Tire chat (nerds only)

TEAMROBOT
Posts
1580
Joined
9/2/2009
Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Fantasy
7/12/2026 6:48pm

Random question: does anyone know what tires Jordan Williams was running in his winning run in Pal Arinsal? Seems like the Specialized team are on Cannibals 90% of the time unless it's a mudder, but I'm wondering if they maybe switched to a front or rear Hillbilly for the super loose conditions at Andorra.

3
Evil96
Posts
875
Joined
8/21/2014
Location
Portogruaro, VE, IT
7/12/2026 7:17pm
AndehM wrote:
RE: radial tire widths... I noticed the Tacky Chan radials are really undersized when measuring their casing width to use the Wolf Tooth pressure calc.  The...

RE: radial tire widths... I noticed the Tacky Chan radials are really undersized when measuring their casing width to use the Wolf Tooth pressure calc.  The supposed 2.5 TC is actually 2.29" at the casing.  In comparison, a 2.4 High Roller 3 measued 2.37", and the old 2.4 WT DHR II measured a puny 2.25".  My buddy measured a 2.5 DHR II and I forget the exact numbers, but it was ~2.35" (a bit under the HR3).

Also one thing to note, give it one or two rides before checking the width as they get to true size after about that bedding in time 

2
AndehM
Posts
797
Joined
5/7/2018
Location
El Granada, CA, USA
Fantasy
7/12/2026 7:50pm
AndehM wrote:
RE: radial tire widths... I noticed the Tacky Chan radials are really undersized when measuring their casing width to use the Wolf Tooth pressure calc.  The...

RE: radial tire widths... I noticed the Tacky Chan radials are really undersized when measuring their casing width to use the Wolf Tooth pressure calc.  The supposed 2.5 TC is actually 2.29" at the casing.  In comparison, a 2.4 High Roller 3 measued 2.37", and the old 2.4 WT DHR II measured a puny 2.25".  My buddy measured a 2.5 DHR II and I forget the exact numbers, but it was ~2.35" (a bit under the HR3).

Evil96 wrote:
Also one thing to note, give it one or two rides before checking the width as they get to true size after about that bedding in...

Also one thing to note, give it one or two rides before checking the width as they get to true size after about that bedding in time 

Yeah this was measured after a couple weeks of riding.

1
7/12/2026 7:56pm
TEAMROBOT wrote:
Random question: does anyone know what tires Jordan Williams was running in his winning run in Pal Arinsal? Seems like the Specialized team are on Cannibals...

Random question: does anyone know what tires Jordan Williams was running in his winning run in Pal Arinsal? Seems like the Specialized team are on Cannibals 90% of the time unless it's a mudder, but I'm wondering if they maybe switched to a front or rear Hillbilly for the super loose conditions at Andorra.

 

Screenshot 2026-07-12 at 11.23.56%E2%80%AFAM
7
rpearce1475
Posts
17
Joined
10/14/2015
Location
Bremerton, WA, USA
7/13/2026 6:49am
jasbushey wrote:

I have almost 200 miles in Colorado on Trail soft and Romy holds up fine to me so far. 

aaronufl wrote:

Same here. Been riding it over the past 2-3 months as a rear, no signs of excessive wear. 

This was in Whistler and Western WA trails (non bike park). The Romy trail mid started ripping side knobs around 75 miles in and the gravity soft showed significant wear after 20 miles of Whistler valley trails. I ran a Tacky Chan 27.5 gravity soft rear in the bike park that looks similar wear wise after 2 bike park days to the Romy after 20 miles. Maybe I just got two bad ones in a row then? 

1
Evil96
Posts
875
Joined
8/21/2014
Location
Portogruaro, VE, IT
7/13/2026 12:46pm
jasbushey wrote:

I have almost 200 miles in Colorado on Trail soft and Romy holds up fine to me so far. 

aaronufl wrote:

Same here. Been riding it over the past 2-3 months as a rear, no signs of excessive wear. 

This was in Whistler and Western WA trails (non bike park). The Romy trail mid started ripping side knobs around 75 miles in and the gravity...

This was in Whistler and Western WA trails (non bike park). The Romy trail mid started ripping side knobs around 75 miles in and the gravity soft showed significant wear after 20 miles of Whistler valley trails. I ran a Tacky Chan 27.5 gravity soft rear in the bike park that looks similar wear wise after 2 bike park days to the Romy after 20 miles. Maybe I just got two bad ones in a row then? 

i think the valley trails and the park are quite rough on tyres, especially the slabs, after a trip to whistler i've had more wear on the brand new Albert than 1 year in Rotorua with it, totally worth it for the grip provided imo but the wear was very even and no ripped knobs

1
7/13/2026 2:33pm Edited Date/Time 7/13/2026 7:11pm
AndehM wrote:
RE: radial tire widths... I noticed the Tacky Chan radials are really undersized when measuring their casing width to use the Wolf Tooth pressure calc.  The...

RE: radial tire widths... I noticed the Tacky Chan radials are really undersized when measuring their casing width to use the Wolf Tooth pressure calc.  The supposed 2.5 TC is actually 2.29" at the casing.  In comparison, a 2.4 High Roller 3 measued 2.37", and the old 2.4 WT DHR II measured a puny 2.25".  My buddy measured a 2.5 DHR II and I forget the exact numbers, but it was ~2.35" (a bit under the HR3).

My measurements 

Tacky Chan - 2.3” at casing, 2.5” knobs, 30mm reserve hd

Romy - 2.3 casing, 2.45” at knobs, 30mm reserve hd

Butcher radial - 2.2” at casing, 2.4 at knobs 30mm dt Swiss 511

Eliminator radial - 2.25”, 2.4” 30mm dt Swiss

7
ex-ballz
Posts
545
Joined
7/30/2024
Location
Ouagadougou, EH
7/13/2026 3:36pm
jasbushey wrote:
My measurements Tacky Chan - 2.3” at casing, 2.5” knobs, 30mm reserve hdRomy - 2.3 casing, 2.45” at knobs, 30mm reserve hdButcher radial - 2.2” at casing...

My measurements 

Tacky Chan - 2.3” at casing, 2.5” knobs, 30mm reserve hd

Romy - 2.3 casing, 2.45” at knobs, 30mm reserve hd

Butcher radial - 2.2” at casing, 2.4 at knobs 30mm dt Swiss 511

Eliminator radial - 2.25”, 2.4” 30mm dt Swiss

On what rims?

aaronufl
Posts
30
Joined
3/7/2026
Location
Poulsbo, WA, USA
7/13/2026 4:22pm
jasbushey wrote:
My measurements Tacky Chan - 2.3” at casing, 2.5” knobs, 30mm reserve hdRomy - 2.3 casing, 2.45” at knobs, 30mm reserve hdButcher radial - 2.2” at casing...

My measurements 

Tacky Chan - 2.3” at casing, 2.5” knobs, 30mm reserve hd

Romy - 2.3 casing, 2.45” at knobs, 30mm reserve hd

Butcher radial - 2.2” at casing, 2.4 at knobs 30mm dt Swiss 511

Eliminator radial - 2.25”, 2.4” 30mm dt Swiss

ex-ballz wrote:

On what rims?

My TC radial front is ~2.3 (maybe a wee bit more), 2.5 at the knobs on Nobl TR37's.

AndehM
Posts
797
Joined
5/7/2018
Location
El Granada, CA, USA
Fantasy
7/13/2026 6:25pm
jasbushey wrote:
My measurements Tacky Chan - 2.3” at casing, 2.5” knobs, 30mm reserve hdRomy - 2.3 casing, 2.45” at knobs, 30mm reserve hdButcher radial - 2.2” at casing...

My measurements 

Tacky Chan - 2.3” at casing, 2.5” knobs, 30mm reserve hd

Romy - 2.3 casing, 2.45” at knobs, 30mm reserve hd

Butcher radial - 2.2” at casing, 2.4 at knobs 30mm dt Swiss 511

Eliminator radial - 2.25”, 2.4” 30mm dt Swiss

ex-ballz wrote:

On what rims?

My measurements were on 30mm internal rims (Reserve 30 HDs).

2
7/13/2026 7:12pm
jasbushey wrote:
My measurements Tacky Chan - 2.3” at casing, 2.5” knobs, 30mm reserve hdRomy - 2.3 casing, 2.45” at knobs, 30mm reserve hdButcher radial - 2.2” at casing...

My measurements 

Tacky Chan - 2.3” at casing, 2.5” knobs, 30mm reserve hd

Romy - 2.3 casing, 2.45” at knobs, 30mm reserve hd

Butcher radial - 2.2” at casing, 2.4 at knobs 30mm dt Swiss 511

Eliminator radial - 2.25”, 2.4” 30mm dt Swiss

ex-ballz wrote:

On what rims?

AndehM wrote:

My measurements were on 30mm internal rims (Reserve 30 HDs).

Same

1
rpearce1475
Posts
17
Joined
10/14/2015
Location
Bremerton, WA, USA
7/14/2026 6:15am
aaronufl wrote:

Same here. Been riding it over the past 2-3 months as a rear, no signs of excessive wear. 

This was in Whistler and Western WA trails (non bike park). The Romy trail mid started ripping side knobs around 75 miles in and the gravity...

This was in Whistler and Western WA trails (non bike park). The Romy trail mid started ripping side knobs around 75 miles in and the gravity soft showed significant wear after 20 miles of Whistler valley trails. I ran a Tacky Chan 27.5 gravity soft rear in the bike park that looks similar wear wise after 2 bike park days to the Romy after 20 miles. Maybe I just got two bad ones in a row then? 

Evil96 wrote:
i think the valley trails and the park are quite rough on tyres, especially the slabs, after a trip to whistler i've had more wear on...

i think the valley trails and the park are quite rough on tyres, especially the slabs, after a trip to whistler i've had more wear on the brand new Albert than 1 year in Rotorua with it, totally worth it for the grip provided imo but the wear was very even and no ripped knobs

I get that but still feel like the wear on the Romy is quite fast compared to several other rear tires I've ran. I love it so much I'll keep running them as long as I can find them on sale though

1
CptObius
Posts
12
Joined
6/23/2025
Location
Hauenstein, DE
7/16/2026 12:18am

Sup Nerds,

Is there any collective consensus about hutchinson tires?

Really liking the made in eu(france) aspect, but hesitant to pull the trigger as online reviews are from the jurassic age or not that well written IMO.

Cheers

1
Yoda
Posts
152
Joined
9/24/2021
Location
IT
Fantasy
7/16/2026 7:15am

I know Conti Supersofts are made in EU… zero performance compromise.

1
7/16/2026 8:49am

FWIW, my Supersoft Contis from 2024 were made in China. Maybe they have two factories now.

 

2
ColinL
Posts
37
Joined
7/20/2015
Location
USA
7/16/2026 10:32am
mntnmrtn wrote:

FWIW, my Supersoft Contis from 2024 were made in China. Maybe they have two factories now.

 

what tire model and casing?

I have three Kryptotal FR enduro super soft that were made in Germany week 13 2025. all three have imperfect alignment between the left & right halves of the casing. I complained, got a warranty replacement that was just as misaligned, and was sent a second warranty replacement that's a little better but not perfect.

I rode the original and the better of the 2 replacements is on the front of my son's bike now. 3rd tire still NIB.

1
Grave
Posts
25
Joined
4/11/2023
Location
Marquette Heights, IL, USA
7/16/2026 10:52am
mntnmrtn wrote:

FWIW, my Supersoft Contis from 2024 were made in China. Maybe they have two factories now.

 

ColinL wrote:
what tire model and casing?I have three Kryptotal FR enduro super soft that were made in Germany week 13 2025. all three have imperfect alignment between...

what tire model and casing?

I have three Kryptotal FR enduro super soft that were made in Germany week 13 2025. all three have imperfect alignment between the left & right halves of the casing. I complained, got a warranty replacement that was just as misaligned, and was sent a second warranty replacement that's a little better but not perfect.

I rode the original and the better of the 2 replacements is on the front of my son's bike now. 3rd tire still NIB.

Do bike tires have date codes like car tires? I never noticed before, if so.

1
ColinL
Posts
37
Joined
7/20/2015
Location
USA
7/16/2026 12:02pm
mntnmrtn wrote:

FWIW, my Supersoft Contis from 2024 were made in China. Maybe they have two factories now.

 

ColinL wrote:
what tire model and casing?I have three Kryptotal FR enduro super soft that were made in Germany week 13 2025. all three have imperfect alignment between...

what tire model and casing?

I have three Kryptotal FR enduro super soft that were made in Germany week 13 2025. all three have imperfect alignment between the left & right halves of the casing. I complained, got a warranty replacement that was just as misaligned, and was sent a second warranty replacement that's a little better but not perfect.

I rode the original and the better of the 2 replacements is on the front of my son's bike now. 3rd tire still NIB.

Grave wrote:

Do bike tires have date codes like car tires? I never noticed before, if so.

the marking varies, even on continentals. but this is what mine looked like.

1000005306.jpg?VersionId=hb3jYQZ77fr2axg0RVj2naCfNwb
1000005233%281%29.jpg?VersionId=x2ZWLDAaruLpqtb3skr8TC4qSR
skewed halves
1
pejzaż
Posts
36
Joined
1/22/2026
Location
Phoenix, AZ, USA
Fantasy
7/16/2026 12:31pm

I was under the impression the only thing they don't make in China now is DH casing. The DH soft I bought yesterday in the western US is still made in Germany (though they did fix the yellow hue). Only seen enduro supersofts from China. Nice free tire trick though, all of the China factory contis I've seen are like that but it never occurred to me to try and warranty it

3
ColinL
Posts
37
Joined
7/20/2015
Location
USA
7/16/2026 5:14pm
pejzaż wrote:
I was under the impression the only thing they don't make in China now is DH casing. The DH soft I bought yesterday in the western...

I was under the impression the only thing they don't make in China now is DH casing. The DH soft I bought yesterday in the western US is still made in Germany (though they did fix the yellow hue). Only seen enduro supersofts from China. Nice free tire trick though, all of the China factory contis I've seen are like that but it never occurred to me to try and warranty it

hey, you're right. that tire is China. I misremembered. 

1
Grave
Posts
25
Joined
4/11/2023
Location
Marquette Heights, IL, USA
7/16/2026 5:39pm
ColinL wrote:
the marking varies, even on continentals. but this is what mine looked like.

the marking varies, even on continentals. but this is what mine looked like.

1000005306.jpg?VersionId=hb3jYQZ77fr2axg0RVj2naCfNwb
1000005233%281%29.jpg?VersionId=x2ZWLDAaruLpqtb3skr8TC4qSR
skewed halves

Same as a car tire, which shouldn't be surprising coming from them. I don't have that on Maxxis, Schwalbe, or Specialized tires.

1
7/17/2026 2:38am

What should I get as a new back radial tire? Another Albert or a tacky chan or a romy? Anybody rode these in the back? The Albert was ok I guess but now with reduced knob height it looses traction while braking and the trail pro casing was a bit overwhelmed but it held up more or less. Idk if I wanna take the weight penalty of the gravity casing. Had to refill the milk once due to too many small leaks/cuts.

Yoda
Posts
152
Joined
9/24/2021
Location
IT
Fantasy
7/18/2026 9:02am

Anyone on the Dunlops? Or heard if they’re even on the market yet?

1
aaronufl
Posts
30
Joined
3/7/2026
Location
Poulsbo, WA, USA
7/18/2026 9:43am
tabletop84 wrote:
What should I get as a new back radial tire? Another Albert or a tacky chan or a romy? Anybody rode these in the back? The...

What should I get as a new back radial tire? Another Albert or a tacky chan or a romy? Anybody rode these in the back? The Albert was ok I guess but now with reduced knob height it looses traction while braking and the trail pro casing was a bit overwhelmed but it held up more or less. Idk if I wanna take the weight penalty of the gravity casing. Had to refill the milk once due to too many small leaks/cuts.

Romy rolls well (for a radial tire) and has good cornering grip. Tacky chan for more enduro/downhill riding. I wasn't a fan of the Albert on either end of the bike. I find the Trail Pro casing in the rear pretty delicate and I'm not willing to haul a gravity casing around, so back to standard casings, at least for the rear tire. 

1
7/18/2026 10:31am

Anyone tried the specialized radials yet? Like the theory of radial tyres but didn’t get on with the Mary/albert combo, found them a bit bouncy and spec’s claim that theirs are a bit less radial might be a good middle ground

1
7/18/2026 11:48pm

Coming off two weeks riding in the Scottish Borders, tweed valley and the like, the wear on my Romy gravity pro soft is pretty high, side knobs are undercutting. I don’t ride particularly hard and don’t usually find the area to be hard on tyres. The performance however has been fantastic. It is bone dry. 

7/19/2026 12:32pm
Yoda wrote:

Anyone on the Dunlops? Or heard if they’re even on the market yet?

Been wondering the same, I originally heard they'd be available by July but they don't seem to be in stock anywhere yet.

ColinL
Posts
37
Joined
7/20/2015
Location
USA
7/19/2026 2:41pm
Anyone tried the specialized radials yet? Like the theory of radial tyres but didn’t get on with the Mary/albert combo, found them a bit bouncy and...

Anyone tried the specialized radials yet? Like the theory of radial tyres but didn’t get on with the Mary/albert combo, found them a bit bouncy and spec’s claim that theirs are a bit less radial might be a good middle ground

just read the guy who won megavalanche this year was on specialized eliminator radials front and rear. 

normal people probably want a butcher radial up front but it's not hard to imagine the eliminator having a similar purpose and more durability than a romy. 

1
CptObius
Posts
12
Joined
6/23/2025
Location
Hauenstein, DE
7/20/2026 4:40am
pejzaż wrote:
I was under the impression the only thing they don't make in China now is DH casing. The DH soft I bought yesterday in the western...

I was under the impression the only thing they don't make in China now is DH casing. The DH soft I bought yesterday in the western US is still made in Germany (though they did fix the yellow hue). Only seen enduro supersofts from China. Nice free tire trick though, all of the China factory contis I've seen are like that but it never occurred to me to try and warranty it

ColinL wrote:

hey, you're right. that tire is China. I misremembered. 

So basically,

The pleb that I am who does not ride hard enough for DH casings should try hutchinsons if this pleb wants to buy locally?

1
ColinL
Posts
37
Joined
7/20/2015
Location
USA
7/20/2026 6:51am
CptObius wrote:

So basically,

The pleb that I am who does not ride hard enough for DH casings should try hutchinsons if this pleb wants to buy locally?

I believe Michelin still makes their MTB tires in France, and Pirelli as well.

I suppose you could get lucky and Hutchinson's latest are really great and we're just all unaware of that.

1

Post a reply to: Tire chat (nerds only)

The Latest