Tires?

[Jesse Ritchie]

I'm searching for some new tires for the upcoming season, but I'm not sure what to get. I want something fast rolling, but something that I can throw into the corners without worrying about washing out. Also, I would like to have something that doesn't suck when the trail gets a little wet. Any suggestions?

[Jesse Ritchie]

Thanks. Ill check those out.. but I don't ride if its wet enough to damage the trails. I'm just talking about maybe some roots and rocks being a little wet. The tires I have now are absolutely terrible on stuff like that. Plus, I've raced some dino races that were really sloppy.. and a good tire makes a huge difference in situations like that

[jerrywr]

i haven't had a tire yet that could grip a wet root or rock. you may weigh out those two factors

[Konarick]

I am not sure there is one tire that is great for all conditions.  In the spring when the ground is softer I run Kenda Nevagal's.  At the Dino Race at BCSP last year there was mud and these tires worked great but when we get to summer and more dry conditions like we had last year and for the Brown Cty Breakdown I will switch over to Kenda Small block 8's.  I have looked at the Kenda Slant 6 and it looks like a good rolling tire but doesn't have very big knobs so not sure how they would do in a softer trail.  Switching tires can be a pain sometimes but until there is an all around tire I will do that.  I always take extra tires with me when I race so I am always prepared.

[Shark]

Specialized captain (2bliss control version). Roll & grip better than the nevegals, & lighter if you're into that sort of thing. 
Only thing I don't like about them is the price.

[Syt]

I've yet find anything that compares to the Ardent 2.4. It's gonna be a biggie when I can't gather it back up after washout on these. Doubt one would want to race it, but as far as cornering grip goes  
Edit: SB 8's are wicked good on clean hardpack

[Konarick]

Ditto on the SB 8's but for the breakdown with the dusty conditions I am not sure anything was better than anything else.

[Bentcrank]

are you looking for 26 or 29?

I have really liked the new X-King from conti, but the 29" version has not hit the market yet. I am chomping at the bit for another one to complete my set.

It is more like a race king on roids so it can handle more trail conditions, but still has a better rolling pattern then the Mountain King.

[Jesse Ritchie]

I have considered sb8s. they look pretty good. i raced on a nevegal as a back tire last year and a dread tred on the front. i loved the traction and cornering, but it seemed slow to me. so the SB8 would probably be a good choice, or maybe the slant 6. Any thoughts on the maxxis larson?

[Jesse Ritchie]

are you looking for 26 or 29?

I have really liked the new X-King from conti, but the 29" version has not hit the market yet. I am chomping at the bit for another one to complete my set.

It is more like a race king on roids so it can handle more trail conditions, but still has a better rolling pattern then the Mountain King.

you make those sound pretty sweet. Ill have to chack into them.

[Fett]

I raced Karmas for alot of years and they are a great all around race tire. Last year, I switched to the Maxxis Aspens and was very pleased with them. I really think for Indiana race courses they are the best I have used. They roll faster than the Karma and corner a little better

I am something of a tire junkie and currently have more than 15 set of different tires in my garage right now. I would never ever race a Nevegal as they hook up as well as anything, they are some of the slowest rolling tires, I have ever tried. Maxxis Ignitors and Bontager ACX are good all arounders. I also like the WTB 2.55 Weirwolfs as they are huge, but roll pretty well.

[joshuaprater]

What you want is called the "Magic Tire!" I hear this a lot.

I want:
0. Good traction in rocks
1. Good traction in dry/hardpack
2. Good traction in soft/wet
3. Fast rolling
4. Light
5. Cheap
6. Supple feel
7. Flat resistant
8. Long lasting
9. Cheap

It doesn't exist. You'll have to sacrifice something. I'd say pick about four from above but not both 1 and 2. Or 2 and 3.

Since, I presume (based on where you live) you ride primarily at Versailles, BCSP, and the like (same conditions pretty much) as well as race, I'd suggest the Maxxis CrossMark. It's fast since it has a pretty solid center ridge (with square edges so it slows down as well) and has decent spacing in the semi-section (between the center and the sides). The square edges will cause it to pack up a bit more when wet, and there's the rub.

Second, I'd say go with the schwalbe (something). Ralph? I think that's it. Good tire. Expensive (the rub)

The larson's are slow. Nevegals, slow. Ardent 2.4, lots of traction (slow).

One of my fave's -- Bontrager XR0, but nobody buys it unless they like Trek. Even though it's made by Kenda. They've always made awesome tires. If you like the SB8's, the Bontrager version is way better in pretty much all categories. But it's bontrager (the rub)...

If you have the time there is about 400 pages worth of tire design theory and history stored somewhere up there. Or can give you a brief history in about 10.

Me? I like Ritchey's V-force analysis tires. They're predictable. Lots of new generations in the last 5 years so I don't know what they're called anymore.
too much italian wine...

[tmac]

I've tried lots of different tires searching for that best compromise between traction and rolling resistance. As some have already mentioned you will have to sacrifice some traction for good rolling resistance. I've pretty much settled on the 2.25 Racing Ralphes for my HT 29er. These will have to do until someone invents a 400 gram tire that sticks like glue and rolls like a slick

[john7722]

Try looking into Tioga "physco genious" Its a brand new tread desighn unlike any other. 99% of user reviews are 5 star
http://www.tiogausa.com/psycho-genius.html

[corbinb]

I've always liked my Continental Vertical Pro's.  Form my rigid SS the huge volume goes a long way softening things up.  Great traction in a variety of contitions and they roll fast despite the large tread pattern.  Super awesome