After reading up on Schwalbe tires, the standard casing is apparently fine for XC, but for anything more aggressive, their Snakeskin or Double Defense versions are recommended. I recently picked up their new Hans Dampf (Snakeskin), and they've been great so far. Took them down Trabuco Canyon Trail (where I've flatted a few times) and not even a scratch.
I had fat alberts front and rear that came stock on my 575. 1 year not even a flat. Replaced with nevegals because of price.
I did about 5 rides on the "Rocket" model and the sidewall got sliced on Car Wreck. They seem like a XC race tire for a course with no rocks! Really light, but too fragile for normal riding IMO.
Ive been running a Nobby Nic 2.25 in the back and a Nevegal 2.4 in the front. The bike tracks like its on rails. Only problem is the Nobby Nics are rounding off the treads in a few months. Wish I could get more out of 70 dollar (retail) tires. I did get them on close out. Shouldve bought in bulk
I've been running Schwalbe tires for about five years now. My current setup is a 2.25 Nobby Nic HS 411 (2011 model) on the rear and an older 2.25" Smart Sam out front. They've been very good tires and were quite popular in Germany where I picked up my first set. The prices have been going up lately which I imagine is due to import cost and the weak dollar but they were always on the expensive side even in Europe. One of the key things is to choose an appropriate version for your riding style. In one family range of tires (e.g. Nobby Nic, Fat Albert, etc.) they sometimes offer different sidewall construction/compounds with some being more biased towards lower weight and racing uses (regular "Performance"/LiteSkin), to general XC use (Tubeless, Tubeless-ready) to others which are heavier, more durable tires if you like to venture out into rougher terrain (SnakeSkin and DoubleDefense). When they offer the same size and tire model in "tubeless" and "tubeless-ready" versions, the tires designed specifically for tubeless are also generally heavier and more robust. Some tire lines as a whole are also biased towards certain ends of the use spectrum. If you haven't been on their site they do offer some general recommendations and ratings for comparison of different qualities between their product lines here. While I wouldn't take their ratings as gospel it does give an idea of intended uses and compromises between different tire versions.
I thought I should give everyone an update. I tried a Continental Mountain King on the front and did not like it at all. The tire wandered when cornering unless there was a LOT of pressure on it and it was very unpredictable on where it would break away. I have now put on a Hans Dampf and have found the perfect front tire for my riding style. Grip for days and very predictable at the limit. The only downside is that the tire is HUGE. I am hoping that they will come out with a 2.25 version built on the Nobby Nic/Fat Albert casing. I should also mention that I went back and looked at where I cut my Nobby Nic and am not surprised that it happened. The point at which it happened had a nasty little rock embedded in the dirt pointing straight up and I was dragging my brake over it. Probably would not have cut a heavier tire, but I also don't think it is a problem with a weak casing.
Picked up a couple of Hans dampf today and am excited to try them. Managed to kill a tube when I was putting the rear on so I guess now is a good time to try out the tubeless option on my new Crossmax ST. Didn't buy an Stan's yet but I w excited to see it wasn't very hard to get the tire to air up!
Hi guys, I ride a Sette Reken hardtail that started off with some 1.95" bontrager tires that I had lying around. I recently switched the front to a 2.1" Weirwolf and so far I like it. I don't do anything remotely gnarly yet(think trails like telegraph canyon). I want a tire with more volume in the rear than the 1.95" bontrager for a little softer, more stable, ride. The frame won't hold more than a 2.1"-2.2" tire max from what it looks like. My current thoughts are: Small block 8 Another Weirwolf Irc Mythos II Slant Six Any thoughts or opinions on the setup? Keep in mind most likely it will be a 2.1" size and NON-tubeless. Thanks in advance for any responses.
You might want to look at The Maxxis Aspen 2.1. I run it on my Giant XTC 29er. I was running a Karma 1.9 but I also wanted a little more volume. The Aspens came stock and at first I didn't like them because they are not very good in semi muddy conditions, but for trails like telegraph the Aspens would be great. They are very light light as well.
I use to have a Sette' Reken and I would run 2.35's on it all the time with no problems. The Sette' Shadow on the other hand is really limited on tire size. I have a 2.1 Michelin on the rear and the little hairs that you see on a new tire are buzzing the frame. BTW, My new favorite rear tire is the Kenda BBG 2.35 DTC and I'm running a Kenda Nevegal 2.5 on the front of my Tracer.
Got to try out the HD yesterday and they definitely felt easier to pedal. I'm sure a lot of it was I my head but I was able to do a climb that usually requires me to drop to my granny and I was able to stay in the middle ring. My normal loop is not really a MTB ride though, it could be done a cx bike. Looking forward to taking it to the trails.
+1 for the Maxxis Aspen 2.1". Great XC tire for dry conditions. Does not shed mud very well, but I have them front and rear and like them a lot. Light, fast, good grip.
im not asking you im telling you WTB prowler mx tire. Love it out back. Up front not so much. Even at low pressure its washy and unpredictable on hard pack. When things get thick and there is some dirt under the tire, it rocks. Other than that, its scary how easy it washes. And to boot, the rolling resistance sucks. So thats my tire review.
I am leaning twards the Hans Dampf. Wondering if a Noby nic / Dampf combo front and rear would be better than 2 Hans at 2.35. I have the Nevegal 2.4 up front. I trust that tire 100% no issues ever. it rolls like crap though. I had one on the rear and loved the grip. So predictable but it was like pulling a train behind me on my HD up cholla and mathis. Went to the purgatory in the rear. Noticed a better roll first ride. The grip is good, but not as good as the nevegal in the rear. The Schwable are exspensive. Are they really worth the extra dough? I like having the best on my ride. I don't like feeling like I got ripped off though.
I am leaning twards the Hans Dampf. Wondering if a Noby nic / Dampf combo front and rear would be better than 2 Hans at 2.35. I have the Nevegal 2.4 up front. I trust that tire 100% no issues ever. it rolls like crap though. I had one on the rear and loved the grip. So predictable but it was like pulling a train behind me on my HD up cholla and mathis. Went to the purgatory in the rear. Noticed a better roll first ride. The grip is good, but not as good as the nevegal in the rear. The Schwable are exspensive. Are they really worth the extra dough? I like having the best on my ride. I don't like feeling like I got ripped off though.
Try it up front, you might like it. My friend put his up front to replace his Nevegal. He's glad he did. He says it rolls and grips a lot better then the Nevegal. I also put one up front but haven't had a chance to try it out yet. -Lloyd :wave:
Been riding the Panaracer 2.25 Cederick Garcia 29er (tubeless) front and back for about 6 months now and very impressed with the handling the SoCal conditions. Even has pretty good rolling resistance on pavement.
