In the Pacific Northwest, rain storms are far and few in between at this point of the year, leaving our trails a bony, dusty skeleton of their former selves. As July gives way to August, it is safe to say we are fully in “dust season,” with most riders swapping their spiked winter tires for a fast-rolling tread pattern. I asked around the shop to find out what tires Fanatik employees opt to run in summer conditions and hear firsthand how they perform in dusty, blown-out trail conditions. 

Maxxis

Front: Rekon

Rear: Rekon Race

Our Customer Service Manager Sam spent the first half of his summer racking up mileage and gas station calories aboard a Maxxis equipped Ibis Exie as he prepared for the High Cascades 100. He opted for a combination of the Maxxis Rekon in the front and a Rekon Race in the rear for a fast rolling setup he could rely on to get him to the finish line. 

“The Rekon/Rekon Race pairing hit that nice combo of grip but still rolling really really well. I think that cross-country gear is capable enough these days that you can ride much more aggressively than you would expect for a 100mm travel bike with XC tires. The turn knobs on those Rekons are small, but they still link up like crazy. It is honestly very surprising and kinda just refreshing to know that I didn’t need Assegais front and rear to still feel confident.” - Sam, Customer Service Manager 

The Rekon has been a long-time staple in the Maxxis lineup for its balanced handling and rolling characteristics. Featuring small ramped knobs paired with more traditional cornering knobs, the Rekon performs well as a front or rear tire and provides more traction than one might think upon first glance at its small cluster of knobs. The Rekon Race Sam opted for in the rear closely mirrors the appearance of the Rekon, although it features the lowest tread profile of an XC tire Maxxis offers. Potentially undergunned for typical trail riding, this ultra-fast rolling rear tire was just what Sam needed to complete his absurd hundred-mile event.

Continental

Front: Kryptotal Front  

Rear: Kryptotal Rear 

If you look around at the tires in the Whistler lift line, it’s no secret that Maxxis is beginning to lose its stranglehold on the industry. With a larger variety of manufacturers offering high-end tires,  riders are starting to branch out from the standard Assegai / DHR II combo in lieu of more affordable options. Continental is one the alternate tire manufacturers that have made a meteoric rise in the industry in recent years, with their tires being widely used amongst pro racers and park rats alike. 

“I’ve been riding this combo in Whistler on my DH bike, and it’s a really good all-around setup. The rubber compound is tacky but still super supportive. The knobs don’t fold easily, allowing them to dig into loose terrain.”- Jan, Graphic Designer. 

The Continental Kryptotal is designed to perform in mixed conditions and comes in front and rear-specific tread patterns. The front tire has a design that draws similarities to the Maxxis Assegai, albeit with blockier and better-spaced knobs for increased shedding in sloppy conditions. The rear-specific Kryptotal features an alternating two-block tread pattern with faster rolling speeds and increased braking characteristics. The Kryptotal front and rear combination provides a predictable riding experience that rivals that of other manufacturers at a discounted price.

Specialized 

Front: Cannibal 

Rear: Cannibal 

The Specialized Cannibal was created with rider feedback from some of Specialized’s fastest athletes such as Loic Bruni and Finn Iles. Since its release, it has racked up numerous World Cup and EDR podium results across the world, showcasing its versatility regardless of terrain and conditions. 

“The combination of the Cannibal tread pattern and Specialized’s T9 compound is just crazy grippy. The Cannibal rolls really fast in a straight line, but when you want to change direction, you just lean the bike, and the side knobs hook up unlike anything else I’ve run before.” - Max, Shipping Manager 

The Cannibal features an aggressively ramped center tread pattern to provide rolling speed and braking performance in tandem with its staggered high shoulder knobs for a predictable corning feel. Re-designed center knobs and siping create strong surface connections for enhanced grip. Featuring T9 compound to minimize terrain-induced chatter and GRID GRAVITY 2-ply casing for durability, it’s also 2Bliss Ready to defend against pinch flats and punctures, making it the ultimate choice for aggressive riders seeking maximum control.

Schwalbe

Front: Magic Mary 

Rear: Tacky Chan 

Schwalbe has dubbed the new Tacky Chan as “The fastest downhill tire in the world”. Developed over two years in the World Cup races, including with DH overall World Cup winner Amaury Pierron, the Tacky Chan was optimized for precision. It features more stable shoulder lugs compared to the Magic Mary for even more aggressive cornering and long braking edges for better braking performance. 

"I've been running the Tacky Chan front and rear on my Forbidden Druid and have been loving it. The side knobs are very predictable and absolutely hook up in the turns." - Rich, Marketing Manager