Michelin tires thread!

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1/5/2021 8:40am
After spending some serious time on the DH34 bike park as a rear and a DH34 Race (yellow and blue tire) up front, I can provide...
After spending some serious time on the DH34 bike park as a rear and a DH34 Race (yellow and blue tire) up front, I can provide a more in depth review. The DH34 provide more braking traction than any tire I've ridden but the DH34 race was the hardest tire I have ever tried to install by far! I can usually change a tire in 10-15 minutes and this tire took an hour!!! Very very stiff sidewalls mixed with a wire bead and low profile with a tire insert made this incredibly tough! I really like the DH34 front and rear for socal dirt. BUT if you ride roots I would pick the DH22 for a front. The DH34 likes to grab on roots and slide. Great tires but for the Race beware install can be a pain!
How were the Race ones for rolling resistance? Ever had to pedal or climb with them?
D(C)
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1/5/2021 1:38pm
I ran Wild Enduro front Magi-X, rear Gum-X last summer and liked how they rode quite a bit. I thought the casing weights were spot-on as well. I haven’t ran them in cold weather, but the reports of the Magi-X hardening in the cold are concerning.

My main complaint was the wear on the rear tire - the side knobs were prone to tearing off well before the rubber was worn down. I like the look of the DH34 Bike Park as an alternative, but I wish they made them with a folding bead.
rockchomper
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1/5/2021 1:45pm
After spending some serious time on the DH34 bike park as a rear and a DH34 Race (yellow and blue tire) up front, I can provide...
After spending some serious time on the DH34 bike park as a rear and a DH34 Race (yellow and blue tire) up front, I can provide a more in depth review. The DH34 provide more braking traction than any tire I've ridden but the DH34 race was the hardest tire I have ever tried to install by far! I can usually change a tire in 10-15 minutes and this tire took an hour!!! Very very stiff sidewalls mixed with a wire bead and low profile with a tire insert made this incredibly tough! I really like the DH34 front and rear for socal dirt. BUT if you ride roots I would pick the DH22 for a front. The DH34 likes to grab on roots and slide. Great tires but for the Race beware install can be a pain!
Ze_Zaskar wrote:
How were the Race ones for rolling resistance? Ever had to pedal or climb with them?
They are on my DH bike so as for climbing I cant say. But I was on a DHF maxx grip before the DH34 Race and I didnt notice a difference in rolling resistance. They are heavy tires though about 3Lbs each
TEAMROBOT
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1/5/2021 3:18pm
Just checked and the DH22 is 1500 grams for a 29x2.4" tire. That's a lot. I think Maxxis DH tires are about 250 grams lighter. Not saying that's better or worse, just info. I'm a weirdo who runs Maxxis DH tires with Cushcore front and rear on my trail bike, so I'd be open to running a stiffer, heavier tire without an insert if it works. 250 grams is also the amount that Cushcore weighs.
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D(C)
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1/5/2021 3:34pm Edited Date/Time 1/5/2021 3:34pm
TEAMROBOT wrote:
Just checked and the DH22 is 1500 grams for a 29x2.4" tire. That's a lot. I think Maxxis DH tires are about 250 grams lighter. Not...
Just checked and the DH22 is 1500 grams for a 29x2.4" tire. That's a lot. I think Maxxis DH tires are about 250 grams lighter. Not saying that's better or worse, just info. I'm a weirdo who runs Maxxis DH tires with Cushcore front and rear on my trail bike, so I'd be open to running a stiffer, heavier tire without an insert if it works. 250 grams is also the amount that Cushcore weighs.
Some of that is likely the wire bead on the Michelins vs the folding bead on the Maxxis DH tires. So I don’t think all of those extra grams transfer to additional sidewall support.
Dave113
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1/5/2021 4:13pm
The last Assegai DH 29s I weighed were about 1420g. DD is 1300ish. Minions are a bit less.

I've been running Wild Enduro F/R for the last year. You can get them for $50 shipped to your door. The front is like an improved Magic Mary that doesn't squirm, the rear is like a better Aggressor. In some conditions it's radically better, Aggressor doesn't like wet or mud, WE are better than anything but a dedicated spike IME. And in the dry they are almost as good as Maxxgrip Assegai/Minions with 1.5 lbs less weight, less rolling resistance and longer life. But, they do wear fast. Anything worth riding seems to.

I'd love to try the DH22 but not sure if I need to add a full lb to my front tire over the WE Front. I saw a bike check on Sam Hill's Nukeproof where he's running DH22 / WE Rear, w/ARD inserts, but I'm not hitting stuff quite as hard, lol. WE Front + cush core seems to be doing fine, I'm on my 3rd one with no flats (knock on wood!).
Biketechspert
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1/5/2021 7:01pm
Before they were for sale in the US i bought a few sets from the UK and they're amazing. Dh 34 Bike park on my Transition Smuggler and DH22 team edition on my old commencal dh4.2. I have an extra set of 34 Bike Park waiting for my custom enduro build. i barely needed brakes when i got those tires and even still i never touch the brakes they turn and grip so well.
pdon
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1/5/2021 7:26pm
I am a huge fan of the Wild Enduros too. Tread, weight, and size are all spot on.

I rode them in some pretty cold temps (20s) and I didn't really notice them hardening up, but that's probably not something I would pick up on
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TomsiR
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1/5/2021 11:55pm
pyromaniac wrote:
I ran a Wild Enduro Front Magi-X for a while and the rubber got considerably harder in colder temperatures, below +5°C. Sounded like I had Lego...
I ran a Wild Enduro Front Magi-X for a while and the rubber got considerably harder in colder temperatures, below +5°C. Sounded like I had Lego brick stuck on the tread.
They were noticably harder than the Gum-X nobs on the Rear one. And they stayed harder even after being kept in a boiler room over night.
Fully agree here, iv deffo had that experience before. Cant fault it when its warm but have gone back to maxxis for winter.
ahleic09
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1/6/2021 3:22am
I've run the older Wild Rock'r on and off for a while, as well as the Wild enduro setup. I can't say enough good things about the rock'r. They are incredible on loose dirt and gravel, but also roll relatively fast on hard pack and pavement. Compared to most tires designed for these conditions they even shed mud well!

Wild enduro was good except for the relatively light casing
1/6/2021 4:35am
Dave113 wrote:
The last Assegai DH 29s I weighed were about 1420g. DD is 1300ish. Minions are a bit less. I've been running Wild Enduro F/R for the...
The last Assegai DH 29s I weighed were about 1420g. DD is 1300ish. Minions are a bit less.

I've been running Wild Enduro F/R for the last year. You can get them for $50 shipped to your door. The front is like an improved Magic Mary that doesn't squirm, the rear is like a better Aggressor. In some conditions it's radically better, Aggressor doesn't like wet or mud, WE are better than anything but a dedicated spike IME. And in the dry they are almost as good as Maxxgrip Assegai/Minions with 1.5 lbs less weight, less rolling resistance and longer life. But, they do wear fast. Anything worth riding seems to.

I'd love to try the DH22 but not sure if I need to add a full lb to my front tire over the WE Front. I saw a bike check on Sam Hill's Nukeproof where he's running DH22 / WE Rear, w/ARD inserts, but I'm not hitting stuff quite as hard, lol. WE Front + cush core seems to be doing fine, I'm on my 3rd one with no flats (knock on wood!).
1400g for a DH Assegai? Thats almost 100g over what Maxxis announces. Shame, as I was looking at the DH Assegai as a lighter weight alternative
1/6/2021 6:30am
I mean, I never considered the Assegai as lightweight, but compared to the Michelin, the DH Assegai has an announced weight nearly 200g lower, and only 20g or so heavier than the DD
pdon
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1/6/2021 6:31am
A few people already pointed this out, but it really is unbelievable how bad that Michelin website is. It's not very intuitive to understand the differences in compounds if you don't know what you are looking for.

The Maxxis and Schwalbe websites aren't much better.
Gusman
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1/6/2021 6:47am
I've just started running 22s front and rear, no tyre inserts but they are on enve m730s with the integrated rim strip.
Im running softer pressures than i ever have, laughing off square edge hits, plowing and brapping where I'd usually be stressing.
All round grip level is insane, reminds me of the old FRO intense tyres.
Pretty bloody impressive for tyres that i only bought for the cool looking sidewall.
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Dave_Camp
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1/6/2021 6:55am Edited Date/Time 1/6/2021 7:43am
Dave113 wrote:
The last Assegai DH 29s I weighed were about 1420g. DD is 1300ish. Minions are a bit less. I've been running Wild Enduro F/R for the...
The last Assegai DH 29s I weighed were about 1420g. DD is 1300ish. Minions are a bit less.

I've been running Wild Enduro F/R for the last year. You can get them for $50 shipped to your door. The front is like an improved Magic Mary that doesn't squirm, the rear is like a better Aggressor. In some conditions it's radically better, Aggressor doesn't like wet or mud, WE are better than anything but a dedicated spike IME. And in the dry they are almost as good as Maxxgrip Assegai/Minions with 1.5 lbs less weight, less rolling resistance and longer life. But, they do wear fast. Anything worth riding seems to.

I'd love to try the DH22 but not sure if I need to add a full lb to my front tire over the WE Front. I saw a bike check on Sam Hill's Nukeproof where he's running DH22 / WE Rear, w/ARD inserts, but I'm not hitting stuff quite as hard, lol. WE Front + cush core seems to be doing fine, I'm on my 3rd one with no flats (knock on wood!).
Ze_Zaskar wrote:
1400g for a DH Assegai? Thats almost 100g over what Maxxis announces. Shame, as I was looking at the DH Assegai as a lighter weight alternative
1260g for a 29"x2.5" Dual compound Aggressor DoubleDown (weighed it brand new).

Assegai's definitely have more rubber and would be heavier.
1/6/2021 7:47am
Gusman wrote:
I've just started running 22s front and rear, no tyre inserts but they are on enve m730s with the integrated rim strip. Im running softer pressures...
I've just started running 22s front and rear, no tyre inserts but they are on enve m730s with the integrated rim strip.
Im running softer pressures than i ever have, laughing off square edge hits, plowing and brapping where I'd usually be stressing.
All round grip level is insane, reminds me of the old FRO intense tyres.
Pretty bloody impressive for tyres that i only bought for the cool looking sidewall.
DH or enduro bike?
Gusman
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1/6/2021 7:55am
Ze_Zaskar wrote:
DH or enduro bike?
Endooro bro

Well.. downhill on an enduro bike, crying like a baby on climbs.
1/6/2021 8:09am
Gusman wrote:
Endooro bro

Well.. downhill on an enduro bike, crying like a baby on climbs.
Finding the DH22 very draggy?
Gusman
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1/6/2021 5:58pm
Ze_Zaskar wrote:
Finding the DH22 very draggy?
Incredibly. But i still think the benefits when pointed downhill are worth the extra effort to keep the pace up on flatter terrain.
1/6/2021 11:49pm
I'm using the 3rd set of the Rock'R2 enduros. Marked as a 2.35" tire but they're a generous 2.4. Front Magi-x, rear Gum-x. Both have a slow rebound and the transition from the ground is pretty much another planet what Maxxis and Schwalbe have.
The Rock'R2 tires are for some dry soil, with rocks, roots, aslo performing well in deep dust. Predictable tires.
I have a DH34 bike park, used on the back for a ride or two, but it was too grippy, put it on the front for this sloppy winter and I must say it's works well, nearly as good as a Magic Mary.
One thing I noticed; the DH34 worn way faster than the Rock'r2 even if they using the same compound.
luisgutrod
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1/7/2021 12:13am
I'm using the 3rd set of the Rock'R2 enduros. Marked as a 2.35" tire but they're a generous 2.4. Front Magi-x, rear Gum-x. Both have a...
I'm using the 3rd set of the Rock'R2 enduros. Marked as a 2.35" tire but they're a generous 2.4. Front Magi-x, rear Gum-x. Both have a slow rebound and the transition from the ground is pretty much another planet what Maxxis and Schwalbe have.
The Rock'R2 tires are for some dry soil, with rocks, roots, aslo performing well in deep dust. Predictable tires.
I have a DH34 bike park, used on the back for a ride or two, but it was too grippy, put it on the front for this sloppy winter and I must say it's works well, nearly as good as a Magic Mary.
One thing I noticed; the DH34 worn way faster than the Rock'r2 even if they using the same compound.
agree on ROckR2.. these are fantastic rear tires for mostly all but, sticky mud/dirt IMO, you would love the magix for wet rocks.. have not used them in the front.. smallish volume helps with low weight for how sturdy they are.. I pair them with wild enduros or something else.. and with cheap insert, I have not punctured them.. I think the wild enduro rear is not as resistant as rockr2, there is a gap there on puncture resistance.. you have to go to DH34 if you want a more open tread pattern with better sidewall support and puncture resistance..
Edthorne
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1/7/2021 7:12am
DH22 front and rear on my dh race bike, Im definetly liking them more than any previous Maxxis combo including assagai front and rear. Only complaint...
DH22 front and rear on my dh race bike, Im definetly liking them more than any previous Maxxis combo including assagai front and rear.

Only complaint is they are so stiff i cannot get a cushcore insert in, with a dtswiss FR560 rim its borderline impossible (im sure someone can do it, but i cant) i can damage a rim pretty good with a metal tyre lever and destroy the rim tape inside but i cant get the tyre on with the cushcore in.

I've had very similar issues with stan's flows and dh34's, it took me and a friend to do it and we broke 3 plastic tire levers in the process. Although I figured this issue was specific to the stans rims because they have a really shallow channel, and therefore nowhere to get more slack in the bead
Edthorne
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1/7/2021 7:20am
TEAMROBOT wrote:
Just checked and the DH22 is 1500 grams for a 29x2.4" tire. That's a lot. I think Maxxis DH tires are about 250 grams lighter. Not...
Just checked and the DH22 is 1500 grams for a 29x2.4" tire. That's a lot. I think Maxxis DH tires are about 250 grams lighter. Not saying that's better or worse, just info. I'm a weirdo who runs Maxxis DH tires with Cushcore front and rear on my trail bike, so I'd be open to running a stiffer, heavier tire without an insert if it works. 250 grams is also the amount that Cushcore weighs.
I had dh34's (magi-x) front and rear on my slayer all season. I felt the support was great, and they did really well on the quebec bedrock I ride in terms of grip (they feel best at speed). However I did still dent the hell out of the stock with i30's that came on my bike and needed to build a new wheel before the end of July. So I'd say they're great tires but if you have a habit of breaking wheels the insert will still be necessary.
1/7/2021 7:54am
Just to chime in on the «hard to mount» thing. I found that the dh 22 with cushcore pro’s on a 30 mm rim wasnt a problem. Pumped it up easily with a regular pump aswell. It was pretty similar to the assegais on dh casing and cushcores imo. Yes it depends on the specific rim, but I’ve read that some people in reviews call it «the hardest tire to mount and inflate» which i think is strange. Pushing the bead into the rim well makes mounting it a normal affair
rockchomper
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1/7/2021 8:09am Edited Date/Time 1/7/2021 8:09am
Just to chime in on the «hard to mount» thing. I found that the dh 22 with cushcore pro’s on a 30 mm rim wasnt a...
Just to chime in on the «hard to mount» thing. I found that the dh 22 with cushcore pro’s on a 30 mm rim wasnt a problem. Pumped it up easily with a regular pump aswell. It was pretty similar to the assegais on dh casing and cushcores imo. Yes it depends on the specific rim, but I’ve read that some people in reviews call it «the hardest tire to mount and inflate» which i think is strange. Pushing the bead into the rim well makes mounting it a normal affair
The DH34 is lower profile and thicker sidewalls than the DH22 that may be why you didn't have as much trouble, it may also be the rim combo. One thing I will say is although it was the hardest tire Ive ever installed, inflating it was super easy. Probably cuz it fit so dang tight on the rim!
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madsam9
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1/7/2021 9:54am
What 34 are you talking about? In my experience the bike park version was just slightly more difficult to mount than the DD Maxxis it replaced. It seated with a not so good floor pump quite easily too.
Edthorne
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1/7/2021 10:12am
Just to chime in on the «hard to mount» thing. I found that the dh 22 with cushcore pro’s on a 30 mm rim wasnt a...
Just to chime in on the «hard to mount» thing. I found that the dh 22 with cushcore pro’s on a 30 mm rim wasnt a problem. Pumped it up easily with a regular pump aswell. It was pretty similar to the assegais on dh casing and cushcores imo. Yes it depends on the specific rim, but I’ve read that some people in reviews call it «the hardest tire to mount and inflate» which i think is strange. Pushing the bead into the rim well makes mounting it a normal affair
I had absolutley no issues mounting them without the cushcore. It was quite easy on the wtb i30's and noticeably harder on the flows, but I was still able to do it with just my hands. What I meant above is that specifically stans flow ex3's do have a very shallow rim well which makes it really hard to gain any extra slack on the bead to pop it over the rim. For reference I also manage a bike shop so I have no shortage of experience mounting tires.
rockchomper
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1/7/2021 10:43am Edited Date/Time 1/7/2021 10:52am
madsam9 wrote:
What 34 are you talking about? In my experience the bike park version was just slightly more difficult to mount than the DD Maxxis it replaced...
What 34 are you talking about? In my experience the bike park version was just slightly more difficult to mount than the DD Maxxis it replaced. It seated with a not so good floor pump quite easily too.
Im referring to the DH34 Race (yellow and blue logos)

I have the 34 bike park and the 34 race and they are two completely different tires the 34 race is WAYYYY beefier and harder to install than the bike park version.

I recall installing the 34 bike park and laughing to my wife saying "why does everyone complain about these tires, they're easy to install."
THEN I went to install the 34 Race moments after and I was like .........uuuhhhh honey..........I could use some help!......which of course was followed by her uncontrollable laughter. Then she tried to help and we both spent about 30-40 minutes of OH COME ON!!! SERIOUSLY!!! I will say having tire inserts certainly made it harder.
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madsam9
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1/7/2021 11:09am
Makes sense, the casing is different. What's your experience on the durability of the bike park version (puncture resistance and wear)? I'm impressed by the performance but I only got a couple of rides on it so far

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