Tires for Fountainhead

[pvbiker]

I've never ridden Fountainhead before. Does anybody have tire recommendations for the XC race? Since the park is near Wakefield, do the same tires that work well at the Wakefield races work as well at Fountainhead?

[Brizn]

Climbs and descents are much more significant than WF, so you may want something that grips/brakes better..? Lots of roots, too. What kind of bike are you runnin' ?

[middle-ring]

I'm running Hutchinson Pythons for low rolling resistance - but as Brizn mentioned a little more meat on the tread is desirable if you are not a FH expert. That trail is very dry and dusty right now and you will get sketchy in places no matter what you run. Of course if the trail ends up being wet - change up to more tread - wet roots completely change that trail.

If you are a hard braker - look for a more knobby tire. If you are a small guy (or girl) and a fast rider - go with the low resistance option for speed. But whatever your choice - think dry and dusty, some sandy corners, rocks and roots.

Tires are very much a personal preference kind of thing. I'm generally not one to push what I ride to others - but at least now you know what I ride.

[eloach]

I like my Conti Verticals there. I also tried Nokian race tires, Spec. Roll-X and Kenda Stick-e tires. The Stick-e tires also worked well, but seemed a tad slower and had a tad less bite. The other tires did okay, but slid about on the DH stuff more than I like. Oh yeah, same with Nano Raptor and Bontrager Jones (slide time!), but those were on a 29er. I have not had a chance to try the ExiWolfs now on my 29er there, but a lot of people here swear by them. They worked well out on the SM 100 course this weekend and didn't loose their grip, but it's more of long up and long down than FH.

Disclaimer - I suck, so if you're really good you can use something with less tread and be fine. Keep in mind though, that I think there are only one or two spots at FH where you are NOT going up or down for much length at all. Of course, I think they start you on the road, but you do not come back out to the road for the following laps.