Tires

[vamodeo]

I currently run Conti Vertical Pros 2.3 on my SS and am debating getting a set for my geared bike. I have Conti Explorer and Escape on there now and they are just too narrow even though they say 2.1. Looking for some ideas on other tires that might be comparable to the Verticals. What do you folks that bomb down XC trails like at Douthat and Gambrill run?

[riderx]

Kenda Nevegal 2.35 DTC on the 26" and the 2.2 version on the 29er

[eloach]

I have been using the Conti Verts on my Reign, but will head back to the Kenda 2.35s and perhaps even Kenda 2.5s, if they will fit. The Conti Verts worked great on my lighter smaller travel bike, but they just don't do rocks like the Kendas, nor do they seem to work with the heavier longer travel bike the way the Kendas did. The comparatively tall edge knobs on the Verts are good for climbing in dirt, but tend to "snap off the edge" on rocks, which I really don't care for.

In addition, the Kenda has a wider profile than the Verts, which seems to put more tire on the ground and allow better cornering at higher speeds when descending.

Yeah, the Kenda weighs a lot and it packs up in any type of mud, but I think it's hard to beat on rocks and tech stuff when it's dry.... and it's been very dry lately.

On the 29er I like the ExiWolfs. Big, fast, grippy, decent sidewall... what else is there?

I'll probably try a wide WTB 26" tire on the Reign at some point.

[eloach]

BTW - The Conti Verts really are not 2.3 in my book. Even if you count the tall side knobs they don't make it. I would say they are more like 2.17 or 2.2. That's about right for a 4" travel dually speedster, but not so great on something like a Nomad or Reign... IMO.

[riderx]

On the 29er I like the ExiWolfs. Big, fast, grippy, decent sidewall... what else is there?
Kenda Nevegal 2.2 or Panaracer Rampage 2.35 (identical in volume despite the numbers). You'll say good bye to the mediocre Exiwolfs for good. I know, I rode them for a long time because they were the biggest tire around, but there are better options now IMO. Of course, YMMV but you are already a Nevegal fan.

[eloach]

Kenda Nevegal 2.2 or Panaracer Rampage 2.35 (identical in volume despite the numbers). You'll say good bye to the mediocre Exiwolfs for good. I know, I rode them for a long time because they were the biggest tire around, but there are better options now IMO. Of course, YMMV but you are already a Nevegal fan.

Imagine a Kenda 2.5 29er. :) :) :)

[jed]

If you have to have a big knobby tire, go with the Nevagal up front. Pick your size, as there are several choices. IMHO 2.35 is overkill unless you ride Gambrill or similar terrain a lot. Otherwise, it's a lot of tire to push around and really isn't helping all that much. The 2.35 Nevagal is really 2.35. Go with something faster on the back, like a Kenda Kharma or a Maxxis CrossMark or Larsen TT.

In my experience, the Maxxis CrossMark hooks up almost as well as the Nevagal in most conditions and is way, way faster and lighter. The CrossMark is better on harder surfaces because the knobs are smaller. It's a 2.1, and a true one at that. It is unbelievable how well that tire hooks up for as fast as it is. I prefer it to the Nevagal for stuff like Schaeffers Farm and Patapsco because of the speed and I feel like it is more solid in the corners overall because the small knobs don't fold over.

A similar flavor to the CrossMark with a little more knob is the Maxxis Larsen TT. The TT is available in 1.9, 2.0, and 2.3 I believe. It's a great back tire for sure, maybe a little sketchy for your taste up front, but I have found that it hooks up pretty well in most conditions front and rear. The small knobs allow it to grip well on rocks and other hard surfaces without feeling squirrely because the knobs don't fold over.

[riderx]

I should throw in the WTB Motoraptor 2.4 for the 26" wheels, another longtime favorite of mine and faster rolling than the Nevegal. Jed is right about the Nevegal being a bit sluggish, but it makes a big difference to go with the DTC compound instead of the Stickie compound. The DTC definitely rolls faster.

Riding style is going to have a lot to do with what you can get away with too. I do most of my riding in the Shed and Gambrill and run fully rigid bikes that I tend to treat like full suspension bikes. Skinny tires don't cut it for me as I'll be pinch flatting or dinging my rims too much, but a lot of other people who ride a bit more civilized can (and do) get away with a skinnier, lighter tire, especially if they are running some form of suspension.

[jed]

I'm definitely a full suspension advocate in general. I also am an XC racer, so I tend to choose fast tires and learn how to work with them. I like to corner hard and descend fast, though, so I definitely lean toward tires that balance speed with cornering grip, with enough volume to keep the rims off the ground, i.e., larger volume for rocks, skinnier for smooth stuff.

Oh yeah, I don't run tubes, I either use Stans or run UST tires, and run pressures that are pretty low, high-20's to low 30's, so I try to use a bit of finesse in the technical stuff.

[smusante]

I love the Crossmarks too - but in the off-season I run Tioga factory DH tires - 2.3 on the front, 2.1 on the rear. For me these things are the best. They are awesome on technical trails because the sidewalls are so thick and the tread sticks well in a variety of conditions. I run them with very low psi and flats are not even an issue. They are however very heavy and are a slog on smooth singletrack or fireroads, so if you're looking for something light and fast definitely then don't go with these tires, but they are great if you're looking for something to bomb around on!

[jayem]

Go with something faster on the back, like a Kenda Kharma or a Maxxis CrossMark or Larsen TT.

Cosign the Larsen TT, I have a 2.35 in the rear on my 5" Transition. No matter what is on the front, the TT is on the rear. I own a 2.1 as well. But the 2.35 TT in the rear is great on the hardpack and quite fast.

[rsosborn]

i have further questions on this for the group. i'm a racer turned recreational XC rider (ah, higher education). i traded down from an S Works to a Rocky Mountain Vertex 30. I like everything but the tires that came on it. I need to swap them for some light ones with light tubes.

Personally, I ride very high pressure and mostly hard pack. I like to keep it fast. Anyone want to throw good 26" candidates out there?