Best Front and Rear MTB Tire Combinations by Riding Style
Running the same tire front and rear is simple, but most mountain bike tires are designed with a job in mind. The front tire steers and brakes, so it needs grip you can trust in corners. The rear tire drives and brakes too, but it also does most of the rolling, so a faster or more durable tread often makes sense. Below are the front/rear combinations recommended by Maxxis, Michelin, Pirelli and Schwalbe, sorted by riding style. Prefer to browse by brand? See our front and rear tire combinations by brand.
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Jump to: Cross country · Trail & downcountry · All mountain · Enduro · Downhill & bike park · E-MTB
Cross country (XC)
XC racing. Schwalbe designed the Racing Ray as the front wheel specialist to complement the Racing Ralph, developed for the rear wheel.
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Technical XC. Maxxis designs the Rekon Race as a rear tire for a more aggressive front tread.
Mixed terrain. Pirelli calls the XC R the optimal rear tyre when paired with a Scorpion XC M at the front.
XC with more grip up front. Both tires work front or rear.
XC racing, maximum speed. Maxxis rates the Aspen for front or rear.
Trail & downcountry
Fast trail riding in dry conditions. Maxxis recommends the Dissector up front on 130 to 140 mm trail bikes and says it pairs great with the Rekon.
Shop the comboFast trail and downcountry. Maxxis names the Forekaster as a fast rear option for the Dissector.
Shop the comboDowncountry and light trail, mixed conditions.
Trail with more downhill focus. Schwalbe suggests the Nobby Nic or Magic Mary up front with the Wicked Will.
Everyday MTB and recreational riding. Schwalbe pairs the Tough Tom front with the Rapid Rob rear.
All mountain
Michelin says a Wild tire at the front and a Force tire at the rear is the preferred choice of high level riders.
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Dry, hard and rocky terrain. Maxxis says the Aggressor works especially well as a rear tire with a Minion DHF or Assegai up front.
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Enduro
Maxxis calls it the ultimate aggressive trail combo, available in EXO+ and DoubleDown casings.
Shop the comboMaximum grip for technical terrain. The Assegai is designed as a front tire, the DHR II as a rear.
Shop the comboFast enduro. Maxxis rates the Dissector as a fast rear tire on 150 mm+ bikes.
Loose, dusty and changing terrain.
Pirelli calls the Enduro R the perfect rear tyre when paired with a Scorpion Enduro M up front.
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Enduro racing. MH for mixed and hard terrain, MS for soft terrain, with the rear specific Wild Enduro Rear. Also in Performance Line (MH, Rear) and dark sidewall versions.
Schwalbe says the Big Betty works perfectly on the rear wheel when combined with the Magic Mary. Albert and Romy are designed for both wheels: Schwalbe suggests the softer compound up front.
Downhill & bike park
The classic gravity pairing, available in 3C MaxxGrip with DoubleDown and Downhill casings.
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New for downhill. Maxxis designed it for use as either a front or rear tire.
Downhill racing. Michelin rates both the DH22 and the DH16 for front and rear use.
Deep mud and very loose terrain. Maxxis recommends it front and rear.
E-MTB
E-MTB with racing level grip. Dedicated front and rear treads.
E-MTB, durability for everyday riding.
Quick tips
- Put the grippiest tire up front. Losing the front in a corner is harder to save than a sliding rear.
- Match casings to your riding. A heavier rear casing protects against pinch flats and rim strikes.
- Check your frame and fork clearance before going wider.
Need help choosing? Contact us through the chat and we will recommend the right pair for your bike and trails.
