My bike's been recently updated with the new Try-All shift front tire and the sticky lite rear tire. I've also mounted my bash ring on the bottom bracket instead of the crank, as I'm starting to learn how to ride switch foot.




2.5 Sticky-Lite rear tire :


I loved the Continental Der Kaiser I had on my bike earlier, so I was a little bit skeptical about using the Sticky Lite.

At 965g, this tire is 200g lighter than the Der Kaiser. However, when I tried the tire with the Ultralite tube from Maxxis, it was extremely unstable. To ride the tire confidently, I had to use a regular mountain bike tube, which weighed 100g more. So really, the actual weight saving was only 100g.

While the compound of the Sticky Lite is equally, if not more grippy than the Kaiser, the tire as a whole grips less. When I warmed up on a slippery metal box with the new tire, I was extremely impressed with the grip. I gained trust in the tire almost immediately. It wasn't until I started riding angled obstacles with rough surfaces that I noticed the reduction in performance (compared to the Kaiser).

I suspect that although the compound has the same amount of grip, it is harder to use the tire to it's full potential. To keep the Sticky Lite stable enough, I have to run 23PSI. that is 5 more PSI than I run in the Kaiser. The higher pressure means the tire has less surface area in contact with the surface.

To Conclude, I think this is a great tire for those of you who want a sub 1kg tire. If you look at other popular choices that fit this criteria (Rubber Queen and Big Betty to name a few), this is the best by a long shot. For those of you that love the Kaiser for the same reason I do, I can't recommend the change.




2.0 Shift front tire :



I absolutely love this front tire. I was taken away by the immense grip it offered as soon as I placed it on some rocks, especially coming off the 2.2 Continental Mountain King.

Although the actual volume of this tire is smaller than the Schwalbe Nobby Nic and the Mountain King, it's more stable. The sidewalls feel similar to the 2.1 Kenda Nevegal, which is a good thing. I run 20 PSI (as opposed to 22PSI in the Mountain King), which is plenty for all the high impact front wheel moves.

The only issue I have with the tire is how little tread there is. I would estimate that you only get 25% of the treat height from the previous Try-All tire. This is a big problem, as the compound is very soft. I don't think this tire will last me more than 3 months.

The Shift is the best sub 600 tire on the market. It offers more grip than the competitor, and is a great performer on natural terrain. The only downside is that you will need to replace this tire often, so don't let the initial cost of the tire fool you.

Quote Kevin article-

My bike's been recently upd...

I got shift front tyre from tryall and also put it on, its amazingly light (510g only) as same as my old bareheaded fucking shit front tyre...

After todays ride, I was surprised, its so much bouncy also stable than my old one (even with more psi on this tyre than old one), the most important is that grip make so much bite on the rock! I cannot believe how this light weight tyre can make so great...

every one should try this shift tyre, i think its the best choice of light weight front tyre!!!

im really liking the rear tire now:)

Quote Kevin article-

I've also mounted my bash ring on the bottom bracket instead of the crank...

what is difference between the bash ring mount on the bottom bracket and crank?

the difference is that i can ride switch foot:)