29er Tire Combos/Recommendations

[El Rolo]

Anyone try the new Onza tires? I used to dig the old porcupine tires back in the day.

 

[cyclotourist]

Some feedback on the Kenda Slant Six 29ers. These are really fast tires for hard pack. They're great on the road, and considering I ride ~ five miles to most my trailheads, they are great for that. No problems at all mounting tubeless. On the slick soft stuff on top of hardpack that compromises most of the trails around SoCal, they do slip out a bit. Their profile is like a C and very round. The side knobs don't get a lot of traction. And they wear REALLY fast IMHO. So fast tires, middling traction, wear fast. I picked mine up at Jenson which seems to consistently have the best price on them.

 

[Atekk920]

So i was going to start a new thread but found this one!!

tires.......who knew!?

i have NO IDEA what to even begin looking for as far as tires go. When i built up my 29er AM hardtail, i simply swapped over my WTB 2.2 Wolverines from my XC bike and they seem fair enough. But they are wearing thin and require new sealant about 1 time a month. So I'm on the hunt - but the more I look the more i realize i don't know JACK! lol

can anyone spare some time to go over the basics? at this point i cant even make sense of anyone's website

whats the difference between tough, light, fast, comp, and TCS?
does it really make that much of a difference what tires i ride, as long as they arent slicks?
whats the deal with riding different tires on front and rear?
are there any brands out there to avoid?
is there an really big difference in different tires sizes and compounds (will i get crappy handling, slow acceleration, a more\less plush ride? based upon these differences)

I'm liking the WTB Vigalante 2.3 but its just cause i like the "fat tire" look and the tread seems tough lol.....something tells me there is better criteria to choose a tire by than "they look cool"

Thanks everyone!

 

[da big hills]

I like Nevgal's in front, they have big lugs and the profile is very round. The round profile blows screed out of my way, the heavy lugs hold up against the lava. On the rear I use anything narrow (2.1) with paddles. Paddles give a pretty square profile. I wear the rear down to a stubble to when they almost look like slicks, then change them to a new set of heavy paddles.
happy screed strewn rubble trails

BTW 35 psig is death to me, I will strike large bedrock and the tire may decide to grab instead of roll, sending me forward with the bike in tow, been there done that. 45-55 or die.

BTW II: it is dam scary watching the front grab a rock and not roll over it, you see it real time in S-L-O-W motion. This allows you to see and comprehend the consequences of under inflation well before the wound is inflicted. A terrible price will be paid when you finally come to rest. You be like: come on this is Bull Schist, WTF, OK here we go, get out the landing gear...garble garble, garble.

 

[Atekk920]

Thanks for the advice - I have been looking at the "Magic Mary" and the "procore" tubeless system.....any experience with those? Hearing major good and bad about the procore tubeless setup

General opinion is that MM is the best tire around if your looking for something that performs well on all terrain


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[mtnbikej]

LOTS TO ANSWER HERE....

So i was going to start a new thread but found this one!!

tires.......who knew!?

i have NO IDEA what to even begin looking for as far as tires go. When i built up my 29er AM hardtail, i simply swapped over my WTB 2.2 Wolverines from my XC bike and they seem fair enough. But they are wearing thin and require new sealant about 1 time a month. So I'm on the hunt - but the more I look the more i realize i don't know JACK! lol

can anyone spare some time to go over the basics? at this point i cant even make sense of anyone's website

whats the difference between tough, light, fast, comp, and TCS? Different casings/sidewalls. Tough are thicker for more abrasion resistance and heavier. Light are thinner for weight savings, thus not as durable. Comp is the entry level tire with wire(non folding bead). TCS is WTB's (tubeless compatible system) tubeless ready beads.
does it really make that much of a difference what tires i ride, as long as they arent slicks? Depends on your skills. Some riders can ride small/low knob tires in the loose stuff and kick ass....other have a hard time using the correct tire while in the intended terrain.
whats the deal with riding different tires on front and rear? Just like some cars have different sizes front and rear...same goes here. Some tires are much better up front for braking and cornering. Others are better at traction for climbing. Bigger tires up front in general for more float, narrower tires out back for lower rolling resistance.
are there any brands out there to avoid? Tires are like shoes....everyone has a favorite.
is there an really big difference in different tires sizes and compounds (will i get crappy handling, slow acceleration, a more\less plush ride? based upon these differences) Yes, soft tires tend to be really slow rollers and wear out fast. They generally help with handling. Larger volume tires can be run at lower PSI's than narrower tires.

I'm liking the WTB Vigalante 2.3 but its just cause i like the "fat tire" look and the tread seems tough lol.....something tells me there is better criteria to choose a tire by than "they look cool" Buy tires based on how they perform, not how they look.....unless your only criteria to riding is to be the biggest poser out there.

Thanks everyone!

Keep in mind that certain Tubeless Ready tires don't play well with certain rims/wheels.

 

[Atekk920]

Thanks for all the info. It sounds like I have some reading materials to go through, and ultimately - it will be trial and error that helps me find the right new tire. Really appreciate being able to ask these questions with out getting any flak or trolls.


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[tim.sanders.9480]

I've run:

wtb wolverines, 2.2. I loved those tires, they wore well and gripped surprisingly well in more than just xc terrain.

Wtb Bronson 2.2s non TCS tread, I loved how agressive the tires are, I beat the hell out of them in mammoth this past summer and they kept asking for more, but not the greatest for asphalt lol...

Currently I'm on schawlb rapid robs, 2.25. I don't like them at all. They roll really fast, but it seems like they slide out from under me, especially on climbs...

My choice if it wasn't obvious was/is the Bronsons lol



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[Atekk920]

I have the same issue with my Wolverines, I think in my case it's an air pressure issue. I usually ride a little on the hard side since I'm a heavy guy (200+lbs). Usually ride at around 25/30lbs tubeless. And they always want to slide out on corners, especially up front


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