I went to 2021 Cape Epic as a complete rookie with Specialized Fasttrack tyres (2.25 front, 1.95 back). I trained on Table Mountain trails and quickly realized that I don't feel comfortable at all. Quickly replaced them with 'downcountry' Maxxis Aredent Race 2.35 front and back - massive difference, a confidence boost and more comfort. Managed to finish the Cape Epic without a single puncture.

I love you making the cross reference to Mr. Levi. Good journalists do quote correctly. You an Mike are my favorite bike journalists.

@dave_xc

2 жыл бұрын

What about blake

I know this may not be possible due to sponsors or brands and stuff but I want to see what happens if you try modern mountain bike riding on regular Bell bike tires that most non enthusiasts would think of when they think of what a bike tire is.

@th_js

2 жыл бұрын

Well, it would be shit.

@seanc6128

2 жыл бұрын

@@th_js They certainly say that a lot, but I have yet to see a demonstration to support it.

@th_js

2 жыл бұрын

@@seanc6128 Not based on what they said but based on obvious facts.

@AceGoodheart

2 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't mind seeing a tire test like that. But keep in mind, it's not just about grip but about durability as well. A test that can't be proven with just one day's worth of testing. But I would think cheaper tire brands would wear out quicker and or tear/puncture much easier.

@richardjensen3655

2 жыл бұрын

You mean like a 26x1.95 hybrid tire? Been there done that. Put them on any bike, go down singletrack then hit the brakes and watch the front end slide off the trail. In other words, observe a beginner on a $300 box bike go down a real trail. Or a 1990s xc bike on steeper loose dirt. That's the inhumane experiment. Doesn't have to be a $5000 bike. No brakes will stop those tires.

for "downcountry" i use a trail tire on the front and a downhill tire on the rear that has low rolling knobs on the center but chunky side knobs to help dig in essentially its just a trail bike.

@sandy_knight

2 жыл бұрын

LOL, sounds like an enduro setup to me ;-)

@martinmerta1682

2 жыл бұрын

Similar to me, XC bike, DHF front, Minion SS DoubleDown rear and so much fun in the forest and still capable for rides over 50km

I love taking my XC bike out on long gravel rides, and when the trail gets a bit rough i switch to my XC bike. For steeper and more technical terrain you should consider Swapping out your XC tires for XC tires rather then using XC tires 👍

@redwarf8118

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly. The main thing is to always follow the latest in fashion and buy new.

@LoeVG

2 жыл бұрын

Your comment makes zero sense.

@fgtita

2 жыл бұрын

🤔😥

@skarabyll1458

2 жыл бұрын

@@LoeVG then you just didnt get the joke

@LoeVG

2 жыл бұрын

@@skarabyll1458 On me

Thanks for the great video, Guys! I’ve just bought the syerra , but was’nt sure about the tyre as it was new on the market.

Doddy, look me in the eye and tell me what is the difference between a downcountry tyre and a trail tyre 😀

@cvdavis

2 жыл бұрын

Lighter weight, shorter knobs, less rolling resistance.

@mrladeuce397

2 жыл бұрын

Lower centre knobs too

@markusilomaki8922

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, that is the definition of a trail tyre, and they are lighter weight and faster rolling than the next category of allmountain / enduro 😀

Thanks for the great info👍🏻👌🏻

Looks a lot like the old XR3 pattern, one of my favorite tires

6:24 - You're welcome. TLDR, it's marketing hype for "more aggressive XC tire"

@luminousfractal420

2 жыл бұрын

they called it all-mountain back in the 90's. its all been done before. you watch how they bring the weights back down to where they were 20years ago and charge 3x more for the bikes 😂 i was running a 160mm 20lb bike back in 1999...im honestly wondering what the hell people are paying for atm with weights hitting 30-35lbs for a bike that costs 8grand. i have a banshee rune atm...its that 10lbs heavier..not as good as the gary fisher in terms of..well pretty much everything. but only cost me $1500 a few years back. only twice the price i payed for the gary 🤦‍♂️😬

I'm actually using a set of downcoutry tires on my trek procaliber Maxxis rekon 2.4 60 tpi Maxxis rekon race 2.35 60 tpi

@C1Rob1990

2 жыл бұрын

same for me :)

@AceGoodheart

2 жыл бұрын

I've considered this setup. How do you like them and what type of trails do you usually run? I'm currently using Vittoria Mazza (F) and Martello (R) and they're great. But I still want to try out other setups. So once these treads wear out I'm gonna try out a new combo. But I think the Mazza/Martello combo is great. They're a bit heavier and may take your legs a few trips to adjust, but I love their traction.

@dave_xc

2 жыл бұрын

@@AceGoodheart yeah i also noticed the difference between these and the bontrager xr2 from trek, but i like to go in singletracks and i have more confidence, i can feel the grippier tires in the corners

@AceGoodheart

2 жыл бұрын

@@dave_xc Same here. I had Bontrager XR2 Team tires on my Supercaliber and I liked that they were speedy tires, but there were a few times I felt them slipping on the corners. My Mazza/Martello tires grip the corners much better. They are definitely heavier tires and I felt it on my first 2 trips with them, but once my legs adjusted to them they've been great. And I can definitely hit those corners feeling more confident I won't wipeout.

@dave_xc

2 жыл бұрын

@@AceGoodheart damn supercaliber... Are your tires 60 or 120 tpi? Mine are 60 and i found them less slippy at lower pressures because of the thicker sidewalls and the are also tanned

2:28 your fly's open.. 😅

Need advice everyone, got a trek roscoe 9 to replace a gary fisher paragon, and now find the roscoe sluggish in comparison, wrong bike purchase possibly but I’m not changing bike , so what is a good set up for tyres, roscoe has 29 x 2.6 bonty xr4, was thinking of Barzo/ mezcal or forekaster/Aspen. I’ve 140mm travel up front and in Scottish wet conditions

How does this down country Compare with the Vittoria Barzo "trail" version in anthracite rather than tan race version as seen in this video.

Hey ya, does anyone know where this was filmed ? Thanks

So which would you use for bikepacking?

We have to get into the output. Which is faster in xc trail and to a enduro/am/trail for both downcountry and xc setup with same setup except for tires.

i may try some the those new wider tires on my new XC Hardtail

Since I dont race anymore but I still do XC style riding I use MAXXIS DHF 2.3 front and rear (tubeless) for better traction. No flats and more fun.

So is a hardtail designed for technical XC a DCHT? Or are downcountry bikes by definition all full suspension?

These trail tires are my favorite class. Can be used on the rear of more aggressive bikes for better rolling, or front and rear for hardpack. As a heavier rider pure xc race tires in 26x2.0 didn't cut it. Even just going to 2.25 and a little more tread was enough.

I run xc tires on my trail bike , plenty of grip , dwn country is just a gimmick they are just slightly more aggressive xc tires

@Dakota.Covers

2 жыл бұрын

I have been riding hardtail cross country bike for the last several years and just purchased my first trail bike. I am thinking of switching the tires to something more cross country. I hope the bike can roll a little bit better due to decreased friction and weight. I have ridden some pretty rugged terrain on Vittoria Barzo 2.35 on my XC bike.

Also, can you make a video on how the GMBN-neon-sign came to be?

Downcountry, a new name for something that we knew years ago. Marketing at its best. Get yourself an "oldskool" 130mm bike and put some nice trail tires on it and the new kids call it downcountry.

Based on Doddy's explanation re 'down-country' bike, that sounds to me like an XC-trail bike, say, like that of a Marin Bobcat Trail MTB.

DC im using ardent race 2.25 rear, scorpion xc M 2.4 front. My sweet spot!

Down Country? Ah yes, because there’s not enough labels for stuff. Next up: Aggressive mud bikes.

I watched the XCO world cup and was surprised that the riders were using what looked to me like gravel tires: they had smaller corner knobs and very very minimal middle tread, almost bald. I'm curious to see how a tires with an XC casing and more aggressive tread, say like a DHF would perform in a more technical XC race.

Well I set up my bike for all gravel country / ENDUROAD set up 🤣 29er hardtail size 21 and a rigid fork + 35C Continental Mountain King CX tires. Its my one and only bike which also has a rear rack so I can buy and carry 10-25 Kg of rice / chicken feeds. 😀

Mate, was your fly open? Around 2:40

I mean, I hate the new marketing for downcountry... But it is pretty much the perfect niche for me lol

@FredVanAllenRealtor

2 жыл бұрын

same here lol

I've been keeping my eyes peeled for these new Vittoria as i think they will make a good Bikepacking tyre.

@Mosely2007

2 жыл бұрын

Just tried Victoria Terreno gravel tire. Big mistake. Wears 3x as fast as others. Wouldn't use them again if free. Used their road tires for decades. Always liked them. Not the gravel tires. Back to Pana Racers gravel king

Good video, good format, good explanation. But the whole “down country” terminology/definition is stupid. Here we go again. The bike industry trying to create another genre of biking to get consumers money.

@Sr.406

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man, your comment made me catch my snap. Like we have these new down country trails coming. Lol.

@jmanswat2457

Жыл бұрын

Trail tires used to be "downcountry" but the trend for the past few years is manufacturers putting minions on every bike except xc's. People appreciated to grip so companies beefed up the trail tires to near DH levels. Since trail tires weigh like DH tires now we have a gap to fill. Downcountry

All is about compromise. Take always what serves the purpose. If you have specified tyre, it will not be master of all. Simple. But I see my choice. Downcountry in the front, XC on the back.

This tire looks really interesting. Hope its starts being available in places soon :) Im still kind of confused on how this is different from regular trail/xc crossover tires like the maxxis rekon, schwalbe noby nic, and wtb ranger for example though

@jmanswat2457

Жыл бұрын

I've noticed it comes down to weight in the 2.4-2.6 width category. DH tires always are 1kg+, trail tires are 900g-1kgs, then xc tires are 850 and less. The goal of dc tire category is to make tires with trail tread performance, at 2.4-2.6 widths, but at a weight that is less than 900g's. That's the tricky part.

Xc tyres are way more capable than that….I own a epic evo and the trails I ride are rocky…the large sharp pointy variety yet I have never damaged a tyre. I reckon could ride the trails in your vid on a road bike and not puncture. In fact 30 years ago I used to ride dirt roads on a colnago master with 19mm wide michelin slicks…..these days I would need a gravel bike appropriately tyred.

Ok!! So I didn't know that they make Downcountry bike tyres! I learnt something new today then😅😅

@redwarf8118

2 жыл бұрын

ok!!

I use kenda small block eight pro xc tires

Puzzled conti recommended 40psi for race sport tyre but across all categories you recommend lower pressures. Understand the bigger footprint argument just wonder why the big gap between manufacturers and your advice?

I've got nothing wrong with that tire. More variety is good, and quite honestly it looks like a tire I'm willing to try. I do think however they should have left out the term 'Downcountry'.

@cegalleta

7 ай бұрын

yeah, "downcountry" is just marketing. They already had the Barzos and Mezcals with re-inforced casing, they just added a new thread.

You don't need heavy ass tires unless on crushed/sharp edge rocks...

Would you consider a Giant Trance rather as a Down County Bike or a Trail Bike?

@Justin-Walsh

2 жыл бұрын

The trance 29 was designed and built to be a trail bike.

@GekotzeLugor

2 жыл бұрын

@@Justin-Walsh thank you.

I’d say, even on the XC bike, the down country tire could be faster because of the cornering grip

I just plugged in a search for “cross country tires on trail bike” and this popped up! I was thinking about doing this on my first new trail bike which has 2.4 inch trail tires, Maxxis Rekon in rear and Maxxis Dissector in front. I am wanting less weight and faster rolling. I am used to riding hardtail with 2.35 inch Vittoria Barzo CX/Trail tires on all sorts of surfaces. With less aggressive and narrower tires, I hope to roll more easily due to decrease in weight, rotational mass, and rolling resistance.

@axt_messer_survival

2 ай бұрын

das gewicht ist eine sache, aber viel schlimmer sind die weichen gummi mischungen, die einen geringen rollwiderstand so gut wie unmöglich machen. während sich der großteil über profile der reifen, gewicht der reifen sorgen macht, sollten aller darüber nachdenken ob sie über drüber weichen mischungen brauchen. übrigens, vor allem maxxis und guten rollwiderstand bei trail reifen ist ein widerspruch in sich. fast jeder andere hersteller, ist bei diesem thema besser unterwegs. seit vielen jahren wird den kunden eingeredet das nichts über maximalen grip geht. das dabei der rollwiderstand völlig auf der strecken bleibt sagt niemand von den herstellern dazu, am allerwenigsten maxxis.

where is this niiice track ?? :)

music choice always great, shoutout to the editor

It would have been nice if there had been a decent shot of the two treads side by side so we can see the difference for ourselves instead of quickly jumping between the two with the camera. I will go off to the makers website for a better look.

@sandy_knight

2 жыл бұрын

A three way comparison would have been good as well, XC, down country and trail. I mean by the time you've made it 60tpi, added sidewall support, bigger knobbles etc what's the difference between that and a fast rolling trail tyre?

Why not tested both tires on the same bike? That would have made it possible to realy compare one to the other.

Only in 2.4 which is to big for even brand me xc bikes.... Would be keen on a 2.2-2.3 size

i'm waiting patiently for the upcountry tires🤣.everything is getting more and more confusing...just ride your bike and have fun...

@Nachsosa

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly, i have a lot of fun with my XC bike, 😁

@triantalit4694

2 жыл бұрын

@@Nachsosa me too man😁

@Nachsosa

2 жыл бұрын

@@triantalit4694 have fun with do you have no man? See you 🙋

Down country was what as called All Mountain in 2006 (when an all mountain bike would have 120mm travel) and then were trail bikes when they had 120mm of travel in 2012.

so downcountry...thats the new marketing name for all mountain?

Hello!!!

I bet Vittoria spells is Doun Kountry

Hope Vittoria is sliding Mike Levy a cheque for that terminology usage

Doddy's comments that 'downcountry' is "aggressive XC" doesn't necessarily jive with what the manufacturers are producing. In that video Rich's 'downcountry' bike is the Lux Trail 120mm front, 110mm rear. Sticking with Canyon the Neuron is 140mm front, 130mm rear, but in a size medium both bikes have a 67.5* head angle and a 74.5* seat angle, with the 'downcountry' bike having a slightly longer wheelbase. The Lux Trail comes with 2.35" tires, the Neuron 2.4", both mounted on i30 rims, and they are both rated as 'category 3' bikes per ISO 4210, which should mean they are built to the same specs and can endure the same terrain/use/abuse. The Lux XC bike is also a cat 3 bike with 2.35" tires, but its 100mm front and rear with a 69.5* head angle and a significantly shorter wheelbase. Based on those examples 'downcountry' is significantly closer to 'trail' than XC, but when the Scott Spark RC is 120mm front and rear with a 67.2* head angle the lines are so blurred you might as well just buy a bike and ride it!

@mt4xcs

2 жыл бұрын

It really doesn't matter how you gonna call it. Try a bike and if you like it just buy it, it's really that easy.

I feel like ‘downcountry’ is just a marketing scheme. Anything you can do on the ‘down country’ bike can be done on the XC bike… I mean the difference between a ‘downcountry’ bike and an XC bike is 10 maybe 20mm of travel. Utter nonsense. Next are we going to subdivide bikes into mud/sand/rock/loam/peat/topsoil… it’s a joke! 😂

@NickMorgan256

2 жыл бұрын

So I think the big difference is end user. I have a transition spur and I fee like fills a roll in my riding. It’s basically as light as an xc bike and yeah not really much more travel but the angles and set up make a huge difference. It’s slacker and lower than a race bike and with wider bars and 4 piston brakes it handles the descendent better. While I kinda think the marketing for these tires is a bit silly, I like having faster rolling tires I can worry less about puncturing. I think the “down country” segment fills a need for people who want a bike that is a bit lighter and more efficient than a trail bike but a bit beefier than a race bike. I feel like it’s the same difference between an “all mountain” bike and an “enduro” bike. The more options the more you can have a bike fit for the trails you ride. Are the names they give these classifications dumb? Idk maybe but it allows a short hand for a use case for the bike. People are racing WC downhill on “enduro” bike with dual crowns (if going from 180mm to 200mm it’s the same jump) so what’s the big deal with throwing a 120 on a xc bike and using it more as a light trail bike? Idk were all just playing with bikes and want the best one for the way we want to play.

@NickMorgan256

2 жыл бұрын

Also, anything you can do on any bike you can do on any bike.

@deterrentdubz9116

2 жыл бұрын

@@NickMorgan256 for me there’s 4 clear and undeniably understandable categories of mountain bike… XC, trail, enduro and downhill! It’s all there needs to be! This happened with music where genres have an umbrella term like EDM and then its chopped in to more categories like house and drum and bass etc… which are chopped in to more sub genres with more sub genres within them which you guessed it have extra sub genres until it’s all needless because you get to the point of dividing off from the umbrella terms to the point where you should just say this artist or that artist. XC, trail, enduro, downhill. 4 extremely easily identifiable terms that everyone know roughly what to expect. The existence of all the equipment that is named ‘down country’ is all useful and good stuff and I’m glad it is being made because it needs to and should be made but the introduction of these sub categories is pointless and purely for marketing in my opinion!

@AceGoodheart

2 жыл бұрын

No doubt, but they are in a business to make money. But honestly, they seem like tires worth trying out. I have a feeling though I'll prefer my Martello tires instead.

@deterrentdubz9116

2 жыл бұрын

@@AceGoodheart I think 99% of gear available to us is decent and has its place with certain individuals I just cannot appreciate the over-fragmentation of stuff. Keep it simple is always the best approach. There is simply no need for the term down country in my opinion it’s just cross country gear when you boil it down and get rid of the marketing nonsense!

I just got som Vit Morsa for front farting around local trails.

Specialised grid good enough for the croc good enough for anybody

me when riding an XC bike with Downhill tires 🤪 don't get me wrong though it's great!... not when I'm riding in paved straights though.

at the end every 5mm of travel will have a category.

Bike companies creating new categories to sell another bike what next down country plus? Which is a lighter trail bike which can be featured on gmbn.

was it Brendog that put minions on his scott xc bike and shredded it..........

I put continental raceking 29x2.0 on my epic evo pro...😂

Wy not use the same bike with the different tires!

Easy to use and hold weight up to 300 lb

Nobby nic on my aggressive xc bike

Yo

yes, like 6 and half a dozen: six bike is more aggressive and you need more control and rock, half a dozen bike is more flowy and jungle. /s intended

Hello everyone

Let's not treat down-country as anything other than just a tougher XC bike, otherwise I like seeing new tech coming out for aggressive XC riding

@hansfrick1717

2 жыл бұрын

I always seet thing like this as a spectrum on from xc to downhill and they just add terminology to specify smaller areas on this spectrum. Of course they market it as something new but in the end it can help you specify more what you want and gives you more options to find your sweet spot.

So get the right tire for the job? And no vittoria's, they get scared on wet roots.

dwn.ctry is missing an 'n'

More drum&bass background music please and thank you.

have them you are like jet in the wood on the rigged steel bike

Just put Minion DHRs on two wheels.

It seems the down country tyre wheelies and jumps better than the Xc tyre. Why is that? 😜😜

All these names and genres are gimmicks. Yes tech improves, but I’m more thank happy on my 2000 Kona stuff

Down Country? That's the bike I've been riding all these years? Lol

@pim2899

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, now im wondering where my trail hardtail with 110mm fork travel is supposed to be.

There's literally no difference...the bikes are basically the same aswell...its just stupid marketing making idiots believe they need all these different bikes 🤷‍♂️

Am Enduro country

oh great now a new type of riding and new type of bike all country 🤣

Gravel " Down Country Bro "

even before I watch the video past the 1:30 mark can i confidently say that I don't need a down country tire. i'm in need of a new set of enduro tires

My downcountry bikes have 66.5, 66 and 65.5 head tube angles and have Assagai 2.5 WT Maxterra-Agressor 2.4, DHF (2.5 WT Maxterra)-Agressor or DHF-DHF (both 2.5 WT Maxterra) combos. Good grip. Tried some other tires and keep sliding so i keep going back.

I'm giving up on true xc tires. The casing is flimsy and prone to punctures, braking is horrible on the rear, it slides too much, on and on. Something like a rekon, booster, ardent race much better traction and durability, but do not give much up for rolling speed. I'm also thinking of a semislick with real dh side knobs like the kenda helldiver. Wait Vittoria made an xc oriented tire with 60 threads? Even some dh tires have 120 tpi, I don't get it. They didn't need to do that..weird. Why not keep at 60 and just do a somewhat thicker casing? What is the weight of that tire?

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2 жыл бұрын

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2 жыл бұрын

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2 жыл бұрын

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2 жыл бұрын

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@aaronthomas8963

2 жыл бұрын

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It's just a tire.... One has smaller knobs, the other has bigger knobs... Why the need for all those categories...

Guys are you serious? That has no value as a comparison. He ran different bikes with different travel as well as one was done with a dropper post and lower body position than the other with no dropper and higher body position. A down country tyre with no dropper and higher body position would probably have equal to or less grip than a cross country tyre with dropper post and lower body position in corners. Too many variables to have any value as a comparison, just a very long advert really. I generally love your content but videos like this show you are losing your way.

You guys usually hit-it on the education part of your videos, however, you really, really missed it on this one. I watched the entire video, waiting and waiting, to see the two types of tires, both mounted on wheels, with a side by side comparison. You never even did that basic demonstration. What is there for the viewer to learn about the shape and pattern of a tire when then only time we ever saw anything of them was as a new and still folded tire?

Down Country formerly known as Trail riding.😂😂😂😂

Xc bike with maxxis minions dhf and dhr ii on it. why bother with anything else unless your sponsored or think an extra couple 100g gonna make you to slow🤣🤣🤣

Too many genre of bikes type and tires😂 just shred your bike and enjoy the ride. 🤙🤙

A down country bike is not just a cross country with a bit more travel. They are short travel bikes around 120 mm but with enduro Angeles

ah yes another gimmick

Whos pushing the silly idea of down country and how much did the UCI pay you? Whats next? Horizontal down hill? Cycloduro?

E

Marketing making mo money from muppets Can we get another wheel size while we're at it

Oh look, another useless ad that is of absolutely no use to the average rider. And stop with the term down country. It is not a thing. It is a shameless marketing gimmick.

@franmcgowan4068

2 жыл бұрын

It looks like a tyre I wouldn't mind running on the front of my Anthem.

Why are we confusing the sport further!! Everyone with a brain has had a choice of tyres for their bikes for years. So you own the bike and choose the tyre for your riding style? Why create a new genre 'Down Country' it's pathetic, it really is, and even sounds stupid? Get on your bike and ride it!