race tires

[leobic]

here's one to feast on. racing tires: are they worth my while? i run 2.1 kenda "no flat" nevegals on my santa cruz. the guys i ride with use nevegals, but change on race day. one uses block eights, the other uses huthcinson python air lights. i am considering buying a pair of block eights or kenda karmas. the karmas are lighter, but the block eights roll faster -- so they say.

my goal is to get just a bit more pick me up during races. you know, use technology to make myself a little faster. my choices are: a. 2.1 block eights (roll baby), b. 2.0 karma (shed weight), or c. race the 2.1 nevegals and stop thinking about the whole mess.

any insights or experiences?

[gopherhockey]

Racing specific I can't answer.. but the Schwalbe racing ralphs are faster (rolling resistance wise) than the SB8s with better traction. (SB8s are so 2007...)

mtbr had a big spreadsheet from some guy who did tests of all the tires... we should post a link for anyone interested.

https://www.universalcycles.com/images//products/medium/21600.jpg

[ppgc]

my goal is to get just a bit more pick me up during races. you know, use technology to make myself a little faster. my choices are: a. 2.1 block eights (roll baby), b. 2.0 karma (shed weight), or c. race the 2.1 nevegals and stop thinking about the whole mess.

any insights or experiences?

I have fun all the above but never in race conditions. If the terrain is sharp and pointy I would never use the karmas. But they feel fast as all hell. They seem to roll just as well as the smb8s in my opinion. But for day to day rides I am switching to Nevegals. So I guess what I am getting at is if it is dry and fast use the karmas or smb8s, if there is a bit of greasy trail try the karmas, if there is some thick stuff use the nevegals. Hope this confused you a bit. :)

[gtbikes]

I have found that for riding on terrain ike duluth/copper harbor (see rocky terrain vx hardpack dirt) that the karmas out perform. On dirt, I have notice the karmas wash out more. That said I have not gone wrong with panracer fire pros!

[b_rogo]

Small Block 8's suck balls. I've never ridden your other choice. I would choose Maxxis Crossmarks and call it a day. Crossmarks are my race tire of choice unless it's muddy, then I use Michelin AT's

[tedsti]

Small Block 8s are a great choice for around here. If you want something a little faster and grippier but unfortunately about 2x the $$$ get the Schwalbe Racing Ralph.

Check here for the true data
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=419392&highlight=rolling+resistance

[leobic]

Small Block 8s are a great choice for around here. If you want something a little faster and grippier but unfortunately about 2x the $$$ get the Schwalbe Racing Ralph.

Check here for the true data
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=419392&highlight=rolling+resistance

dang. that's helpful. i guess a person reading that would have to consider the racing ralph or the nobby nic. fasty vs. grippy.

thanks all for feedback and data.

[mvangundy]

[quote=tedsti;302964]Small Block 8s are a great choice for around here. If you want something a little faster and grippier but unfortunately about 2x the $$$ get the Schwalbe Racing Ralph.




+1 !!!!
:banana:

[Nuget]

I rode the Panaracer Razer 2.3(front) and 2.1(rear) combo for half a season on my motolite and they were very light and rolled very well. Cornered well shedded mud better than most i've ridden.

Changed up to Nevegal DTC for some more gripage and definitely suites the bike better.

[tedsti]

I rode the Panaracer Razer 2.3(front) and 2.1(rear) combo for half a season on my motolite and they were very light and rolled very well. Cornered well shedded mud better than most i've ridden.
I had a 2.3 Razor up front for a while. For our hard pack trails, I would say it grips as well as a worn out Small Block 8 and rolls slower. It did work well for a low profile knob tire in deeper sand like at Levis.

[slothlike]

The SB-8s are awesomely fast on groomed trails, but the knobs are too short if the trail is loose.

I think the Pythons are perfect for racing; they are light, roll fast, and have just enough traction.