What tires keep you rolling?

[SPR]

I've always been one to use 1.9 wide tires because they roll faster and are a bit lighter for me when I race.
If I'm not racing and out for a fun trail ride I don't need the speed.
So as I was riding Lebanon today and tackling the new XX loop I realized how better a ride would be over the rocks and such with wider 2.1 tires.
So what tires are you riding, what do you like and what tires pressures do you run?

[mtnbykr]

26" ss--2.35 kenda kenetics <30psi f/r

29" ss--2.1 irc mythos2, 30 rear/33front

k

[zerpy]

I have 2.1 Panaracer Fire XC Pros on at 50 psi. Correction, I ordered Panaracer Fire XC pros but I got cheap knock-offs from the OEM market, not too happy with pricepoint for that one. However, they kick butt over the junk that came with my bike which were Specialized Enduro Sports. The bike would fly out from under me all the time on the warm up loop and on the downhill portion at the end the main loop at lebanon. These new tires really dig in nice.

[nigel]

Oh geeze man tyres!!! Im a tire whore!! Depends on what bike I am on and if Im racing or not. Normally i go with the following.

Geary bikes--Panaracer Trailblaster 1.8, (65psi)really light and fast dig very well, corner pretty good, shed ok too

Monocog bikes--Nokian Boazabeena 2.1, (45psi)on the heavy side but im a light guy, so when I run these at lower pressures in the rear they hook up excellent for climbing

Cyclocross--Panaracer Crossblaster 700x31, (70psi)really fast light and fun to ride off road

Roady fun--Specialized S-works tyres 700x23 (120psi), or whatever is lying around in the shop,a road tire is a road tire right hehe

Racing--Tioga Factory XC SL 1.8 (60psi), super light with latex tubes like a 450gram setup!!, ride very well in all respects except for the wear, one solo 24 hour race = one set of these tires :(

This year Im going to be on tubeless for the first time (this week i hope) Im going to be using Panaracer trailblaster 1.95 and then Ima gonna try me some of them Tioga Red Phoenix 1.8'ers


just my two cents

Douglas

[TrailPatrol]

WTB (Wilderness Trail Bikes) is one of the Backcountry Patrol's sponsors, so I alternate between two of their products.

For general, all-around use I have WTB 1.9 All-terrainasaurus on the Trek. WTB clasifies this as an "urban" tire, but I have had a great time and no problems with them anywhere (literally) from the Twin Cities Marathon course to the River Bottoms to Chequamegon. They are a fantastic off-road touring tire, and I wish I had discovered them before I went to Russia in '97. I think this tread will work really well on what the Russians call asphalt, and then off-pavement, as well. Maybe next summer. :eyeroll:

For more agressive use, I have a pair of WTB 2.5 Weirwolfs. This is a wide (duh) tire with a really agressive tread pattern that works well in both mud and sand. (As well as anything can work in sand.) I don't have a lot of experience on this tire yet, but will be using them all weekend during patroller training next month, and let you know how they do.

I also like Michelin Jet S semi-slicks and IRC Backcountry tires, and used both before we started working with WTB. My "spare" is an IRC 2.25 BC.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[manual63]

On my Cross Country ride, I have a Conti Cross Country on the rear (it has little Californias on it) and I have a Kona 2.3 A drive on the front.

My P2 has the stock ones which are 2.3 tires with big knobs. I don't know how I like them yet, they actually tend to slide a bit more than I like, but I don't know if I can find something better.

[GearDaddy]

I still have a pair of Velociraptors, but they haven't seen the light of day in at least 4 years. Since, I no longer run full-knobby 2.1 tires. Currently I'm using Panaracer Fire XC Pro 1.8s (35 PSI?). I've used a Tioga XC Factory semi-slicks and Bontrager SS/ST Revolts in the past.

In dry conditions it's hard to beat the performance of a semi-slick. But if its muddy, forget it. I once did a race at the Milaca trails on a rainy day using the semi-slicks (I didn't have time to change the tires). I ended up pushing the bike a lot, as the trail was like riding on a sheet of ice. I still ended up in better shape than some others that had full knobby tires, where their wheels simply stopped turning and they couldn't even push their bikes.

As far as the "short-knobby" style of tire goes, I've had hit-and-miss experiences. The Bontrager Revolts were OK, but kinda sketchy on some stuff. They also wore out too fast. I really like the Panaracer 1.8s. At first it was a bit strange riding such a "small" tire, but they're really good all-around performers with the exception of deep sand.

[Trevize1138]

I got black tires on my bike.

I run tires a little weird: low-profile treads on a 1.9'' in the back, something slightly fatter with deeper treads on the front.

Everyone keeps asking if I lose any traction because sometimes you have to squint to see the treads on my rear tire, but I usually reply with "no." ;)

[Trevize1138]

Originally posted by GearDaddy
I still have a pair of Velociraptors, but they haven't seen the light of day in at least 4 years. Since, I no longer run full-knobby 2.1 tires. Currently I'm using Panaracer Fire XC Pro 1.8s (35 PSI?). I've used a Tioga XC Factory semi-slicks and Bontrager SS/ST Revolts in the past.

In dry conditions it's hard to beat the performance of a semi-slick. But if its muddy, forget it. I once did a race at the Milaca trails on a rainy day using the semi-slicks (I didn't have time to change the tires). I ended up pushing the bike a lot, as the trail was like riding on a sheet of ice. I still ended up in better shape than some others that had full knobby tires, where their wheels simply stopped turning and they couldn't even push their bikes.

As far as the "short-knobby" style of tire goes, I've had hit-and-miss experiences. The Bontrager Revolts were OK, but kinda sketchy on some stuff. They also wore out too fast. I really like the Panaracer 1.8s. At first it was a bit strange riding such a "small" tire, but they're really good all-around performers with the exception of deep sand.

Oh, hey, someone else already gave a shout out to the semi-slick goodness! :)

Yeah, semi-slicks are the way to go, especially if you're into speed and peformance but not necessarily racing. Like GearDaddy said, they're not so good in mud and sand. But, if you're like me you don't ride in mud and sand 'cause you can avoid it! ;)

On hardpack, dry conditions, it's hard to be better rolling resistance. As for that whole worry of losing traction on climbs, stay in your saddle, people!

[TML]

Right now I'm running:

On the geared hardtail--
WTB Mutano Raptor 2.4 Front
Panaracer FireXC pro 2.1 Rear

Rigid SingleSpeed--
Continental Vertical Pro 2.3 Front
Ritchey Zmax (original tread pattern) 2.1 Rear

I like the setup on the singlespeed the best. The Vertical Pro is an incredible tire, sticks to nearly everything and for it's size, is pretty light.

Looking for a decent large volume, but light tire to replace the panaracer on the geared bike. Just about all the side knobs on that one are broken or peeling off.

[jaybird]

HT/Mud: Conti Vert Protect (F) / Conti Cross Country Pro (R)

FS/XC Racer: Conti Vert Pro UST(F) / Explorer Pro UST (R)

HT/City: Conti Twister Pro (F) / Vert Pro (R)

FS/Downhill: Conti Survival Protect (2.1 F / 2.3 R)


After last years race season of running some different tires - Bontrager, Michelin, IRC - I absolutely fell in love with Conti tires. They are a little more than most tires, but I have never had problems hooking up with any of the tires or shedding mud when the weather changes. :D

[viv]

My current Fav are the Panaracer XC Pros in 1.8 Ive got some Hutchinson Mosquito things and some Specialized RollXs While I love the absorption of the 2.0+ tires I cant pass on the quick handling and lack of rolling resistance of the 1.8s Not to mention they hook up like a knife. Optimum pressure 48lbs on a Blurr.

[Standard]

Conti Explorer Pros on my XC bike. Use 'em for everything I ride in, and love 'em.

[martini]

The bigger and fatter, the better. What I like out of a tire is VOLUME. I don't like running tires at high pressure. At that point, you just end up bouncing off of rocks and getting the bike tossed around, not neccessarily in control. At the lower pressures that increased volume allows you to use, the tires acutally conform to the surface of the trail, allowing the rider to maintain consistent control through nearly any situation. People often have a fear of getting flats, but I haven't had one in years, even when riding out in Colorado. The key is to be a smooth rider, be picky about the lines that you ride, don't just blast over everything.

That being said, I'm with Doug on this one. I'm a tire whore as well. At one point, I had at least 15 different sets of tires in my garage.

Conti Vertical Pro 2.3 were fantastic-I wish they came in a 29" version!
Tioga 2.3 DH were also a big favorite. The thick sidewalls on these allowed nice low pressure(and BIG traction) with no fear of flatting.
The Tioga Extreme XC also works very well, rolls fast and corners well. I long for a 29" version of these as well.
Geax Blades 2.25 also offered huge volume and good consistent traction, especailly in wetter conditions.
Michelin Hot S 2.1 was also a good consistent performer.
For dry conditions, the Klien DeathGrip worked well for me. I used them to good success in Chequamegon a few years ago.
I've always liked Ritcheys Zmax 2.1 as well. Very good in dry. Good in wet.

For 29", I've used WTB's Nanoraptor and Motoraptor I like the Nano much better, awesome traction in all conditions except sticky wet. The IRC Mythos are also quite good performers, but the Nanos totally beat them out for volume's sake.

[nigel]

Wooohoooo got more to add!!!!!

forgot my trusty commuter!!!
---Bad days----Tioga factory XC 2.3's
--Good days--Specialized Nimbus 1.5's


AND!!!! i just went tubeless so Im on some of them fancy Tioga Red Phoenix 1.9's and can I just say, one week and no air loss!!!!

They hook up great and ride like a dream, sooo glad I finally went tubeless, its kinda like having a full suspension hardtail in a way?!?!

[DanB]

I run the Mosquito Air Lites on my Turner XCE, and the Python Air Lites on my Rocky Mountain (SS Hardtail convert). Both of which are converted to Stan's NoTubes, I think Stan's system is great.

I am also putting together a set of F219's for the Turner for Lutsen and Moab that will be shod with Nokian 2.3" Gazzoloddi Cores, I have used these tires in the past and they simpy rule.

A friend of mine has been telling me Conti Explorer Pros are the cat's meow so maybe I'll give them a shot. My hope would be they would be a little faster rolling than the Mosquitos and have better grip than the Pythons, best of both worlds kind of thing.

Mainly I'm just happy to ride on any black round object :cheesy:

[SilverAthlon]

Panaracer XC pro Kevlar bead - Nice tire, good for thick stuff, mud etc. I don't think that it's the best performer for example at leb, i've noticed that it doesn't hold as i would have liked. I know some others that ride the hutch pythin XC tires, and they perform really nice for those trails. They can produce quite a bit of noise/resistance if you're in the flats, and higher speeds.

IRC Mythos tires on one of my other bikes, and they do the job for most anything you'll ride. Not as knobby as the XC pro, so nicer on that flatter singletrack.

Ritchey Megabyte (rear) on the sidewinder, and it sure tears stuff up. A definite high resistance tire, but if you're in the muck, assuming you have the strength, it'll get you out.

[RedSquirrel]

Hey all I roll xc race tires all year in all conditions. Once last year I rolled a high roller 2.1 at Afton for fun, and fun it was!! I have a 2.35 I'm thinking of throwing on(limited tire choices in my closet). Anyway, I don't know jaaack about this super tacky thing...

My question is how does super tacky rubber do on leaves, wet logs and wet rocks???? I have a choice to make real quick. Thanks.

[Kosk]

My question is how does super tacky rubber do on leaves, wet logs and wet rocks???? I have a choice to make real quick. Thanks.

Volume is your friend. Super Tacky and low pressure = grip. Wet anything gets dicey no matter what. That said, why not use the choice that gets you the most rubber in contact with the ground? Use the 2.3.

[Danimal]

Panaracer Fire DH 2.5, virtually indestructible not great for road but perfect for DH & Trail. Thanks Troy S. for that sale, still running strong.

[syntaxjunkie]

I used to run Hutchinson 1.9" Pythons, which I loved for climbing hook-up and low profile. Went back and forth between those and 2.1" Continental Explorers for a couple years. However, both of those seemed prone to wash-outs.

More recently, I've come to the conclusion that a person my size (6'1", 195) has no business on anything skinnier than a 2.2". I ran 2.24" WTB Motoraptors for awhile, but wanted something with a lower tread profile. Tried the 2.24" Mutanoraptors on the Summit ride at Theo, and they worked well. Now, I've got a pair of 2.4" Ritchey Motovaders (?) that I'm dying to try out.

Like Hurl sez, "Fat tires save lives."

Pressure-wise, i'm usually in the neighborhood of 30psi. One of the things that I love about my 29er is that I seem to be able to run higher pressures and still get great hook-up and cornering. Not sure if that's the tires (Maxxis Ignitors?) or just the nature fo the beast. It sure as heck isn't me.

[Chauncy]

Man you guys are nut bars, 1.8"? I personally would never ever ride a tire less than 2.1 and sticky rubber all the way. I've actually had really good experience with panaracer fire xc pros 2.1 as well even though they have a harder rubber they still hook up nicely in the dry anyways. Now I run 2.1 nevegals and I love them except they seem to wear quickly but that's the tradeoff with sticky rubber. 42 psi for xc, 33 for dh racing, 27 for freeriding in extremely wet contitions slow speed, like 85 for street.

[nord0306]

Man you guys are nut bars, 1.8"?

that was back in '03 a lot has changed since then. I didn't notice this thread was so old until I got to Shad's post where he mentioned his XC ride!! :crazy: then I saw the date :D

Anyway, currently I'm running Maxxis Crossmark's front and rear on my Cannondale Rush. I have no problems with them in MN, however the wet roots at 9-mile were another story. Since we don't ride when it's wet here I don't think it's really going to matter. Other then that, the Kenda Cortez 2.2 or 2.4 are really nice. I rode those at the Dakota 5-o and wish I would have ran them at 9-mile instead.

My XXIX came with 2.35 Exi-wolfs, no complaints there, they hook up out of the saddle when I think my pedals are going to shear off (good thing I have shimano and not eggbeaters, right bob) and seem to roll fast.

Adam

[manual63]

I run 2.4 Cortez front and rear now. I love them. It was Adam's idea....I had doubts about getting rid of my Larson TT's.....but I really like the Kenda Cortez tires. They also last a lot longer then the Larson's. The Larson's do hook up well, but I bet the Kenda Small Blocks are just as good.

1.8's just seems scary. Got with large volume tires, run a lower pressure and you will enjoy the traction you get.....:)

[Jackrabbit Slim]

Anybody tried the Bontrager Jones XR??

[BKocka]

i have heard nothing good about the bontrager jones'.

but also they were being run on bontrager rims and the bead wouldnt sit on the rim. could've been just a bad combination.

[Mountain Jam]

I used to run Jones AC's but they wore down pretty quick. I now run a Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1 on the front and a Bontrager Revolt Super X Lite 2.0 on the back. I love this set up for racing or any condition, it's very fast with little rolling resistance.

[Fast1]

been spinning Continental Twister Supersonics.. quick, fast and spin up without hardly an effort but might try out the Continental Explorer Supersonics next for some extra width.

[jholiday]

I love Contis and have pretty much the same set up as the above post-

I run the Twister Protection on the rear, 1.9 I think. Very low profile but I've never had a problem climbing, even in Idaho this summer when the crew I was with thought I was nuts and would spin out in the loose dry conditions.

On the front I run the Explorer Protection, 2.1. Much more tread for steering. Both are pretty light and roll very well.

I mostly ride Leb and this set up has been great there. However, if it's wet and muddy I switch the Explorer to the rear and put a Vertical Protection on the front.

Hope that helps...or even makes sense