shelling out for your next set of treads? Or do tyre brands need to make their naming conventions simpler \u2013 or even unified \u2013 to help people understand and compare models?<\/p>\n

BikeRadar\u2019s tech-focused staffers chime in with their opinions.<\/p>\n

Alex Evans: Evolving rider needs drive tyre-performance expectations<\/h2>\n
\"Male\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Giving it beans around the turns can shine a light on the wrong rubber for the job.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While I\u2019ve moaned about bike manufacturers not speccing the right rubber<\/a> on bikes before, I haven\u2019t yet focused on the shortcomings of tyre brands.<\/p>\n

Arguably, that\u2019s because they\u2019ve got a tough job.<\/p>\n

Firstly, tyre tread patterns need to work in wide-ranging terrain types pan-discipline; an XC racer riding deep mud doesn\u2019t have the same needs as a downhiller, and this trend tracks across the sport\u2019s varied ride types.<\/p>\n

Gravity riders don\u2019t lust after XC race tyres with thick casings and XCers don\u2019t want tough carcasses, aggressive tread options\u2026 most of the time, at least.<\/p>\n

\"Alex\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Riding can be made easier, faster and more fun with the right set of tyres.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

But in dusty, hard-pack conditions gravity riders do use semi-slicks, and XC racers can hanker for mud spikes with skinny sidewalls. While there are rules of averages, trail conditions dictate specific needs from a tyre\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n

Secondly, tread patterns need to come in different compounds.<\/p>\n

An aggressive tyre is virtually worthless if its compound feels closer to plastic than soft rubber.<\/p>\n

But ultra-soft tyres will wear out quickly on the rear, especially in drier conditions. While grip is a priority on the front, rolling speed and wear life are considerations at the back. Brands need to offer their tyres in multiple states of stickiness.<\/p>\n

Similarly, XC race tyres are designed for speed, mostly ruling out the need for ultra-tacky compounds, but with XC courses becoming more technical extra grip is in demand.<\/p>\n

Add downcountry into the mix \u2013\u00a0where outright speed isn\u2019t the single priority \u2013\u00a0and the rubber tree needs even more branches of possible compounds and treads.<\/p>\n

\"2023\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Decent tyres can help you ride harder and faster\u2026 you\u2019ve just got to know which ones to buy.<\/span><\/figcaption> Mick Kirkman \/ SRAM<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Thirdly, carcasses complicate the recipe.<\/p>\n

Downcountry or trail riders on gnarly terrain want the advantages of less aggressive treads, such as high rolling speeds, but the puncture protection of tougher carcasses.<\/p>\n

Now, brands have to deliver their speedy tyres with more casing options.<\/p>\n

Similarly, riders who don\u2019t tackle the most demanding terrain, but perhaps ride in a lot of mud, need aggressive treads usually reserved for enduro or DH, but with a lighter-weight casing, compounding complications.<\/p>\n

This multiplier effect of needs \u2013 that\u2019s increasing exponentially with added MTB sub-genres and rider demands \u2013 means brands have to make their most popular tread patterns in almost every carcass variation and compound.<\/p>\n

This explains the seemingly impenetrable matrix of tread pattern, compound and carcass types. Understanding them isn\u2019t made any easier by their brand-specific naming structures.<\/p>\n

A first step to help consumers could be naming their tyres after the conditions they\u2019re intended to excel in; a mud tyre would be called, unsurprisingly, \u2018Mud Tyre\u2019.<\/p>\n

But then again, the gratification of knowing exactly what a High Roller, Tacky Chan or Minion is designed for might be worth the headache.<\/p>\n

Tom Law: I want my holy grail \u2013 speed AND soft compounds<\/h2>\n
\"Tom\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
XC tyres satisfy Tom\u2019s speed requirements but undermine his confidence in bends.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

As BikeRadar\u2019s resident purveyor of all things downcountry, I often find myself in a weird tyre conundrum.<\/p>\n

I adore these short-travel rippers for their spirited mix of speed, fun and capability. However, I\u2019m still looking for my perfect tyre combo, with the grip my lack of skills needs and the speed my lack of fitness demands.<\/p>\n

Thinner XC rubber satisfies the speed requirements, but undermines my confidence where it lacks most, in the bends.<\/p>\n

\"Tom\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Tyres with more grip can sap your watts.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Thankfully, I\u2019d like to think I\u2019m smooth enough and can choose a line to the point where a thinner, lighter carcass isn\u2019t so much of a bad thing and I don\u2019t feel the need to run a tougher casing that bumps up the weight.<\/p>\n

On the flipside, when I do have a tyre that gives me more grip than I know what to do with (and the associated weight that goes with it), I can feel the watts draining out of my legs, and I\u2019m just begging for something faster.<\/p>\n

A case in point was the Marin Rift Zone XR<\/a> I rode recently.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a short-travel, poppy, fun little bike that, shod in dual Maxxis Assegais, had oodles of grip on the way down. However, for my rolling-speed standards, it felt as if it had two flat tyres.<\/p>\n

So what does a rider who\u2019s looking for a skill-and-fitness compensating tyre do? He asks very nicely for fast-rolling treads with lovely, sticky rubber compounds.<\/p>\n

\"Tom\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
A fast tyre with a soft compound would be Tom\u2019s ideal.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

I read recently that given the choice, many representatives from the industry\u2019s biggest tyre brands said they\u2019d take a tyre with a softer compound over a more aggressive tread if they could only choose one.<\/p>\n

So if these words are coming from the horse\u2019s mouth, then why are they not making the unicorn of a tyre I seek?<\/p>\n

Maxxis only offers the new Severe and revised Aspen in its MaxxSpeed compound, but why not MaxxTerra, or even the brand\u2019s stickiest MaxxGrip mixture?<\/p>\n

Schwalbe rarely offers its faster treads in anything but the Addix Speed or SpeedGrip compounds, but why not offer the Racing Ray and its voluminous 2.35in casing in Addix Soft?<\/p>\n

It might be only me, but a lightweight, deftly treaded tyre with a proper, and I mean proper, soft compound could be the tyre of many riders\u2019 dreams.<\/p>\n

Rob Weaver: Cracking the tyre-buying code<\/h2>\n
\"MBUK\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Even experienced bike and kit testers can get bamboozled by naming conventions.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Buying tyres is now more complicated than ever, and I\u2019d argue brands could make it simpler.<\/p>\n

Sure, if you\u2019re familiar with one particular tyre manufacturer, decoding the compound jargon and casing acronyms gets easier over time.<\/p>\n

But, imagine this. Your favourite tyre is worn threadbare and needs replacing, but to your dismay, no one has stock of that tyre. You opt for the next best tyre from a different brand.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re experienced enough, you\u2019ll have some idea as to whether the tread pattern will work for the sort of riding you have in mind.<\/p>\n

\"MBUK\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Mastering which tyres to use in certain conditions will help you become a better rider.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

But getting your head around how this brand labels its rubber compounds and sidewall construction can really throw you. Now imagine you\u2019re new to mountain biking. The complexity of the issue increases immediately.<\/p>\n

Now I\u2019m not saying we\u2019re talking about cracking the Enigma code here, or making The Da Vinci Code<\/em>\u2019s Tom Hanks leg it around Taiwanese tyre factories deciphering every hot patch on the market. Yet it does feel we\u2019re at a point where things are a little over-complicated.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get me wrong, I\u2019m all for exotic tyre names. I\u2019m more than happy to keep the Assegais, Tacky Chans and Scorpions of the tyre world, but surely there\u2019s an easier way to convey the other details.<\/p>\n

\"MBUK\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Which tyres do you need for air time? Answers on a postcard, please\u2026<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Behr \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

I\u2019m not digging at all brands (Schwalbe does a decent job of listing rubber compound and casing construction, while Maxxis makes it easy enough to know what the rubber compound should be good for), but it feels as though tyre buying is still a bit of a minefield.<\/p>\n

I could be well off track here and I\u2019m sure some brands will be keen for me to get back in my box, but wouldn\u2019t it be good if they could agree upon a way to unify how they denote rubber compounds and tyre construction?<\/p>\n

All brands could use the same term for the compound (so no more T9, AddixSoft, etc) and casing options (bye bye Double Down, GRID Gravity and the rest) to make life for the consumer a little easier.<\/p>\n

Maybe I\u2019m just not smart enough, but to me, this would be a big win for all of us punters.<\/p>\n

Luke Marshall: When has the world of bikes ever been simple?<\/h2>\n
\"Male\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Getting the right tread pattern and compound will unlock so much performance potential.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

This is a topic that\u2019s both difficult and easy to moan about. If you know the different tyre brands\u2019 tread, compound and casing conventions, they seem logical enough after a while. But how long did that knowledge take to get? I\u2019ve been riding for more than 30 years.<\/p>\n

I can sympathise with the newcomers and those who don\u2019t live and breathe bikes. The tyre choice possibilities out there are mind-boggling.<\/p>\n

Do you need a Maxxis Minion DHF 3C MaxxGrip Double Down or a Schwalbe Magic Mary SuperGravity UltraSoft for the front of your enduro bike<\/a>? It could be one of Continental\u2019s 42 different tyre options for its latest four-tyre MTB range.<\/p>\n

There are hundreds of different tyre combinations to decipher. I\u2019m not going to complain about having all that choice, though. Hopefully, it\u2019s possible to find the tyre best suited for the riding and conditions you do most often, but I agree the industry could help customers if labels were simplified.<\/p>\n

\"Male\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The wrong tyres can make this type of trail scarier than it should be.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A few brands have this right in some situations. Schwalbe and Continental use Soft, and UltraSoft or SuperSoft, respectively, to label some of their rubber compounds, making things self-explanatory.<\/p>\n

Pirelli\u2019s new range has a simple casing hierarchy based on the riding genre. There are XC, Trail, Enduro and DH casings. This seems more logical than Maxxis\u2019 EXO, EXO+, DD and DH notations.<\/p>\n

Schwalbe almost has it dialled, too, with its SuperTrail, SuperGravity and SuperDH casings. If you ignore the \u2018Super\u2019, you\u2019ve pretty much got Trail, Enduro and DH casings.<\/p>\n

Would choosing a new tyre be better for consumers if tyres were sold, for example, as a Specialized Mixed Terrain front, Trail casing, SuperSoft compound, or a Michelin Dry Terrain rear, Enduro casing, Soft compound? It seems very pragmatic, but a little dull.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure the engineering teams would love all of this, but the marketing departments would throw a tantrum.<\/p>\n

\"Male\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Even BikeRadar\u2019s tech team have to study up on tyre names.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

I\u2019m not saying all tyres must be built the same. A Trail casing for one brand doesn\u2019t have to be identical to another brand\u2019s. However, at least everyone would know what type of riding that tyre suits, and it would be easier to negotiate than the tyre minefield currently in place.<\/p>\n

Will this happen? It\u2019s very, very doubtful. Newcomers will have to continue to weave their way through the tyre marketing maze to find what they\u2019re looking for. Wouldn\u2019t it be boring if it was easy, though? Welcome to the world of bikes!<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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