Austin Rattler Tire Picks — Best XC Setups for Reveille Peak Ranch
Published: 11/4/2025
Tags: tire, austin, rpr, xc, marathon, lifetime, maxxis, kenda, tire-picks, texas
If you’re racing the Austin Rattler MTB at Reveille Peak Ranch, you’re in for some prime Central Texas mountain biking.
Expect fast decomposed granite, loose fire roads, slabby rock, and a sneaky creek-bed rock garden that punishes anyone trying to be a hero.
This guide covers setups that balance speed, puncture resistance, and control, so you can hammer through three laps without thinking too much about your tires.
🏁 2025 Race Snapshot
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Surface | Decomp granite, loose-over-hard fire roads, slabby granite, and rocky creek beds |
| Weather | High 50s–low 60s start → warming to mid 80s by finish |
| Flat risk | Medium — mesquite thorns, pinch risk in the creek bed, square edges |
| Traction | Good in most conditions; granite slabs stay grippy; fire roads can get a little marbly off the main line |
Recent rain has kept dust down, but conditions should be mostly dry and fast by race day.
Thorns are a real hazard for riders lining up with low or stale sealant — go in with fresh sealant, or you’ll find out the hard way.
🗺️ Course Overview
You’ll start on fast doubletrack and roll into singletrack that mixes flowy hardpack, slab descents, and an infamous creek-bed rock garden about one-third of the way through each lap.
That creek bed deserves respect — it invites speed with flowy corners leading in, then turns into a line-free chaos of rocks. Riders flat there every lap. Stay light, let your bike move underneath you, and don’t blast into it with stiff arms and legs.
What I’m Running
Bike: 
Wheels:
Tires: 
Maxxis Aspen 2.4 WT ↗️ front/rear (120 TPI MaxxSpeed)
Inserts: Vittoria Air-Liner Light XC ↗️
Sealant: 6 oz 
Pressure: 16 PSI front / 18 PSI rear (~86 kg rider+bike+gear)
Plugs: Two 
Backup:
Suspension: slightly on the soft side — Flight Attendant handles efficiency.
This setup lets me stay loose in traffic early and stay smooth through granite slabs later without worrying about rim strikes.
🛞 Tire Setup Options for RPR
🔹 Aspen 2.4 WT — Front & Rear (120 TPI)
Maxxis Aspen 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Fast dry to slightly mixed course XC tire. Lightweight and race-proven.
My race-day pick. They roll incredibly fast, shed mud well in mixed to wet conditions, and hook up predictably.
- ✅ Fastest combo for dry-to-damp RPR
- ✅ Predictable drift — trust it and don’t brake hard mid-corner
- ✅ Mud-shedding is excellent for Texas clay
- ⚠️ Could be a little slick on first-lap loose climbs with traffic
🔹 Ikon 2.4 WT — Front / Aspen 2.4 WT — Rear
Maxxis Ikon 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Lightweight XC tire with predictable grip and low rolling resistance.
Maxxis Aspen 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Fast dry to slightly mixed course XC tire. Lightweight and race-proven.
Maxxis Ikon 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Lightweight XC tire with predictable grip and low rolling resistance.
Maxxis Aspen 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Fast dry to slightly mixed course XC tire. Lightweight and race-proven.
Confidence up front, speed out back. I ran Ikon/Ikon last year and they were rock solid even when it rained on lap three, but I’m ready to push for more speed this year.
- ✅ Excellent braking and cornering feel on loose rock
- ✅ Still fast rolling overall
- ⚠️ Heavier feel than dual Aspens
🔹 Rekon Race 2.4 WT — Front / Aspen ST 2.4 WT — Rear
Maxxis Rekon Race 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Review – fast rolling XC tire for dry trails. The Maxxis Rekon Race is my go-to front tire for dry, rough XC courses. See how it performs and why it’s in my rotation.
Maxxis Aspen ST 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Semi-slick version of the Aspen. Ideal for hardpack and short track.
Maxxis Rekon Race 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Review – fast rolling XC tire for dry trails. The Maxxis Rekon Race is my go-to front tire for dry, rough XC courses. See how it performs and why it’s in my rotation.
Maxxis Aspen ST 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Semi-slick version of the Aspen. Ideal for hardpack and short track.
I think running an Aspen ST, even just in the rear, is a move for podium chasers willing to dance on the edge.
Having a Rekon Race in front allows for aggressive riding while the Aspen ST in the rear is lightning quick. The real risk with
the ST on this course is spinning the wheel on a loose climb where you’ve taken a suboptimal line in traffic.
- ✅ Blistering fast rear
- ✅ Excellent front control in loose corners
- ⚠️ Risky first lap in traffic on sandy and/or loose climbs
- ⚠️ Dry combo only
🔹 Kenda Rush 2.4 SCT — Front & Rear
Kenda Rush Pro 2.4 SCT (120 TPI)
Fast-rolling XC tire with ample grip, superb handling, and SCT protection for rocky, technical terrain.
If my Rushes weren’t looking a bit ragged after some hard racing and training, I’d happily run them. The SCT sidewalls are perfect for RPR’s square-edge hits.
- ✅ Rolls fast with plenty of grip in dry conditions
- ✅ Shrugs off casual hits in the creek bed and sidewall abrasions
- ⚠️ Decent mud shedder but a little slick if it rains
🔹 Kenda Booster Pro 2.4 SCT — Front / Kenda Rush 2.4 SCT — Rear
Kenda Booster Pro 2.4 SCT (120 TPI)
XC race tire with aggressive knobs and SCT protection — a lighter, confident alternative to the Maxxis Ikon.
Kenda Rush Pro 2.4 SCT (120 TPI)
Fast-rolling XC tire with ample grip, superb handling, and SCT protection for rocky, technical terrain.
Kenda Booster Pro 2.4 SCT (120 TPI)
XC race tire with aggressive knobs and SCT protection — a lighter, confident alternative to the Maxxis Ikon.
Kenda Rush Pro 2.4 SCT (120 TPI)
Fast-rolling XC tire with ample grip, superb handling, and SCT protection for rocky, technical terrain.
Fast rear, grippy front — stellar in mixed conditions and early traffic. A combo that you can confidently ride aggressively on.
- ✅ Bites better than dual Rush or Aspen
- ✅ SCT casing durability is excellent
- ⚠️ Slightly slower acceleration
✅ TL;DR — Best Rattler Tire Combos
| Combo | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen F/R (120 TPI) | Fast rolling, predictable drift, great mud shedding | Maybe a little twitchy early in traffic |
| Ikon F / Aspen R | Balanced, secure front-end feel, reliable braking | Slightly slower overall |
| Rekon Race F / Aspen ST R | Fast rear, solid front, podium chasing speed | Loose climbs could be risky in first lap |
| Rush F/R (SCT) | Fast and good handling, excellent casing | A little slick if it rains |
| Booster F / Rush R (SCT) | Extra front bite + fast rear | Slightly slower acceleration |
🎯 Not sure what tires to go with?
Use the RaceDaySetup Tire Selector to get personalized recommendations based on terrain, riding style, and your goals.
Try the Tire Selector →💨 Pressure Notes
Running 16 PSI front / 18 PSI rear with Vittoria Air-Liner Light inserts (~86 kg total) gives me all the traction I need without dinging rims through creek beds and on square edges. Use the Tire Selector to dial in pressure based on weight, terrain, and use of inserts.
🧰 Gear That Keeps Me Rolling
Air-Liner Light XC Tire Insert
Insert system for rim protection and lower pressure confidence.
Dynaplug Racer Pro Review – Fast, Lightweight Tubeless Tire Plug Kit
Why I trust the Dynaplug Racer Pro to save races: lightweight, fast to deploy, and incredibly reliable. Full review + real race experience.
Skratch Super High-Carb Mix
My main fueling source for training and racing. Delivers 100g carbs per bottle, no stomach issues, and pairs great with PH 1500 tablets.
Precision Fuel 30 Caffeine Energy Gel
A 30g carb + 100mg caffeine punch for race day surges and early wakeups. Easy to rip, easy to down, and a go-to when I need that extra gear.
Neversecond C30 Energy Gel
A 30g carbohydrate endurance gel with a great flavor and added electrolytes for sustained fueling without gut issues.
Precision Hydration PH 1500 Tablets
A no-nonsense sodium boost that pairs perfectly with high-carb mixes. Easy to travel with, race-tested, and essential for hydration strategy.
Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro – Flight Attendant vs. Stock
Full breakdown of the Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro in both its stock 120/130mm configuration and a custom 120/120mm RockShox Flight Attendant setup.
Support Strategy:
Two Dynaplug Racer Pros (8 plugs total) on bike; bacon strips and a tube + extra wheelset staged at start/finish.
Fresh sealant before race — 6 oz per tire of Orange Seal Endurance. Don’t skimp!
💡 Rattler Tips
Don’t blast into the rock garden creek bed — it’s not worth cracking a wheel or pinch flatting.
The creek bed claims victims every year. Enter light, look ahead, and let the bike float.
Everywhere else, carry speed and trust your tires — RPR rewards smooth aggression.
Take it one lap at a time.
Three laps makes this race mentally easier to break into chunks. Focus on the current lap — not the next one.
🛡️ What I’d Run If I Wanted Zero Drama
Ikon 2.4 F / Aspen 2.4 R — confident everywhere, still fast, and forgiving on tired third-lap lines.
Perfect for anyone who wants to finish strong and not stress tire choice. This combination will also perform well in any conditions at Reveille Peak.
Related Guides:
👉 Breck Epic Tire Guide →
👉 Firecracker 50 Tire Picks →
👉 Little Sugar Tire Picks →
📽️ [Watch my 2024 Rattler recap post 👇]
Related Gear
Maxxis Aspen ST 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Semi-slick version of the Aspen. Ideal for hardpack and short track.
Read my review →
Eflator Digital Tire Pump
Compact digital inflator that’s perfect for travel and daily pre-ride top-offs.
Read my review → Kenda Booster Pro 2.4 SCT (120 TPI)
XC race tire with aggressive knobs and SCT protection — a lighter, confident alternative to the Maxxis Ikon.
Read my review →