Tire Review Thread

[guero]

Originally Posted by Trizz

after breifly reviewing this thread it seems everyone has wider front tire,
is this something that creates better handling or something.

yes, a slightly wider contact patch helps out alot when riding, adds for a bit more stability and grip.

[sailcalifornia]

i have the 2.1's on as a rear tire on two different bikes, one with a 819 rim, the other the new XTR, both tubeless, and i have had issues on both with burping. I am not running super low pressures, around 35-40 psi.

Anyone else had this issue with these tires or i am doing something?

Also yesterday after realizing my tire was ridiculously low i stopped to add air, and could not get the bead to re-set, i tried using a CO2 inflator, and i know it is bad for the stans, but the air was running out the bead, put a tube in and i could hear it pop in.

thanks for all help

[zipsbiker]

Kenda Nevegal 2.5 STICK-E
Have used both wire and folding bead on the front and the rear. The weight is the main difference. This is the best tire for technical climbing. If you ever ride up Chutes backwards to the top of the 3Bs in the Oaks, this is the tire to have. The wire bead is unnecessary for everyday riding. Save it for the lift assisted runs.
Kenda Nevegal 2.35 and 2.1 STICK-E
A touch lighter than 2.5's. They work just as good. I have the 2.1 on the rear of my XC bike.
Maxxis Mobster 2.7
My favorite front tire. It corners so nice. I had a Minion on the front which was horrible for the Southern California conditions. The Mobster is heavy, but I have yet to try anything better for DH or FR. I have had this tire for over two years and probably have over 1000 miles on it. No joke, this one has lasted so long for me.
Maxxis Lopes Bling Bling
I really liked this tire. The tire has been discontinued and I was able to get a couple on close out from Jenson. I think Jenson had a few left in the beginning of Feb/08. It's low profile, corners great, rolls fast, and wears out faster. Well worth $19 though.
Maxxis Minion DH
Used on the front. I hated it. It would push through the corners and just didn't hook up well. Rode this tire extensively in Laguna and The Oaks.
I'm always so tempted to try new tires, but with most costing $50 a pop, I stay safe with Nevegals. They always work for me.

[Von-Skipp]

I have a set a Conti Mountain Kings 2.2 UST on my ASR. I'm running them on DT rims with a stans kit tubeless.

I had my first ride on the Mountain Kings today at South Mountain here in Arizona. I was actually very impressed with the tires.

First of all, they roll extremely fast. South Mountain has lots of hard pack dirt and lots of rock exposure. They tracked really well.

I am used to bringing a bigger bike with my 2.35 Highrollers to South Mountain, the Mountain Kings really didnt disapoint.

Another plus: Tires sealed right up tubeless and have never leaked air.

Highly recommend them for XC riding.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Von-Skipp

Another plus: Tires sealed right up tubeless and have never leaked air.

I have these same tires on my ASR and I am running them tubeless, however I have the Supersonic version.

If anyone is interested in running these tires tubeless, go with the UST version that Von Skipp has.

I love the Supersonics because they are very light, but they took me a week to seal with stans.

[SSinGA]

Originally Posted by Von-Skipp

I think I found a sweet combo of tires for xc/racing.

WTB Weirwolf 2.1 up front
Maxis Crossmark 2.1 in the rear

Both are UST on 819's with a scoop of Stans.

I've been using this combo in CA and in AZ and they work really well. I raced them last weekend are they hooked up great, but I'm sure I could find a faster front tire.

Props to this combo.

Pick up a set of the 2.25 Crossmark when the finally hit the streets - Probably summer time. I've put a ton of miles on my prototypes and I have no desire to take them off.

[jschwart73]

Tried out a new combination - Spec Resolution 2.1 (07 model, dual compound, 2Bliss that they don't sell anymore) front, The Captain Control rear. Rode at one of my regular spots today and I really like the combination. The Resolution up front has a LOT of grip and rolling wasn't effected much. For racing, I'll put the Captain back up front, but for everything else, the Resolution is awesome.

Something else I've notice on The Captain in the rear - It's VERY pressure sensitive. At 40 PSI, it spins all over the place and lacks braking grip. At 35, it works MUCH better on loose surfaces and under braking.

I'm hoping that this translates well on the 29er, I'm tracking down some of the 29er Resolutions for the front, since they don't make them anymore.

[Mudman]

My 4X bike is running Kenda Nevegals up front and Small Block 8's in the rear. and they hook super nice on hardpack/loose places like Fontana! Although my only complaint towards the Small Block 8's is that they have thin sidewalls. I only got in less than 7 hours of riding before the SB8 got a small tear in the sideall from a rock. Although I liked them enough to buy another one. Lets hope I have better luck with this one!

[Upsidedown1]

I have been using Kenda SB8's for the last 4 months. I run them on a Stans No Tubes Wheelset and Stans sealant. They are extremely fast and have had no problems with tears or anything of the sort when racing at Fontana/Southridge. I have only been running 22.5lbs of air in the front and 24lbs in the rear which helps to minimize any tears from rocks etc. I did however tear a sidewall doing jumps, which was not so bright of me with low tire pressure. I should have ran around 35lbs or more for jumping. Going to start using "The Crow" tire from "No Tubes" for the next few races, will post how they are after I get some time on them.

[jschwart73]

I wish I could run lower pressures than I do, but anything lower than about 33 and the tire squats under my fat ass.

[L8 APEKS]

IRC Mythos - Excellent XC/fast roller! I replaced my Panaracer Fire XC Pro's with these and I prefer the Mythos. Rolls faster and IMHO corners better.

Originally Posted by jschwart73

I wish I could run lower pressures than I do, but anything lower than about 33 and the tire squats under my fat ass.

I'm about 210 lbs. Ditto. lol!

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by Mudman

My 4X bike is running Kenda Nevegals up front and Small Block 8's in the rear. and they hook super nice on hardpack/loose places like Fontana! Although my only complaint towards the Small Block 8's is that they have thin sidewalls. I only got in less than 7 hours of riding before the SB8 got a small tear in the sideall from a rock. Although I liked them enough to buy another one. Lets hope I have better luck with this one!

check out the maxxis larsen tt, super fat volume, short ramped knobs and thicker sidewalls than kendas

[el_d00der1n0]

I'm gonna put some fatter tires on the SS rigid, and I've found some Nevegal 2.5 for 30 bones. Should I start at like 2.35 and try that on the front first, or will I end up with 2.5 up there anyway?

Any ideas (that don't involve a new fork )?

[JPWizard]

IRC Missile (Trailbear) 2.25 all the way for my AM. Lots of rolling resistance, but the tread has supreme traction. People complain about casing problems, but I never seem to have problems.

I am very interested in trying the WTB prowler series though. I'd also like to try The Maxxis creepy crawlers for my trials bike. I wouldn't mind some creeps for my jeeps either.

[blanka98]

Originally Posted by L8 APEKS

IRC Mythos - Excellent XC/fast roller! I replaced my Panaracer Fire XC Pro's with these and I prefer the Mythos. Rolls faster and IMHO corners better.



I'm about 210 lbs. Ditto. lol!

I have tried the Mythos and I do agree that it rolls faster but it tends to wash out on rocky downhills. I am using the Panaracers fire XC Pro's and loving it! Good traction uphill and downhill. The weight is significant though...just my 2cents

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by JPWizard

I am very interested in trying the WTB prowler series though. I'd also like to try The Maxxis creepy crawlers for my trials bike. I wouldn't mind some creeps for my jeeps either.

I tried the WTB prowler 2.3 over the weekend. They were mounted on a Slayer 70 I demo'd. They have a nice wide tread pattern and hook up real nice. I had them at about 30 psi while at Hurkey Creek this weekend. Great AM tire.

[intensworks]

Maxxis Highrollers 2.35 UST are da bomb for grip under all conditions imo but 2 heavy so I am transitioning to Specialized Eskars or the new Mountain Kings. We'll see how those go.

[Allrotor13b]

i like a Nevegal 2.35 up front and a Small Block Eight 2.1 in the back on everything but my downhill, which gets Nevegal 2.5's front and rear

[lukewiens]

Question here: So I bought a couple of Maxxis Crossmarks and they didn't have the LUST versions. I bought one of the regular version and one of the higher TPI exception series.

For sh!ts and giggles and I thought I would try to run em tubeless even though they aren't the LUST versions. I put the softer exception tire on the front and the regular on the back. So far I have had no problems with getting them to seal and what not and the front seems great no matter what PSI I run. The rear however has a nice little bounce to it even at the maximum 40 psi.

Now finally the questions:
Am I getting the bounce from the thin sidewalls in the non UST tires?
Has anyone run stans over the designated 40 PSI max?

I like a pretty stiff rear tire...don't ask me why, it just feels right to me. The front I have down at 30 PSI and is running great! Thanks in advance for any help.

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by Allrotor13b

i like a Nevegal 2.35 up front and a Small Block Eight 2.1 in the back on everything but my downhill, which gets Nevegal 2.5's front and rear

i put 2.35 nevegal on the front and 2.1 small block on the back of my ss, and so far so good. the small block is a little wobbly though. i think i need to take it back for an exchange...