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Tyre tread is pure marketing. A provocative statement, some of you will be thinking. But one thing is clear: while softly knobbly MTB tyres mainly attract racers, massive tread blocks primarily appeal to enduro mountain bikers. But what are the advantages of a mountain bike tyre with a minimal profile? Small lugs, just a few millimetres high, instead of coarse rubber blocks in Lego brick format.
Of course: the Rolling resistanceis the first thing that pops into your head. At least that would be a coherent theory. But our test of 14 different MTB tyres (ten tyre combinations) in 29 inch for cross-country and down-country bikes completely overturns this theory. Or would you have expected that the most jagged profiles in the comparison would also roll the fastest?
And here we are in the middle of the 2022 MTB tyre test. In addition to the fact that all the models tested are black, at least on the tread, there are of course other similarities to discover. All tyres were designed for the same purpose. From fast laps on the cross-country track to propulsion-oriented trail use on a 120-millimetre fully, the lightweight MTB tyres from Schwalbe, Maxxis, Continental & Co. are the most suitable.
The MTB tyres tested are wide
The differences in width are also limited: we measured 55 to 59.6 millimetres on a rim with an inner width of 30 millimetres at a tyre pressure of 1.7 bar. This means that although all test candidates are quite wide, they are still below the labelled width of 2.25 to 2.4 inches.
Why is this the case? The standard states that the tyre width must always be measured at the maximum pressure printed on the tyre. This is to ensure that the bike tyres still comply with the specified value even in extreme cases and that there are no problems with freedom of movement in the frame. Due to the higher pressure or a longer riding time, the tyre usually expands and can then gain up to three millimetres in width.
But back to the initial assertion: the tread of an MTB tyre is just marketing. In order to better meet the different requirements of the front or rear wheel, four out of ten manufacturers sent different tyre combinations into the race for our test.
Coarse versus fine: rolling resistance of the MTB tyre tread
For more grip and good tracking behaviour, an open tread pattern with higher lugs is used at the front and a finer tread pattern with a lower lug height and smaller clearances on the tread is usually used at the rear. As a result, the rear tyre rolls more quietly on hard surfaces and should ideally minimise rolling resistance.
So far so good. With the exception of the Maxxis tyre combination, the biggest difference between coarse front and fine rear is a very manageable 1.3 watts, in favour of the supposedly faster tyre tread.
Rubber compound makes the difference with MTB tyres
The shape of the tread therefore says little about the actual rolling resistance of an MTB tyre. With a difference of 5.2 watts, the gap between the Rekon and Rekon Race tyres is much wider with Maxxis. Here, the rear tyre rolls 22 percent faster. A look at the sidewall of the two Maxxis Rekon tyres reveals the secret: the two models roll on different rubber compounds. While a faster dual compound is used at the rear, the Rekon on the front wheel consists of the grippier 3C-MaxxTerra compound.
The different rubber compounds therefore primarily determine the lion's share of rolling resistance, and they cannot be visually distinguished from one another. So without knowing the compound, it is almost impossible to make a statement about the rolling behaviour of a tyre.
The Pirelli MTB tyres are also a prime example of our theory: with just over 30 watts, the Scorpion XC M rolls by far the worst, despite its fine tread pattern. In comparison, you need just half the energy to roll the Schwalbe Wicked Will the aforementioned tyre with by far the coarsest tread in the test. And that proves our thesis beyond doubt.
Conclusion from Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager:
Schwalbe and Specialized stand out in this MTB tyre test and deliver the best compromise between grip and rolling resistance. The Specialized tyres are also very reasonably priced at 40 euros each. The new Kenda Karma 2 also impressed in the practical test with its balanced riding characteristics.
In the test: MTB tyres in 29 inch and 2.25-2.4 inch width
Our test field includes ten mountain bike tyre sets weighing between 650 and 900 grams per tyre. But on which bike and for which purpose are these models best suited?
Our test tyres cover the categories from cross country to down country. In other words, everything from race hardtails to full-suspension bikes with 120-millimetre suspension. As wide tyres are on the rise even in the Cross Country World Cup, we only tested the wider profiles between 2.25 and 2.4 inches.
Due to their large volume, the wider tyres can be ridden with low air pressure. In the practical test, we ride with 1.2 bar at the front and 1.4 bar at the rear. This not only increases grip and comfort, but also reduces rolling resistance off-road. Ideal for a fast trail ride.
However, on MTBs with more suspension travel and depending on the terrain and riding style, the lightweight tyres reach their limits in terms of puncture protection and traction. For comparison: A stable enduro tyre can easily weigh 1.2 kilos, but provides more than twice as much protection against punctures and rolls twice as hard.
You can read the entire laboratory and practical test of 14 MTB tyres for cross-country and down-country use from BIKE 8/2022 at download here->
You can find these MTB tyres in our test:
- Continental Cross King
- Kenda Karma 2 Pro
- Maxxis Rekon / Rekon Race
- Michelin Wild XC2 / Force XC2
- Pirelli Scorpion XC S / Scorpion XC M
- Schwalbe Wicked Will Evo
- Specialised Ground Control / Fast Trak
- Teravail Ehline
- Vittoria Syerra
- WTB Ranger
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