Wet / Mud tires

[steve_b]

Any suggestions for the best tires for riding in wet / muddy conditions ?

[sizlinseagulsoup]

I've had good luck with Wildgrippers Comp S... the key thing is the skinnier the tire, the better it will cut through the mud. However, if there are a lot of rocks, roots, and really thin layers, you'd probably want something a little wider that can handle lower psi. I have a Hutch Python in the back right now that seems to work well. I just ordered a WTB Mutano Raptor 2.4 for my front. I rode a friends wheel and the tire is INSANELY fast. Though I have not riden it in mud, it had excellent hookup everywhere, so I would imagine that a 2.4 in the sloppy stuff would work well.

[I Are Baboon]

I've got Panaracer Fire XC Pro's on both my bikes. They are a good all-around tire. I've got the 2.1's.

I agree with Kevin on the (Michelin) Wildgripper Comp S...they also come in Comp S light if saving weight is your thing. Although, if you ride in rocky and rooty conditions you may make quick work of the tread. I also wouldn't recommend running them at low PSI.

A few other options that have I limited experiece with but most of the crew in my area recommends:

Hutchinson Mosquito (real wet conditions)
Hutchinson Scorpion
Intense Systems 1 (XC Mudshedder) - Rumor has it System 2 is a great all round tire

Right now I run my XC rig with a Mutano Raptor on the front (2.24) and Tiogo Factory DH (2.1) on the rear - both with low PSI - both have solid sidewall strength get through the mud, roots, and rocks.

Not the lightest setup but keeps me riding instead of sliding out or fixing flats.

[johnnyt]

2 votes for the Panaracer Fire XC Pro's.

[MtnBikerChk]

HUTCHINSON Mosquito!

[Big Game]

The eskimos have over 200 words for snow (or so I've been told --- please forgive me if I am perpetuating a myth or a stereotype). Perhaps the reason why is that because the Eskimos have such an close relationship with snow, their language requires swords that can articulate the slightess differences between types of snow.

Likewise, here in the Northeast, with our variety of terrain, perhaps we should have over 200 words for mud.

There are many, many different types of muddy conditions. There's sloppy mud, tacky mud, sticky mud, wet mud, sandy mud, mucky mud, stinky mud, soupy mud, frozen mud, liquid mud, snowy mud, rocky mud, etc. (I'm sure you could add to the list). My point is that I've found that one mud tire that is good in say "soupy mud," may not be so good in "sticky mud."

I remember a x-c race last year at Winsted, CT. It was very muddy, so I took off my "dry" tires, Hutchinson pythons, and put on my "mud" tire. Well, the mud was so sticky, my "mud" tire picked up the mud and it added about 12 pounds of rolling weight to my ride. I would have been better off sticking with my "dry" Hutchinsons. Or I would have been even better off by doing what another racer did. He had a Bontranger Semi-Slicks on. The mud was so awful, nobody was getting any traction no matter how big the knobs or how large the casing. So at least this wise racer kept his bike lighter by having a semi-slick that was slightly lighter to begin with, but were vastly lighter after everyone else's tires clogged with mud.

So my advice is this: Beware of the advice you get on the best mud tire (Yes, I realize in order to be logically consistent, my advice must be included in this caveat as well). Be sure that the mud tire that is recommended to you is best for the type of mud you will be riding in.

As far as wet conditions with little mud, I dig the Tioga DH 2.3 , although I wouldn't mind trying the new WTBs.

[steve_b]

I have one more word for snow. Can't print it here though. ;) Thanks for the info. My Michelins turn into slicks (ie smooth) when riding in the mud. I need something else for spring / late fall.

[puff_daddi]

Good mud tires that hold up better than the Michelins (destroyed 3 of them in one season!) are the Maxxis Swampthing (www.maxxis.com) and the Continental Survival Pro - both are designed to handle the sloppiest of conditions.

I've used the Swampthings and love the way they handle in the wet/mud/snow. These tires will last you a good 2-3 seasons they are that durable!