XC Vs Down Country Mountain Bike Tyres | Is There A Difference?

'Downcountry' is a word that is being thrown around more and more in the world of mountain biking. But is this new genre of riding different enough to warrant a specific tyre? What features should this tyre have? Here are Doddy and Rich to help explain 🔧

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[azamatismailov]

I went to 2021 Cape Epic as a complete rookie with Specialized Fasttrack tyres (2.25 front, 1.95 back). I trained on Table Mountain trails and quickly realized that I don't feel comfortable at all. Quickly replaced them with 'downcountry' Maxxis Aredent Race 2.35 front and back - massive difference, a confidence boost and more comfort. Managed to finish the Cape Epic without a single puncture.

[usagiyojimbo]

I love you making the cross reference to Mr. Levi. Good journalists do quote correctly. You an Mike are my favorite bike journalists.

[seanc]

I know this may not be possible due to sponsors or brands and stuff but I want to see what happens if you try modern mountain bike riding on regular Bell bike tires that most non enthusiasts would think of when they think of what a bike tire is.

[MTB_CRZY]

for "downcountry" i use a trail tire on the front and a downhill tire on the rear that has low rolling knobs on the center but chunky side knobs to help dig in essentially its just a trail bike.

[kan]

6:24 - You're welcome.

TLDR, it's marketing hype for "more aggressive XC tire"

[markusilomaki]

Doddy, look me in the eye and tell me what is the difference between a downcountry tyre and a trail tyre 😀

[skarabyll]

I love taking my XC bike out on long gravel rides, and when the trail gets a bit rough i switch to my XC bike. For steeper and more technical terrain you should consider Swapping out your XC tires for XC tires rather then using XC tires 👍

[dave_xc]

I'm actually using a set of downcoutry tires on my trek procaliber
Maxxis rekon 2.4 60 tpi
Maxxis rekon race 2.35 60 tpi

[chrisg]

I'm beginning to feel the need for an "up country" bike, like an XC but running at higher altitudes. Or maybe a 'flat country' bike 😁

[Vctrius]

Downcountry, a new name for something that we knew years ago. Marketing at its best. Get yourself an "oldskool" 130mm bike and put some nice trail tires on it and the new kids call it downcountry.

[atomiccat]

I run xc tires on my trail bike, plenty of grip, dwn country is just a gimmick they are just slightly more aggressive xc tires

[deterrentdubz]

I feel like ‘downcountry’ is just a marketing scheme.
Anything you can do on the ‘down country’ bike can be done on the XC bike…
I mean the difference between a ‘downcountry’ bike and an XC bike is 10 maybe 20mm of travel.
Utter nonsense.
Next are we going to subdivide bikes into it’s a joke! 😂

[nellysummer]

How does this down country Compare with the Vittoria Barzo "trail" version in anthracite rather than tan race version as seen in this video.

[Bianchiboy]

Down Country? Ah yes, because there’s not enough labels for stuff.

Next up: Aggressive mud bikes.

[Montblanc]

Looks a lot like the old XR3 pattern, one of my favorite tires

[tomskid]

Good video, good format, good explanation. But the whole “down country” terminology/definition is stupid. Here we go again. The bike industry trying to create another genre of biking to get consumers money.

[janvahalec]

All is about compromise. Take always what serves the purpose. If you have specified tyre, it will not be master of all. Simple. But I see my choice. Downcountry in the front, XC on the back.

[paulsimpson]

Xc tyres are way more capable than that….I own a epic evo and the trails I ride are rocky…the large sharp pointy variety yet I have never damaged a tyre. I reckon could ride the trails in your vid on a road bike and not puncture. In fact 30 years ago I used to ride dirt roads on a colnago master with 19mm wide michelin slicks…..these days I would need a gravel bike appropriately tyred.

[nathanbaldwin]

There's literally no difference...the bikes are basically the same aswell...its just stupid marketing making idiots believe they need all these different bikes 🤷‍♂️

[nicholkid]

I mean, I hate the new marketing for downcountry... But it is pretty much the perfect niche for me lol