What Are You Running This Weekend? - Leogang DH World Cup

Jun 9, 2017 at 9:09
by Vernon Felton  
People can wax poetic all day long about leverage curves and axle paths, but the most critical yet woefully overlooked component on your bike is your tire. That rubber doughnut is your connection to the trail. It's what keeps you upright and, if you happen to be rolling through the gate at Leogang or your local race this weekend, in contention for the podium.

So what do some of the top pros choose to ride when it's all on the line?

Photographer, Ross Bell, got the inside scoop at Leogang: Tire choice, air pressures, tubeless, inserts... It's all here. Check it out.


Tire Choice
Tire Choice

Sam Blenkinsop's Dirty Dans

-Cut-down Schwalbe Dirty Dans.
-Leogang is similar to what Sam rides at home and this is his go-to-setup there too.
-Procore front and rear.
-Addix Ultrasoft compound.
-Rear Pressure: 60 PSI Procore - 27 PSI Tire
-Front Pressure: 50 PSI Procore - 24 PSI Tire



Tire Choice
Tire Choice

Connor Fearon's Minion Combo

-Maxxis Minion DHR II Front - Minion SS Rear. Both 3C and DH Casing.
-Leogang-specific setup.
-Standard tubeless, no inserts.
-Rear Pressure: 29 PSI
-Front Pressure: 26-27 PSI



Tire Choice
Tire Choice

Myriam Nicole's Hutchinsons

-Hutchinson Toro Front. Cut mud tire on rear.
-Special team compound (softer than production).
-Myriam has her own casings, which are lighter than standard DH casings.
-Standard tubeless.
-Rear Pressure: 24 PSI
-Front Pressure: 21 PSI



Tire Choice
Tire Choice

Morgane Charre's Minions

-Maxxis Minion DHF Front - Maxxis Minion DHR II Rear.
-DH Casings, 3C or Supertacky. Usually tacky front, 3C rear.
-Tubeless front, tubeless tube on rear.
-Set-up doesn't burp, offers security from pinch plats with air from tube filling the tubeless chamber.
-Rear Pressure: 28 PSI
-Front Pressure: 26 PSI



Tire Choice
Tire Choice

Greg Williamson's Schwalbe Mix

-Magic Mary Front - Hans Dampf Rear (both Soft Addix and Super Gravity casing)
-Trying Rock Razor later.
-Tubeless front, Procore back.
- Faster rolling in front, harder to burp Procore. so that's on back for added security.
-Rear Pressure: 27.5 PSI Tire - 60-70 PSI Procore
-Front Pressure: 24 PSI



Tire Choice
Tire Choice

Emilie Siegenthaler's Minion DHF/Minion SS Proto
- Maxxis DHF front and Minion SS rear.
-DH Casings, 3C Compound.
-Standard tubeless.
-Rear Pressure: 24 PSI
-Front Pressure: 21 PSI



Tire Choice
Tire Choice

Danny Hart's Minion Combination

-Maxxis DHF front - Maxxis DHR rear.
-Will try a cut Minion on the rear as there's no Minion SS available for 29er in DH casing.
-Standard Tubeless
-Rear Pressure: 25-26 PSI
-Front Pressure: 23 PSI



Tire Choice
Tire Choice

Finn Iles' Butchers

-Specialized Butcher front and rear. 2.5 front, 2.3 rear.
-Standard compound.
-Special custom tubeless system... Made by mechanic Kevin Joly. Details remain top secret.
-Rear Pressure: 28 PSI
-Front Pressure: 24 PSI



Tire Choice
Tire Choice

Tracey Hannah's Hellkat/Helldiver

-Kenda Hellkat front and rear. DH casing, Standard compound.
-Option to switch to Hell Diver.
-Standard tubeless.
-Rear Pressure: 24 PSI
-Front Pressure: 23 PSI



Tire Choice
Tire Choice

Tahnee Seagrave's Magic Marys

-Magic Mary Front and Rear.
-Super Gravity Casings. Orange compound Addix.
-Might go to cut down Magic on rear.
-Tubeless front, Procore rear.
-Rear Pressure: 24 PSI Tire - 45 PSI Procore
-Front Pressure: 23 PSI

Author Info:
vernonfelton avatar

Member since Apr 11, 2014
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98 Comments
  • 161 1
 I bet cutting all those knobs is tiresome.
  • 397 2
 Said the young man to the Rabbi.
  • 20 1
 @bigburd: that's bloody funny!
  • 2 4
 best to ask the rabbi
  • 5 1
 @bigburd: How does this not have more likes
  • 3 4
 @bigburd: you win at the internet today ????????
  • 3 0
 @bigburd: glorious.
  • 1 4
 And useless
  • 2 0
 @bigburd: Amazing. Pure class.
  • 69 0
 And Phil Atwill is running a hardtail. Lad.
  • 15 0
 I saw someone said he ran a hardtail in practice. True or internet?
  • 9 0
 @conv3rt: had a picture on his instagram story going up the gondola with it hopefully we get to see some footy of it
  • 3 0
 @mtbforlife4: propainzelvy insta. has a picture on track... Smile
  • 6 0
 @MrEtnie: the Insta account is actually @propaindirtzelvy for anyone looking, and Phil posted a pic of the bike on his personal account.
  • 8 0
 This hard tail is the biggest story so far.
  • 5 0
 @conv3rt: i saw him riding it on his first practice round
  • 6 4
 ...and it`s even not a real hardtail - it´s a poor litle DirtJumper or 4-crosser
  • 6 0
 hahahaaa! a mountain biker's picket sign.
  • 2 14
flag mirskeinereingefalln (Jun 9, 2017 at 13:14) (Below Threshold)
 I agree the track looks a bit underwhelming but there is no way you will race ANY track in Leogang comfortably on that tiny 4x hardtail. It would honestly probably look kinda stupid in the wood sections on the livestream, I dont think he will actually race that hardtail. Like its still a fairly high and steep mountain, even though the track might be too smoothed out for a DH track.
  • 9 0
 @mirskeinereingefalln: if he was on a Ragley Blue Pig with a 170mm fork, he would probably win the race lol. Incredible hardtail.
  • 5 0
 @MoonboyMTB: now yer talkin
  • 1 0
 @Werratte: so its a fake hardtail?
  • 1 0
 There's a video on dirt mag website @mtbforlife4:
  • 50 2
 if a semi slick is a common tire choice, the track needs to be reevaluated.
  • 31 1
 I'm not getting tired of any of these photos Pinkbike. Tread lightly here - the pressure is low.
  • 50 2
 I'm glad you found the article to be gripping.
  • 11 1
 I see the puns are grabbing traction again....
  • 17 1
 What a bunch of knobs.
  • 6 0
 Who is next to wheel out another one? The pressures on!
  • 6 0
 You guys think you're so slick with your puns.
  • 4 0
 Is there anyone else who tires of these puns?
  • 4 0
 This is just going to go round and round isn't it.
  • 2 1
 You guys are taking the air out of me with all the puns. I'm flat on my back laughing so hard...
  • 24 1
 Those Hans Damph side knobs will last about 20% of a run
  • 6 0
 So surprised to see Hans Dampfs on a DH bike, let alone a WC!
  • 3 2
 Hihihihihi
  • 14 0
 The mechanic was like, I not cutting any knobs, here, run these.
  • 4 1
 I was nearly sick at the thought of a HD for a DH race run. I guess it's just that smooth
  • 19 0
 Mary's front and back? Dragtastic.
  • 1 0
 LOL great call.
  • 11 1
 Can somebody please explain what a tubeless tube is?
  • 3 2
 Is it literally a tubeless setup with a tube inside with a secondary valve stem so you can adjust pressure separately between the tube and tubeless chamber?
  • 18 0
 @jjalessi:
I think this is the much easier solution that was frequently used not too long ago where they basically set the system up as normal, so tube in tire, but also add tubeless rimtape and sealant so in case the tube gets punctured, the air gets trapped inside the tubeless setup enabling the rider to still finish their race run.
  • 3 0
 @Loki87: ah. That's much more likely than my brainchild idea. Thanks
  • 2 0
 @Loki87: Interesting. What about the valve/rim interface with a normal tube valve? I'm guessing the mechanic fills that with some rubber somehow as the sealant alone wouldn't be enough to stop air in the event the tube fails.
  • 2 0
 @gramboh: Install a stem nut just like you would on a tubeless valve to snug the tube's rubber down around the valve hole. (I'm just guessing; I've never tried this setup)
  • 1 0
 @gramboh:
Never tried it myself and i´ve never seen an in depth explanation of how it works, but i guess it shouldn´t be too hard to seal up the valve stem. Just use some o-ring, silicone or something like that maybe.
Imho not something that´s really practical to use for the average rider, but for the pros where wheels are rebuilt constantly anyways it´s probably not a big hassle.
  • 1 0
 @gramboh: put a thread on rubner/o-ring on the valve stem inside the tyre to act as a bung. Then thread the nut on the outside of the rim with another oring as you would do a tubeless valve. Voila.
  • 7 1
 pay attention to those tire pressures kiddos, I've seen a lot of people on here running in the teens.
  • 2 3
 Yeah, because the people on here know so much more than the actual WC racers.
  • 3 0
 what's the widest rim from the above photos?
  • 5 0
 @Ramslam: haha mid 30's is the only way i can make it through a ride.
  • 3 0
 @Ramslam:

The point .










You
  • 5 0
 @Ramslam: dou ride at WC tracks at WC speeds...??
then you probably don't need WC settings
  • 3 0
 @ismasan: ews riders are running higher pressures.

as much as I like running low pressures, when you come to a g-out or fast rock garden id rather not be worrying about hearing that psssssssssssss.
  • 1 0
 @sam2222: flats not cool, indeed. But my point is that there's people out there who doesn't approach g-outs nor fast rock gardens. Telling people that they should run x pressure cause pros do is a little... you know Wink
  • 1 0
 @ismasan: youre missing the point.
  • 3 0
 @rocky-mtn-gman: same man. I have no idea how people get away with pressure in the teens when Im burping in the 20s. Prob doesnt help that Im 230lbs. Haha.
  • 7 1
 Is Gwinn running Onzas yet?
  • 15 0
 Lets hope Gwin will runnin any tires Wink
  • 4 0
 Yes.
  • 2 1
 Yes.
  • 3 0
 he's been running his signature tire since the season started.
  • 1 0
 Yes.
  • 1 0
 Ja
  • 2 0
 Sim
  • 6 0
 you mean the Onza Minion?
  • 3 0
 But what chain is he running.... if any?
  • 3 0
 @jaydawg69: The famous Onza Butcher DHF/RII !
  • 4 0
 What does Danny weigh?! Those are low pressures for me and I'm not racing dh and weigh the same as a 12yr old
  • 9 0
 How many twelve year olds have you weighed lately? :-)
  • 2 0
 @cunning-linguist: The one I own just turned 13 and he's 6ft/170lb
  • 1 0
 So what Hutchinson "mud tire" is that on Myriam's front? Is it a DZO? Cut-down DZOs are crazy awesome! You would think that the Toro would be enough tire for this track through... Very interesting, like the "team compounds", is this a prototype that may trickle down to us mere mortals? Hutchinson is so under-rated, the QUALITY and performance are beyond anything that I have experienced in other tires, and they last forever too!
  • 4 3
 Why do people think wider tires are faster? Less contact patch = less friction. Wider tires could maybe help on techy tracks but with that type of tracks why the hell would you want wider tires?
  • 8 1
 In theory, a wider tire at the same pressure has less rolling resistance. The contact patch has the same area, but is shorter front-to-back, resulting in less folding of the tire at the front and back of the contact patch. The theory might not apply to knobby tires though. And wind resistance increases with wider tires, which may or may not be negligible on a DH bike going 40 mph.
  • 6 0
 More grip = more confident to go fast at the same time though.
  • 2 0
 That theory has been debunked many times. In a lab under controlled conditions on a smooth roller then yes a smaller contact patch will be faster. So narrow tyres at high pressures. But in the real world that leads to too much vibration which actually slows you more than drag does. Thus now even roadies are running wider tyres at lower pressure and are faster.
  • 3 0
 You'd think the Conti riders would be running gatorskins? Or only those running 700c wheels?
  • 2 0
 Quick question for you.
If riders are using Procores, why would you not run them at the maximum 80psi?
  • 4 0
 Because on hard compressions the lower pressure tubeless tire setup comes into contact with the procore (just like the flat tire defender) and if it is too hard it doesn't help absorb the impact and the rebound is too fast, thereby affecting handling. So it is not just there for flats, but also affects the ride characteristics of the wheel.
  • 4 0
 What is a tubeless tube?
  • 1 0
 Exactly, what the hell is a tubeless tube?????
  • 2 0
 This is all to tech for me ???? I just pump my Maxxis tires to the max and go ????
  • 2 0
 if you can get away with semi slicks than its to tame
  • 1 0
 Would be nice to see the weight of the riders as that also plays a large role in tire pressure
  • 1 0
 Is the pic or Charre's set up correct? Looks like a DHR2 on the front not DHF as advertised.
  • 1 1
 Someone please tell me:

Why is Connor Fearon running MINION DHR on his FRONT and not DHF tires!?!??
  • 6 0
 Because the DHR 2 generates much more breaking grip than DHFs (which are pretty bad at transferring braking power to the ground) my guess is he likes them because they give a much more predictable feeling under breaking on the front, while he maybe prefers the rolling characteristics of the DHF on the rear.
Just a guess though. At least the breaking characteristics are why i prefer DHR 2 for the front while i don´t mind a little less braking traction on the rear.
Or are you just confused why he runs a tire labeled "rear" on the front? That´s just because Maxxis chose to name their tires in a stupid manner. The DHR 2 is actually a great front tire (also not to be confused with the shitty old DHR, which pretty much just sucks).
  • 1 0
 Try running a DHR2 up front. It's really good. Actually prefer it as a front tyre over the DHF
  • 2 2
 What, no plus-sized tires!?!?! Largest I was was 2.5" for that matter...
  • 4 0
 Also interesting to note there were no Maxxis WT tires for some of those wider looking rims.
  • 3 0
 @vicrider: what wide rim?
  • 1 3
 @vicrider:

Why do people think wider tires are faster? Less contact patch = less friction. Wider tires could maybe help on techy tracks but with that type of tracks why the hell would you want wider tires?
  • 2 1
 @mollow:
may not be correct for all thread patterns or tires but the rolling resistance between a 2.25 ardent and a 2.4 is really naff all but the rest of the performance is significanty better.
i found heavy casings and the overall thread pattern causes the drag not the width so much. seen a few mag test with these + bikes say simlar things aswell. more speed in the corner means more speed down the long straight
  • 5 2
 @markg1150:
I don´t think these guys need any more grip in corners though really ;-)
The thing with wide tires is, they may give an advantage to inexperienced riders, but for a good rider smaller tires bring with them another set of beenfits.
Smaller tires tend to cut more into soft ground, while wide ones float on top creating less grip and control (arguably not a problem in Leogang atm, but still)
Also with wider tires there´s either a reduction in carcass durability and, more importantly, resistance to folding/squirming in hard corners, or they are heavier which again would contribute to the aforementioned problem of drag/rolling resistance/speed.
Also, a wider tire may generate more grip in a straight line and when breaking into turns (which is beneficial to the average hack with bad breaking technique) but becomes a little more cumbersome to lean hard in quick succession, since it takes longer to transition from one side of edge knobs to the other.
Since those guys do obviously not need the braking grip to compensate for bad breaking technique, the quicker handling is what they´re after.
  • 2 0
 @Loki87:

Well explained, sir.
  • 2 0
 @mollow: but: although that is true it is truer for 2.8 and wider and less true for 2.5 compared with say 2.3. Which makes 2.5ish maxxisses quite a sweet spot. This is even truer for loose conditions. Besides a 2.3 mary is likely like a 2.5WT maxxis (just a guess). Remebrer. There is no truth. Just perspective. Goodbye.
  • 1 1
 Had to click that picture to make sure Danny wasn't actually riding DHR.







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