All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

I have been running the Assegai 27.5x2.5 EXO+ for the last 2 months and absolutely love it. By no means the fastest option out there, but provides ample grip and traction.

 

ROAD TRIP!!!!!! ah yes, Wyoming...where 90mph feels like 60...



Into Jackson WY for a wedding last weekend, hung out for an extra day to get some biking in. Pedaled a couple trails outside town and then spent most of a day riding Teton for some lift service. Pretty fun, considering only about 400' of vertical for the bike trails. Makes for 15min laps which was actually kinda nice compared to home(1lap=1hr). Great diversity and levels of difficulty. Very flow-y, buffed and smooth(made for a happy ladyfriend). If you haven't been its worth the price of the lift ticket!

 

Im getting my DH rig set up now as Im heading off to powderhorn Friday for some much needed downhill. Looks like a solid session man!

 

I've run a bunch of different tires; On the Schwalbe front the Marys, Nics, Hans, Razors. E13s, Michelins, and Maxxis DHF, DHR, DHR2, Agressors, and Assegais. My go-to combos settled on Marys on the DH rig, and on the enduro I run DHF/DHR2 shoulder seasons, and DHF/Agressors dry season. I've been all over the place on casings, from single ply to DH. On the insert front, tried Huck Norris, Huck Norris DH, ProCore, and now CushCore lite. I liked Huck Norris, but the DH version is almost the same weight as the CushCore lite, and doesn't have any of the damping properties (but much easier to install). I like the tuneability of the ProCore, so that's what's on the DH rig now.
For all around riding the DHF was the go-to for a LONG time, occasionally swapping to the Magic Mary in the wetter months. I don't think I'll be running either tire any longer. I ran the Assegai in both EXO+ and DD, and they both have excellent grip and are super predictable. It's like a combo of the MM and DHF. It doesn't have the initial float the DHF sometimes has before it bites, so no weird catch-then-grip sensation in the loose (like the MM). But it still feels excellent on berms, buffed trails, and rolls smooth on features (like the DHF). Grippy in the loam, fast and stiff on the hard-pack, grippy on the loose. I currently see no downsides to these tires, and no reason to switch around anymore. That said, it hasn't seen really sloppy conditions yet.
If you're going to run the EXO+ version, I think you'd be better off with the DD. The DD comes in the Max GRIP compound (the exo and exo+ doesn't), and it's just a hair heavier than the exo+. The casing feels significantly stronger, and provides a nice damp ride that the lighter casings couldn't match. But the weight difference between the exo and DD is significant. But, no worries about pinch flatting that DD.
I pulled the CushCore out of the front tire today and went for a ride, and can't say I noticed that much of a difference, either good or bad. I think the Assegai DD Grip and Agressor DD CushCore is going to be on there for a while. At least until I need more grip from the back.

 

Isn’t that the same one somebody posted a few pages back?

 

Did somebody say Guerrilla Gravity? Just got my Trail Pistol a few weeks ago, pretty awesome so far. Pike Ultimate, Deluxe Ultimate can, XT8000/E13 mix.
I'm a GG brand ambassador, if you are considering one of these hit me up for a little incentive.

Oh and if you haven't heard about the riding in Northwest Arkansas, it's pretty freaking rad here...
https://youtu.be/Ynn-N9yLbZc

 

I was intrigued by them at first.. then I looked at the website. I don't get it, for like $20 more you can get a full tailgate pad. I can't see why these justify the price they're charging for them.

 

Thanks for the comprehensive post. I finally sliced my shitty OEM Aggressor tire through a rock garden yesterday so I'm on the hunt. My typical combo is DHF/HRII with downhill casings (I'm really hard on shit and don't care about rolling resistance). Do you recommend Cushcore definitively ? I'll likely only run it in the rear

We can discuss more on Sunday

 

Interesting, I’ve seen some people mention guerrilla gravity but never did research. Just saw those prices and they really aren’t bad. Especially since you can buy the seat stay to change the bike up and they have a carbon front triangle. Very intersting

 

I've been wondering about their carbon hype everyone is losing their minds over. Some proprietary process that enables the best carbon?

 

Cushcore is pretty rad. They’re making two versions right now, the regular (pro) and the lite (xc). If you’re running DH casings, the regular is the way to go. They made the lite to work with lighter casings, it’s lighter and less dense, meaning less abrupt transition to the Cushcore during cornering. With DH casings, the lite wouldn’t offer much, but the regular will offer a significant upgrade in terms of damping, pinch flat, and impact resistance. I definitely noticed a change in ride feel.
It’s a real PIA to install though, but it’s fine if you’re patient and honestly follow the directions. If also offers ride-flat properties in case of sidewall slices, in that it will get you down, slowly, without having to fix it. Which is good, since you’re not going to be able to fix it trailside anyway.
You might also consider the DD casing with Cushcore, to keep weight reasonable, since the added protection for the Cushcore will practically eliminate pinchflatting. The sidewall (slash) seems to be the only area a flat can occur.

 

hi all, 29er Gary Fischer here.

 

Yeah I have no idea haha. If it is then it sounds like a better deal. I mean sub $4k for a half carbon bike sounds like a good deal to me. Made in USA too.

 

This is where I'm torn (No pun intended) because I'm to the point where weight is insignificant. No kidding I've probably been thru four tires this year and I'm at wits end, yesterday was indeed a sidewall slash. I know I should probably "pick better lines" but I don't care, I just want to spend a day in the woods without a flat tire

 

I really wanted to pull the trigger on a GG Trail Pistol. The price is fair for what they are, but was still a bit out of my range. That and I couldn’t wait the estimated lead times when I was shopping.

Hit up @baileybrandon if you’re in the market

 

Haha I want to be in the market but I will probably wait a while. I haven’t even ridden my Remedy since I got my stache...

 

Big fan of the Taco + Bike combo. Anyone else riding Rocky Mountain bikes?

 

Is this one of their new carbon models that are made in America with their new carbon layup process??

 

Yes