DannyC21
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« on: July 29, 2008, 10:16:51 AM » |
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I was reading the old post about what tires are good to use, and I have been doing some of my own research by reading reviews and stuff. But now I'd to bring my ideas to you guys for suggestions.
I currently run the Mutano Raptors (came stock with the bike) but they are considered multisurface tires for both road and offroad, and lately as I've gotten faster and more daring, they have been sliding out on me and the cornering has been harder. To be honest, the extent of my road riding is going from my apartment, up one to two blocks up Henry, and then into the trails. I want tires that will suit me better for the dirt, not the two blocks of pavement.
I have been considering going with more all-mountain tires right now, but I want to gain better traction on my cornering and be able to climb well (I may be asking for a lot).
Here is my current idea: REAR: Maxxis High Roller 2.35. FRONT: WTB Weirwolf 2.5.....or......using the same brand for both front and back just different sizes.
Any advice? I'm hoping this can entertain you guys while your at work 
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dieselkarl
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« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2008, 10:28:02 AM » |
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Do you need that much meat under you? That's a lot of weight to swing around with each wheel rotation. Unless you're veering towards freeride/big hit you shouldn't need to go past 2.35". There are many good choices in that range - wtb stouts and weirwolfs, kenda nevegals (great traction but roll slow), maxxis highrollers (good traction but hefty), maxxis ardents (roll fast but with a skootch less traction than nevegals) panaracer fires and rampages, conti mt. kings and verticals.
Save some weight and convert to tubeless - stan's maxxis and dt all do kits. Best results will be had with a ust tire.
Karl
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On the day you were judged by the funhouse cast
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With a cane to the sky like 'None shall pass.'
-Aesop Rock
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rockridr
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Posts: 16
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« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2008, 10:38:43 AM » |
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Tire types and skills go hand in hand, bigger does'nt necessarily mean better and the added rotational weight can even slow you down. I have had success with the mutanos on my 26er for most Wiss conditions just by changing the pressure, they are relatively light with big side knobs that allow for some aggressive leaning in turns. There are many choices out there, good luck.
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2008, 11:17:12 AM » |
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Tire types and skills go hand in hand, bigger does'nt necessarily mean better and the added rotational weight can even slow you down
Well said.
I can say the High Roller corners very well. I've been running them front and back for a while now. They are bit heavy, but roll fairly well. You can lean them into turns with confidence as their breaking point is predictable.
If you look at the outside tread of a tire it's usually a pretty good indication of how well it will corner. Nice big stout knobs on the outside of the tire usually means it will hold a corner well. But will also roll slower
I personally don't care a ton about the weight since I'm more into the downs and I will sometimes hit stuff pretty hard, but I try to use a UST tire that is 650-850 grams per tire. I feel the improved ride and traction you get from a bigger tire is well worth extra weight. .02
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Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
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DannyC21
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Posts: 136
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« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2008, 12:09:41 PM » |
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Do you need that much meat under you? That's a lot of weight to swing around with each wheel rotation. Unless you're veering towards freeride/big hit you shouldn't need to go past 2.35".
You know I was thinking the same thing about the size. I'm thinking it may be better to run 2.35 for now, since I'm still learning a lot about my bike and about my riding style. I have become increasingly addicted to more dhing and freeride stuff, although I am still learning a lot (and falling a lot). This is why I'm trying to gather as much info as possible.
Also, would it be better to have the same tire for both front and rear? Or, should you have a light rear tire (for instance if I decide to run the High Rollers I would have a 2.1 in rear and 2.35 up front) ?
What about mixing brands? Would putting a 2.35 (or 2.1) High Roller in rear and a 2.35 Weirwolf in front be a good idea?
My apologizes if I sound like annoying, curious 5-year old.
Thanks for all the responses so far!
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Rico
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« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2008, 12:26:57 PM » |
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Not that I am an expert on this, but I have the 2.1 WTB Weirwolfs that came stock on my bike and I can say that I like the way they corner, although I have nothing to compare it to.
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You must let nothing deter you in your quest for ALL.....No, ALL!
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JDurk
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« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2008, 12:51:48 PM » |
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I need some advice as well. I'm currently running Nevegal UST 2.1's, front and rear. The rear is wearing pretty quick. I had heard they wear quick, but not this fast. Was planning to purchase a new tire and move the front to the rear. I recently acquired a Maxxis Ignitor 2.1 LUST and was wondering how it would perform as a rear tire in our riding area. Anyone have any input?
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2008, 01:14:56 PM » |
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I've tried the ignitor. Rolls super fast! Cornering is ok but not as good as a High Roller; less predictable breaking point. Good racing tire unless you end up on a wet course. Then you're screwed cause wet traction is not good.
Best bet is to try different set ups and see what suits your riding style. If you're still learning, it could take a little bit of trial and error to find your perfect match. Many times if you ride a tire and don't like it you can just sell it on ebay and at least get some of your money back. Or try trading tires with other riders.
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Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
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Riggs
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« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2008, 03:28:59 PM » |
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Ever since I contacted Kenda a year or so ago and found a pair of Kenetics 2.35 wire beads on a fluke for $5 bones each (no kidding) I have this whack idea that tires should always be cheap?!! yeah, so Cheap Kendas for me...currently kevlars, no problem forking out coin on anything else though thats for sure...
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Whitney Smith
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« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2008, 07:14:11 PM » |
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I also ride maxxis high rollers and haven't had any traction issues since. nothing like having confidence in your tires when climbing up wet roots and rocks. they corner better than anything that i have tried.
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Lev
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« Reply #10 on: July 31, 2008, 09:24:55 PM » |
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Sounds like the high rollers are a popular choice for this area.
I used to ride them UST and found them to be a bit sluggish. Then again, I was riding mostly hard pack and not dealing with the wet rocks of PA.
I have become a growing fan of the Schwalbe rubber. They are pretty fast rollers and very dependable. Only one flat so far, and I was running a sub 30 psi (just to test out the limits).
I also like WTB stuff. People seem to really like the Prowlers, though I haven't personally tried any.
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bonkers
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« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2008, 09:51:32 PM » |
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Just at REI earlier tonight & looking at a set of WTB Weirwolfs. Anyone ever tried these out?
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Lev
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« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2008, 07:44:17 AM » |
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I know people who swear by the Weirwolfs. Great tires. I think a nice combo would be a bigger (2.35-2.5) weirwolf up front with a motoraptor on the rear.
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2008, 07:54:51 AM » |
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I once bought a Gemini that came with Weirwolfs, but I took them off before I really gave them a chance and I've always wanted to try them out again since I ride much different now than I did then. I was thinking if they are good enough for Mark Weir they must be good. They also come in a UST!
I like Lev's suggestion. Sounds like that would be a good setup.
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Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
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DannyC21
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« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2008, 08:53:06 AM » |
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I think a nice combo would be a bigger (2.35-2.5) weirwolf up front with a motoraptor on the rear.
I've actually considered this set up. I run the Mutano Raptors 2.14's now, and I've been considering runing a 2.35 Weirwolf, High Roller, or Nevegal up front, and leaving one Raptor in the back. Its probably what I'm going to do, it s now a matter of choosing the front tire.
Eeny meany miny moe??? 
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Lev
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« Reply #15 on: August 01, 2008, 09:40:09 AM » |
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Nevegals tend to be popular b/c you can find them for a decent price online. My one gripe with them is that everyone comments on them being a slow roller. To me, that's an automatic elimination. Being out of shape as I am, I look for a faster tire for climbing. I'm not a weight wheenie, but I think tires can make a big diff.
My vote would be for the weirwolf or high roller. Can't really go wrong with either. If you go high roller, I would prbly recommend matching it up with another maxxis on the rear. Not sure if it makes that big of a diff, but for some reason I like riding the same brand front and rear. My .02
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #16 on: August 01, 2008, 10:12:17 AM » |
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Jeremy may want to chime in here, but, he recently threw a Maxxis Advantage 2.4 on his rear and loves it.
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Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
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Jeremy
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Riding bikes makes you feel better
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« Reply #17 on: August 01, 2008, 05:06:49 PM » |
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Yea the Maxxis Advantage is awsome so far. I've only been running it for about 2 weeks, as a rear tire. I think it corners great. I can feel it bite into the fast turns and it climbs good too. Overall great gription.
I also use to run the WTB Prowler 2.3 on the rear which worked great too but I think it's a little soft so they seem to wear out quick.
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Lev
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« Reply #18 on: August 01, 2008, 06:19:21 PM » |
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I've used an ADvantage on the front before, and a Larsen TT on the rear. That setup was sick. You should consider trying that ADvantage as a front tire. It's big volume and has a nice tread pattern.
Out of curiosity, what are you using as your front tire and what kind of bike is it?
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Jeremy
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Riding bikes makes you feel better
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« Reply #19 on: August 01, 2008, 07:38:43 PM » |
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I've used an ADvantage on the front before, and a Larsen TT on the rear. That setup was sick. You should consider trying that ADvantage as a front tire. It's big volume and has a nice tread pattern.
Out of curiosity, what are you using as your front tire and what kind of bike is it?
I'm using a Kenda Blue Groove on the front. The bike is a Fisher Fat Possum.
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Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it's usually something unusual.
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Droptopchevy
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« Reply #20 on: August 21, 2008, 10:13:29 PM » |
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Searched for a thread about tire talk and found this.
I'm currently running Maxxis Crossmark and Ignitor. The ignitor is good for cornering and the crossmark rolls well and has good traction. I might be switching to WTB werewolves (sp) or the high rollers since it looks to be the choice tire around here. My bike originally came with Bontrager Jones and they were terrible. I haven't met a Bontrager tire that I have liked. They cornered but not as much as i wanted and they were horrible climbers. They rolled pretty well though.
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I fix Huffys and such at BCBC.
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #21 on: August 22, 2008, 06:41:13 AM » |
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Droptop
Which way are you running the ignitor and crossmark. What I mean is, which is in the front and which is in the back?
I've been thinking of trying both these tires for racing since they are fast rollers but I was a little bit worried about cornerning traction and would want the best cornering traction in the front.
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Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
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Droptopchevy
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« Reply #22 on: August 22, 2008, 09:11:23 AM » |
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I first tried Front- Crossmark Rear- Ignitor
The result was I had horrible cornering compared to before and my uphill traction was great. I was considering getting an Ignitor for the front to improve cornering.
I'm now gonna start running Front- Ignitor Rear- Crossmark
I'll let you know how this setup turns out. I'm only doing this until more Ignitors come into the shop.
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I fix Huffys and such at BCBC.
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dylan29er
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« Reply #23 on: August 22, 2008, 01:45:33 PM » |
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I have been happy running WTB Exiwolf 2.3 front and back when it is dry/loose and swaping out the back to a Michelin XC A.T. X 2.0 when it is muddy. I really like the Exiwolf but they don’t shed mud very well.
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bonkers
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« Reply #24 on: August 24, 2008, 06:49:14 AM » |
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I just got the new edition of Mountain Bike Action magazine & it has a tire shoot-out. They have 127 tire brands tested & rated.
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Rodga- that's a special forces tatoo..
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Lev
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« Reply #25 on: August 24, 2008, 03:49:59 PM » |
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I just got the new edition of Mountain Bike Action magazine & it has a tire shoot-out. They have 127 tire brands tested & rated.
And the verdict is??? One tire to rule them all?
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bonkers
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« Reply #26 on: August 24, 2008, 04:40:32 PM » |
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I just got the new edition of Mountain Bike Action magazine & it has a tire shoot-out. They have 127 tire brands tested & rated.
And the verdict is??? One tire to rule them all?
Not exactly.. you'd have to see their reviews on the stuff. They rate tires based on climbing efficiency, cornering, braking, etc, so not one tire outdoes another. Each has its own characteristics for the rider to choose from.
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Rodga- that's a special forces tatoo..
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DrSaw
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« Reply #27 on: August 26, 2008, 08:07:36 PM » |
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Rob, if you are running tubeless, I have 3 kinds of extra tires for you to borrow/try. Email or call me if you want.
Maxxis Ignitor, Hutchinson Pythons, Bontragers XR Fronts
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What hill?
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