thanks for the info.

Would you say a tubeless version of the same tyre is also stiffer than the tubed version?

shame about this coz I like the handling of the tyre but the bumpier ride defeats one of the main reasons I got the XTR.

I guess I will have to switch back to tourance @ the next change.

didn't know 6 years old tyres could be sold as new. Possible, if they are stored in the right environment maybe.