I maintain that Radial(ish) tires are the biggest technological leap forward in mountain biking since 2019.
Even on hardpack. Just run the right pressures.
The trail casings are great because you can keep the total weight down and they are pinch flat resistant with higher pressures... protects the rim too.
IMO the DH casings are less impressive, which is somewhat confirmed by their rolling change this year, where they increased the weight by ~100g per tire.
Certainly entitled to your opinion... I can think of a couple other tech evolutions I'd keep over radials since 2019.
The trail casings are great because you can keep the total weight down and they are pinch flat resistant with higher pressures... protects the rim too. IMO...
The trail casings are great because you can keep the total weight down and they are pinch flat resistant with higher pressures... protects the rim too.
IMO the DH casings are less impressive, which is somewhat confirmed by their rolling change this year, where they increased the weight by ~100g per tire.
Certainly entitled to your opinion... I can think of a couple other tech evolutions I'd keep over radials since 2019.
What specifically?
I picked 2019 because that was the year (ish) that we got 64 degree HTA on enduro and trail bikes. If I got a perfectly preserved sb150 from back then, the only components I'd need to upgrade would be the tires.
Sure, other things have improved, but not nearly as much.
What specifically? I picked 2019 because that was the year (ish) that we got 64 degree HTA on enduro and trail bikes. If I got a perfectly...
What specifically?
I picked 2019 because that was the year (ish) that we got 64 degree HTA on enduro and trail bikes. If I got a perfectly preserved sb150 from back then, the only components I'd need to upgrade would be the tires.
Sure, other things have improved, but not nearly as much.
obviously this is heavily opinionated… but on an enduro bike if the option was radial tires or 38 stanchioned forks, I’m absolutely taking a 38 or Zeb over radial casings.
Second is mullet wheels, big fan on enduro bikes. Also would take that and Maxxis or Conti over being forced to ride full 29.
The trail casings are great because you can keep the total weight down and they are pinch flat resistant with higher pressures... protects the rim too. IMO...
The trail casings are great because you can keep the total weight down and they are pinch flat resistant with higher pressures... protects the rim too.
IMO the DH casings are less impressive, which is somewhat confirmed by their rolling change this year, where they increased the weight by ~100g per tire.
Certainly entitled to your opinion... I can think of a couple other tech evolutions I'd keep over radials since 2019.
honestly, all that separates the top tires is going to come down to opinions. tires do perform differently on varied terrain, but of the tires focused on a style of riding they're more similar than not, and it's preference / riding style that makes one particular tire the best for a given rider.
every now than then, you'll see a top rider go from one team to another and be unhappy about the tires they now ride.. but generally, pros just adapt and get it done with whatever is under them. the most important element in winning a race is still the rider, by far.
the pros on schwalbe are riding radials in the front, for sure. you keep referring to a lack of support, but yes schwalbe reinforced the gen 2 casings (both gravity and trail), and pros are winning on them. rear is a mix.
it's not hype, there is more mechanical grip. this doesn't mean someone is going to value it over a tire with less traction but more support. weirdly, I can feel the grip but I haven't noticed increased rolling resistance, which is the #1 reason people report not liking radials on the rear. it could be there and I don't notice, this all adds up to someone's preference.
The trail casings are great because you can keep the total weight down and they are pinch flat resistant with higher pressures... protects the rim too.
IMO the DH casings are less impressive, which is somewhat confirmed by their rolling change this year, where they increased the weight by ~100g per tire.
Certainly entitled to your opinion... I can think of a couple other tech evolutions I'd keep over radials since 2019.
What specifically?
I picked 2019 because that was the year (ish) that we got 64 degree HTA on enduro and trail bikes. If I got a perfectly preserved sb150 from back then, the only components I'd need to upgrade would be the tires.
Sure, other things have improved, but not nearly as much.
obviously this is heavily opinionated… but on an enduro bike if the option was radial tires or 38 stanchioned forks, I’m absolutely taking a 38 or Zeb over radial casings.
Second is mullet wheels, big fan on enduro bikes. Also would take that and Maxxis or Conti over being forced to ride full 29.
honestly, all that separates the top tires is going to come down to opinions. tires do perform differently on varied terrain, but of the tires focused on a style of riding they're more similar than not, and it's preference / riding style that makes one particular tire the best for a given rider.
every now than then, you'll see a top rider go from one team to another and be unhappy about the tires they now ride.. but generally, pros just adapt and get it done with whatever is under them. the most important element in winning a race is still the rider, by far.
the pros on schwalbe are riding radials in the front, for sure. you keep referring to a lack of support, but yes schwalbe reinforced the gen 2 casings (both gravity and trail), and pros are winning on them. rear is a mix.
it's not hype, there is more mechanical grip. this doesn't mean someone is going to value it over a tire with less traction but more support. weirdly, I can feel the grip but I haven't noticed increased rolling resistance, which is the #1 reason people report not liking radials on the rear. it could be there and I don't notice, this all adds up to someone's preference.
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