Everyone has their preferred tire of choice, and with so many different tire choices and combinations we decided to look through back through the archives to find some of the tire choices of the world's top riders, everything from the tried and trusted tire combos to the more obscure options from the first years of the EWS.
Goodyear Newton ST // NewtonGoodyear launched their new range of MTB tires back in 2018 and we spotted Charles Murray opting to run a combination of the Newton ST and the all-rounder Newton tires at the final round of the 2020 EWS in Finale. The Newton tire out back has plenty of L shaped knobs to provide grip through corners and a lower profile center tread keeps things rolling fast.
Maxxis AssegaiWhile the Assegai was first developed as a DH tire it has seen plenty of popularity at the EWS, with it being fitted to a number of pro riders bikes in all sorts of combinations. For a quite a few riders a double Assegai has been their preference with plenty of grip, control and all-round performance across a range of stage types.
Schwalbe Magic Mary // Hans DampfThe Magic Mary and Hans Dampf pairing has been another popular choice among riders as it provides predictable traction in most conditions. The Magic Mary up front provides plenty of grip even when things get wet and the Hans Dampf keeps things rolling fast out back.
Maxxis Assegai // Minion DHR IIJust like in World Cup DH, a very frequent tire choice among pro riders is the Assegai, DHR II combo. While 2 Assegai's can provide plenty of traction, with a weight of 1,300 grams and a super tacky compound its rolling speed is never going to be something to write home about. This could be why some riders opt to match it with a DHR II so they aren't having to haul 2 Assegai's around a day of riding.
Maxxis Minion DHF // Minion DHRIIWhile not as popular as it used to be, the DHF and DHR II is a classic combo. The DHF is great to have at the front bike, where its dedicated channel between the outside cornering blocks lets the tire bite down into turns, and the DHR II on the rear helps with braking traction where you need it most.
Schwalbe Magic Mary // Big BettyThe Big Betty made a return to Schwable's line up for 2020 and we spotted it already being raced at this year's short EWS season in Zermatt as a rear tire. The new offering features rectangular center knobs that are designed to dig in for braking traction, and side knobs that offer plenty of support in corners. This makes a great pair with the reliable and grippy Magic Mary all-rounder on the front.
Hutchinson ToroThe Hutchinson Toro provides consistent levels grip with a tread pattern optimised for lateral grip and braking. With aggressive shoulder knobs, the Toro bites into the loose ground while also offering decent levels of rolling speed for when the trails aren't as soft and loose.
Maxxis DHR IIUnlike at World Cup DH races where the DHR II can be seen front and rear on plenty of bikes it is less frequent at EWS races. This could be because of the better cornering properties of an Assegai or DHF. The DHR II still provides plenty of traction and its blocks designed to enhance braking still make it a good choice on the steeper tracks.
Schwalbe Magic Mary // Dirty DanWhile the Magic Mary provides plenty of traction and grip as a front tire, during the 2019 Trophy of Nations Martin Maes decided to run a Dirty Dan mud tire designed for deep mud and soft terrain as a rear tire.
Michelin Wild EnduroThe Wild Enduro tires from Michelin offer two slightly different tread patterns for the front and rear tires with larger blockier side knobs for the front and a lower profile rear design. The front tire offers plenty of traction through corners and through tricky terrain while the Wild Enduro Rear runs faster than the front tire and also receives additional reinforcement around the bead to help prevent pinch flats.
WTB VigilanteWTB's Vigilante is another all-round tire that is popular on the EWS circuit that offers predictable performances across a range of surface types. With a prominent tread pattern it can dig into most trail conditions and it is able to clear quickly. The tread isn't quite as aggressive as some of the other options being used by riders.
Maxxis HRIIThe High Roller is a classic tire from Maxxis, with it firmly sitting as a great all-round tire with good levels of grip, control, braking, and rolling resistance on most surfaces. The HR II has become far less popular in recent years with more and more riders opting for DH oriented tires like the Assegai.
Specialized ButcherThe Butcher from Specialized is another DH tire that has been adopted by EWS riders and with plenty of blocky knobs it is able to bite into the ground for plenty of traction. The latest version of the Butcher has been revised to improve rolling speed and grip, as well as control under hard braking and cornering.
Bontrager G5Used mostly by the Trek Factory Racing team, the all-rounder G5 tire uses a tread profile that's intended to provide maximum grip at different lean angles with center knobs designed to increase braking traction. The more open tread spacing lets any trapped mud clear off the tire for better grip in tougher conditions.
Bontrager G5 // SE5Another combo used by the Trek team is the DH-oriented G5 paired with the faster rolling SE5 tire. The SE5 bases its tread of the G5 but aims to roll faster, making it a great rear option where you need the least rolling resistance.
Schwalbe Magic Mary // Nobby NicThe pairing of the Magic Mary and the Nobby Nic is another combination which looks for all-round performance, as the Magic Mary provides consistent levels of grip up front and the Nobby Nic provides a fast roller rear tread to keep things moving at a pace.
Maxxis ShortyFeaturing big blocks in its tread the Shorty works best when digging into soft, muddy trails and its outwardly angled tread pattern clear mud making it a great choice when the conditions are very tricky.
Vittoria GomaWith a rounded shape the Goma from Vittoria offered plenty in the corners and because of a minimalist tread pattern it was also fast rolling. The Goma works great as a rear tire but without larger side knobs it could suffer for grip at the front when up against other options.
Maxxis Shorty // DHRIITo keep maximum grip in the wet and muddy conditions but still retain a good level of rolling speed some riders choose to pair a Maxxis Shorty up front with a DHR II for the rear. This pairs the excellent traction of the Shorty in soft conditions with the braking traction and lower rolling resistance of the DHR II.
Maxxis HRII // ArdentYou definitely don't see this combo much if at all in 2020, but back in 2013 for the first-ever EWS both Greg Minnaar and Steve Peat rocked up on their Santa Cruz Bronson rocking the Maxxis High Roller II as a front tire and the all-round trail tire the Ardent out back.
Michelin DH22The DH22 tire from Michelin may not have seen quite as much success as a downhill tire, but under Sam Hill it has seen plenty of success in the EWS. For most races in 2019, Sam ran this as a front and rear option for maximum grip and braking traction.
Michelin DH22 // Wild EnduroAnother Michelin combo is the pairing of the DH22 and the Wild Enduro tire. This was a choice Sam Hill made for the Maeaira EWS in 2019.
Still have them for the really wet days on my 26”
Its a pity, because the rubber was very grippy and durable.I will wait for another iteration
but the carcas, as lkubica is saying is the worst. It's terrible when you pay 60 euro for a tire and after some trouble on a jump you get a permanently bent tire. And the added leakage.
I also have e13 because I purchased YT bike. They look awesome, a ton of grip, but the rolling resistance is terrible. When I’m in really good shape I’m still fast up hill, but if I take a couple weeks off I struggle. I’ve used Maxxis Agressors on the rear and it’s a good mix of rolling resistance and grip
This whole article is just a compilation of old photos and yes, we all know that alot of people ride Maxxis, so nothing interesting here. I, personally, dont get, what so magical about Maxxis. Vittoria are really nice tyres, love the new Hutchinson Griffus on dry conditions. Still love WTB tyres - Convict, Vigilante. New Kendas are good tyres. Lots of choces, its not only Maxxis.
On my hardtail I have an Agarro on the front and a Morsa on the back. I'm going to try a Barzo on the rear to make it ride even faster.
Definitively interested on those, love the WE thread but the casings are a little too flimsy for my particular use
Also, low key surprised that you see the WTB Vigilante in the mix (which they call out as being slightly less agressive than some tires), but not their Judge, or Verdict tires, which are their very aggressive tires.
On the other hand I am dissapoibted a bit with Magic Marty on the front, but this is just poor joice for my riding, I should have chosen assegai as I ride lots of roots and MM is not the best on hard slippery surfaces. BB is doing great on everything.
They're quite similar in appearance and in suggested application.
Absolutley fantastic tyre.
Until recently Schwalbe only really had the Marys (and Dans) as their proper gravity tyres, but thankfully decided to add a couple more. I know Hans Dampf came in gravity orientated compounds and sidewalls, but they were only ever a beefed up trail tyre.
Now the updated Bettys and even the updated Nobby Nics have proper side/cornering knobs.
Also, I see people saying Mary's aren't good on wet roots? Hugely disagree. Best front tyre going, for pretty much anything bar deep slop or polished rock
Tbh it is the main problem with tires.
Manufacturers should give shops boards with cutouts of every tire they own (mainly thread, there is too much gum combinations) so consumer can check how they feel... it can be done from those tires that didn’t passed norm check. Im sure that part of those bad tires could do that.
Without that everybody is buying that what he had previously or his guys have.
the ones you buy have the typical white in black markings
This is the real reason that lining up the logos/valve stems was carried over from the road where they had the same problem with glass in the tires. Now it is just tradition and looks better anyway.
F&^k I am old
You must be in sales.
Other contenders I’d think are Mavic Swoop/Charge (Jerome, ACC). And Magic Mary/Hans Damf (Martin, Fabien).
For rears, I think you’d notice the DHR is gonna be tougher/burlier than the XR4, depending on the casing. Grip and rolling between those two probably wouldn’t be that much different. Braking I would give the nod to the DHR.
I feel the stickier addix compound on the MM is good in wet conditions.
Want wet roots/rocks traction? Always run Ultra Soft, MaxxGrip, Black Chili or MoPo in front. Then pick your tread pattern for how firm, sloppy, or gooey or rocky your dirt is.
Shame, I've been running one in the rear this summer and is a really good tyre
Found the Mota for £23, if someone is interested
www.deporvillage.net/cover-vittoria-mota-g-tnt-anthracite-black?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnb79BRDgARIsAOVbhRpe4O_pH3lIw6cukXAVAg0KmFJ3o4D_9ErxfPWkmxiE7eMP4LVtnfoaAqntEALw_wcB
"The Magic Mary up front provides plenty of grip even when things get wet and the Hans Dampf keeps things rolling fast out back."
But as a front tyre I didn't like the sliding that happened when transitioning from center to side knobs.
Pierron ran one out back I heard.
They’re missing Assegai/Aggressor and DHF/DHF.