Mountain Bike Tires

Continental Der Kaiser 2.4 Projekt Protection Apex 27.5 x 2.4 $95

Don’t get hung up on the long name – Continental’s Der Kaiser 2.4 is a solid tire with some serious technology behind it. This endurooriented race tire is designed to be ridden in sloppy conditions and loose terrain, while still offering superior traction, braking power and handling. The Protection layer guards against cuts and punctures, while the Apex sidewall provides a second layer of protection for particularly rough courses. The Blackchili rubber compound is Continental’s race-specific mix, which means better grip but reduced mileage. Weight for a tubeless-ready Der Kaiser is 1,025 g (claimed). ( continental-tires.com)

Maxxis Rekon 27.5 x 2.6 $124

Want to put more rubber down on the trail without a huge weight penalty? Look no further than the new Rekon tire from Maxxis. This 27.5 x 2.6 monster is inspired by Maxxis’ classic Ikon XC race tire; it’s designed to eat up aggressive cross country trails. The WT (Wide Trail) casing is best suited for 30- to 35-mm inner-width rims, so don’t plan to throw this on pinner XC wheels. The company says the weight for the tubeless-ready 3C Maxxterra compound version of the tire with the EXO durable casing is an impressive 730 g. ( maxxiscanada.com)

Specialized Ground Control Grid 2Bliss Ready 29 x 2.3 $75

Specialized has been designing and making its own tires for decades. During that time, it has come up with some pretty successful tread patterns – including the Ground Control. It’s designed to be an all round trail tire that offers the best possible combination of braking and traction control in any condition, thanks to Specialized’s own Gripton rubber compound. The Grid casing also provides superior flat and sidewall protection against punctures. The posted weight for the tubeless-ready version of the tire is a very respectable 810 g. ( specialized.com)

Schwalbe Rock Razor 27.5 x 2.6 with Addix Speedgrip compound $135

The Rock Razor is a semi-slick race tire designed for fast and dry enduro courses. It boasts reduced rolling resistance thanks to the low-profile lugs in the centre, and good cornering courtesy of the taller shoulder lugs, making it an ideal rear tire. The 2.6"-wide Rock Razor is available in the proprietary Speedgrip Addix compound, Schwalbe’s universal rubber compound that is designed to provide more mileage and longer life. Pair this tire with something like Schwalbe’s Magic Mary front tire for a great mix of performance and weight savings. The Rock Razor comes in at a very competitive 850 g (claimed). ( schwalbetires.com)

Kenda Nevegal 2, 27.5 x 2.4 $105

Kenda’s Nevegal is a classic in the mountain bike world, but it was getting a bit dated after more than a decade on the market. Fortunately, Kenda updated the tire to make it a viable option for enduro and trail riders. The tread pattern was enhanced to cut down on rolling resistance – Kenda claims 50 per cent less than the original Nevegal. The new EN-DTC rubber compound offers reduced wear while still providing solid traction and braking control. The Advanced Trail Casing greatly increases puncture resistance. Weight for the 2.4"-wide Nevegal 2 is roughly 810 g ±40 g, according to Kenda. The tire is also rated for ebikes. ( bicycle.kendatire.com)

CST Rock Hawk 29 x 2.4 $60

CST (Cheng Shin Tire) might not be a familiar name to a lot of people, but it’s actually the largest bicycle tire manufacturer in the world. The company’s Rock Hawk 29 x 2.4 tire is an all-rounder that is designed to be used in hard pack, loose, loose over hard, medium and wet conditions. The EPS (Exceptional Puncture Safety) layer inserts poly-fibre material between the tread and the casing, making it a good choice in areas where punctures are common. The company says the weight for the foldable version of this tire is 1,020 g. ( csttires.com)—stuartkernaghan