Front DH Tyres Accurately Timed: Kryptotal vs Assegai vs Magic Mary vs Vigilante vs Plus+

[RoJo]

Hey all
I did a whole heap of tyre testing last year at Bike Park Wales. The aim was to accurately measure which were quickest, based on multiple timed laps. I had always intended to make this video in case anyone finds it interesting or helpful, but only just got round to making it. Hope you enjoy it, let me know what you think, and whether any of this lines up with your experience. I was extremely surprised by the results...


The tyres on test were:

• Continental Kryptotal 29x2.4 DH/Supersoft
• Maxxis Assegai 29x2.5 DH/MaxxGrip
• Schwalbe Magic Mary 29x2.4 DH/Ultra Soft
• Schwalbe Magic Mary 29x2.4 SuperTrail/Soft
• Schwalbe Magic Mary 27.5x2.8 SuperTrail/Soft/Plus+
• WTB Vigilante 29x2.6 Tough/HighGrip
• WTB Vigilante 29x2.5 Tough/HighGrip
• WTB Vigilante 29x.2.8 Light/FastRolling/Plus+

Rear control tyre: Maxxis Minion DHR2 27.5x2.4 DH/MaxxGrip

 

[RoJo]

Tldr spoiler:
I did A-B-A testing on each day aiming to get in 5 quality laps before swapping tyre, then 5 laps, swapping back again and another 5 laps.

Timing was done by picking the exact GoPro frame where I crossed a specific feature on the trail, e.g. tree, rock, post etc so that I could get accurate timing to 1/60th sec and construct a perfect lap taking the best from each sector.

The results often surprised me and I think "feel" can be misleading. The Assegai for example felt epic, but in the data it is slower in every sector.

 

[Weeksy]

So you're telling us, the fastest tyre at DH is a tyre no pro team uses?

 

[RoJo]

So you're telling us, the fastest tyre at DH is a tyre no pro team uses?

It is an uncomfortable conclusion, but yes, for me this was the quickest tyre in the data by some margin. I love riding DH but I'm no WC pro. That said I think I probably represent a typical rider much more than Dunne!

Also worth remembering that a lot of the pro teams get paid ~£100k to run a specific tyre, so what you see on TV may not necessarily be the best.

 

[Weeksy]

Yes, no, maybe, sorta... I deffo agree with some of that above... It's a very interesting test though for sure.

 

[RoJo]

Yes, no, maybe, sorta... I deffo agree with some of that above... It's a very interesting test though for sure.

I know what you mean. It just feels wrong, and I'm as surprised as you.
I did my best to quantify it, and accept the limitations, but I reckon I've done a more thorough job than most reviewers by trying to measure it.
What it really taught me is that feelings are deceptive.
Andrew from Nsmb is also a fan:

NSMB.com - Wet Weather & The 29x2.8" WTB Vigilante Plus Tire

Riding aggressive plus-sized rubber on the gnarliest all-weather trails the North Shore can offer...

nsmb.com

By the way I have no brand affinity here. This wasn't even a tyre I planned to test as explained in the vid.

 

[Weeksy]

What it really taught me is that feelings are deceptive.

Can't argue with that, last time there i was out in the morning on a Trek Fuel and thought i was going OK on Vicious Valley, in the afternoon on a Trek Session i was nearly 10s quicker.... I didn't feel it.

Really made me want my own DH... which i then bought... but had to sell without riding it... (long story).

 

[RoJo]

Can't argue with that, last time there i was out in the morning on a Trek Fuel and thought i was going OK on Vicious Valley, in the afternoon on a Trek Session i was nearly 10s quicker.... I didn't feel it.

Really made me want my own DH... which i then bought... but had to sell without riding it... (long story).

Damn, you must be gutted about the DH bike. They are special machines!

 

[Weeksy]

Nah I'm good mate, I've got this here.


Well, when the boy isn't on it

 

[RoJo]

Nah I'm good mate, I've got this here.


Well, when the boy isn't on it

Sick! Shame about the tyres