Tire Review Thread

[guero]

Thought it might be a good idea to start a thread for tire reviews. Perhaps Gouge can make it a "sticky".

Please list what trails you ride, and the types of conditions so others can get a good feel for where the tires you are reviewing may, or may not work. Thanks!!!

I'll start it off.

Currently running a Panaracer Rampage 2.35 29er up front with a Kenda Nevegal 2.3 DTC 29er on the rear. The Panaracer Rampage (with stans) has been working out very well so far and I haven't washed out or slid out (yet) with it. The knobs seem to grip very well and I have pretty good faith in them that the faster I lean into a turn, the harder they will bite. The Nevegal (with tube) seems to be hooking up pretty decent. There have been a few times when I've "burned out" with it on steeper climbs, but Im thinking it is because Im still learning the technique of climbing on the s/s and my weight was too far forward. There is the expected rolling resistance of the Nevegal, which doesn't seem too bad.

I just picked up a Kenda Small Block 8 29er and am going to throw that on my back wheel before tomorrows ride. From what I've heard I can expect a fast rolling tire with pretty good grip.

[Kid A]

as with alot of others. I am running Kenda Blue groove 2.35 (front) and Nevagal 2.1 (back). both sticky. roll a bit slower than harder compounds but love the grip. burn a bit faster as a bit softer as well. I have heard some complain about sidewall but no isses fr me so far

G- heard great things about small block. most def post up your thoughts as I may put on back when I need to replace Nev.

thx (good idea on post as well)

[Keith B]

I tried a ton of tyres (Please note the correct spelling from the Empirium of the UK) for XC use and the best I've found thus far are Specialized Fast Trak Pro 2.0 on the back and WTB Mutanoraptor Race 2.4 for the front (its more like a 2.25)
They both roll well, are light and grip well.

[FyrFytrRyn]

on my XC bike i currently run 2.4 WTB mutano raptors. with tubes. the continuous center rib keeps the RR down when you have to ride tot he trail, and the rest of the tire hooks great. no problems with them yet.

[SAR_boats]

I am running Kenda Nevegal JTS on the Enduro:
24 x 2.5 Front and Rear (yes 24x2.5. Not a typo)
On the Merlin I use:
WTB Velociraptor 26x2.1 Front & Rear for Trail
Continental Town&Country Slicks 26x1.9 for commuting

[TURNERob]

I've been strictly a Kenda fan but that is starting to change. I've moved onto Scwalbe Big Betty's on my 6 Pack, they offer the same amount of grip as the Kendas w/o the rolling resistance. They also have thicker sidewalls and for a 2.4 they are BIG!

I just put a small block 8 on the rear of my 5 Spot instead of a Nevegal and I found myself cruising a gear harder than normal because of how well the SB8 rolls....very fast! It also has surprising amounts of grip and when it breaks loose it is extremely predictable.

[bananaseat]

I really like my Kenda Blue Groove 2.35 in the front. Only complaint, I run stans in the non-UST version, w/30psi and it's burped twice.

I'm digging the Maxxis High Roller 2.35 non-UST, w/stans on the back. Great traction.

Rob, I'm guessing you're running stans w/your SB8??

Anyone try the Telonix by Kenda? IMO tread pattern resembles the Maxxis High Roller, so I'm guessing it would make for a good back tire.

[tkblazer]

rob, i saw that the path has 2 more big betty's in stock... i've been looking at the SB8 and it looks like a sweet tire, just could be scary in wet conditions.

aldo, i think the telonix was just released but i have yet to see any in stores.

on a side note, i just got the new BIKE mag and they freakin made a one page article about han reys and the creation of the telonix trail

[gurp13]

I used to run Panaracer Fire XC Pro's, 2.1 front and rear. I liked the rear okay but the front left a lot to be desired. Seemed like it was always washing out. I switched to WTB's and have never been happier. I have the Weirwolf on the front and the Mutano Raptor on the back. The Weirwolf *has* washed out on me, but it did it in a controled way and I was able to recover and stay upright. My Panaracers would have dumped me. The Weirwolf bites well and I feel much more confident on it.

[Collette]

I ran the Maxxis Ignitor on the 575, but after slipping for the 10th time on rock, I now run the High Roller 2.1.

[cru jones]

Kenda Blue Groove stick-e 2.35 front and nevegal dtc 2.35 rear. Very happy with the combo but i will probably go back to nevegals front and rear. For some reason i just trust the nev. a little more in the front. Rolling resistance=crap, cornering and kicking ass=great.

[Shu]

Has anyone tried the Intense 2.35 Dual Compounds?

I mostly ride San Juan(shuttle) Aliso Woods, Zips(Santiago Oaks) and am looking for a tire that rolls fast and sticks in the corners good at these spots...

Currently have Kenda Nevegal 2.35 front & rear on my Heckler

Currently have Kenda Nevegal 2.35 Stick-E rear and Panaracer Fire FR 2.4 front on my KHS FR200(Not really looking to change this combo now)

Any suggestions would be apprictated

[roadkillross]

i rock a maxxis minion DH 2.7 up front. and a maxxis something big on the back 2.5

and a 3.0 serfas on the V10 with a intense 909 2.7 in rear

[b-rad!]

Riding XC singletrack, but mostly fireroad. Dry, fast conditions.

Maxxis 29er Ignitor 2.1 Fr and Rr

Specialized Fast Trak S-Works 2.0 Fr, Panaracer Razer 2.1(actual 1.8..) Rr, Both with non-UST with Stans
Also used the Spec. Roll-X S-works 2.0 with Stans. Liked it until the sidewall was cut on a ride.

Maxxis Mimo CX 700x35 Fr and Rr on the cross bike


Tried 26" Mimo 2.0 Fr and Rr both in the reg and eXception series, didnt like them. Rolled alright, but didnt corner at all. Also tried High Roller 1.9 single ply. Hated them. No traction climbing, descending, and cornering.

[Pain Freak]

I've got the Schwalbe Big Betty on one of my bikes in the front, and it is a great tire. I do love the grip and the cornering is top notch, but I think I've found one even better then it. While in Mammoth I was running a Mutano Raptor (DO NOT BUY THIS TIRE) and I went to Footloose in town to see about another tire to handle the conditions up there. They told me the locals were running a Specialized Chunder 2.5. It has a slightly bigger footprint then the Big Betty and is a little heavier 400 grams to be exact, but I feel it's worth it. Try this tire and you won't be disappointed. I still would run the Big Betty too if I was looking for a lighter tire (800 grams, I believe)

[Keith B]

I think that if you're going to post a tyre review then you ought to state the type of riding, bike and terrain you ride on.
Some 1100g 2.5in tyre isnt going to be a blast riding XC in SoCal

[Buzzsaw]

Riding XC, rocky, loose, ruts on single track with lots of hills (up/down);

Maxxis High Roller 2.35 with stans=awesome traction everywhere. Not good getting to the trail though. SLOW rolling resistence heading out of the driveway.

Just put on the Maxxis igniter 2.1 with stans. They feel so small? ( Yeah that's what I told her!)
haha, nevermind.

The 2.35 High Roller tires are very good and I look forward to getting back on them after the CC.

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by Keith B

I think that if you're going to post a tyre review then you ought to state the type of riding, bike and terrain you ride on.
Some 1100g 2.5in tyre isnt going to be a blast riding XC in SoCal

Yeah, but if you're not racing and are looking for a tire that does most things well, there are a few tires that stand out. High Rollers. Maxxis Minion, Big Betty, Blue Groove just to name a few. True these are not your average "climbing" tires, but you can develop into riding them and will not notice much of a difference between a 2.5 and a 2.1 tire, once you've got used to riding a fatter tire.

Some riders have some very good skills and ride the skinny tires with no problem, I've found using the fatter tires enables me to ride a lot of stuff I wouldn't be able to with the skinnier ones. If I have to get off the bike to walk a section or slow down because I'm not skilled enough on these I end up being faster on the fatties.

[guero]

The Kenda SB8 2.1 (29inch version) worked out great today going up and down Blackstar. Rolled very fast, I didnt burn-out on the steeper stuff (nothing super steep on Blackstar). It felt great when I leaned into the turns coming back down. Rolled so much better than the Nevegal.

[Sprockethead]

Type of riding - General Trailriding, XC, rocky, bike park, etc..
Bike- Nomad - Kenda Nevegals Front 2.5 Sticky-E and Rear 2.35 DTC, Tubless with Stans
Truth - Front WTB MotoRaptor 2.24 tubed and Rear WTB Weirwolf 2.1 (reversed) tubed

Tires I've tried.
Hutchinson Python Lites- Fast rocket tire, great for hard packed XC trails and fireroads. Scary in fast corners and the sidewalls fold over easily so I wouldn't recommend it for technical decents.
Panaracer Firepro XC - quick tire, great for dry conditions but once wet, hold on. Overall, a fantastic tire for the money in SoCal conditons.
Kenda Nevegals - These are by far my favorite tires. They don't roll very well but I'd rather have grip over rolling resistance. Go down a few times and I'd think you'd agree. In high speeds, the tires grip like a mutha, great for rocks, loose rocky terrain, wet, you name it.
Kenda Blue Groove - Rolls and corners better than the Nevegals. Great tire, go with what the shops say, Blue Groove front, Nevegal rear.
WTB Weirwolfs - Pretty good XC tire, however, the side knobs roll over quite easily. I was running 2.3 front and 2.1 rear on my Truth. Thought they were great tires until I washed out at Oaks. At high speed, the knobs roll over easily and it washes out quickly in loose rocks. Spent the next 3 months off the bike But they are good XC tires if you're riding Chino Hills or Fully Loop.
WTB MotoRaptor - I like this tire for XC use. The knobs hold up well in corners and it's very predictable. Also, the tire is fairly light.
Kenda Karma - Had the Sticky-E tires, they're fast, light, but wear out way too fast. Held up pretty good in most conditions, I'd recommend them for non rocky terrrain.