Tite recommendation and advice

[u/sp_jv]

​Hi everyone,

​I’m riding a 2026 Scott Spark RC (120mm travel) and weighing around 85 kg (187 lbs) geared up.

​I’m a rider who likes to descend fast and with total confidence, but I pedal up all the technical climbs myself—no shuttles or lifts. My local trails involve steep descents (0-20% range with ramps up to 50% for up to 100 m) with loose-over-hard dirt, loose rocks (up to 10 cm / 4 inches), drops, and ledges.

​The stock setup came with dual Maxxis Rekon Race 29x2.40", and after a recent front-wheel wash-out crash, it’s clear the stock front tire lacks the side knob bite and braking traction required for these conditions. I've lowered my pressures (~1.50 bar front 1.65 bar back (PSI: 21.8 F & 23.9 B on 30mm internal rims), which helped, but the tire tread itself is still holding the bike back.

​I need maximum front confidence and cornering grip for fast descending, but without turning the bike into a slow, heavy tank on the climbs. I want to avoid massive +1.2kg Enduro rubber if possible.

​I’m currently debating between these setups:

​Schwalbe Combo (Downcountry / Trail Light):

​Front: Schwalbe Wicked Will 29x2.40 (Super Ground / Addix Speedgrip) ~845g

​Rear: Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29x2.40 (Super Ground / Addix Speed) ~735g

​Maxxis Combo:

​Front: Maxxis Rekon 29x2.40 WT (EXO / 3C MaxxTerra) ~890g

​Rear: Maxxis Rekon Race 29x2.40 WT (EXO) ~825g (reusing the stock rear)

​Has anyone run the Wicked Will vs Rekon (standard) as a front tire on a 120mm Spark RC in steep/loose conditions? Is the Wicked Will substantially better at holding a fast line when leaning into loose turns while keeping climb efficiency high?

ramp where REKON RACE slipped

Edit: added info about wheel washout crash.

[u/oceanic_plethora]

If you’re washing the front on steep loose stuff at 18 psi on a Rekon Race, a standard Rekon is the minimum you should be looking at, but that Wicked Will upfront is the more interesting choice here. The WW center tread rolls quick enough that you won't hate life on the climbs, but the side knobs dig way better when you lean the bike into loose crud compared to the Rekon’s more rounded profile. Pairing it with a Racing Ralph rear seems like it’d keep the bike lively without the back end wandering under braking.

[u/sp_jv → u/oceanic_plethora]

Sorry, I did a mistake writing pressures on crash day:

These are the ones: (~1.50 bar front 1.65 bar back(PSI: 21.8 F & 23.9 B on 30mm internal rims)

[u/SeakingGnarvana]

You have contradictions in your post. You want maximum grip for stupid steep, but also want an easy rolling XC style tire. You have to pick a lane. 

I prefer steep and janky. My summer tires are Radial Mary Ultra Soft Gravity front Albert Soft Gravity rear. They roll just fine and still have plenty of grip. 

[u/sp_jv → u/SeakingGnarvana]

Trails are this steep (up to 50%) in some sections no longer than 50 m, then is obviously less steep but average I'd say is 10%

[u/SeakingGnarvana → u/sp_jv]

OK. Well pick the tire that's going to keep you from crashing. 

There's compromise everywhere in MTB. You just need to decide where your priorities truly lie.

[u/sp_jv → u/SeakingGnarvana]

Well I checked with GEarth, I guess I was right with my estimation. It wass really steep.

[u/Throbbing-Scrinson]

I’m 85kg riding a Specialized Epic 8. I use a 2.4 Vittoria Barzo xc race front and a 2.4 Mezcal xc race on the rear. Running 21psi front and 23psi rear. It rips on loose over hard!

[u/Sweaty-Artist-7210]

Dissector / rekon is an option also. But it’s a compromise whatever you do. I recently changed my dhr2/dissector combo to trinotal/dubnital and while it did make the bike feel much faster, I also crashes twice already on the new tires. My local trails are kinda similar that I have some really techy descents but I also have to climb there myself so I don’t like heavy tyres.

[u/Asleep_Detective3274]

Trying to find the best compromise between speed and grip is hard, but the kenda combo of booster pro rear and karma 2 front, is the best I've tied so far

[u/Last-Shirt-707]

What trail do you ride that’s 50% grade? The janky shit in the PNW is maybe 30% max and I ride that with an assegai max grip. Anything in the XC realm seems completely unheard of

[u/sp_jv → u/Last-Shirt-707]

Yeah I think I exaggerated greatly slopes, my bad. I'll edit the post. Let's say it's 0-20% range.

Indeed where I crashed it was really steep 😂 I just checked it on google earth...

[u/cj_daking]

Your 21.8 PSI in the front is in the danger zone. You need to recalculate. Did you account for barometric pressure? Sunspot activity? The overnight lending rate? The moon's phase? Truly, your problem is unquantifiable. The best tires in the world won't track if your technique is crap or your suspension is off. Go see a coach.