Tire selection tends to be a rather personal choice, and it’s heavily influenced by local trail conditions. Brands design tires for many different uses and situations, giving buyers the ability to dial in exactly what they need. Some are designed as front- or rear-specific, while others can be run in either position.
Bonus question for the comments: What is your go-to MTB tire combo?
44 Comments
Jun 15, 2022
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Summer: Specialized Ground control front, Fast track rear
Inflate 28 PSI rear, 26 PSI front
Jun 16, 2022
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Jun 13, 2022
Front: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 EXO; Rear: Maxxis Aggressor 2.3 EXO
Jun 16, 2022
R: Maxxis Minion DHR
Jun 16, 2022
Never thought I'd go with such a large volume tyre but the grip has been phenomenal.
Jun 15, 2022
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I still like to run the fastest rear tire possible, but traction is now much more important than speed on the front. I’ve moved through the Specialized tire line as my technical climbing skill and downhill speed increased.
For instance – A Ground Control rear works great for most of my riding, but I wear them out a little sooner braking on rocks and there a few technical moves that I have trouble making when the Ground Control loses traction. I am willing to trade more speed for a little less braking and climbing traction on the rear of my bike. An Eliminator front would work great for most of my riding, but I don’t trust them when riding aggressively downhill. I am unwilling to trade speed for traction on the front of my bike, so I use a Butcher.
I definitely agree that tires are a personal preference. The most popular combo in my area is a Maxxis Aggressor rear and Minion DHF front. I recently bought a bike with those tires and couldn't stand them - The Aggressor felt like I was pedaling in mud and I didn't like the transition zone of the Minion DHF. I probably don't ride hard enough to appreciate,or need, the benefits of that tire combo.
I'm an average middle aged rider and I only spend money mountain biking, but front and rear tire performance is certainly a deal breaker for me.
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Jun 18, 2022
Assegai front, DHRII rear
Jun 16, 2022
Jun 16, 2022
on the front but run a 2.6"X27.5 Maxxis Forekaster for the rear for the first time...3 day Bikerpelli trip last month and I found the increased rear traction in sandy conditions was beneficial and also in later spring moist conditions on trails at home.
Jun 18, 2022
Jun 13, 2022
Bought some Pirelli's and Continental's that I otherwise wouldn't use except for the shortage, I will experiment when these wear down.
Jun 13, 2022
Jun 13, 2022
I’ve heard a lot of chatter about people running a DHR up front and the idea sounds interesting but haven’t tried it yet.
Jun 15, 2022
F: Maxxis DHF 2.5
R: Maxxis Dissector 2.4
Jun 17, 2022
Jun 16, 2022
Jun 14, 2022
Here's my current setups after trying many different combinations:
Trail bike (Devinci 130/150mm) has a Maxxis Dissector EXO 3C 2.4x29" in the front and a Maxxis Rekon EXO dual compound 2.4x29" in the rear.
XC bike (Kona 100/120mm) has a Maxxis Forekaster EXO dual compound 2.35x29" in the front and a Maxxis Rekon Race EXO dual compound 2.35x29" in the rear.
Jun 14, 2022
Specialized Tracer Pro - Rear
700x38
Haro Flightline Pro 29"
Jun 12, 2022
Jun 16, 2022
I can make a run through terrain that others would loose traction on however,, I know my bike and what works.
Jun 13, 2022
Jun 12, 2022