Tires for local trails

[JohnH]

Last year, when I needed to replace my rea tire, I put a Maxxis SwampThing on the back of my GF Sugar2, because I was tired of spinning out in the soupy stuff. I'm not one to go changing tires back and forth, so when it dried up, I left it on. It only took a couple of rides in the dry to start throwing lugs. As of now, I'm short about 5 lugs. Sure, the tire works great in the mud, but it's not setting any land speed records or cornering records, and with all the missing lugs, I'm afraid that thing isn't long for this world.

So I'm wondering what tires people are riding on the local trails and how you like them. What do you think is the best for what we have? Normally, I ride Colt's Neck/CCT and Fountain Head on my Sugar. I'm not overly aggressive, but the bike does come off the ground now and again (but not far!), and I'm about 190-195 lbs.

Mucho grassy-ass!

[mjbrox]

because I was tired of spinning out in the soupy stuff.

First of all, please do not ride on local trails when they are “soupy”

Personally, I do not think you can find a better tire for then money than the Panaracer XC for $15
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11888-320_PANFC3-0-Search--/Panaracer-Fire-XC-Pro-Tire.htm

Personally, I run the Panaracer Cinders, They are a little wider, and they seem to cushion out the really bumpy trails well.
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13660-320_PANCI4-0-Search--/Panaracer-Cinder-Tire.htm

[DaveG]

First of all, please do not ride on local trails when they are “soupy”

Personally, I do not think you can find a better tire for then money than the Panaracer XC for $15
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11888-320_PANFC3-0-Search--/Panaracer-Fire-XC-Pro-Tire.htm

Personally, I run the Panaracer Cinders, They are a little wider, and they seem to cushion out the really bumpy trails well.
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13660-320_PANCI4-0-Search--/Panaracer-Cinder-Tire.htm


The Fire XC are decent to good in almost everything. Plus they generally wear well and are dirt cheap. I rode them for years. They're a little small for where I do most of my riding now (Frederick) but for Fountainhead etc they would be fine.

Dave

[riderx]

I like fat tires, don't like to change them out for different conditions and tend to ride agressively. My two favorites are:
Kenda Nevegal DTC
WTB Motoraptor

P.S. This thread will get about 100 replies.

[mjbrox]

They're a little small

Dave


The Cinders are pretty beefy and are still less than $30 a piece.

I think trying to figure out what the best tire to rule them all will make your head spin. So far I really like the Panaracers,

[saxman]

I'll put in a vote for the Panaracer Fire XC Pros 2.1 . I have them both in tubed and tubeless. I think they are definitely a good all-purpose tire for the kind of terrain and types of soil conditions that we get around here.

I know a lot of folks also like the Hutchinson Pythons, too.

[halfinch]

maxxis ignitors. similar to continental explorers, but beefier with better side walls. irc mytho's work well for a low price.

[jvanbrecht]

I think we need to come up with a matrix diagram of what tires are good for what terrain will be ridden on. Not that I am one to swap out tires before going riding depending on the weather and what not, but it would be nice. Should be product inspecific, rather tread layout matched to terrain.

As for what I am looking at now, I was considering the Kenda Tomac Small Block Eight 29er DTC Folding Tire for when my maxxis ignitors wear out. I ride mostly rosey and wakefield, it should do well on that terrain, but probably horribly in the gambril like places...

My 2 cents

[JohnH]

First of all, please do not ride on local trails when they are “soupy”

Personally, I do not think you can find a better tire for then money than the Panaracer XC for $15
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11888-320_PANFC3-0-Search--/Panaracer-Fire-XC-Pro-Tire.htm

Personally, I run the Panaracer Cinders, They are a little wider, and they seem to cushion out the really bumpy trails well.
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13660-320_PANCI4-0-Search--/Panaracer-Cinder-Tire.htm

Don't worry, I don't generally ride when it's soupy, but there are sections that at times (especially in years past before some work was done) seem to never dry out. And I guess I went too far to the other extreme with the Swamp Things. Gotta admit, though, they shake the mud off like a wet dog. And they aren't a good tire for Fountainhead. I seem to lose lugs there on a regular basis.

I guess it's like skis... If ya gatta pick only one, go for the mid fat with some sidecut.

Sounds like lots of consensus on the Pan Fire XCs. And cheap is good.

Thanks!

[Squirrel Girl]

As for what I am looking at now, I was considering the Kenda Tomac Small Block Eight 29er DTC Folding Tire for when my maxxis ignitors wear out. I ride mostly rosey and wakefield, it should do well on that terrain, but probably horribly in the gambril like places...Dood, why did you buy the world's second best bike and you ride it (*that* bike) at WF and Rosey and NOT at Gambrill?????? You definitely should have me ride it at Gambrill so it feels it is being used properly!!!!!!
:)

[jvanbrecht]

Dood, why did you buy the world's second best bike and you ride it (*that* bike) at WF and Rosey and NOT at Gambrill?????? You definitely should have me ride it at Gambrill so it feels it is being used properly!!!!!!
:)

Eh.. when it go's to Gambril, I will be with it riding it :) Gambril is just far from me, not something I can do regularly.

ps.. whats the first best bike :)

[tsunayoshi]

I'll put in a vote for the Panaracer Fire XC Pros 2.1 . I have them both in tubed and tubeless. I think they are definitely a good all-purpose tire for the kind of terrain and types of soil conditions that we get around here.


I'm running these and love them for the trails I ride (mostly Wake-o-tink and Rosey). But be aware that they have the drawback of being very noisy on the road above 35mph. :p (something I've done once on a mtb and care not to repeat)

[riderx]

I think we need to come up with a matrix diagram of what tires are good for what terrain will be ridden on. Not that I am one to swap out tires before going riding depending on the weather and what not, but it would be nice. Should be product inspecific, rather tread layout matched to terrain.That's cool you volunteered to do that, let us know when it's done! :D

In the meantime, this (http://www.mtbtires.com/) can get you started.

[riderx]

Sounds like lots of consensus on the Pan Fire XCs. And cheap is good.
Beware, they are skinny. Don't believe the 2.1 claim.

[philvw]

I will put my vote in for IRC Mythos. It's all I have run for years, and I only ride the stuff in Fred-rock. They are not the best at shedding mud, but Fred doesnt really have mud, and I dont ride in mud anyway. At $25 for a PAIR I dont think you will find anything cheaper either. full 66tpi casing and the rubber is the only thing that I have found that holds up to pinging off rocks in Gambrill without throwing lugs or tearing through sidewalls. Rear digs in and the front rides like rails.

IRC Mythos (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/10981-320_IRCXC0_SET-3-Parts-73-Tires/Mountain/IRC-Mythos-XC-Racing-Tire----Buy-2-%26-Save!.htm)

Oh, I guess I should also mention I am 6'2" and well into the Clydesdale category, so they are not a "skinny" 2.1, they do the job. I ride FS with plenty of gears. (and proud of it)

[Pinoy Rider]

Halfinch, do the ignitors run a little smaller than advertised? Thanks

[CRAIG2]

The Panaracer Fire XC Pro is a good, solid, all-around tire. I bought them based on consumer reviews initially, and because the were red/black, which matched my red NRS. I wouldn't say the tire really shines in any one, particular situation, but the only reason I switched out was because I just felt like trying something else. They held up well; granted, I'm not super agressive rider and do mostly just XC. They probably do run a little narrow; so do the Conti Vertical Pro 2.3's I have now on the NRS. I'm also very happy with this tire, maybe moreso because of the corner tread patterns. I would say rolling resistance is about the same. I run the WTB Weirwolf 2.1's on my hardtail, and they're not bad either. Those definitely feel narrow, but I really like the way they grab in the corners when the trails aren't too dry, or too damp. I don't think they shed quite as well.

For the price, I really don't think you can go wrong with the Panaracers, though.

Craig

[CRAIG2]

Oh yeah, and stay out of the soupy stuff! Riding in the mud around here is not cool. Centuwion! Stwike him vewy awfully! (any Monty Python fans here?) :D

[eloach]

Do you want great traction or low rolling resistance?

For a combo of both I liked the tubless version of the Panaracer XC I had. They worked decently in everything. Hey, they used to cost a LOT more than you can get them for now! I think they are just cheap now because they have been out for a while.

My personal favorite is the Specialized Roll-X. It comes in assorted flavors and all of them perform well in mixed conditions.

The Kenda Stick-e tires work great for climbing and agressive riding. However, my opinon is they stink in mud because they pack up to much - but then it's not often you end up riding in THAT much mud... but lets admit it, a lot of trails have those "muddy spots" even when it has not rained for a week (Lodi, Difficult Run, Colts Neck, Wakefield, etc). In addition, all that stick does not make them very fast. They will climb just about anything though.

The Maxxis Ignitors are very predictable in all conditions, but I personally don't feel they are outstanding in specific conditions (I have the LUST version).

I have a pair on Nokian UST "2.0" XC tires on right now that roll very fast and stick well. Their weakness appears to be loose stuff due to being narrow and low knob.

[DaveG]

I like fat tires, don't like to change them out for different conditions and tend to ride agressively. My two favorites are:
Kenda Nevegal DTC
WTB Motoraptor

P.S. This thread will get about 100 replies.

I like big tires and I can not lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a tire rolls in with an itty bitty weight
And big treads in your face
You get sprung

[Squirrel Girl]

ps.. whats the first best bike :)My Titus Switchblade, of course! :D :D

[eloach]

I like big tires and I can not lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a tire rolls in with an itty bitty weight
And big treads in your face
You get sprung


Put the beer down, raise your hands, and move away from the keyboard.

[macdaid]

Ha! Best moment in all comic filmdom!

"... he has a wife you know,"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0nDbqvmo8c

Oh yeah, and stay out of the soupy stuff! Riding in the mud around here is not cool. Centuwion! Stwike him vewy awfully! (any Monty Python fans here?) :D

[DaveG]

Ha! Best moment in all comic filmdom!

"... he has a wife you know,"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0nDbqvmo8c

Can't hold a candle to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIAdHEwiAy8

[Brizn]

Ha! Best moment in all comic filmdom!

"... he has a wife you know,"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0nDbqvmo8cCan't hold a candle to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIAdHEwiAy8

"We found this spoon, sir!"

[halfinch]

Halfinch, do the ignitors run a little smaller than advertised? Thanks

i haven't checked the dimensions nor the reviews on shiggy's site or elsewhere.
i've been pleased, and if they run small it's all the better since the bike i'm running them on has limited clearance at the front derailluer.

[Pinoy Rider]

Thanks I'm thinking of running the 2.1s on my older hardtail and it too has limited clearance in the rear.