Disclaimer – this is my opinion BASED ON whole season riding in various terrains. From Costa Blanca, Gran Canaria and Ibiza, to Poland mountains and French Riviera – it is very wide range of terrains.
As I tend to say – like you, hopefully, don’t ride summer tires in the freezing cold – why should you choose something which spoils experience on the bike? Surely, you CAN do it – the question is how enjoyable it will be.
Now, if you are with the mindset “just ride the bike and don’t give a damn” – surely, we are not on the same page. BUT, at least now you will know it makes a difference and that thought going to live in the corner of your head, haha!
Everything has it’s use, and mountain bike tires are not an exception. If interested, make sure to check other tires videos as well as onboards from those amazing stage races.
Follow @ https://www.instagram.com/tom10crafted/
Follow @ https://www.strava.com/athletes/30245571
2024 MTB Races Analysis:
2023 MTB Races Analysis:
2024 Season MTB Races Full Onboards:
2023 Season MTB Races Full Onboards:
Insights about the bike & gear:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL67TKb1Z1m827efgu30bedNZ78xHLRGyF
After Stats:
https://www.youtube.com/@afterstats
https://www.instagram.com/afterstats/
Information about the gear used:
Footage captured: GoPro Hero 13 + Ultra Wide Lens
Tracking device: Garmin Edge 1040
Power meters: Stages Cycling XTR
Bike: Scott Spark RC Pro 2022 Custom
When off the bike: Sony A7IV, Sony A6700 & Iphone 15 Pro.
9 Comments
No Maxis Icons or similiar ever – it has very little protection, it is lightweight but the most expensive icons was a pain to keep pressure due to small holes in tire which it was sweating sealant always – so never ever. I used to ride on Schwalbe but switched later to Continental Race King. This tire has quite good reinforcement, is super fast, but it is very hard to control in turnes – very unstable, unpredictable. Currently I stay with Wolfpack speed / race 2.4 TL which doesn't work for u but for my everyday rides and ocassional marathons is a good choise between weight, control, predictability, wear. If u ride mud i am not sure that there exists good enough tire. Probably I will stay longer with Wolfpacks but maybe I will change my mind after watching your review.
salut Tom , .. bien que je roule pas de la même façon , il y à effectivement une nette différence entre les pneus suivant le terrain que tu roule , quand j'ai fait le Roc la premiere fois avec le Genesis (rigide) j'avais des pneus WTB Ranger 29×3.0 avant et arriere , pression 0.8 , pour ma façon de rouler cela convenait parfaitement , actuellement je monte des 29×3.0 de chez Bontrager en version XR2 (AV) et XR4 (AR) pression 0.8
What is the carcass width on the rekon race? Are you running them front+rear now? My son (44kg)will use xc rc lites in 2.2in this weekend, I feel the 2.4in are better to attack the bumpy sections, have lowered pressure to 12.5/15.5 psi, will let you know how they do. Do you stretch the new tires for 24-48 hours before riding?
What about continental tyres??
In my experience, 2.4 tires have too much rolling resistance and are also heavier, so I use 2.25 Wolfpack tires, Race in the front, Speed in the rear. So far, it's worked great! 🤘🏻
I changed over to Continental X King 2.2 Black Chili Protection. It rolls fast , great traction and its strong. Best tires I've ever had !
Great video, great edit! I personally have been running Vittoria Barzo Race and Mezcal Race during the race season for the past fews years with great success. Have not tried the new Vittoria race compound and Peyote yet but want to!
I got MAXXIS with my Spark. After 1 year, they went to trash and have been replaced by Wolfpack Race/Speed (front/rear) over 2 yrs. Great tire combi, BUT the Speed was worn fast and on gravel loosing traction in the corners. I kept Race on the front and put Specialized Renegade. What a change xD. Similar tire profile, but much better trackion.
And now, I'm on Epic gen 8 with Fast Trak / Renegade (29×2.35") and in wet, dry and loose condition very good all-round combination 🙌🙌
On my local terrain, which is forest loam plus plenty of wet rocks and roots, the Rekon Race is the XC tire I keep coming back to. In my experience it is far grippier and slower than you expect by looking at the tread pattern. But that’s why it’s so easy to live with. I even raced some gravel events on them with good success.
It obviously falls apart in deeper mud, but as long as it’s only wet and not deep mud, they are totally fine.
They also have some of the most reliable side knobs on the xc market which makes it a joy to lean the bike over in turns.
A really underrated and versatile choice in my opinion.