I suspect their harder compound struggles a little more with your deserty environment. Most people had nothing but praise for them, and yes they apparently have a lot of durability, likely due to the graphene within the compound. Thinking about going with Agarro + Mazza with trail casings (the other one's too heavy, even though I don't like the grey sidewalls).
I just watched GMBN video from EWS Val Di Fassa Trentino Shakedown | Enduro World Series Round 1 and they showed Vittoria Mazza soft compound prototype. Great news!
G'day telly, I'm been trying these tyres out for the last month .. Mazza 2.6 trail 27.5 front Martello 2.6 enduro 27.5 rear .. I'm pretty happy with them .. Pros - Mazza, lots of grip Well damped . Con- slow rolling Can feel slow changing direction left the to right .. Martello .. Pros - grip Rolling speed Very tough side wall Good rim protection Well damped Cons..- quite heavy Side walls weeping stans sealant .. Overall fairly good tyre in the loose pea gravel and rocks , the looser and deeper gravel the better they work .. Good in the pine Forrest in the loose blown out dirt , and ok on hard pack .. Tyres climb well in the loose , given the weight they go well up hill but roll slow on the flat .. If I can get 2.4 widths in same casings as I have I reckon killer for Perth/wa pea gravel
A totally agree with you here. I wish Vittoria would make softer rubber compounds and they might become my goto tyres. Their trail casing is pretty much like Maxxis EXO, but comes with rubber inserts protecting the bead. A bit bouncy feeling but very fast. Mazza is a good front tyre, I've yet to try Mazza in the rear. Martello is a really good general tyre. Packs up with mud a bit too easily. But, I guess that's why they make the Mota, right? I'm going to mount a DHF in the front soon as we are getting to the wet and muddy season. Probably Martello in the rear initially.
Another great review Telly. I've got an E-Bike and just installed the E version of the Mazza F/R and can confirm everything you have described. I can't quite get my head around the sweet spot for tire pressure thus would like to ask where you began and where you ended up at F/R with PSI. Cheers mate!
I reckon i ended up at my usual pressures, 22 f 25r. 21f was squirmy and 23 starting to be a little choppy. Out back the tyre could run 24 no probs being that it was quite strong, but 25 was safe
Geez - I'm torn now... Always been a bit of a Schwalbe Fan, Magic Mary + Hans Dampf Tried out a pair of Onza Ibex on my old rig and can almost echo what you are saying, Hard(er) compound BUT excellent side knob stiffness/bite. Which got me through last winter but missed that grippy rubber. Got a Mazza to throw on the front of the old rig, but keen to get the Bontrager BeachBalls off the Slash. Was almost thinking a Magic Mary + DHR II cross-breed - or just take a plunge on some Vittoria's (or even Goodyear's) when some deals come up...
Yeah those Bontrangers are a dud. Tried the XR / SE 4 and 5's and didn't gel with them. The Magic Mary / Hans combo I find quite a slug fest and the Hans seems to pack up easily with mud. Now running a Nobby Nic out back with the Mary up front but I wouldn't mind trying a Mazza / Agarro combo in 2.6. The Schwalbe Soft compound still is pretty treacherous on wet roots and wood debris I come across on my banging around forest cutter trails. Almost tore out a brake line last forest ride going down a steep section and hit a dumped branch which was wet and across my path. The front sailed sideways into a young tree which got tangled in my LH brake hose at the lever. Had to gently pry that one free and luckily I was able to pull up quickly. I hear the Vittoria tyres hook up better in these conditions. Was a hoot to ride the forest now the snow is mostly gone.
This is typical Vittoria: supple casing, slightly harder rubber, excellent tread pattern. Makes for a grippy, efficient, dry conditions every-day tire that you can get your money out of. One mod I've seen is to run a Martello in the front but cut the center knobs out. Since I don't do gravity, everything in your video convinced me to get some Vittorias.
its good that you compare all mtb tyres to maxxis as they seem to be industry go to as well as most people are familar with how they perform. Have you checked out the new Good Year Newton and Newton ST my local store was really pushing to sell them. Be good to hear your opinion if you ever get them.
+1 on the Goodyear's - Buy one get the other half price or something at the LBS. Heard they run V.narrow though, so def' go for the 2.6" width and the Ultimate Casings
They came standard on my Optic (not the e model rear) and gotta say I'm liking them. Thinking Mazza front and rear could be the go as you say (Grey sidewall looks fine too), but the standard set up suits the Optic spot on I reckon👍 Only issue is availability of replacements when I finally need them...
After years of being a Maxxis fanboi, I became disillusioned by the poor quality control, warped beads etc. Now giving the new breed kendas a bash and so far I'm massively impressed. Hellkat 2.4 atc up front and e bike casing nevegal pro 2 on the rear. Hellkat is amazing, brilliant all rounder, grip for days without being an anchor and casings are nicely damped and a good weight. I'd love to see what you think of em. Also, Hutchinson griffus 2.5 , very good front, super supple but not floppy and grips as well or better than the dhf it looks a lot like.
@@camb9759 my pal writes for offroadcc and massively rates the Griffus, one of his faves. Like a better damped, better casing, better compound dhf as he puts it. The 2.5 is a big ol tyre, blows up bigger than a 2.6 maxxis! I was gonna go a pair on my rig, but didn't have the clearance at the rear for it! So far, I'm loving the Kendas, hellkat is probably the grippier option anyway for UK winter.
Also zero traction across rocks. Had a pretty hard crash friday arvo on a left hand rocky landing, minions hook up well in the spot, but landing the michelin there it just slid across the top like an aquaplane and slammed me
I tried Mazza/Martello (both trail casing) on 27.5 enduro bike and Martello/Agarro (both trail casing) on 29 Hardtail. For enduro bike it was okay, but not confident inspiring. I got used to Mazza up front, but didn't liked Martello out back at all, it was way too slippery almost on any surface. Yes, both tires rolls fast. However I really liked Martello/Agarro combo on hardtail, it was fast and grip was sufficient. I really think Martello is better in the front for light trail duties. I sold my hardtail and was only left with enduro full sus (Clash). I switched to Maxxis Assegai/DHR2 (both DD casing-MaxxGrip Assegai and MaxxTerra DHR2) and wow I never felt that much suppleness from tire, the damping is excellent for small chatter. But my journey didn't stopped there, I still didn't liked how Assegai performed in the moist and wet conditions, especially wet roots. It seems that thread pattern slips on the wet roots and can't dig in, there aren't much space between the knobs. So I put WTB Verdict (Tough/High Grip) and it is fantastic for wet conditions, damping is better than Vitorria, but not like Maxxis. DHR2 in the back for wet is just okay, still slides occasionally. Most likely I will put Assegai up front in summer or maybe I would even want to try DHF MaxxGrip for riding on roots. Kenda Hellkat is also on my radar and Michelins for the wet. BTW the only time when I was blown away with the purely grip it was on my 29 hardtail with some Vee tires. Rubber was bad, sidewalls was bad, rolling speed was bad, but thread and grip was awesome. I still don't know if this because 29er or because of the tires.
@@camb9759 I'm located in Europe, small country called Lithuania. Our tracks are in the forests around the capital city. Our forest are mixed between Leaf and Pine trees. Trails are packed, but with some loose bits from the forests, old dry leafs, pine spikes and roots. The underneath there is either sand which is packed or dirt. It's only dry in summer, but rest of the seasons it's moist, wet, snow or snow with mud. So I need to have two pairs of tires for dry and wet seasons. We don't have many rocks, but mostly roots and off-camber roots. Actually I usually test the tires capability on off-camber moist roots, I try to attack roots certain angle, but this is where you can really feel how the tire performs. So for me the tire should have most of the grip on these conditions and flat corners, I don't care that much about rolling resistance or tire weight. After reading all the reviews about Assegai I though this is it - one expensive tire to rule them all, but unfortunately there is no magic, I really like WTB tires, I even thinking Vigilante in summer for the front.
They wasn't any good as GEAX, and wasn't now - the name changing doesn't justify the performance. Just the aggressive advertising now days. And you can be a very comprehensive test rider for the brands ))) Good luck!
I suspect their harder compound struggles a little more with your deserty environment. Most people had nothing but praise for them, and yes they apparently have a lot of durability, likely due to the graphene within the compound. Thinking about going with Agarro + Mazza with trail casings (the other one's too heavy, even though I don't like the grey sidewalls).
Everything you review is in depth ,plus you aren’t paid to promote any products.
Just real honest reviews.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🤘
martello is such a good tyre....so fast rolling but also grippy in many situations...i have 2 on my ebike and i love it...
Martello front as well?
@@mtbtelly5522 yes... a good choice between rolling resistance and grip...
@@andreamazzon3254 super fast setup, nice one
I just watched GMBN video from EWS Val Di Fassa Trentino Shakedown | Enduro World Series Round 1 and they showed Vittoria Mazza soft compound prototype. Great news!
I just watched that, very interesting! I’ll try get some when they’re available here
Would really love to hear your thoughts on the Michelin dh22. Seems to be the new king
Bloody heavy tho
I’ll try grab one to test, but they’re certainly not a tyre for me at that weight
Keen to see a review on the Goodyear Newton ST tyres.
If I come across them I’ll try them out
G'day telly, I'm been trying these tyres out for the last month ..
Mazza 2.6 trail 27.5 front
Martello 2.6 enduro 27.5 rear ..
I'm pretty happy with them ..
Pros -
Mazza, lots of grip
Well damped .
Con- slow rolling
Can feel slow changing direction left the to right ..
Martello ..
Pros - grip
Rolling speed
Very tough side wall
Good rim protection
Well damped
Cons..- quite heavy
Side walls weeping stans sealant ..
Overall fairly good tyre in the loose pea gravel and rocks , the looser and deeper gravel the better they work ..
Good in the pine Forrest in the loose blown out dirt , and ok on hard pack ..
Tyres climb well in the loose , given the weight they go well up hill but roll slow on the flat ..
If I can get 2.4 widths in same casings as I have I reckon killer for Perth/wa pea gravel
A totally agree with you here. I wish Vittoria would make softer rubber compounds and they might become my goto tyres. Their trail casing is pretty much like Maxxis EXO, but comes with rubber inserts protecting the bead. A bit bouncy feeling but very fast.
Mazza is a good front tyre, I've yet to try Mazza in the rear.
Martello is a really good general tyre. Packs up with mud a bit too easily. But, I guess that's why they make the Mota, right?
I'm going to mount a DHF in the front soon as we are getting to the wet and muddy season. Probably Martello in the rear initially.
Another great review Telly. I've got an E-Bike and just installed the E version of the Mazza F/R and can confirm everything you have described. I can't quite get my head around the sweet spot for tire pressure thus would like to ask where you began and where you ended up at F/R with PSI. Cheers mate!
I reckon i ended up at my usual pressures, 22 f 25r. 21f was squirmy and 23 starting to be a little choppy. Out back the tyre could run 24 no probs being that it was quite strong, but 25 was safe
Geez - I'm torn now...
Always been a bit of a Schwalbe Fan, Magic Mary + Hans Dampf
Tried out a pair of Onza Ibex on my old rig and can almost echo what you are saying, Hard(er) compound BUT excellent side knob stiffness/bite.
Which got me through last winter but missed that grippy rubber. Got a Mazza to throw on the front of the old rig, but keen to get the Bontrager BeachBalls off the Slash.
Was almost thinking a Magic Mary + DHR II cross-breed - or just take a plunge on some Vittoria's (or even Goodyear's) when some deals come up...
I’m running the mazza up front and Martello in the rear. That combo is the best ever for hard pack moist dirt. 👍🔥
Yeah those Bontrangers are a dud. Tried the XR / SE 4 and 5's and didn't gel with them. The Magic Mary / Hans combo I find quite a slug fest and the Hans seems to pack up easily with mud. Now running a Nobby Nic out back with the Mary up front but I wouldn't mind trying a Mazza / Agarro combo in 2.6.
The Schwalbe Soft compound still is pretty treacherous on wet roots and wood debris I come across on my banging around forest cutter trails. Almost tore out a brake line last forest ride going down a steep section and hit a dumped branch which was wet and across my path. The front sailed sideways into a young tree which got tangled in my LH brake hose at the lever. Had to gently pry that one free and luckily I was able to pull up quickly. I hear the Vittoria tyres hook up better in these conditions.
Was a hoot to ride the forest now the snow is mostly gone.
This is typical Vittoria: supple casing, slightly harder rubber, excellent tread pattern. Makes for a grippy, efficient, dry conditions every-day tire that you can get your money out of.
One mod I've seen is to run a Martello in the front but cut the center knobs out.
Since I don't do gravity, everything in your video convinced me to get some Vittorias.
its good that you compare all mtb tyres to maxxis as they seem to be industry go to as well as most people are familar with how they perform. Have you checked out the new Good Year Newton and Newton ST my local store was really pushing to sell them. Be good to hear your opinion if you ever get them.
I haven’t seen those tyres around at all, I’ll look into them see whats up
+1 on the Goodyear's - Buy one get the other half price or something at the LBS.
Heard they run V.narrow though, so def' go for the 2.6" width and the Ultimate Casings
Would a step up to 2.6 reduce rebound speed of the casing given the increase in tyre vol?
I’m not sure, I’d say it wouldn’t make much difference being the same rubber, but it may have an effect. Could be worth a try
They came standard on my Optic (not the e model rear) and gotta say I'm liking them. Thinking Mazza front and rear could be the go as you say (Grey sidewall looks fine too), but the standard set up suits the Optic spot on I reckon👍 Only issue is availability of replacements when I finally need them...
Would you consider, for certain conditions or otherwise the DHR II 3C MG on front over the DHF 3C MG ?
For a faster rolling reliable combo I’d run the dhr2 maxxgrip up front, but its not a setup I prefer. I may try a dhr2 up front again soon
What tyre combo do you recommend as your go to?
Dhf 2.5 maxx grip exo up front, and Aggressor DD 2.5 out back is my go to combo
Ahhhhh, I really still think you should try out a Kenda Hellkat 2.4 AEC on the front. I'd really be surprised if you dont like em.
If I come across one I’ll give it a spin
Hellkat front, nevegal 2 pro rear
After years of being a Maxxis fanboi, I became disillusioned by the poor quality control, warped beads etc. Now giving the new breed kendas a bash and so far I'm massively impressed. Hellkat 2.4 atc up front and e bike casing nevegal pro 2 on the rear. Hellkat is amazing, brilliant all rounder, grip for days without being an anchor and casings are nicely damped and a good weight. I'd love to see what you think of em. Also, Hutchinson griffus 2.5 , very good front, super supple but not floppy and grips as well or better than the dhf it looks a lot like.
@@camb9759 my pal writes for offroadcc and massively rates the Griffus, one of his faves. Like a better damped, better casing, better compound dhf as he puts it. The 2.5 is a big ol tyre, blows up bigger than a 2.6 maxxis! I was gonna go a pair on my rig, but didn't have the clearance at the rear for it! So far, I'm loving the Kendas, hellkat is probably the grippier option anyway for UK winter.
Alright you savages, I’ll try get hold on a Hutchinson Griffus tyre for a test. You got my juices flowing!
Just rode the bike park michelins myself, pretty good tire unless it's wet, then they have zero traction.
Also zero traction across rocks. Had a pretty hard crash friday arvo on a left hand rocky landing, minions hook up well in the spot, but landing the michelin there it just slid across the top like an aquaplane and slammed me
That said they bite excellent into loose soft dirt
I tried Mazza/Martello (both trail casing) on 27.5 enduro bike and Martello/Agarro (both trail casing) on 29 Hardtail. For enduro bike it was okay, but not confident inspiring. I got used to Mazza up front, but didn't liked Martello out back at all, it was way too slippery almost on any surface. Yes, both tires rolls fast. However I really liked Martello/Agarro combo on hardtail, it was fast and grip was sufficient. I really think Martello is better in the front for light trail duties. I sold my hardtail and was only left with enduro full sus (Clash). I switched to Maxxis Assegai/DHR2 (both DD casing-MaxxGrip Assegai and MaxxTerra DHR2) and wow I never felt that much suppleness from tire, the damping is excellent for small chatter. But my journey didn't stopped there, I still didn't liked how Assegai performed in the moist and wet conditions, especially wet roots. It seems that thread pattern slips on the wet roots and can't dig in, there aren't much space between the knobs. So I put WTB Verdict (Tough/High Grip) and it is fantastic for wet conditions, damping is better than Vitorria, but not like Maxxis. DHR2 in the back for wet is just okay, still slides occasionally. Most likely I will put Assegai up front in summer or maybe I would even want to try DHF MaxxGrip for riding on roots. Kenda Hellkat is also on my radar and Michelins for the wet. BTW the only time when I was blown away with the purely grip it was on my 29 hardtail with some Vee tires. Rubber was bad, sidewalls was bad, rolling speed was bad, but thread and grip was awesome. I still don't know if this because 29er or because of the tires.
The Vee tyres had an excellent tread pattern but agree with you on their rubber, very choppy
@@camb9759 I'm located in Europe, small country called Lithuania. Our tracks are in the forests around the capital city. Our forest are mixed between Leaf and Pine trees. Trails are packed, but with some loose bits from the forests, old dry leafs, pine spikes and roots. The underneath there is either sand which is packed or dirt. It's only dry in summer, but rest of the seasons it's moist, wet, snow or snow with mud. So I need to have two pairs of tires for dry and wet seasons. We don't have many rocks, but mostly roots and off-camber roots. Actually I usually test the tires capability on off-camber moist roots, I try to attack roots certain angle, but this is where you can really feel how the tire performs. So for me the tire should have most of the grip on these conditions and flat corners, I don't care that much about rolling resistance or tire weight. After reading all the reviews about Assegai I though this is it - one expensive tire to rule them all, but unfortunately there is no magic, I really like WTB tires, I even thinking Vigilante in summer for the front.
LOL "These are 2.4, it mounts up a little wider than a Maxxis 2.3 and not as wide as a Maxxis 2.5" no shit really?
What a pity you don’t speak English:)
They wasn't any good as GEAX, and wasn't now - the name changing doesn't justify the performance. Just the aggressive advertising now days. And you can be a very comprehensive test rider for the brands ))) Good luck!
I loved Geax tires.