Suggestion for good Wissahickon Tires?
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GF_Hardtail
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« on: July 06, 2008, 10:57:59 PM »
Hey gang- I rode a '99 GF Big Sur for about 8 years in 'hickon and was happy with how my MTB Velociraptor tires held up. I recently purchased a '07 GF HKEK and I'm not thrilled with the little testing I've done with the stock Bontrager Jones XR 26x2.25/2.2 tires it came with. Should I go back to the MTB V'Raptors or does anyone have other suggestions? My wheels are: Shimano M525 disc hubs and Bontrager Ranger Disc rims.
Thanks in advance,
Jon
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Jon
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mtrostle
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« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2008, 12:35:32 AM »
Hey Jon, good question for your first post!! Welcome aboard Smiley !!!!!

I think you're going to find people's opinions about which tire to run are like A#@holes, everybody's got one Shocked So, on that note, I'll be the first of many offers. I'm running Panaracer Fire XC Pro's on my rig. They're UST and mounted to Mavic Crossmax XL's, I love them. I'm the type of rider that likes to find a decent all around tire for riding in the Wiss. My Panaracer's will grab just about any surface year round and keep me moving. The only type of terrain they won't run in is when the single track is "greasy" in mid winter thaw. But, that's just a sign that you shouldn't be on the trails when they're in that  condition.

I'm curious to hear what everyone else is running, as we have a lot of riders that love to experiment with what "does and does not cut it in the Wiss."
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fishnchips
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« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2008, 01:40:42 AM »
I'm running mostly fire XC pro 2.1s on my 26er. They only last like a season or two as opposed to 8 years, but they are cheap (often on sale for under $20), highly rated at mtbr, and on all the rims I've tried them I'm able to get them on and off without tire levers. I don't have very many flats but when I do, like during a race, being lever-less is a plus.

There were certainly better than my original stock tires but alas I can't compare them to much else as I've stuck with them for a long time.
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Kelly
GF_Hardtail
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« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2008, 01:51:56 AM »
Thanks for the quick responses! The panaracer fire is actually the tire I've been leaning towards, I think I'll take the plunge after your replies. Thanks again!
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Jon
Ride: GF 2007 Hoo Koo E Koo 19"
mtrostle
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« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2008, 10:52:27 AM »
If you run UST's then I suggest using "Stan's No tubes" sealant. It's the bomb and I haven't had a single flat this season. I'm riding about 3-4 times a week for a total of 30-50 miles, again no flats!!!!  Climbing out of the valley to finish a nice ride, I rolled over some thorns(?) and heard a little pop followed by the usual “sssssssssssssss”. After a quick visual inspection of my rear tire I could see the sealant blowing out of the hole. Just a few spins of the rear wheel sealed it quickly and I was able to finish my ride. Definitely peace of mind!!!!!!!
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bonkers
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« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2008, 02:39:19 PM »
Quote from: GF_Hardtail on July 06, 2008, 10:57:59 PM
Hey gang- I rode a '99 GF Big Sur for about 8 years in 'hickon and was happy with how my MTB Velociraptor tires held up. I recently purchased a '07 GF HKEK and I'm not thrilled with the little testing I've done with the stock Bontrager Jones XR 26x2.25/2.2 tires it came with. Should I go back to the MTB V'Raptors or does anyone have other suggestions? My wheels are: Shimano M525 disc hubs and Bontrager Ranger Disc rims.
Thanks in advance,
Jon

GF- I haven't had much luck w/Bontrager tires, I've used them twice & both times the outcome was the same..I slid all over the place. I have MTB V'raptors on my hardtail now & Kenda Nevegals on my F/S & haven't had any sliding issues since. 
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Boaty
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« Reply #6 on: July 07, 2008, 02:40:50 PM »
Quote from: mtrostle on July 07, 2008, 10:52:27 AM
If you run UST's then I suggest using "Stan's No tubes" sealant. It's the bomb and I haven't had a single flat this season. I'm riding about 3-4 times a week for a total of 30-50 miles, again no flats!!!!  Climbing out of the valley to finish a nice ride, I rolled over some thorns(?) and heard a little pop followed by the usual “sssssssssssssss”. After a quick visual inspection of my rear tire I could see the sealant blowing out of the hole. Just a few spins of the rear wheel sealed it quickly and I was able to finish my ride. Definitely peace of mind!!!!!!!

I have been thinking about converting to tubeless using the Stan's No Tubes system, but what I want to know is what if you get a flat.  Is it a total mess to fix?  Do you need a tube to fix it?  Any other considerations?

As far as tires ... I was using Kenda Nevgals and I liked them but I seemed to get more flats than I did on the Hutchenson Pythons I had on there before.  So I switched to the Panaracer Fire XC.  They have them with a 126 tpi or a 66 tpi wall (ok ... duh ... I am not entirely sure what that even means ... but ...).  The reviews on the MTBR thread said the 126 tpi is a thicker wall and will help prevent flats.  So I got those.  They have been pretty hardy.  They handle the trail well.  They are light and a bit thin (the 2.1 Fire XC is a lot thinner than the Nevgal 2.3).  They sunk in some of the sand that I rode on in Fruta last month (i will definitely use a wider tire the next time I go back there), but for the Wiss they seem to do pretty well.

See ya on the trail!

John
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mtrostle
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« Reply #7 on: July 07, 2008, 03:07:30 PM »
The Mavic Crossmax's I ride are UST rims that allow me to run either tubeless or tubes. I've never converted standard tube rims to tubeless with the rim tape kits. Seems like a huge hassle!!!! Plus, I don't have the patients to trouble shoot rims issues along with every other mechanical issue while on the trail. That was my rational when buying the rims, and to be honest, they’ve been worth every single penny I dished out for them!!!!! I’ve beat these things to hell and they’re almost 6 years old!!!!!!

It’s simple to be prepared for flats with tubeless systems, especially if you’re running “Stan’s No Tubes” sealant. Most of the time, if the hole isn’t a rip or tear it’ll seal itself immediately. Kinda like the self sealing fuel bladders on military helicopters and aircraft. You just then carry CO2 cartridges or a hand pump and pump the tire back up if it lost air. You can carry a small bottle of extra sealant if you like. I also carry a spare tube (or 2 depending on the distance I’m riding). Most UST rims allow you to use a tube, you just have to remove the UST stem in the rim and mount it just like a standard tube.

UST tires have a specific bead that “pops” into a track in the rim. It can be a bitch seating the bead into the track in the field and inflating, but after a few times it becomes easier. The bead is the barrier that locks the tire into place and creates the seal that allows you to run low tire pressure for different riding surfaces.

In all it can be a bit messy changing in the field, but it’s better than having to walk/hike a few miles home in clipless shoes!!
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Boaty
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« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2008, 03:23:24 PM »
Thanks mtrostle!  You have answered most of my questions.

Has anyone converted using the Stan's No Tube's?  I have seen the videos on their web site and it looks pretty straight forward.

Thanks!

John
www.inetmarine.com
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2008, 04:37:02 PM »
Quote
Has anyone converted using the Stan's No Tube's?

I've converted a few different types of non-ust rims using Stans rim strips as well as Maxxis rim strips. I think the Maxxis rim strips seal better than the stans and they are less expensive. Down side to the Maxxis rim strips is they are really hard to get off when you do get a flat. Mavic rims seal the best when using the rim strips in my experience. There are some tire/wheel combinations that just don't work at all. Trial and error.

 I agree with Matt in saying if you can get UST rims then do it. They seal so well flats become something you only hear about. If you convert non-ust rims chances are they will blow on you sooner of later. Then you have to completely remove the tire so you can get the rim strip out before putting a tube in (if you're using Maxxis, Stans rimstrips may come out without removing the tire). Basically it just creates one extra step, and it's a little bit messy with the white goo. However you cannot pinch flat since there is no tube, so a tear in the tire or denting the rim on a rock is usually the culprit. Last time I blew the seal on my non-ust rims, was when I smacked a rock and put a nice dent in the rim.

My UST rims have not had a flat in at least two years. Also they will usually seal using just a floor pump.

As far as tires go, Kenda's Nevagals have very weak sidewalls, I tried them and could not even ride them without getting a flat. I like the Maxxis High Roller the best, although it does not grip well on wet rocks. I've been wanting to try the Moto Raptors.
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Tom Coyle
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« Reply #10 on: July 07, 2008, 04:46:56 PM »
Quote from: Lust4singletrack on July 07, 2008, 04:37:02 PM
I've converted a few different types of non-ust rims using Stans rim strips as well as Maxxis rim strips ...

Thanks Lust4!

John
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R.A.W.
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« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2008, 08:24:23 AM »
Lust4,
I have the Moto Raptors on my hard tail.  They haven't given me any problems, no flats (knock wood), and the traction is great.  I like them a lot.  But you should keep in mind that I am not riding quite at your level.  I haven't ridden in the Wiss so I can't speak to that.  IMHO they're good tires. 
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2008, 09:24:14 AM »
Thanks Raw. They look like a nice grippy tire, hopefully with tough sidewalls. Tough sidewalls are a must if you ride wiss alot.

Cute pup!
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Tom Coyle
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« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2008, 10:29:34 AM »
I have an A$$#@!% too!

I used to run Panaracer Fire XC's, and they worked fine at the wiss.  THey didn't hold up that well with the soft knobs, though.  Now I have a 2.4 Motoraptor up front and a 2.1 velociraptor in back, and I don't miss the Panaracers at all.  I ride a GF Aquila singlespeed, mostly in the wiss.
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Riggs
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« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2008, 08:22:14 PM »
The stock tires that came with my bike were Bontrager Jones ACX-B 26 x 2.2. Good tire when it is dry and dusty and light duty. Bad tire when wet, they cannot shed mud and the tire pattern reflects this. These tires in my opinion will hold up well anywhere when dry and dusty though traction and stability may be an issue depending on your riding style.
After the Bontrager Jones', I switched to a good old 2-ply wire bead Kenda Kenetics 26 x 2.35. Cheap. Relatively heavy, tubed and tough. These have been my favorite tires, with an aggressive tread they shed mud decently.
At the moment, I will probably never use the Bontragers again.  As I continue to ride and ride, purchase better components, try to reduce overall weight and increase my skills I've recently switched to the Kevlar version (non-wire bead) of the Kenda Kenetics. These are not 2-ply, are somewhat more compliant and took some getting used to vs. the wire beaded version.
So I'm cheap in the end looking for a lighter, terrain happy no hassle tire that can put up with the rocks. The Kendas have worked well.
 
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