Our staff has often argued that a fresh set of mountain bike tires with an appropriate tread pattern for your trails is one of the best–and most affordable–upgrades you can make to your bike. However, with all the tire companies and their various offerings out there, it can be hard to know where to start. Well, wonder no more! During our reader’s survey conducted this summer, we asked you to tell us what your favorite treads are. Below are the top 10 picks, according to the results from that survey. While one company in particular dominated this list, the mountain bike tires our readers picked span the spectrum of trail conditions. Some of the tread patterns may be better suited to your trails or riding style than others, but you can’t really go wrong with any of them.
Without further ado, here are the best mountain bike tires of 2016, as chosen by our readers.
10. Schwalbe Racing Ralph Tire: $45-$100
It doesn’t take an astute reader to discern the intentions of this tire–the Racing Ralph is all about maximizing speed. To do so, the center tread blocks are low and closely-spaced. Currently in its third generation, Schwalbe offers the Racing Ralph in a dizzying array of casing, compound, and size options.
Diameters available: 26″, 27.5″, 29″
Widths available: 2.10″, 2.25″, 2.35″
9. Kenda Nevegal Tire: $40-$65
The Nevegal has been the do it all, aggressive trail tire in Kenda’s line for about as long as I can remember. As such, the Nevegal has chunky cornering knobs and large center knobs which are heavily ramped in an effort to reduce rolling resistance. Kenda also offers a DH version of the Nevegal for those that need ultimate durability.
Diameters available: 24″, 26″, 27.5″, 29″
Widths available: 2.10″, 2.20″, 2.35″, 2.50″, 2.70″
8. Maxxis Ikon Tire: $55-$100
With small, tightly-spaced knobs, the Ikon from Maxxis is another mountain bike tire intended for XC racing. It’s certainly not limited to buff trails, though, particularly if you opt for the larger, 2.35″ width. The high volume casing gives a comfortable ride, which is especially beneficial on a hardtail. One of the traits I like best about the Ikon is that it’s very predictable. The tire loses traction gradually, which allows you to correct before you end up on the ground.
Diameters available: 26″, 27.5″, 29″
Widths available: 2.00″, 2.20″, 2.35″, 2.80″
7. Maxxis Minion DHR II Tire: $61-$105
How can I say this? The original Minion DHR was, um, well, it sucked. Thankfully though, the second generation DHR II is an excellent tire. Essentially, the tread pattern is a mashup of two of Maxxis’ other standout tires–the High Roller II and Minion DHF. The center tread is similar to that of the HR II and the side knobs are copied straight from the DHF, with a little boost in size. If you have shied away from the DHR II because of a bad experience with the original, fear not. It’s a wholly different tire, and that’s a good thing.
Diameters available: 26″, 27.5″, 29″
Widths available: 2.30″, 2.40″, 2.80″, 3.00″
6. Schwalbe Hans Dampf Tire: $46-$97
Schwalbe bills the Hans Dampf as a jack-of-all-trades mountain bike tire. It’s not the fastest-rolling or the best-cornering, but it does both fairly well. Since it works across a variety of conditions, many companies who use Schwalbe spec the Hans Dampf on their trail bikes. Personally, I like it better as a rear tire than a front since it has a tendency to feel vague at the limit.
Diameters available: 26″, 27.5″, 29″
Widths available: 2.25″, 2.35″
5. Continental Trail King Tire: $30-$70
The Continental Trail King mountain bike tire took the third spot on our list last year, but slips a couple spots to number five for 2016. As the name suggests, the Trail King is an all-purpose trail tire. With tall blocks and plenty of space between them, the Trail King can claw its way over trail features such as roots and rocks. Continental offers two casing options: RaceSport and ProTection, the latter of which offers the most puncture resistance. It’s also available with Continental’s Black Chili rubber compound, which has excellent grip and tread wear–a tough feat to accomplish.
Diameters available: 26″, 27.5″, 29″
Widths available: 2.20″, 2.40″
4. Schwalbe Nobby Nic Tire: $30-$102
Schwalbe’s Nobby Nic might just be the most commonly spec’d tire on new mountain bikes. It’s available in a wide variety of configurations, price points, and the tread pattern itself is versatile. Many companies chose the Nobby Nic because it is light, which keeps complete bike weights down, but that often came with a serious tradeoff in durability. However, Schwalbe has just revamped the Nic, making the knobs larger and the casing more robust. After riding it on a handful of test bikes, I have to say I was impressed with the updated version.
Diameters available: 26″, 27.5″, 29″
Widths available: 2.10″, 2.25″, 2.35″, 2.60″, 2.80, 3.00″
3. Maxxis Minion DHF Tire: $51-$105
There’s a reason the Minion DHF hasn’t seen a redesign à la the DHR. It’s because the DHF is damn-near perfect as it is. Many riders–myself included–consider it the gold standard for aggressive treads. It rolls well for such a burly tire thanks to the heavily-ramped center tread, and it has a predictable transition to the side knobs. And once you’re on those side knobs, you can really lay into the tire. If you want more confidence in the corners, mount up a set of these.
Diameters available: 24″, 26″, 27.5″, 29″
Widths available: 2.30″, 2.50″, 2.80″, 3.00″
2. Maxxis Ardent Tire: $61-$65
The Maxxis Ardent is another mountain bike tire you often see spec’d stock. It bridges the gap nicely between the XC-focused Ikon and the more aggressive Minion DHF, which makes the Ardent ideal for short travel trail bikes. The tread pattern works well in a variety of terrain, but does struggle in loose over hard–tough conditions for any tire. I personally am not a fan of the Ardent, as I find it to be vague at the limit like the Schwalbe Hans Dampf. However, if you can ride just inside that limit, it’s a ripping trail tire.
Diameters available: 26″, 27.5″, 29″
Widths available: 2.25″, 2.40″
1. Maxxis High Roller II Tire: $62-$105
Messing with a mountain bike tire as legendary as the original High Roller was risky. After all, humans in general are averse to change. However, once most people tried the High Roller II, they forgot all about its predecessor. That’s because the High Roller II does everything better–it rolls faster, brakes better, and has a slightly better transition to the side knobs. I say slightly because there is still a little bit of vagueness in that transition zone going from the center to side knobs. It’s best to use a firm, deliberate hand to get over on those knobs quickly. Once you get used to that quirk, you’ll be schralping berms with the best of them.
Diameters available: 26″, 27.5″, 29″
Widths available: 2.30″, 2.40″, 2.80″, 3.00″
Cool to see the HRII on top. Great tire. True about getting the side knobs hooked up. I’m not good enough to intentionally lean it over far enough, but instead, it usually bails me out of a messy corner (usually one that I’ve messed up).
This spring I switched my front tire over to the DHF and man, I’ve been cornering like there’s no tomorrow all year! I have to totally agree on the high marks it received. Also, I’m running a HRII in the rear, so I guess I have two of the all-time-best tires covered.
I’ve tried a variety of Specialized tires and also the Nevegals (old and new). I guess it’s time to step over and give the Maxxis a try — the DHF in front and HRII in the rear. I’ve been considering this for while. In Specialized I had settled with the Butcher Grid in front and have liked that tire a lot. So I think jumping over to the DHF shouldn’t produce too much surprise. On the rear I currently have the newer Nevegal (but not the XPro). When I bought the tire, I put it on front at first and hated it, but once on the rear, it shines imo — very consistent and good follower. The biggest issue with it – and it’s a big issue – is that I couldn’t get it to set up tubeless and neither could a couple of mechanics. So I’m running tubeless in front and tubes in the rear this season. Yuck. I’ll be really happy to get out of the rear tubes next year.
Does anyone have experience with both the Butcher and DHF as front tires? They are so similar it seems with the Butch being a copy cat essentially — at least in the tread pattern. As I mentioned above I am running a Butcher Grid in front right now and like it. But I think I’ll give the DHF a try next.
Um…Where, the heck, is Specialized on this list? This is a list of the most popular tires, not necessarily the best. To determine the best, look at the tires DH racers are riding. Then again, everybody seems to have their own definition on what a good tire is. Some prefer speed, others grip, some mud clearance. One would have to decide which factor is the most important in a tire, and then test many different tires to assess the capability of each product. Only then will we have the true “best” tire.
One of my personal favorites is the Specialized Captain tire. It rarely “steers” me wrong.
Okay let’s do that. Here are the results from the 2016 World Cup Elite Men by tire:
Round 1:
1. Maxxis
2. Maxxis
3. Maxxis
Round 2:
1. Specialized
2. Specialized
3. Hutchinson
Round 3:
1. Maxxis
2. Maxxis
3. Maxxis
Round 4:
1. Maxxis
2. Specialized
3. Specialized
Round 5:
1. Maxxis
2. Maxxis
3. Maxxis
Round 6:
1. Maxxis
2. Maxxis
3. Specialized
Round 7:
1. Maxxis
2. Maxxis
3. Specialized
World Championships:
1. Maxxis
2. Maxxis
3. Schwalbe
Final tally:
Maxxis – 16 podium spots (67% of the time)
Specialized – 6 podium spots (25% of the time)
Hutchinson – 1 podium spot (4.2% of the time)
Schwalbe – 1 podium spot (4.2% of the time)
So, even by your criteria, Maxxis comes out on top.
Hahaha yes!
You got me. You have exposed my Specialized bias. I think (gasp!) I may try a Maxxis tire. We shall see…
Think the author was going for a more XC list and not a DH comparison or there wold be more Specialized on the list.
The operative words here are READERS’ CHOICE. This has nothing to do with the author’s opinion on tires. And no, it’s not a DH comparison either.
Here’s my vote for trail riding and enduro racing: Maxxis DH-F front and DH-R rear with a Nobby Nic as an alternate rear tire choice if lower rolling resistance is important. Data and subjective evals are at: https://www.dirtmerchantbikes.com/special-events/2016/5/13/pacific-northwest-spring-2016-endurotrail-tire-test-hans-dampfnobby-nic-dh-fdh-r-butcherpurgatory