Good trail riding tires?

[blake.remmick]

Alright I am looking to replace my tires on my current bike and need some advice. I don't do any racing just trail riding around the cities here (mostly Theo, Lebanon and Murphy). I am looking to get some good tires that like to grip in these sort of conditions while still being quick rolling. I have heard a lot of good things about the Pana Fire XC Pro's but some have said that they are good for racing but not normal trail riding. Is this true from your experiences? Or how about the Kenda Nevegal's I have also heard quite a bit about these? Lastly, what are pro's or con's between Kevlar and Wire beads?

Thanks for all the help.

[At the Gates 2121]

Alright I am looking to replace my tires on my current bike and need some advice. I don't do any racing just trail riding around the cities here (mostly Theo, Lebanon and Murphy). I am looking to get some good tires that like to grip in these sort of conditions while still being quick rolling. I have heard a lot of good things about the Pana Fire XC Pro's but some have said that they are good for racing but not normal trail riding. Is this true from your experiences? Or how about the Kenda Nevegal's I have also heard quite a bit about these? Lastly, what are pro's or con's between Kevlar and Wire beads?

Thanks for all the help.

I love the bontrager/jones revolts they get the job done for me

[Standard]

I've been really happy with my Specialized Captains. They roll really well and hold a corner great.

As for Kevlar vs Wire.. Kevlar is more expensive, but lighter. Wire is cheaper and heavier. Pretty much any decent mountain tire is going to be a kevlar bead.

[Ish]

MBA magazine just gave the nod to the nevegals for the 3rd year running. However, a lot of people (including me) don't think these roll all that fast.

I just switched over to some 2.4 Nobby nics and have been happy with both rolling resistance and corning/traction.

[ibismojo2001]

26er or 29er??

I like my Hutch Pythons. They roll fast and hook up well. I also recently had Maxxis Larsens and Crossmarks. I liked the Crossmarks

[gtbikes]

Alright I am looking to replace my tires on my current bike and need some advice. I don't do any racing just trail riding around the cities here (mostly Theo, Lebanon and Murphy). I am looking to get some good tires that like to grip in these sort of conditions while still being quick rolling. I have heard a lot of good things about the Pana Fire XC Pro's but some have said that they are good for racing but not normal trail riding. Is this true from your experiences? Or how about the Kenda Nevegal's I have also heard quite a bit about these? Lastly, what are pro's or con's between Kevlar and Wire beads?

Thanks for all the help.

I do it all on the panracers, no changing out tires for racing and no problems minus my own physical limits. I find they corner well, climb well, descend well, roll well through rock gardens, etc. I only throw on a kendal kharma on the front for rocky terrain like at Piedmont/copper Harbor/Marquette, MI.

[Pain Cave Spelunker]

I ride Maxxis Ignitors. They're more of a race tire but they last pretty long. Grip is "good enough."

[blake.remmick]

MBA magazine just gave the nod to the nevegals for the 3rd year running. However, a lot of people (including me) don't think these roll all that fast.

I just switched over to some 2.4 Nobby nics and have been happy with both rolling resistance and corning/traction.

2.4 Nobby Nics? What are these? Who produces this tire? Anybody else have thoughts on these? I always thought about a 2.3 or 2.4 but they seem to have a bad rep for rolling real slow. Is this the case?

[blake.remmick]

26" Tires. They are on a 2004 Stumpy hardtail if that helps.

[bigwheel]

2.4 Nobby Nics? What are these? Who produces this tire? Anybody else have thoughts on these? I always thought about a 2.3 or 2.4 but they seem to have a bad rep for rolling real slow. Is this the case?

Schwalbe. For a 26er, the Nobby Nic seems like a fast-rolling tire that has good grip. They don't make it on the 29er, but the Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.4 29er is also a fast rolling tire, and hooks up good for summer in MN. The down side is that Schwalbe tires are expensive.

[gopherhockey]

I'm going with the racing ralph front and back as soon as I can locate a 2.4 in stock. I'm hoping they do better in fall riding than the SB8s as well.

[tedsti]

I'm going with the racing ralph front and back as soon as I can locate a 2.4 in stock. I'm hoping they do better in fall riding than the SB8s as well.
Ask and you shall receive.
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=TR4730

[gopherhockey]

Ask and you shall receive.
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=TR4730

One click away from ordering before I saw the tire diameter. DOH!

[tedsti]

One click away from ordering before I saw the tire diameter. DOH!
Ooppps, more bad advice....

[bigwheel]

One click away from ordering before I saw the tire diameter. DOH!

Aw, go ahead and buy it. All you need to do is swap out a few parts on your bike and it'll fit. You know you want it. :evil:

[blake.remmick]

How about the WTB tires? Any of these a good all-around tire? I checked out both the motoraptor and the weirwolf. I guess my main concern is that I would like to find a tire that can take on a lot of different condition, does this exist?

[fallingup]

How about the WTB tires? Any of these a good all-around tire? I checked out both the motoraptor and the weirwolf. I guess my main concern is that I would like to find a tire that can take on a lot of different condition, does this exist?

Blake, I too am just a trail rider of Leb, Murphy, & Theo & I really like the WTB Mutano Raptors. They're great for cornering. I do have a Panaracer Fire XC Pro on the rear bc I think it rolls a bit faster & I don't really care as much about traction in the rear. So my reco is WTB Mutano Raptor on the front & Panaracer Fire XC Pro on the rear...

[Tomg]

MBA magazine just gave the nod to the nevegals for the 3rd year running. However, a lot of people (including me) don't think these roll all that fast.

I run Nevegal 2.35's for all my trail riding. These things stick like glue in almost all conditions. I love them but, if anything Crash's last sentence is an understatement. They have some serious rolling resistance. I run small block 8's when I race for just that reason. The 2.4 Knobby Nic's look really interesting but I have yet to find anyplace in the US that has them in stock right now.

[gopherhockey]

The 2.4 Knobby Nic's look really interesting but I have yet to find anyplace in the US that has them in stock right now.

Universal Cycles has them I think. I just returned one that got sent by mistake instead of the racing ralph. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=10307

I just found the 2.4 RR on Phattire.com - guess they are obscure enough not to have been pillaged like most other sites.

[gtbikes]

Blake, I too am just a trail rider of Leb, Murphy, & Theo & I really like the WTB Mutano Raptors. They're great for cornering. I do have a Panaracer Fire XC Pro on the rear bc I think it rolls a bit faster & I don't really care as much about traction in the rear. So my reco is WTB Mutano Raptor on the front & Panaracer Fire XC Pro on the rear...

I hate the Mutano's, they did nothing but wash out for me....as for the panracer, didn't you get them initially because they were red?!?:laugh:

[Ish]

I always thought about a 2.3 or 2.4 but they seem to have a bad rep for rolling real slow. Is this the case?

na. 2.4's (or 2.35's) may weigh a little more, but don't roll any slower over rough terrain. 1.9's just "feel" faster becasue you are bouncing all over the place. If your not racing, then IMO 2.4's are the way to go.

[gopherhockey]

na. 2.4's (or 2.35's) may weigh a little more, but don't roll any slower over rough terrain. 1.9's just "feel" faster becasue you are bouncing all over the place. If your not racing, then IMO 2.4's are the way to go.

We might have to bust out the discussion around fat tires and how they might even roll better than thinner tires, even considering the weight difference.

I can't remember where i saw that discussion though... :p

[blake.remmick]

Lets have this discussion - I am ready to learn a little.

Also, what is the best bet in these wider tires? Schwalbes do seem expenisve - other options? Something similar to Nevegal with a little less rolling resistance.

[Shickdawg]

I'll echo the recommendation for the Specialized Captains. I just put them through the ringer at three different trail systems up here: the very well-worn and hardpack Tech Trails, the looser and flowing singletrack of Churning Rapids and the insanity of Copper Harbor. In all three conditions they were awesome. I've ridden the Nevegals up in da Harbor, and found that Captains have every bit of the traction the Nevegals have. On the flipside, on faster, flowy singletrack, they roll really quickly. They didn't wash out, even when I pushed the corners really hard. They handle loose, they handle mud, they handle hardpack. All-around tire. The only reason I don't run them all the time is that I like something that rolls even faster for racing. If I was only ever riding trails, I'd put on Captains and forget it.

I run the Captain 2Bliss Controls (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=35727). They can be run tubeless or with a tube equally well -- I run them tubed. The Control version will run you no more than $45/tire. The Sport model only costs $35/tire, but has a wire bead. I'd spring for the Control model if you can.

[mvangundy]

I'm going with the racing ralph front and back as soon as I can locate a 2.4 in stock. I'm hoping they do better in fall riding than the SB8s as well.




sb'8s alll the way !!!
there super fast !
:banana:

[dave t]

I hate the Mutano's, they did nothing but wash out for me....as for the panracer, didn't you get them initially because they were red?!?:laugh:
????? Did you mess with pressures to try and solve it? I've had really good luck with the Mutanos. I run a heavyish FS and do notice them skipping off things now and then but grip on pretty much all flavors of dirt has always been first rate. Any drift is controlled and recoverable.

[Nuget]

I've ridden Panaracer Fire XC's for a few years and they are a great all around trail tire that rolls fairly fast and grips well in the corners. My motolite came with Panaracer Razer 2.3/2.1 and they were very fast and very light, great racing tire but I needed something with a bit more meat so I tried out the Kenda Nevegals in 2.1 and haven't looked back. They could be a bit faster but i'm willing to sacrifice rolling for a bit more traction in a trail tire. They grab very well in the corners and the loose.

I've also heard great reviews from the nobby nics but haven't ridden them myself.

[elic_berry]

well it has not that great rewievs and I would like to see bike with it ... is it realy 2.4? I have wierwolf 2.55 and it is more like 2.3-2.4 (and it is ok on wet, looking forward for a snow)

One click away from ordering before I saw the tire diameter. DOH!

[fbobick]

I'll admit it.................

I was mezmerized, hypnotized and googly eye'd at the swanky red side wall option on the Panaracer Fire XC's. I simply had to have them.

That being said, a great all-around tire, I will be buying them again.

Taking a peek at the nobby nix though, the tread design would lead me to believe the tire would perform similar to the Fire XC's

I'd take a shot at either.

FJB

[bigmac14]

I have been running the Hutch Pythons in the 2.0 size for most of the season at Hillside, Monti, Mammoth and Lebannon. I really like the speed of the tires until i try to lay them into a corner at which time they will slide rather easy, yet controlled (i run 33-35 psi). I would recommend them for racing, and wish I had at least a 2.1, but no dice. I am riding a Titus Motolite and today on my doorstep will be a new 2.1 Nevegal UST (front) and a Small Block 8 2.1 UST (rear). I hope that this combo will work out well for this region, otherwise I am trying Maxxis Crossmarks..

[BigRing]

Conti Mountain King 2.2 with the Black Chili compound....best tire ever for cornering confidently and they roll fast.

[blake.remmick]

Wow. This gets just more and more confusing - from what I am seeing there is really no common consensus. Hmmmm.......I'll have to keep looking. I am liking the idea of a 2.3 or 2.4 - how will these fit on a stumpjumper? And I guess if I was choosing something more important I would rather have the all surface bite than that little bit of extra speed. Any further guidance?

Thanks,

Blake

[soupboy]

na. 2.4's (or 2.35's) may weigh a little more, but don't roll any slower over rough terrain. 1.9's just "feel" faster becasue you are bouncing all over the place. If your not racing, then IMO 2.4's are the way to go.

More volume, less PSI = improved control and comfort = more fun. My favorite combo? Panaracer Rampage front and Maxxis Crossmark rear. Great combo of volume and traction around these parts. Also, hard to go wrong with a SB8 out back.

If you want to run <2.0" tires at >60PSI you should buy a proper CX bike.

[blake.remmick]

Wow. This gets just more and more confusing - from what I am seeing there is really no common consensus. Hmmmm.......I'll have to keep looking. I am liking the idea of a 2.3 or 2.4 - how will these fit on a stumpjumper? And I guess if I was choosing something more important I would rather have the all surface bite than that little bit of extra speed. Any further guidance?

Thanks,

Blake

[BanHammer]

Specialized CAPTN at 38.725psi=pwnage

[hops]

One more for the Nevegal.

I haven't compared it to a lot of other tires but I do know that the grip is fantastic - it has saved me more than once. Rolling resistance... I don't know, it hasn't bothered me but I ride a 29'er that seems to roll fast all on its own.

[Steven W.]

One more for the Nevegal.

I haven't compared it to a lot of other tires but I do know that the grip is fantastic - it has saved me more than once. Rolling resistance... I don't know, it hasn't bothered me but I ride a 29'er that seems to roll fast all on its own.

Are you sure these don't contribute to your user name? :D;)

[hops]

Are you sure these don't contribute to your user name? :D;)


No tires can overcome my lack of skills and common sense.

[DODZEE]

I'm late on this subject - BUT - I ride Continental Mountain King 2.4's nearly exclusively on my Stumpy FSR and LOVE them! Aggressive, hook up on anything and are surprisingly fast for looking (and being) so aggro. And they are Lite!

[grendel]

Just started running Nevegals! Love them 2.35's only washed out on me once so far but they did not go down with out a fight.

[blake.remmick]

Alright I'm going to go with Conti Mountain Kings they seem like a good choice. I'm thinking of just doing 2.4's at both front and rear. Or should I go with a 2.1 in rear? Also, anyone know where I can pick up a set for a good price?

Thanks,

Blake

[Specialeded]

I would go 2.4 all around.

[gopherhockey]

I would go 2.4 all around.

Just check clearance. Some bikes can't take the bigger tires in back.

[DODZEE]

As with most Conti tires the Mountain King is not as fat as it claims to be. The 2.4's I run are more like a 2.2 or so. Clearance is no issue at all on my Stumpy. But it pays to be sure!

[babuhr]

I'm lovin my Captain Control 2.0s, they're some of the better all-around tires I've ever had.