What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying: "I swap to the Hardskin Taipan when courses get sharp and rowdy. Same fast roll, extra cut protection. I’ll pick 2. 1 for max efficiency or 2. 25 when I want more footprint."Rock-strewn race loops and wet-over-hardpack call for the Taipan XC Hardskin duo. Choose 29x2. 1 for the racier feel or 29x2. 25 for added volume—both use the open, v-block tread that sheds mud and finds drive on variable surfaces. Bead-to-bead Hardskin reinforcement fortifies the 66 TPI folding casing without killing ride feel, and Race Ripost XC rubber keeps speed high with trustworthy shoulder grip when you tip it in.