🌲 Chequamegon 40 Tire Picks – Firetower Grip, Birkie Speed
Published: 9/3/2025
Tags: chequamegon, cheq 40, wisconsin, tire, tire picks, race setup
Grassy rollers, wide ski trail, and one famous climb: Firetower.
📌 Update 9.13.25 — Sadly I missed Chequamegon this year after getting sick in the days leading up to the race. Till next year! Alexey Vermeulen took the win again this year on Rush Pro 2.4s!
Cheq is one of those races where less tire is more. The course is fast: cross-country ski trail, gravel connectors, grassy rollers, and Firetower as the one big punch. What matters is high volume, low pressure, and a tire that rolls fast. You don’t need much knob—just enough bite not to spin out on Firetower and enough volume to lay down consistent power through bumpy grass.
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My 2025 pick:
Kenda Rush Pro 2.4 ↗️ f/r
(The same tire Alexey Vermeulen rode to win Chequamegon in 2023. Read more) -
Dry-only hammer:
Maxxis Aspen ST 2.4 ↗️ f/r -
Wet hedge:
Maxxis Aspen 2.4 (non-ST) ↗️ f/r
Quick Tire Picks
| Option | Conditions | Front Tire | Rear Tire |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (My pick) | Most conditions | Kenda Rush Pro 2.4 ↗️ | Kenda Rush Pro 2.4 ↗️ |
| 2 (Dry/fast) | Dry / hardpack | Aspen ST 2.4 ↗️ | Aspen ST 2.4 ↗️ |
| 3 (Wet-friendly) | Rain / Mud / slick grass | Aspen 2.4 ↗️ | Aspen 2.4 ↗️ |
Notes
- Rush Pro 2.4: Safe pick — rolls fast, digs enough on Firetower, handles well in mixed conditions.
- Aspen ST 2.4: Fastest on dry/hardpack. Pure speed tire. Might be less than ideal going up Firetower on a wet day.
- Aspen 2.4 (regular): Slightly more open tread, sheds mud well. Ideal if the forecast looks sloppy.
✅ I’m only brining one combo: inserts ↗️ .
Pro Spotlight 🎥
Alexey Vermeulen’s winning ride at Chequamegon 2023 — on Kenda Rush 2.4s:
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Tire | Speed ⭐ | Grip ⭐ | Wet Handling ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenda Rush Pro 2.4 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Maxxis Aspen ST 2.4 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
| Maxxis Aspen 2.4 (regular) | ⭐⭐⭐½ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
🎯 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 →Pressures, Inserts & Sealant
- Rider + gear ~86 kg
- With inserts: ~12F / 13R PSI
- Without inserts: ~14F / 15R PSI
- Inserts: Vittoria Air-Liner Light ↗️ f/r
- Sealant: Top off with
Why Wide Tires at Low Pressure?
Cheq looks smooth from the start line, but the grassy sections are deceptively bumpy. If you’re over-pressured or on too-narrow a tire, you’ll get knocked around and lose power every time your rear wheel skips off the ground.
Running a 2.4” casing at low PSI keeps you planted and smooth, letting you lay down steady power across grass, gravel, and ski trail without wasting watts. Over 40 miles, that’s free speed.
Who Should Run What?
| Rider Type | Recommended Setup |
|---|---|
| Speed / dry-focused | Aspen ST 2.4 f/r ↗️ |
| Balanced / most riders | Kenda Rush Pro 2.4 f/r ↗️ |
| Wet forecast hedge | Aspen 2.4 f/r ↗️ |
Final Takeaways
- Rush Pro 2.4 is my go-to: very fast, plenty of volume, and maintains grip on Firetower even if it rains.
- Aspen ST 2.4 is the dry-day rocket — if the forecast is clear, this may be the fastest option.
- Regular Aspen 2.4 splits the difference — almost as fast, but sheds mud really well if things go sideways.
- Cheq doesn’t need much tire. Think wide + low PSI to keep the rubber planted while you’re pushing the pedals.
Related Gear
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 →
Buy Now 
Air-Liner Light XC Tire Insert
Insert system for rim protection and lower pressure confidence.
Read my review →
Maxxis Aspen 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Fast dry to slightly mixed course XC tire. Lightweight and race-proven.
Read my review →