chainchainchain

So my bike (29er 100mm full suspension) came stock with Maxxis Maxxlite tires. These are 2.0" super-light tires with barely any tread, designed for "race use only" and only for hardpack.

After a few rides on them, I ended up finding a lot of grip. I was keeping up with friends that had very knobby tires. only a few times did I lose grip, but mostly stayed within the margins of that. I even used them on a race where it rained the next day and the track was a bit muddy and slick, with a lot of dudes going off. I settled on about 25/28 PSI for me (I'm 5'6 - 130 LBS)

So at the suggestion of a friend, I put on some Rocket Rons 2.25" tires and hit up some old favourite trails. Right away I felt squirly and never shook it, every turn it felt like I wasn't gripping and these tires are -significantly- beefier, knobbier and wider. Even at 25psi, I felt like I was riding on big balloons that just sort of bounced off roots and bumps, unsettling my flow. I also felt like I was just dancing on the top of the knobbies and nothing was "digging in".

All of this was very counter-intuitive to everything I've been told about tires.

The only thing I can think of is maybe the fact that I'm a pretty small guy and I'm not putting enough weight down on the Rocket Ron's knobbies to dig them in and was getting more contact patch area with the Maxxlites because the whole tire was on the ground?

I'm also wondering if there's anyone else that prefers narrower tires like the 2.0's over wider stuff? I've tried wider stuff off-and-on for years now and it's never felt right for me.

Mountain Mitch

Rocket Rons also are crappy tubeless tires. The air just diffuses out through the side walls. But my partner, who rides them, doesn't complain about their grip on our usually Rocky, rooty soil.

grubetown

Tubeless? Rim width? There are many factors that can influence how a tire feels. Even with the Rocket Ron, there are different levels of tire available. For your riding style and local trails, you may have found the right tires for you.

bikeme

I love Maxxis's Ikons and Ardent Race tires. Folks run both of the same tires front and rear or use the AR on the front and the Ikon on the rear (what I do). They come in 2.2 and 2.35 widths but run a tad narrower in actuality. They're both high in volume and supple with a tight tread pattern compared to the Rocket Rons. I think they have awesome grip and cornering and roll very fast.

gsa103

Your tire pressure is still too high. Try dropping down to a hair above 20psi and trying again.
In general, the pressure scales with the volume, which scales with the cross-section. The new tire has roughly 25% more volume, so you need 25% less pressure. Try dropping to about 20-22psi and seeing how it feels.

NYMXer

^^^THIS^^^
At your weight, there is no reason to run such high pressure in your tires.

prj71

Did you buy Snakeskin or Liteskin Rocket Rons?

And no Rocket Rons are not crappy tubeless tires. If anyone says that, then they received a defective tire.

I have zero issues with my rocket ron set up tubeless or with grip.

Mountain Mitch

Then check the many negative comments on them as tubeless on MTBR.

FuntivityColton

This is my set up as well. Ikon in back and Ardent up front. I LOVE IT. Note: I live in Colorado and ride rough rocky loose terrain. When I lived in Michigan I was able to get away with smaller tread tires (Specialized Fast Tracks) which I really liked for that type of riding.

I'll admit, I don't love the Ron's either. I felt like I was consistently washing out. I'm much happier with the Maxxis setup.

prj71

Looked and really couldn't find anything.

Mountain Mitch

Well this one, Beware of Running Tubeless Rocket Ron, Beware of running Tubless Rocket Ron- Mtbr.com
Took less than 5 seconds to find.....

prj71

A 6 year old post and very few have problems with the RR.

Like I said...No problems with mine at all. Seals fine and grips fine.

FrozenK

Six year old thread. Yes, paper-thin casings of that vintage would seep sealant and could be annoyimg to set up tubeless. But Schwalbe has changed their casings and offers tubeless compatible casings that work just like everybody else.

Mountain Mitch

Try the search button. You'll find lots. For example 'Rocket Ron Will Not Hold Air' https://forums.mtbr.com/wheels-tires/...r-1013616.html. Oh wait. That one's from 2016! Wonder where you looked?

Sounds like you got lucky. I didn't. They are a crappy tire.

prj71

I have heard that Schwalbe had some QC issues manufacturing some tires. Maybe you just have had some bad tires from that timeframe?

I wore out a RR once already that was tubeless and bought another one to replace it...no problems with either tire.

chainchainchain

Just wanted to follow up on this thread. I mounted the Rocket Ron's again, this time with lower pressure (22/24) and found a lot more grip.

trailgumby

I use Rocket Rons as my front tyre on my race day wheelset, teamed with a Racing Ralph on the rear.

I would not say I'm lacking in grip unless it's on the fine deep talcum powder dust in places like Singleton and Back Yamma in NSW (I'm down under).

I run the Snakeskin version and have no problems with sidewall longevity or leakiness. The tread does wear a bit quickly as I have to ride a few k's on tarmac to the trailhead, but they are hard to beat for rolling resistance while still giving acceptable grip. I run 20psi front and 25psi rear on 29x2.25 rubber fitted to 21mm inside width Stans Arch rims.

I'm 85kg kitted up, with an 11kg bike

C_Heath

great tires!

4151zero

I love my RR's so far, however mostly dry to loose packed dirt and gravel in our area now, no real mud. I'm running 20 lbs max, and weigh about the same as the OP. Bike weighs 27-ish lbs.

chainchainchain

On the 2.25"'s? Was running 20/23 using tubes recently (couldn't get the bead to pop with my compressor!) and got a flat on the rear last week that looks like a pinch flat. I wasn't doing anything crazy either.

4151zero

I have 25mm wide derby carbon wheels, maybe that's what's holding the beads on, even down to 18 psi
yes to the 2.25's