Mountain Biking - Michelin or Maxxis?

I am looing to buy the best possible XC all terrain tube type tire, I ride in mainly 75% dry conditions but there are those 25% after rain days and "ponds" that seem to never dry up. I like to go pretty fast and need great cornering, climbing and low resistance which the two brands claim they have. I am considering either Michelin XC All Terrain (26 X 2.0) or Maxxis (Monorail, Advantage, Ardent 26 X 2.1) but am not sure which to buy? BTW, I have used Bontrager and Continental Explorers which all have been really great but I think I can match or better that with Michelin or Maxxis.

I've thought Maxxis' XC tires to be superb. Ah...those crossmarks. Love 'em.

I've thought Maxxis' XC tires to be superb. Ah...those crossmarks. Love 'em.

http://www.maxxis.com/Bicycle/Mountain/CrossMark.aspx

Best for hardpack trails with some sand,rock,roots with good cornering? Over the other Maxxis models?

Michelin anyone?

Anyone have suggestions using Michelin or Maxxis on the trails? Either one better all around?

Get the maxxis advantages in the 2.1.

That was going to be my recommendation. The Advantage is a great tire, and seems to work really well just about anywhere.
The ardent is nice as well, built a little tougher than the advantage (which is often used/marketed as an xc race tire). I know people who race with an ardent on the front, so they are plenty fast as well.

Maxxis Advantage sounds like a winner but I can't believe nobody rides Michelin. Anyone know where to get Maxxis Advantage for the lowest price?

Maxxis Advantage sounds like a winner but I can't believe nobody rides Michelin. Anyone know where to get Maxxis Advantage for the lowest price?

You are missing out on the best possible if those are the only brands that you are considering. Take a look at Schwalbe.......pricy but great.

Crossmarks (http://www.mtbr.com/cat/tires-and-wheels/tubeless-tire/maxxis/crossmark-ust/PRD_412864_1508crx.aspx) kick butt if you want speed. Traction is respectable. You can also consider the Crossmark's little sister, the Small Block Eight. (http://www.mtbr.com/cat/tires-and-wheels/tire/kenda/small-block-eight/PRD_413220_151crx.aspx)

I just finished three days of riding on the Michelin XCR All Conditions and all I can say is that they seem sketchy, low on the confidence-inspiring scale. Hooked up good on the climbs, but cornering was iffy.Conditions were dry, loose, dusty, not too rocky. Tried at 40psi, then at about 28psi, not much difference. The tread is quite rounded and they rolled well, not much resistance. I used these last winter in the wet and mud, pretty much a similar experience if I recall. To sum it up - not impressed. They did work well on the pavement at 50psi. :roflmao2:

I've used much better tires. My old favorite Velociraptors have always been the bomb in the Pacific Northwet, decent in the dry. Last fall in the desert southwest, Moab, etc. I used some WTB Epicwolfs and they rocked. Wanting now to try the Nevegals and see if they are as good as claimed in the desert/dry/ Moab, etc..

You are missing out on the best possible if those are the only brands that you are considering. Take a look at Schwalbe.......pricy but great.

Interesting but just never heard of them till now.....I will research some more.


Crossmarks (http://www.mtbr.com/cat/tires-and-wheels/tubeless-tire/maxxis/crossmark-ust/PRD_412864_1508crx.aspx) kick butt if you want speed. Traction is respectable. You can also consider the Crossmark's little sister, the Small Block Eight. (http://www.mtbr.com/cat/tires-and-wheels/tire/kenda/small-block-eight/PRD_413220_151crx.aspx)

I am tempted but need to make sure the cornering will be as good as the Advantage or better.


I just finished three days of riding on the Michelin XCR All Conditions and all I can say is that they seem sketchy, low on the confidence-inspiring scale. Hooked up good on the climbs, but cornering was iffy.Conditions were dry, loose, dusty, not too rocky. Tried at 40psi, then at about 28psi, not much difference. The tread is quite rounded and they rolled well, not much resistance. I used these last winter in the wet and mud, pretty much a similar experience if I recall. To sum it up - not impressed. They did work well on the pavement at 50psi. :roflmao2:

I've used much better tires. My old favorite Velociraptors have always been the bomb in the Pacific Northwet, decent in the dry. Last fall in the desert southwest, Moab, etc. I used some WTB Epicwolfs and they rocked. Wanting now to try the Nevegals and see if they are as good as claimed in the desert/dry/ Moab, etc..

I will have to take your word on the Michelin but they looked promising before, I can't live with the sketchy confidence in the cornering, that is where time is made and lost.

I am between Crossmark or Advantage with Maxxis

I will have to take your word on the Michelin but they looked promising before, I can't live with the sketchy confidence in the cornering, that is where time is made and lost.

Perhaps someone else also has experience with the Michelin, so don't take my word alone. This was just my own experience with the conditions as stated. I can say that I've read many positive reports on various Maxxis treads, no reports yea or nay on the Michelins.

I just finished three days of riding on the Michelin XCR All Conditions and all I can say is that they seem sketchy, low on the confidence-inspiring scale. Hooked up good on the climbs, but cornering was iffy.Conditions were dry, loose, dusty, not too rocky.
I've used much better tires

I will still rate it pretty high up there with your experience. I know Maxxis has been really the hot tire to get lately.
I just don't know which one...the Advantage or the Crossmark for trails here in Michigan.

I run an Ignitor in front and a Crossmark in the back- I've never had any noticeable loss of traction or steering around here. But then again, I never ride in the mud.

I run an Ignitor in front and a Crossmark in the back- I've never had any noticeable loss of traction or steering around here. But then again, I never ride in the mud.

I would probably run the same front and rear and the Crossmark is probably all I need. There are just the usual low area mud spots around here since I usually wait a day after a good rain myself. I did like these Conti Explorer but I think they wear down a little faster than I would like.

I'd put a beefy tire on the front and a smaller one on the back, that's my preference. I'm currently using a hutchison python 2.0 on the back and it rolls and spins up easy. traction and cornering are a little lacking compared to the wider tire I took off, but you don't need alot of cornering traction on the back as I prefer to have it break loose well before the front.

I wouldn't run a python on the front unless it's a 2.3.
for the front that maxxis ardent looks good, haven't tried one though as I am stuck on the trailbear that is heavy, but corners great for me.

Monorails are nice from Maxxis, Crossmarks are awesome once you get the pressure right.. Micheline all terrain tires aren't bad. I've heard good things about Continental Speed Kings...

Monorails are nice from Maxxis, Crossmarks are awesome once you get the pressure right.. Micheline all terrain tires aren't bad. I've heard good things about Continental Speed Kings...

Thanks for all the help BF but I may be getting the Conti Speed king after all, they are made using the Black Chili compound. I will report back here when I have some time on them.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/general/innovation/blackchili_en.html

if you want the best you got to include Schwalbe, continentals (different models), and Kenda in your list. good luck.

I'd put a beefy tire on the front and a smaller one on the back, that's my preference. I'm currently using a hutchison python 2.0 on the back and it rolls and spins up easy. traction and cornering are a little lacking compared to the wider tire I took off, but you don't need alot of cornering traction on the back as I prefer to have it break loose well before the front.

I wouldn't run a python on the front unless it's a 2.3.
for the front that maxxis ardent looks good, haven't tried one though as I am stuck on the trailbear that is heavy, but corners great for me.

That Python rolls up like a road slick. It's one of the best rolling tires I've ever ridden, If it wasn't for rainy muddy trails, It would probably be all the tire I would ever need.
I've been running the old Fire XC's for years. I suppose I should step into the new millenium and try the Nev's that MBA raves about. I fear change!:thumb:

I suppose I should step into the new millenium and try the Nev's that MBA raves about . . .The current September issue of MBA had an extensive tire shootout and, yeah, I don't think there was a Kenda they did not lke. Then at the end of the section, there was a full-page Kenda ad - - hmmmmmmmm . . . . Now, normally, I'd be the first to admit I'm somewhat of an apologist for MBA; but that one had a bit of an odor even to me. Usually in publications, editorial makes an effort to not give an advertiser an adjacency like that just so things don't smack of partiality. Someone was asleep at the switch.

On another note, the Maxxis Advantage made the top-ten as did the Syncros FLT 2.35. Now, which one to go on my new trailbike build?

That Python rolls up like a road slick. It's one of the best rolling tires I've ever ridden, If it wasn't for rainy muddy trails, It would probably be all the tire I would ever need.
I've been running the old Fire XC's for years. I suppose I should step into the new millenium and try the Nev's that MBA raves about. I fear change!:thumb:

funny that you mentioned MBA. I was going to start a thread about their recent tire review. The have three different incarnation of Kenda Nevs listed in their top 10 tire list. ridiculous. and the kind of brief details they included in the review is absolute bull S.....

I think they thought - how about doing a tire test....and the editor ran a spread sheet on the advertisement money from each tire maker, and Kenda came out on top....I think they got a lot of advertisement money from kenda recently....

overall its a pathetic, baseless, and uninformative reporting on tires. Its amazing how they can fill up the pages of a Magazine with so much nonsense and so little useful information.

I guess the C+ Journalism students need jobs too....

overall its a pathetic, baseless, and uninformative reporting on tires. Its amazing how they can fill up the pages of a Magazine with so much nonsense and so little useful information. I guess the C+ Journalism students need jobs too....
That's exactly how it came off to me too, I'm glad to hear others see it that way.


On another note, the Maxxis Advantage made the top-ten as did the Syncros FLT 2.35. Now, which one to go on my new trailbike build?
That's how to read between the lines! The Advantage is a little heavier than I like, but if the traction and cornering were better I would give it a try.

What is the consensus on the Continental's Speed King with Black Chili compound?