Hello Vital MTB Visitor,
We’re conducting a survey and would appreciate your input. Your answers will help Vital and the MTB industry better understand what riders like you want. Survey results will be used to recognize top brands. Make your voice heard!
Five lucky people will be selected at random to win a Vital MTB t-shirt.
Thanks in advance,
The Vital MTB Crew
But do we think those imperfections influence grip for a couple of runs before they wear off? I was thinking in the context of World Cup racing with incremental gains that it could matter. Just saw video from Paris-Roubaix as well and the mechanic took a sandpaper over brand new tires to ensure no release agent is left on the rubber from production.
My first thought is that the sandpaper thing is insane. Paris-Roubaix is 158 miles, and the mold release probably wears off in ones of miles.
But then my next thought is that it's actually a good idea for the cornering section of the tire tread. The center tread is going to wear off super quickly in the first few miles of the race, but if you hit a weird cobble section or damp asphalt in mile 20 on a leaned over tire with mold release still clinging to the edges of the tread, those far edges of the tread that you only hit when you're buried at maximum lean angle in a turn, it starts to make a lot of sense to pre-burn in those sections of the tread before the race when dealing with a brand new tire. Why risk it? Plus how long does it take to buff out a tire? 20 seconds? A minute?
I agree with you. But do you think brand new tires require a bit of "run in" to function optimal in DH as well?
https://www.schwalbetires.com/GRAVITY-PRO-Romy-Radial-11654708
Maybe more importantly, Tacky Chan! Talk to me about the Romy, where does that fit into the lineup? Thanks
Tacky Chan gets radial offerings, updated Ultra Soft compound, and a revised tread pattern (on just the radial variants).
This revised tread pattern makes it a lot more friendly during corner transitions. Check it out.
The Tacky Chan is also replacing the Big Betty.
The ROMY replaces the hans dampf. Trail / All-mountain tire.
It's our fastest rolling radial tire, and has a wide range of appeal.
Comes in a Trail 29x2.4" wide version, great for riders who have tight rear tire clearance.
It's my favorite right now.
Looks like the Romy availability in 27.5 size is very limited compared to the Hans Dampf. Any plans for adding more 27.5 options, or is 27.5 kaput?
You looking for a 27.5x2.6 i'm guessing? Because all other sizes should be covered.
Definitely not kaput, the Albert comes in a 27.5x2.6 Gravity version.
Limited mold capacity usually dictates new model sizes.
27.5x2.8 Radial versions of some tires are in the works.
When do we get the new 2,2,2 block front tire?
Excited to try out the new TC radial.
Do you prefer the romy as a front or rear? Radial or diagonal? Curious how it stacks up as a fast rolling rear.
Yes, but... The molding artifacts and the mold release agents probably being very low on the pareto chat of reasons why a first run break-in is a thing. MTB tires rely less on molecular adhesion and much more so on deformation/indentation, road biking is an application where you do rely on molecular adhesion as a primary component of mechanical grip and where scuffing in to remove the mold release agent and break open some of the polymeric chains helps. Same reason you scuff in new tires on any track-car/mc.
Im my opinion the idea of giving DH tires a few runs to break in is more about getting the casing to loosen up a bit helping with the deformation aspects of improving grip. Cant say that I've ever felt it and said to myself, there we go, casing feels good now, but I have had some of my best runs against the clock on tires that are 2-3 runs in.
For the Tacky Chan i've done Trail Radial front, Trail diagonal rear. Nice fast rolling combo with great braking and cornering.
Mary or Albert Gravity Radial front, TC Gravity Radial Rear is better for varying terrain imo.
Worth highlighting the updated Gravity construction (with the blue "Pro" label) is significantly more supportive, lots of changes were done.
For the Romy i've only tried the trail radial version.
It's been great on the front with a Wicked Will in the back for fast trail riding.
Also Mary or Albert front, Romy back is equally good, just more suited to all-mountain riding. I think that's going to be the most popular combo amongst riders.
I’ve heard people mention that the Continental dh tires are only good for a couple laps for the pros before the casing gets too loose. Not sure if that’s true, but I certainly noticed mine was softer after a bit. New tire day always feels the best to me, but that’s probably a head game.
As a mere mortal I found I liked the Continental DH casing more after it “broke in.” It was too stiff for me when they were new.
Really intrigued by the new addition of the Romy!
How does it compare to the Albert? To the untrained eye, the tread patterns look reasonably similar.
Looking for a reasonably fast rolling rear to pair with a MM / TC up front for typical all mountain / enduro use for a 160mm bike. Looks like the Romy would be ideally suited for that? Have another rear wheel for bikepark / uplift days to fit something burlier.
Between Magic Mary, Alberts or Tacky Chan, how would you rank cornering edge feel? I like the Mary's for all around predictable grip, but I feel like I lack a bit of definition of where the edge is. I'm wondering if Alberts or TC's out front would give a more defined cornering edge.
Albert is a 3-2 tread pattern with taller profile that delivers more grip in varying terrain (bonus - the 2.6" version has taller knobs, a popular choice amongst some of our EDR athletes).
Romy is a 3-2-2 with shorter more wide/stable blocks. Because of the reduced height and more open pattern it will pack up less and roll faster.
From your described setup, the Trail Romy in the back would be ideal.
On the bikepark wheel, i would go up to the Gravity Romy if you want to prioritize speed/durability. Gravity Tacky Chan if you feel you need something more burly.
Specifically for cornering:
Mary is best for un-predicable and natural terrain. Mainly due to the long, narrow, and out-ward twisted shoulders.
Albert is better for hardpack. Wide and stable shoulder blocks that are tightly packed.
Tacky Chan is best for fast and aggressive cornering. Similar shoulder blocks to Albert, but more openly spaced and supported further down the sidewall.
Romy is like a combination of a Mary and Albert side knob. Every third block is a square edged rectangular siped knob similar to a Mary.
The other shoulders knobs are more similar to a Albert: Square and heavily supported.
Do you guys remember when @Dave_Camp rode a minion SS on the front of his bike at an Angelfire (iirc) enduro event and it broke the internet? If memory serves, it was because he blew up a tire and that's all he had at the last minute... but still, great moments in tire rumors history.
Thanks for the comparison! I'd like to try the Romy/WW set up once things dry out. I think I'll pick up the tacky chan radial to pair with the NN in the back for now.
Will the DirtyDan come in the radial casing with new ultrasoft rubber on time for next autumn/winter season?
The DH casing dans were harsh if you were not hauling ass in the mud as soon as you hit some roots or rocks, so I think there the softer casing would help quiet a bit for slower scnearios.
Also, did the Radial Trail casing also get an update for more support like the Gravity Radial got?
Max Hartenstern mentioned the same about Schwalbe tires iirc.
They need all the support in the casing
Dirty Dan has no immediate plans to go radial.
If you want a radial tire for deep mud, i'd recommend a GRAVITY Mary or Shredda F or R (many DH riders have been using these).
Trail casing has not been revised in this update afaik.
I appreciate your responses. TC Gravity soft already on order for the rear to pair with the MM up front... been waiting for that!
Has the Gravity casing been updated for all treads or only the new TC and Romy? I read through the link and it's not totally clear to me what has been updated... it's more stable and puncture resistant now?
Thanks!
So glad you guys finally released the radial tacky Chan, had a Kryptotal rear in the cart to replace the boat anchor magic Mary radial I’ve been running in the rear
Yes, the Conti DH casing changes a ton as you ride it. (More noticeable that other brands) If you like it still and firm, you'll like it fresh. If you want it softer on the hands and more supple, you'll like it after 15k+ of descending.
Happy to help breakdown all the new tech. We've been excited about this drop, lots of new changes to communicate!
All new Gravity Pro casings have been updated. This is indicated by the blue "Pro" label.
Previous versions of the Albert, Mary, Shredda F/R have the previous design.
I hope more 2.4 radials are coming, tacky included, they’re so tall these radials that for a rear tyre the 2.4 might be the one
I’m getting my hands on a 2.4 Romy as soon as I can
Has something changed in the chasing itself?
@Evil96 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQhE_JF2j-w
Good rundown of the new Gravity Pro casing. Along with other info.
I saw a 2.4 of the Romy and it looked really narrow.. more like a 2.3/2.35-ish
Post a reply to: Tire chat (nerds only)