Hello, 

I know there is a million or so tyre threads on here, but......

I am off to the Alps with Trailaddiction next year and would like some advice on what tyres to use, it will be mainly downhill singletrack riding as most of the ups are done by ski lift.

I ride a specialized enduro which is fitted with Spesh eskar tyres (2.35)....do you think these tyres will be upto the job or should I look at something else?

I was thinking of Maxxis High Rollers or Minnions, wasnt sure on size though (2,35 or 2.5) and I was worried about the extra weight for my normal UK riding, I normally ride Glentress and Kielder, would these heavier tyres make any noticeable difference on the uphills???

and finaly, I ve spotted an XT hub for less than 30quid from CRC, an ideas if this would be noticeable better than the deore that is already fitted to my enduro?? (i have some cash burning a hole in my pocket)

 Any advice would be fantastic....thanks

You'll have a good time, we went with them this summer.  I started on Minions, and then replaced them with a pair of Intense tyres that I'd bought for an Innnerleithen uplift, as I wanted more grip and the ability to run lower pressures (25-30psi).  I ran an Enduro (06) also.

On the front, a 2.5:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11004

And on the rear, a 2.35 - this one I think:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=17678

I'd probably go tubeless next time, using a Stans kit, so I could run even lower pressures.  Don't worry about the weight, its mostly downhill - although ensure your brakes are in good nick, and plenty of spare pads.

Pointless changing the rear hub, unless you are moving to something decent...

also the cost of having the whell rebuilt will be significant. i would buy a whole new wheel as its normally around the same cost.

high rolers are good, so are kendas in my opion.

really anything thats the size you want and the weight you are happy with.

if its wet then it could be more difficult but their are loads of tyres for this type of riding.  and personally i like to run a normal pressure and let the suspension work, i do not like the tyres feeling flat.

I'm not keen on running low pressure either, generally about 40psi is about as low as I would go, not had my enduro long so I'm just experimenting with Suspension and tyre pressures to find best set up.

Up until I got my enduro I always used Panaracer cinders 2.25, I never had any problems....how do you these fair compared to the tyres suggested??

I would love to try a whole host of tyres but I think my wife may get a sad on!!

Also, Stans no tubes was mentioned earlier, does anyone have any experience of stans??

http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Mountainbike_263.html

found the blue grooves a great tyre, and worth a try being so cheap!!

difficult to know really, they are good on roots and rocks and seem fine in most mud, we have a lot of clay mud round here that only specific mud tyres really cope with.

they were great in the peak district in march and good at the centers in wales.

they are great in the dry and rough stuff,

I would say the nevgal is a good combo on the back but they can be used front and back.  

I've been using a Stan's conversion on one set of wheels and have another set of UST wheels that I also use. I've been using toobless for a couple of years now and think its a good system.

You need to get the right tyre and sealant combo through experimenting. Main drawback is that a total failure when out can be a pain in the arse (remember to remove the dozens of thorns before using a tuble).

Some tyres are easier to seat than others - I've never resorted to a compressor yet - hone your technique and use a track pump.

Plenty of info available on the subject