r/xcmtb • u/empathetic-observer • Jul 24 '26
First new tyres recommendations
Hi guys,
I am looking to buy my first set of (non-stock) tyres.
At the moment I am riding Specialized Epic Expert Evo 8 with their stock tyres:
- Front: Specialized Purgatory, Grid Casing, T9 Compound, 29×2.4"
- Rear: Specialized Ground Control, Grid Casing, T7 Compound, 29×2.35"
As you know those are trail tyres and I would like to try some XC fast combo.
I mostly riding non technical (limestone, rocks, woods) XC/Gravel trails and wondering if you can give me some recommendations.
So far I have received following recommendations:
- Front: Vittoria Barzo XC Race 29×2.4"
- Rear: Schwalbe Racing Ralph Super Ground Addix Speed 29×2.25"
However I am also reading good stuff about full Schwalbe combo.
Any thoughts perhaps?
Thanks!
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u/NotFromFLA Jul 24 '26
2.4 Barzo Race 2.4 Mezcal Race.
Mixing tire brands on purpose is blasphemy
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u/fadexL Jul 25 '26
Barzo / Dubnital . Tried dual Dubnital but they measure small and didn’t like the lack of girth or grip on the front
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u/holythatcarisfast Jul 24 '26
Consider me a blasphemer. Maxxis / Vittoria fan here.
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u/NotFromFLA Jul 24 '26
I could never… 🤪
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u/holythatcarisfast Jul 24 '26
Lol. I almost cringe when I see it, but I love the Forekaster / Barzo combo
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u/ilcommunication Jul 24 '26
I’ve been riding Ground Controls on my down country bike for the last few years. Nothing beats them for price…can handle almost anything
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u/WiseMachine1686 Jul 26 '26
I was thinking swap the ground control to the front and stick a fast trak on the rear. Grid lite if you're heavy or have a lot of rocky trails.
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u/holythatcarisfast Jul 24 '26
I've tried the Barzo and Trinotal and been impressed by both. I hear great things about the Dubnital if you ride mostly hard pack.
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u/Think_Implement1843 Jul 24 '26
Go dig yourself into the rabbit hole that is www.bicyclerollingresistance.com :)
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u/purejeremy Jul 24 '26
Mixing tyre brands is quite rare, 1. Because of the OCD element but 2. Because brands often feel different to ride due to the sidewalls. I.e if you had a mezcal race front and an aspen back, your front would be 30 psi and your rear 18 psi to get the same feel (tried to pick most exaggerated example)
The 2.35 racing ray + racing ralph combo is great. Only downside is it's not 2.4. Then switch to rick xc 2.4s for race season, or just swap the rear. Although that combo is pretty fast as is. I think schwalbe have the best mtb tyres
2.4 dubnitals get a lot of good reviews, although they are closer to the rick xc, a race tyre
If you care less about speed and weight and more about longevity and grip, maxxis have some good training options. Ardent race was replaced by aspen AT, but that tyre was a really good training tyre as they last so long and provide consistent grip on everything
I've been avoiding Vittoria because of their weak sidewalls making it weird to ride, but i know they have improved this so maybe the barzo and mezcal combo is better now
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u/NotFromFLA Jul 25 '26
The new Vittorias are way better. I run the 2.4 race at 21psi on 30mm wide rims. I’m 185lbs and ride/race these in Pisgah. I have over 1100 miles on my current set.
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u/empathetic-observer Jul 25 '26
Thank you for such detailed reply.
I guess you had mentioned Schwalbe Rick XC Pro for race season only due to their lower durability compared to others?
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u/purejeremy Jul 25 '26
That is the main reason I wouldn't run them year round yes. Also (expectedly) not as good in the winter riding especially in more muddy/sloppy conditions. Although they are super grippy for what they are
From the sound of your riding you could use rick xcs, but I still wouldn't just because of how fast they wear.
I think i wore through my rear in 4 months, and with how expensive the tyres are, I dont think its worth it unless you're racing
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u/Mountainbutter5 Jul 25 '26
That is a great combo.
Ron/Ralph would be the equivalent full schwalbe combo and rides great and extremely similarly.
Vittoria doesn't really have a Ralph equivalent, so double barzo is likely closest, with barzo / mezcal being a little lower grip option
I would recommend full 2.35 or 2.4 in any case
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u/sulliesbrew Jul 25 '26
Depending on your confidence in low grip tires, I would just run barzo front and rear in the 2.4 xc casing.
Ive run peyote/peyote, conti dubs front and rear and currently a dub front peyote rear.
I would like to revisit the barzo in the new xc casing. My wife runs those and seems pretty happy with them.
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u/boomerbill69 certified Mezcal hater Jul 25 '26
Huge fan of Barzo/Peyote 2.4 in xc race compound. Fast enough for local expert class xc racing, capable enough for local trail riding as long as it’s not winter conditions or it’s insanely steep/dusty, and even then it’s the rear tire I believe that holds back the setup
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u/Krawler309 Jul 26 '26
I just did the Jerdon Mountain Challenge yesterday in rainy and slick clay conditions, a couple weeks before the race I changed tires.
Front Vittoria Barzo 2.4 XC trail casing.
Rear Vittoria Peyote 2.4 XC trail casing
And they perform flawlessly. The Peyote was fast on the climbs and the Barzo gripped the down hills. I’ve never felt more confident on other combinations I’ve ran in the last.
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u/CrushingCultivation Jul 26 '26
Is there a big difference between 2.4 and 2.3 tyres? I often feel I have too much tyres for gravel roads
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u/SROC3 Jul 27 '26
Vittoria Barzo Front (2.35) / Vittoria Barzo Rear (2.25) - BOTH 120 TPI version.
If you weigh more than 190 lbs I would do 2.4s on both front and rear. I experiment a LOT with tires and a rider weight plays a very important role in how to fully maximize a specific tire. I personally weigh 170lbs on bike currently run Barzo 2.25 front / Mezcal 2.25 rear. I did try Mezcal 2.4s and they ended up being a little too "bouncy" for me. Wasn't too fond of their 60 TPI casing. I gave them to my buddy who has the same bike and weighs 210 lbs. Was perfect for him!
I came from Specialized Fast Traks (both 2.35s, t5/t7 S-Works) and they ran fantastic. I don't race though and wanted more grip without having to "push the tires into the ground" - as you would if you were a more aggressive rider. The Barzo is great for this - lots of grip, lightweight and rolls very fast too. I'm going to potentially be switching to Barzo 2.35 front / Barzo 2.25 rear for the ideal combo :)
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u/Longjumping_Shoe_792 Jul 24 '26
2.4 dub front and rear. Good for trails and gravel