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My only real complaint is that both of the tires I ran had cracks where the sidewall meets the tread. One of the two had a bit of sealant weeping through this joint. admittedly less sealant through that crack then some maxxis tires i've had that just seem to sweat through the entire sidewall of the tire.
For 2022, I'm back to my tried and true maxxis. Even though I liked the michelin dh tires... I just can't get away from the DH/DD 3c Maxx Grip Maxxis goodness. The Assegai is just a beast and I can't get myself away from my 3 baseline pairings for different bike parks:
-3c MG assegai in front, always
-DHR 2 in back for general riding, pedaling and conditions/trails where I want rolling speed
-DHF in back when I want to get drifty and things aren't steep
-Assegai in back for when things get really stupid
I just like the versatility of the Maxxis range for slightly different conditions and the range of pairings I am comfortable with. I think in time, as michelin builds out there line and I become more comfortable on them, I could see running them long term. Also, I'm a sucker for those hot patch logos that are motorsport style, badass.
I'm particularly interested in the difference in rolling resistance and durability/protection. I've seen a lot of people destroying Maxxis DH tires over the past year or so where I live, and I've really only had to replace my Michelins when they wear out. So I'd like to know how the casings on the Conti's compare on super rocky terrain where pinch flats and sidewall slices are going to be a common occurrence.
The most important thing, he was roughly 15 rides in on the tyre while I was on my ~5th ride with a dual compound EXO DHR2. I easily cleared greasy climbs where he just spun out. Going down over greasy roots I held my line (rear wheel included) while his rear was all over the place, slipping over small roots.
Looking at the way he's been riding with that tyre, compared to his usual skills and style while riding anything from Maxxis, it's pure garbage. Didn't test it myself, but given what I've seen, I'm sticking with Maxxis and waiting for the Wild Enduros to be in stock so I can try them out.
Rolling resistence is a little bit better than an Assegai/DHR2 combo. Grip is great and very predicable, the Kriptotal Fr feels more like an Assegai than a Minion as the transition between central and lateral knobs isn't sudden. The Kriptotal Re is also good and I didn't experience the lack of braking grip some reviews mentioned.
The profile is more square than round (my current rims are 30mm and 27mm wide).
All of this was in dry and dusty conditions, I probably got a couple of rides on them in the wet and on rocks and roots they felt better than the Wild Enduros I ran previously.
So in conclusion I'm quite happy with them, I'm definitely getting another set next year (this is the first time I'll buy back the same tires I had).
The discrepancies between my personal experience and Primoz's might be related to the different compounds and possibly different terrain(?) I'd personally recommend them, at least in the dh version.
Demoing a rim and having the tire hold up is a good vote of confidence! Definitely the kind of thing that's kept me on the DH22's for so long. I'd also say that the rolling resistance comparison is a good thing. I've pedaled a friend's Range with Maxxis Assegai/DHRII, and it felt a whole lot more sprightly than mine with the DH22's. Though I can't recall if they were DD or DH casings..
Based off all of that I think I'll give em a go!
The other pair available were Conti Argotals but I went with Michelins instead as these were about $25 cheaper and are probably more versatile.
I went with the racing line since the lighter casings were unavailable. I also prefer using DH casing tires as opposed to thinner ones with inserts. Will be riding a rocky and muddy DH track this weekend so we'll see if they're as good as the Magic Mary's I used to have (ultra soft front, soft rear).
Rode through a rainstorm yesterday and the grip of the front tire is nearly as good as a Shorty, which is a good thing. The bad part is that it doesn't shed mud as fast as a Shorty so you will have to maintain a decent amount of speed to keep the mud off the tire. On wet rocks, I was generally fine but the rear tire definitely could not hold on as well as the front. Traction on off-camber sections in the mud for both front and rear tires was outstanding, probably one of the best I have ever tried.
I find the grip of the front to be better than a Assegai (MaxxGrip) in the slop. I would think using the Wild Enduro front as a rear tire can be warranted for conditions where a rider might potentially think about cut spikes or a Shorty. The Wild Enduro rear is clearly not as good in the mud but I think it should be better in drier conditions.
The Wild Enduro front reminded me so much of the Magic Mary (in ultrasoft) but I find that I could run lower pressures than the Schwalbe. It seems the key to unlocking the Wild Enduro Racing Lines is to go as low as you possibly can in tire pressure just because the casing seems to be far more robust.
Is there a "New" WE coming? The product grid on their site reflects it. But no news that I've seen.
new as in new stock must be...
I saw some dh34s and dh22s available online, could not believe my eyes
Finally got a set of Wild Enduros and by the first impressions they seem very nice. No wet weather riding though, in the dry the grip is amazing.
I have moved to a set of Racing Line Wild Enduros now (did a solid for my Friend who bought them to replace the ordinary ones and was shocked at how slow they roll) and DAMN is that a slow tyre for pedalling :D
New DH16 are coming in hot.
Thanks for sharing your experience with Michelin Bikepark tires, CheapOnDirt! It's valuable to hear how they compare to other brands like Maxxis.
If you're looking to upgrade your ride beyond just tires, you might want to check out this post: Upgrade Your Ride: Explore the 15 Best Electric Bikes Today. Electric bikes are gaining popularity, and they can offer a whole new level of fun and convenience on the trails.
As for tire durability and performance, it seems like Michelin has its strengths, but it's always good to have alternatives like Maxxis and Continental in mind, especially when terrain and riding conditions vary.
If anyone else has more insights or experiences to share about Michelin or other tire brands, please feel free to chime in!
AI should be banned lol
Skynet has already left for you.
Running the Racing Line tyres in Trans Nomad was a godsend. I lost count the number of times I pinged the rim off a rock and no flats. Plus the grip was insane, tired in the middle of the stage I was making stupid moves in turns, but the front just gripped. A lifesaver.
There are indeed images floating round of a new Wild Enduro tread pattern - they look ace, as well as the new dh16 (I think?) and I seem to remember seeing another tread pattern too but not 100 % on that.
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