🚴‍♂️Tire Picks by Race

Course-specific tire recommendations based on what I’ve tested and raced on. These picks are tailored for XC and endurance MTB events — dry, wet, loose, or rocky — with detailed notes on pressure, inserts, and front/rear combos.

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Use the RaceDaySetup Tire Selector to get personalized recommendations based on terrain, riding style, and your goals.

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Maxxis Aspen vs Rekon Race – XC Tire Showdown

6/23/2025

Two of the fastest XC MTB tires go head to head. Which one rolls quicker? Which one grips harder? Here’s how they compare—and when to run each.

tire, comparison, aspen, rekon race, xc, racing, tubeless, maxxis

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Austin Rattler Tire Picks — Best XC Setups for Reveille Peak Ranch

11/4/2025

Best MTB tire setups for the Austin Rattler at Reveille Peak Ranch — fast granite slabs, loose fire roads, and caliche drags. Roll quick, stay upright through the creek-bed rock garden, and keep those thorns sealed.

tire, austin, rpr, xc, marathon, lifetime, maxxis, kenda, tire-picks, texas

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🗻 Breck Epic Tire Picks – What to Run for 6 Stages of High-Alpine Racing

8/20/2025

Tire advice for the 2025 Breck Epic MTB Stage Race — with real race setups, pressures, and stage-by-stage strategy notes.

breck epic, tire, tire picks, race setup, colorado, stage race

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🌲 Chequamegon 40 Tire Picks – Firetower Grip, Birkie Speed

9/3/2025

Tire advice for the Chequamegon MTB Festival (Cheq 40) — fast Birkie ski trail, grassy rollers, and the infamous Firetower climb.

chequamegon, cheq 40, wisconsin, tire, tire picks, race setup

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🚵 Firecracker 50 Tire Picks – Fast, Grippy Combos for this Breck Classic

7/1/2025

Tire picks for the 2025 Firecracker 50 in Breckenridge — based on real trail testing across Breck Epic stages and a full course pre-ride.

firecracker50, tire pick, race setup, breck epic, tire

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Grand Junction Rides & Vibes Tire Picks

5/4/2025

Let's dig in to tire choice for the Filthy 40 race at Grand Junction Rides & Vibes.

tire, grandjunction, xc, filthy40, rides&vibes

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Tire Picks for Leadville Trail 100 MTB

8/20/2025

Tire recommendations for the Leadville 100 MTB race — based on real race-day results, high-altitude testing, and comparison to what the pros ran.

leadville 100, tire pick, race setup, colorado, tire

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Little Sugar MTB Tire Picks — The Tire That Survived

10/16/2025

Best MTB tire setups for the Little Sugar 100K in Bentonville, AR — a dry, loose, and brutally sharp course that destroyed countless tires. See what actually made it to the finish line (and what to run if it rains).

tire, bentonville, xc, littlesugar, lifetimegrandprix, kenda, maxxis, tire-picks, wet-conditions

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