Big Apple or Holy Roller tire?

[rogerc]

Getting everything ready for my build.
Building a MTB for fire roads with some dirt, gravel, overall 50% fire road and 50% pavement.
Using Mac T10 motor on a Giant Revel MTB frame.
In reviewing tires the Holy Roller and Big Apple keep coming up.
Which tire would you choose and why?
Is there any others tires you would look at?
I am 60 years old, so no rough stuff, mostly sight seeing on back roads.
I like comfort, decent grip, and speeds on pavement about 20 mph, on back roads about 15 mph.
Thoughts???
Thanks
RC

 

[Samd]

I like the way the holy roller's 'checkerplate' pattern rolls flatter than a knobby on roads - but has space to grip gravel and mud when needed. I don't know if the level tread on the apples would perform the same way - but I've never used those!

 

[neptronix]

big apples are fairly close to being slicks..

 

[DAND214]

I haven't used the Holy Rollers but have the Big Apples.
The BA's don't have much grip for gravel or mud, so I would try the HR's.

Think I will give them a try next year, since summers gone.

Dan

 

[melodious]

Don't go Big Apples for dirt. I have them on my rear. They have virtually no grip when climbing steep sections.

 

[Jolly Jumper]

If you have full suspension or at least a seat post suspension you can take Kenda K-898 they need more pressure and ride harder but last double as long as the ballon or MTB knobbie tires.

 

[zaphod911]

Greetz!

I'd reccomend the Maxxis Crossmark if its a 50-50 split.

It's the tire i use on my tour fully, and rolls nicely on pavement and tracks well on the trails. I would stay away from the Big Apple, as they offer no real grip anywhere other than pavement. I use Hookworms on my commuter and need to be careful at speed on the trails. The Holy Roller is a decent tire but on the trail it wont offer alot of grip in the turns...

The Larsen TT is also very good:

 

[boostjuice]

You sure you don't mean 'Crazy Bob or Holy Roller tire'?

The Crazy bob is much more similar to the Holy Roller than Big Apples.

 

[dogman dan]

Tough call, but sacrificing pavement performance makes the most sense to me. Just bear in mind you are on knobbies when you corner on paved.

The maxis looks real good to me, the extra knobs down the center will help it roll better on the pavement.

If it's mostly paved, but some dirt, then the HR's would be good. On my cargo bike, I run a cheap balloon tire for cruisers. But it's got just enough knob to make a flat dirt road bearable.

 

[MadRhino]

Very different tires. The big apple will last, the Holly Roller will stick better on any surface.
Off road, the Holly Roller will be much better but still crap on loose, wet, or any rough at speed.

 

[rogerc]

Crossmark looks good, seems to be designed for that 50/50 approach to riding.
Will continue to research.
Thanks for the replies, keep me coming !
RC

 

[shenzhen_ex]

HR's...I like them.