I find that the Hans dampf wears alot slower compared to the nobby nic. I have both in the same compound and have ran them both front and back. My current setup is the Hans in the front and the nic in the back, but i'm considering switching to a Hans pacestar in the back because of how fast the nic wore out. I just didnt really want to add anymore rolling resistance by adding the hans in the back.
I've been using the stock Bontrager XR4 (exp?) 2.2 front and back. Similar to a Kenda Nevegal. So far they are very good! PCE, weir/oaks,marshall/claremont,idyllwild. Tough sidewalls, good traction. Weight-not sure, probably 650-700g. Tubeless, 28-34 psi. I weigh 150+ with gear. My last front tire was a GEAX saguaro, 2.2, very good tire also,did not wear very fast...I would get another, and If I remember it was relatively light.
Count me in I ride everywhere Ladera Dave rides 2012 Trek Remedy 9 E [Tubeless] Fr: Bonty XR4 Team Issue 2.35 R: Bonty XR3 2.2 The new Team Issue XR4 is my favorite tire to run on the front. Bontys have had mixed reviews in the past but the new XR4s are imo one of the best tires out there. This tire has nice ramped knobs that roll fast and provide good cornering and handling. I like the Nevegals too but the XR4s roll faster imo. At $34.99 for a tubeless 2.4 tire this is a very good all mountain trail tire. 2012 Trek Superfly 100 29er [Tubeless] Fr: Conti Mountain King Protection 2.2 R: Conti XKing Protection 2.2 The Conti's were very expensive at $62 bucks each I'm still wondering why I paid so much for these at the path. My first impression of these tyres is that the Black Chili compound is super sticky and tracks well on the trail. These tyres are also supposed to have good tread life compared to other brands. On my first ride I noticed that these roll very fast but do not have good cornering ability. I still havent put enough miles on these but for now I really like that they are light weight and roll fast but were definetly pricey. 2012 SC Blur LT Carbon [Tubeless] Fr: Conti Mountain King Protrction 2.35 R: Conti XKing Protection 2.2 The 2.35 Conti Mountain King feels more like a 2.2 in the rear the XKing provides good grip on the trail and rolls fast but was a pain to setup tubeless in the rear I had to pump it up to 85psi before the tire seated. I also like how these tires look compared to other brands the sidewalls have a checkered flag design which looks neat. The Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 2.35 Tires are really that good.
Had a bad experience with Specialized Purgatory on the front giving way unexpectedly in corners, resulting in crashes and minor injuries. Read reviews on MTBR that indicated I wasn't alone. Was steered to Hans Dampf by The Path and read reviews on MTBR. Gave it a shot and no looking back--one of those products you buy and instantly feel good about, it was very gripping and confidence inspiring. I ride 2-4 miles of pavement to / from trails from my house and was worried the Hans Dampf would wear out, but it's still going strong since September and I've put on about 1,000 miles on it. I've really liked the Specialized Captain and Geax Sagauro on the rear but wasn't running the Geax tubeless. I've got the Purgatory I didn't like on the front on the rear now and it's ok but I'm thinking I'll try either a Nevegal or Hans Dampf on the rear.
Shoot put that prugatory on the back where it belongs... that with the HD up front is a great combo... I weigh 180 run and run that purgatory ~38 in the back... ~30 HF up front....stick like glue..
I'll be glad to give an update, but I'll wait a month or two. My riding routine is pretty erratic lately - 3 or 4 rides one week, then none, then 3 - so evaluating wear might take a while. But honestly, even if it wears quickly I'd buy it again because it's that nice to ride. I should also mention that in addition to the great ride qualities, the Hans Dampf was one of the easiest tires to mount & seat on my Stan's Arch rims. Finally, with the good rolling characteristics and lighter weight of the HD, I'm experimenting with dropping a couple more lbs of air pressure. I ran the Fat Alberts at around 30 PSI, but have ridden the HD at about 26-28 PSI so far, and like it a lot in that range. Geared up to ride, I'm around 210 lbs though, so I'd bet lighter riders could ride it quite effectively in the low-mid 20 PSI range.
The XR4 in your picture is the pre 2012 version. I have the 2012 XR4 Team Issue TLR 2.35 in front and 2.2 in back. The tread pattern is very similar to a Nevegal, with a touch of High Roller in the midddle. I have been running these tires with tubes first on a Yeti 575 and now on a Knolly Endorphin and they have been very, very good in dry to damp SoCal conditions. Had them since January 2012 and they still have a lot of tread left. They corner very well, they are light and they roll pretty well. I am not sure if I like them better than my trusty High Rollers, but they are close. Many people would like them better. They measure true to size, unlike the Maxxis, which measure small. Back story - Aaron Gwin refused to ride Bontrager tires and was running Minion DHFs when he moved to Trek. Trek hired a well-known and well respected tire guru to redesign their tires and voila - Gwinny was winning on the redesigned Bontys (G4s primarily). They should have renamed the XR4s at that point because they are nothing like the one in your picture. Here's the new one:
Thanks, I'll give it more time before giving up on the Purgatory in back then. I think I was running air pressure a little too low, which made it feel a little squirmy.
Yeah if I have a long climb I will even go try 38-40 and work down from there, I am not a fan of the squishy rear tire either. Oh I should add that all my good times tubliss for the most part were running Spesh Control Series, Maxxis, and of course the Hans....never could figure out when folks complain about tearing sidewalls on Sworks or lightweight racing tires
Who woulda thunk? I think I might of found my new favorite rear tire. Rolls fast, corners well, climbs well even out of the saddle, good volume for a 2.3, 60 durometer, Folding bead and best of all it's cheap! $24.99 The only thing is it's from Performance Bikes, It's the Forte' Pisgah.
I've always liked the Pisgah, though they don't hold up for very long in my experience. Who cares at that price though, right? I used them on my old 26er for over a year. Have yet to try it in a 29er version.
Hey Pat, Since I only have 3rides on them can you tell me what didn't hold up on them? So far I'm really liking them.
Funny this thread came up. I just got one yesterday for the front of my 26". Only one ride but feels good so far and cheap.
I've had them front and rear. Main nobbies wore fast on the rear. Held up decently on the front. It's just that the rubber is on the soft side IMO, but I assume that helps them grip. For the price, I believe they're hard to beat.
Just picked up this continental trail king 2.2 Im going to run it as a rear as I feel my current ardent slips on loose climbs. Initial review, its a more aggressive than Im used as a rear tire. It also feels kind of thin, not sure how that will hold. Ill another review in a month. Heres the pics
Ardent 2.25s were always horrible tires for climbing, especially out of the saddle efforts, imo. But they did help me find my favorite rear tire, Geax Sagauro 2.2.
