Help understand sidewalls and compounds

qclabrat

qclabrat

Well-Known Member
I know everyone has their preference, but should sidewalls be stiffer for the front or rear? Also what about compounds, softer in front or rear? I've been typically on softer fronts but I've recently read a lower pressure and stiffer front is preferred by many. Confused with all the possibilities.
 
Lower pressure makes sense on the front because (except on really steep DHs) you have more weight on the rear. The front can also deflect whereas the rear wheel is locked into the frame. Most of us are also better at avoiding those "oops" moments with the front. I don't think that's very controversial. As for the rest...
 
In my opinion, I think it all depends on how you ride, where you ride, and what your acceptable limit of wear is.

How you ride is a big factor…. I have seen talented cyclists consistently fly through rock gardens on XC tires without issue and I have seen others that blow out enduro tires on the same rock gardens. Ultimately, pick a casing and compound that works for you. Preference is also a big consideration, light duty casing are more comfortable, heavy duty casings are much stiffer. Compounds give you the same level of compromise, soft is gripper, hard, is faster. It’s all a give and take.

There is no blanket answer on casing/compound choice even when the tires are used on the same exact trails, IMHO.
 
goldsbar said:
Lower pressure makes sense on the front because (except on really steep DHs) you have more weight on the rear. The front can also deflect whereas the rear wheel is locked into the frame. Most of us are also better at avoiding those "oops" moments with the front. I don't think that's very controversial. As for the rest...
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Yeah, so my understanding is that stronger sidewalls are not only for protection but will help the tire from that squirmy feeling at low pressures. So is there a strong case for using for example a Bontrager SE up front vs XR?
 
Pearl said:
i think you are splitting hairs here, use your brainpower on something else, like why your nose runs and your feet smell
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Wow, how did you know? I don't think we ever met...
 
qclabrat said:
Nope, MTB, setting up tire for the season and really never thought much about sidewalls and compounds
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ok, you somewhat saved yourself with this clarification and I think it is a good convo for mtb tires.

Yes, it is/can be confusing and I can see how it may lead to paralysis by analysis. To confuse it even more, every tire manufacturer uses there own terminology.

Without really knowing you, I would say that any XC tire will meet your needs, but lets dig further:

Sidewalls:
What this really means is sidewall protections, yes, different tire brands do have different suppleness and it is kinda related to level of protection but at the same time it isn't.

Most XC tires have very limited sidewall protection to save weight. Most trail tires have more, like Maxxis EXO, Similar to Specialized GRID, then Maxxis EXO plus (even more) and then DH has more, like Maxxis double down. If you find yourself getting flats alot, then bump up to the next level from where you are at or add a liner (which essentially bumps you to the next level). I ride some fast tech stuff and I don't find that I need EXOplus.

Compound:
This is where it gets really confusing. XC tires will have the hardest tread of all of the tires to maximize speed/rolling resistance, however has the least amount of grip. Here is a quick guide from Spec and Maxxis:

Spec:
T5: XC, relatively hard, if you run too high of a pressure, it will slip off weird angle rocks but it will last a long time.
T7: Trail, potentially different compounds for center and cornering knobs, best all around tread for all conditions. Will be better at gripping weird angle rocks and cornering confidence will be greatly increased but you have a slight tax in more rolling resistance.
T9: Even more grippy, wet weather or DH compound. Cornering and braking will be greatly increased yet rolling resistance is even more.

Maxxis
Maxxspeed, similar to T5
Dual compound: their generic compound that is available for most of there tires, good all around grip/speed
3C MaxxTerra, multiple compounds to maintaining rolling resistance but also have good cornering and braking. Similar to T7 but better. This is my preferred combound from Maxxis.
MaxxGrip: similar to T9, these freaking things are slow but you will corner really really well.

or read this: https://thelostco.com/blogs/blog/ma...VrZhAA6cNWmAbv_oN1gO8YDWEYbZIg6IXS5m-6p_cW4tt
 
Thanks for the explanation @stb222 very useful intell. This is a MTB site so discussing rubber seems relevant especially for folks new to this or really didn't know like me. Was mostly focused on tread patterns and makes which is rather simple, just takes some money and you also end up with lots of extras laying around. Now add in the casings and compound durometer and yeah it does get daunting.

I've been mostly on Maxxis the past few years like many in the area, it wasn't long ago that it seemed like everyone had a DHF in the front. Though I think other companies have caught up and I've recently been experimenting with Bontragers and Contis. Here's where the paralysis occurs, should you use the same casings and compound for the front and rear? And does it matter if you're on a mullet? I've been on mullets for FS bikes for the past two years and really like the mixed wheel. DHF/Rekon on one and DHF/R on the other. I'm planning to switch to Assegai/HR2 on one bike even though it's a heavy combo, but I really don't like DHR2 in the back as they brake too hard.

For a hardtail I'm planning to run SE5 in front and XR4 in back. 2.6/2.4 sizes and both 29 hoops. I'll run high 20s in the rear and low 20s in the front. Low 20s for XR tires were too squirmy, so hope the SE5 will hold up better and gripper up front. Any one else doing tire experiments this spring?
 
qclabrat said:
Thanks for the explanation @stb222 very useful intell. This is a MTB site so discussing rubber seems relevant especially for folks new to this or really didn't know like me. Was mostly focused on tread patterns and makes which is rather simple, just takes some money and you also end up with lots of extras laying around. Now add in the casings and compound durometer and yeah it does get daunting.

I've been mostly on Maxxis the past few years like many in the area, it wasn't long ago that it seemed like everyone had a DHF in the front. Though I think other companies have caught up and I've recently been experimenting with Bontragers and Contis. Here's where the paralysis occurs, should you use the same casings and compound for the front and rear? And does it matter if you're on a mullet? I've been on mullets for FS bikes for the past two years and really like the mixed wheel. DHF/Rekon on one and DHF/R on the other. I'm planning to switch to Assegai/HR2 on one bike even though it's a heavy combo, but I really don't like DHR2 in the back as they brake too hard.

For a hardtail I'm planning to run SE5 in front and XR4 in back. 2.6/2.4 sizes and both 29 hoops. I'll run high 20s in the rear and low 20s in the front. Low 20s for XR tires were too squirmy, so hope the SE5 will hold up better and gripper up front. Any one else doing tire experiments this spring?
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As a general rule of thumb, you run a "faster" tire in the rear. This is somewhat dependent on your style of riding and what you are riding too.

DHF or Assegai and HR2 is an awesome combo, with DHF/HR2 what I have on my bike right now. Last summer/full I had a spec ground control t7 on the rear to be MORE XC or something. DHF is amazing up front, I have so much confidence with it on, knowing that it will hold exactly where I stick it on the trail, that it is hard to go to a lower tread tire. I have completed abandoned DHR, it is just too much.

Rekon is good too for the rear however those transition knobs wear SO fast.

One thing about XC tires that is true that it does make you go faster for the same output, however ride them alot and flats become a part of riding.
 
stb222 said:
As a general rule of thumb, you run a "faster" tire in the rear. This is somewhat dependent on your style of riding and what you are riding too.

DHF or Assegai and HR2 is an awesome combo, with DHF/HR2 what I have on my bike right now. Last summer/full I had a spec ground control t7 on the rear to be MORE XC or something. DHF is amazing up front, I have so much confidence with it on, knowing that it will hold exactly where I stick it on the trail, that it is hard to go to a lower tread tire. I have completed abandoned DHR, it is just too much.

Rekon is good too for the rear however those transition knobs wear SO fast.

One thing about XC tires that is true that it does make you go faster for the same output, however ride them alot and flats become a part of riding.
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Yep, I've moved my Racing Ralph and Apens to gravel duties due to flatting issues. I don't ride Wildcat but was even getting flats in Dickerson Mine, not a heavy rider but my mediocre skills are rough on tires. Also good to hear your experience with High Rollers in the back, I've been reluctant to use them as the treads are fairly aggressive.
 
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