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OK so I got my tires in from Schwalbe and was excited for goods right, they have some really good technology and casings on their tires! Figured Id compare it to the big 3, KENDA, MAXXIS and Schwalbe! side by side Weights tread patern profile compound lug design (outer where cornering counts) and of course the actuall ride!
heres the contenders: and statc thoughts Kenda 26X2.5 nevegal DH stick : 1495g round 1/2 balloon profile, bike rolls a little side to side on hard stuff. High volume tire possibly a little bigger than true size. great cornering as long as you get used to the dead spot on roll over Compound is super stickE and no pun intended it really hooks up GREAT on wet, rocks, roots and decent in loose over hard.
Maxxis minion 26X2.5 DHF 3C 1395g Skinny (not ttrue width) square profile, outer lugs are notched for a bite while cornering stable, instills confidence and holds a line SUPER well! Great compound wears extremely fasy as to be expected with soft compounds! Hooks up well on wet, rocky, dusty, hard
Muddy Mary 26X2.5 DH triple compound 1250g Heres why im excited!!!! Square profile like maxxis that I love so much, big volume like a kenda so more contack in and out of nasty stuff and corners. Side lugs are staggered like a buzz saw allowing the next one to start its bite ahead of time making it stable on its sides! Cornering is amazing with this tire, like maxxis it hooks fast and is stable no brake away point like a nevegal and no dead spots! Outer lugs allow for a deeper corner as well as help in flat loose over hard pack cornering. Great compound, tire feels alive but not bouncy like most otehr large profile tires. Hooks up really well and amazingly holds line on flat hard corners, grabs rocks real well. It excells in almost any terrain as far as wet or dry, lugs are a good mix for 90% of conditions!
Conclusion thus far: (based on my riding style!) The Schwalbe corners way better than the nevegal and holds a line better not even in the same league, Its right there with the minion DHF. It rails nasty stuff from mudd to dry and hooks up as well as sheds quickly with little to no packing.Theres no apparent lug fold over on hard cornering but there is a definent push from it holding its line tight. Weight wise this is the lightest of the bunch, it has durable sidewalls and a tough tread pattern. Pedaling was easier than I though it would be, there was actually very little drag on them. Due to size they were more stable and controling in rocks and chutes so far, They are also more stable then the other 2 in dollhead rocks. they tend to slam less from side to side from deflection off rocks!
Id run a guey glooey in front and a triple in rear (harder compound) for effeciency in pedalling as I would with the other 2 so this is no secret! The ticket here seems to be a big betty (like ardent, high roller, excavator style) rear for pedaling and a muddy mary front to keep it planted.
Big volume similair to kenda and square profile like a maxxis is what makes this tire stand out!
I am impressed with this tire so far, so a big thanks to Jeff at Schwalbe for the chance to run these and all the information provided to better understand the technology behind Schwalbe!
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