Do you love hitting the roughest trails and maneuvering over roots, rocks and ruts with ease? If you answered yes to this question, then it is very likely that you are a mountain bike enthusiast who prefers uneven terrain to paved roads.
There is nothing wrong with this preference, in fact, mountain biking is one of the most enjoyable sports out there. Unfortunately, the toll of rough riding on your bike can be catastrophic, with the most damage likely to be seen on your tires.
Shredding tires is quite common with mountain bikes, however this can be avoided altogether by buying mountain bike tires that will hold up to the worst terrain.
That is why I have identified the best bike tires on the market, so that you do not have to waste money buying new tires after every biking adventure.
The mountain bike tires I will give you below are high-performing, as well as being durable and affordable. So enjoy this comprehensive review.
Continental Double Fighter 2 Urban Mountain Bike Tire
Price:$28.41
Rating:4.8
The Double Fighter is a 26 inch bike tire from Continental, offering mountain bikers a rugged and reliable tire option when hitting off-road spots. This tire is perfect for trekking bikes and Sporty ATB options, and can be ridden smoothly and quietly on tarmac roads as well.
The design of the tire includes a sturdy sidewall that protects the bike when riding in urban areas littered with sharp objects, and the tread in the center of the tire has shoulder lugs for great grip on wet surfaces.
This aforementioned tread can be found on the original mountain bike Double Fighter racing tire. Additionally, the knobby size of the tire makes it perfect for quick and dexterous riding.
Some of its features included
- Tread is Based on the Original Double Fighter MTB Racing Tire
- Tire Rolls Smoothly and Quietly on Tarmac
- For Sporty ATB and Trekking Bikes
- Fast Center Tread with Shoulder Lugs for Assured Traction
- Tough Sidewall to Protect Tire from Urban Debris
Maxxis Minion DHR Mountain Bike Tire
Price:$47.06 – $122.47
Rating:4.8
The Minion DHR tire has been designed with aggressive downhill mountain biking in mind, and therefore incorporates ramped knobs and silkworm protection in its construction.
The directional ramped knobs can be found in both the front and rear tires, which minimize rolling resistance and allow for optimum braking and accelerating. The silkworm protection also adds to the longevity of your tires, ensuring that you will be riding for a long time to come.
Some of its features included
- Large volume for aggressive riding
- Silkworm protection
- Directional ramped knob design – front or rear
Maxxis ADvantage Mountain Bike Tire
Price:$37.94 – $90.65
Rating:4.6
American professional cyclist Alison Dunlap came up with the design of the ADvantage tire, with aggressive cross country biking in mind.
This front and rear tire can therefore tackle challenging trails, through the use of large side knobs that will make mince meat out of corners.
Additionally, the tire can climb inclines and brake with unparalleled ease, due to its contrasting parallelogram center tread design. The ADvantage also has spaced out lugs for traction in mud, and ramped center knobs for diminished rolling resistance.
Some of its features included
- High volume aggressive cross country tire
- Wide lug spacing sheds mud easily
- Front or rear
WTB Velociraptor Cross Country Mountain Bike Tire
Price:$31.95 – $64.99
Rating:4.7
The legendary Velociraptor from WTB is a cross country marvel that weighs only 700 grams. This amazing 26 inches by 2.1 inches tire achieves this feat through the use of lightweight casing, DNA rubber and Aramid bead construction.
The popularity of this tire also lies in its amazing front tire steering control, which allows you to handle all types of terrain with supreme ease.
Additionally, this large tire has deep directional treads that allow you to climb inclines and cut through corners easily. Apart from the amazing traction of the Velociraptor, the cross country rear tire is precise and powerful when climbing and braking, allowing you to tear through any obstacle in your path.
Some of its features included
- Legendary mountain bike tires,700g
- Lightweight casing
- Renowned for its steering control,35-65 psi
Maxxis CrossMark Mountain Bike Tire
Price:$34.99 – $108.36
Rating:4.7
The 29 inch CrossMark clincher tire from Maxxis is a foldable and lightweight tire created for use on hard packed dirt.
The 605 grams tire is created with a continuous center ridge and a tread pattern that works well on high-speed hard pack, and when you factor in the low-profile knobs you have a tire that will plough through buff trails.
When it comes to riding in wet and loose conditions, the raised side knobs and the spacing in between the center lugs provide sufficient traction.
Some of its features included
- Fast rolling center ridge
- Durometer – 60a (26×2.25), 70a (26×2.1 and 29×2.1)
- Front or rear Raised side knobs for better cornering
Maxxis Ignitor Mountain Bike Tire
Price:$39.80 – $169.67
Rating:4.6
The Ignitor mountain bike tire from Maxxis comes in 26 inch and 29 inch options, both of them giving you an opportunity to experience fantastic performance in an array of riding conditions.
These folding tires are popular for their versatile construction compounds, which include the durable 70a, the race-proven 62a, and the urban ready 60a.
You have the option of selecting which compound you want on your tires depending on where you want to ride your bike.
Additionally, the well-spaced tread pattern on the bike tire allows for minimized rolling resistance and speed on light gravel trails, asphalt roads, and hard-pack single tracks. The knobs on the tires will also ensure that you receive great grip in all conditions.
Some of its features included
- Long lasting 70a or race-proven eXCeption Series 62a compounds
- Excellent multi-condition performance
- Designed to roll fast and hook up in medium to loose conditions
Kenda Nevegal Mountain Bike Tire
Rating:4.6
The Kenda Nevegal is part of the John Tomac signature series, which is exceptionally popular in the MTB world. The beauty of this mountain bike tire can be witnessed in loose and muddy conditions, where it provides incredible grip and control.
There are several wire beaded and folding tire options when it comes to the Nevegal, each of them having a different tire construction for varied grip in loose and hard conditions. The Dual Tread Compound (DTC) construction for example is great in steep situations, as it is made of soft rubber that provides great grip in such instances.
One thing that is common among all the Nevegal tires is the long-wearing rubber that they are made from, which gives the tires durability even when faced with constant rough terrain and cross-country trails.
Some of its features included
- The 2.35″ version uses Kenda’s DTC
- This is a super soft rubber that yields great grip
- 2.1 ” tires use the same firmer rubber compound over the entirety of the tread
Maxxis Ardent Mountain Bike Tire
Price: $42.64 – $82.99
Rating: 4.6
The Ardent mountain bike tire from Maxxis comes in three options, mainly the folding 60a, the wire beaded 60a, and the wire beaded 3C. These tires do great over rough trails, as well as over loose soil and hard ground. More specifically the Maxxis tires have been designed with traction in mind, and therefore have several components which will ensure that you have optimum grip on your mountain ride.
Firstly, the tire is equipped with large side knobs which have numerous advantages when riding through corners at high speeds.
Furthermore, the Ardent mountain bike tire has a center tread that provides traction during acceleration and deceleration, as well as ramped knobs that reduce rolling resistance.
Some of its features included
- Designed for traction
- High volume casing
Continental Trail King Tire
Price:$25.86 – $63.00
Rating:4.4
The Continental Trail King is a 29 inch handmade tire designed to tackle killer loops, wild trails, and asphalt roads with similar ease. This touring tire is revered for its large size, which allows you to maneuver over uneven ground without any struggle.
Despite its 29 inch size the tire manages to remain incredibly light, making your riding experience all the more enjoyable. Furthermore, the tire has a sidewall reinforced with APEX, which provides it with superior protection from punctures when you are free riding over difficult terrain. These bad boys provide optimum grip in slippery conditions, and are sure to get you to your destination in one piece.
P.S You can get the Trail King tire in a 29 inches by 2.2 inches size, or a 29 inches by 2.4 inches size.
Some of its features included
- Wild Trails and Killer loops, Alp-crossing, as long as the partying continues
- Black chilli or german manufacture
- It is a tyre for all price ranges
Final Verdict
As you can see, the Maxxis, Continental, WTB, and Kenda tires given above are the best of the best. These extremely popular tires are guaranteed to provide you with excellent grip in all conditions, as well as a smooth ride and durability during your biking adventures.
So if you own a mountain bike and lack quality tires, the performers given above will make your time much easier.
- Related post: The 4 Best Mountain Bike Wheels on the Market
Mike Nikko is a blogger with over 15 years of experience. I will bring you the best product reviews and other useful life experiences, tips to increase height, tips to improve health… If you have any questions, feel free to ask Mike Nikko!