29er Tire Combos

[KonaDupee]

Originally Posted by foofighter

i agree...because i'm on 30psi and i get slippage so it's most likely user error

Yeah, but it feels so much better to blame the tire...

[pastamon]

I'm 150 lbs, ride fairly clean lines, like to carve my turns riding the edge knobs. I prefer squarish profile over round profile. Favorite 26" tires are Kenda Nevegal 1.95, 2.1 and 2.35; Maxxis Minion F/R in the "freeride" casing 2.35.

I ride an On-One Inbred fully rigid. Rims are WTB Laser Disc Trail 29. Also have spent time riding a Turner Suiltan with same rims. Rim width matters on tire profile. The original On-One Reetard rims were narrower than the WTB rims I'm using now, and the Nevegals and Rampages are much rounder in profile on the narrower On-One rim. I like the profile better with the WTB rim under them.

I tend to run about 30-32 psi front, 30-34 psi rear. Some tires are more sensitive to this point, especially the really thin-sidewall tires like the Maxxis Ignitor. On that tire I have to run at least 33 psi in the rear or it will roll off the rim if below 30 psi and squirm like crazy between 30 and 33 psi. Nevegals and Rampages are more flexible on the psi, you don't get the same weak squirminess. Same with WTB ExiWolf which has good sidewalls and is tall, so it tolerates lower psi.

29" tire combos:

For rocky, rooty, rutty technical: Panaracer Rampage rear, Kenda Nevegal front. Nevegal is stickier and slower, better up front. I've ridden Nevegal front/rear and the speed / rolling resistance difference between a Nevegal and a Rampage is pretty significant. The nominal size difference is irrelevant on my rims.

For hardpack: WTB NanoRaptor rear, ExiWolf front.

Hardpack w/ loose (grainy, sandy) surface: WTB ExiWolf rear, Kenda Nevegal or Panaracer Rampage front.

Loose small rocks over hardpack: Maxxis Ignitor rear, Kenda Nevegal front.

[foofighter]

since we're talking rampage here. I put mine in the back tonight and followed the arrow on the sidewall for rear mounting where the ramped knobs face towards the rear. Anyone mount them like they do the front for faster rolling?

[tkblazer]

i run the rampage in the forward direction when i was running it as a rear tire... it does help with RR, but does not quite have the bite for super loose climbs.. if its a geared bike it should not be a problem.

[DeeZee]

As many have posted it really depends on what type of bike you are riding, the trails and the time of year (wet dry).

For example on my SS I am going to put the Nano back on the rear. This is a fast fast tire but only really like it in the Summer.

On my geared fs bike I am going to take off the Spec Fast track and try the Bonti XR.

As a normal rule of thumb I run a wider more aggressive tire in the front..and a narrower faster tire in the rear

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

As a normal rule of thumb I run a wider more aggressive tire in the front..and a narrower faster tire in the rear

i thought you didn't need to run a wide tire on a 29er? j/k i know what you mean

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

i thought you didn't need to run a wide tire on a 29er? j/k i know what you mean

Hahaha, nice avatar dude. This time it'll be thumbs up for Korean BBQ. See you sat Nam?

DeeZee, what didn't you like about the Fasttrack on your gearie? I use that tire on my SS, not the greatest traction in the loose stuff. But it is fast. Thinking about using that tire at Vail this weekend.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

i thought you didn't need to run a wide tire on a 29er? j/k i know what you mean

2.2 front (aggressive)
2.1 rear (fast roller)

I also have 2.35's that I break out at times

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Hahaha, nice avatar dude. This time it'll be thumbs up for Korean BBQ. See you sat Nam?

DeeZee, what didn't you like about the Fasttrack on your gearie? I use that tire on my SS, not the greatest traction in the loose stuff. But it is fast. Thinking about using that tire at Vail this weekend.

What I like the Fast Track

It is just getting dry....want to start doing some longer rides (now that I have more time) and see if I can "get by" with a lighter / faster rolling tire.

I may not like it and then the fast track will go back on

[foofighter]

ok rode w/ the rampage in the rear w/ the ramped block facing rear and the thing rolled like crap. traction obviously was great but i'm not digging the slow roll i'll be swapping out the tire...maybe to the capts

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by foofighter

ok rode w/ the rampage in the rear w/ the ramped block facing rear and the thing rolled like crap. traction obviously was great but i'm not digging the slow roll i'll be swapping out the tire...maybe to the capts

I have a semi tire selection and if you want you can try them.

Me thinks........

For your bike and the trails you ride (mainly Aliso)

F Ignitor
R Spec Fast Trak, Bonti XR or other fast rollers.

[foofighter]

thanks man...everyone keeps mentioning Bonti XR interesting.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by foofighter

thanks man...everyone keeps mentioning Bonti XR interesting.

I will give it an 7.5 out of 10. Right now it is on my SS but soon on the FS bike.

1. It is cheap
2. Rolls fast
3. Only 600g (good for 29'er tire)
4. Has good (not great) grip

[foofighter]

these XR?

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by foofighter

these XR?

That maybe a picture of the front tire

1. Go to The Path
2. Talk to Brian
3. Go home with the correct rear tire for you

[foofighter]

LOL i was just there...there were quite a few choices...i have a WTB exiwolf? rear and i'll try those. although the XR did look tempting i'll try what i have first before shelling out more money.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by foofighter

LOL i was just there...there were quite a few choices...i have a WTB exiwolf? rear and i'll try those. although the XR did look tempting i'll try what i have first before shelling out more money.

Rode that tire down five oaks once.

Still cleaning my shorts

[Uncle Rico]

[quote=foofighter;311895]since we're talking rampage here. I put mine in the back tonight and followed the arrow on the sidewall for rear mounting where the ramped knobs face towards the rear. Anyone mount them like they do the front for faster rolling?

I have run the Rampage in both directions on the back. If run the same as front, you will lose quite a bit of traction. I actually think the Igniter hooks up better than the Rampage in front direction as a rear tire ( I still think the Igniter is a crap front tire). Running the Rampage in the back in rear direction is a good FS downhill/ techy tire with tons of bite. I think the Rampage is a great front tire, and I am still looking for a great rear tire.

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Rode that tire down five oaks once.

Still cleaning my shorts

you still could drink beer you wouldn't care what tire you used.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

That maybe a picture of the front tire

1. Go to The Path
2. Talk to Brian
3. Go home with the correct rear tire for you

#4 slice XR sidewall in first rock garden
#5 back to the Path for a specialized captain

(save yourself the trouble, get a captain in the rear... comparable weight, better traction, stronger sidewall, works well tubeless)