Socal Tire Selection

[Sway]

What's up fellas... I was just curious what tires/bead types everyone is running for trail conditions here in Socal. I've got Kenda Nevegals on my Heckler now, but I wan't to lose some rotational weight (Nevegals are 1205g+/-70g each). With a lot of tires in the 600-800g range, I figured I could drop a pound of rubber.
If you can, please tell me why you like what your riding and their weight if you know it.

I'm not running tubeless...

Thanks in advance...

Craig

 

[PacMan]

There was a pretty good thread on that same subject recently...

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1758

Hope it helps 8)

 

[Sway]

There was a pretty good thread on that same subject recently...

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1758

Hope it helps 8)

Ahh... total failure to use the search option. ](*,)

EDIT: is there an advantage of one bead type over another? wire-folding-kevlar??? Mine are wire and HEAVY. Will getting a light tire with a folding or kevlar bead hurt its durability?

 

[PacMan]

As far as I know, a Kevlar beaded tire is no less durable than a wire bead. Tires made with Kevlar instead of wire will usually be easier to install on a rim. I run Mavic 325's and it is nearly impossible to get a wire bead tire on. On the tires I run: 2.35 Ritchey Z-Max Millennium's, the wire bead version weighs in at 720 grams while the Kevlar version weighs in at 580 grams. So, spread out over the set I'm saving over half a pound. The Kevlar tires are almost always more expensive as well, but definitely worth it.

 

[Sway]

As far as I know, a Kevlar beaded tire is no less durable than a wire bead. Tires made with Kevlar instead of wire will usually be easier to install on a rim. I run Mavic 325's and it is nearly impossible to get a wire bead tire on. On the tires I run: 2.35 Ritchey Z-Max Millennium's, the wire bead version weighs in at 720 grams while the Kevlar version weighs in at 580 grams. So, spread out over the set I'm saving over half a pound. The Kevlar tires are almost always more expensive as well, but definitely worth it.

Thanks for the info. I think i've decided on a set, and they just happen to be kevlar. 590 grams each...

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/tires/mtb/vertical/vertical_en.html

and this is the cheapest I can find them...

http://www.notubes.com/product_info.php/cPath/42_45/products_id/76

since 1 pound = 453.6 grams :read: , and the difference in 2 wire Nevegals and 2 Continental Vertical Pros is 1230 grams , I'll lose 2.7 pounds just by changing tires... :-s ....:bang:

 

[CalEpic]

Kenda's

The wire bead Nevegals you have are 2 ply tires (downhill). The folding beads are single ply. Single ply's will obviously not be as durable but will save a boat load of weight. It's a trade-off and depends what you're looking for. If you like the Nevegals ride characteristics, the folding beads are comparable weight wise to the Conti's. I run DTC Nevegals on the rear of my 5 Spot and Epic.

C

 

[Sway]

The wire bead Nevegals you have are 2 ply tires (downhill). The folding beads are single ply. Single ply's will obviously not be as durable but will save a boat load of weight. It's a trade-off and depends what you're looking for. If you like the Nevegals ride characteristics, the folding beads are comparable weight wise to the Conti's. I run DTC Nevegals on the rear of my 5 Spot and Epic.

C

I had originally posted that I was going with the Conti's, but on second thought, I think I'll try those DTC Nevegals...

Thanks

 

[ECOdork]

Don't know if you pulled the trigger yet, but I'll chime in on the conti's as I've been running the Vertical Pro 2.3 since December.
Overall I dig them. They are a "narrow" 2.3 as they almost look more like 2.1s.
They are sensitive to air pressure (more so than other tires I've used) but once you get the pressure range dialed into your weight they handle well. They climb and descend nicely in a variety of SoCal terrain. I'm not so impressed with the "endless edge" technology as I think I've found the end of the edge, but they do turn pretty well. They are expensive but that link you posted has them for the cheapest I've seen. My biggest beef is that the soft rubber (which, of course, makes them "grabby") wears out really fast so they recommend rotating them often.

I'll admit that once these wear out, I'm thinking of going the BlueGroove 2.3 in front/Nevegal 2.1 in back combo that people seem to enjoy around here.

 

[TURNERob]

Yeah I keep trying a lot of tire combinations and just always keep going back to the Kendas. Depending on which bike it is I like to run a DTC in the rear (Nevegal) for longer rides since it has less rolling resistance. I always run the stick-e Blue Groove in front, simply the best damn tire I've ever run.....at least in that weight category. I've run some wire bead Maxxis Mobsters super tacky on my old downhill bike that also stuck like glue, but of course had a big weight penalty. The kevlar bead Kendas have proved to be plenty durable (except for the Kenda Lite series which I've slashed 2 sidewalls on now). Their 2.1 tires are "big" in comparison to most so I run those in the back on my 2 xc/trail bikes, and then a 2.35 in back on my freeride/dh bikes. Front I run 2.35's and 2.5's.

 

[Sway]

Texlepomis - no, I haven't pulled the trigger yet. I really don't want to run anything much smaller than a 2.35 and you say the conti's 2.3 seems more like a 2.1. I think after reading a mass amount of reviews, I'm gonna go with a lighter Nevegal than the wires I have.

FXRob - I'll take a look at those Blue Grooves.

Thanks

 

[i am dino]

I'm running a 2.35 Stick-E Blue Groove up front and it rocks. I had a 2.35 Kenda Kinetics Stick-E up front also but I feel more confident with the Blue Groove. I think running any tire with a "Stick-E" compound up front is a good idea. I have a 2.35 WTB Weirwolf on the back right now and it's been okay. I've been thinking of getting a 2.1 Nevegal as my next rear tire.

 

[Sway]

I'm running a 2.35 Stick-E Blue Groove up front and it rocks. I had a 2.35 Kenda Kinetics Stick-E up front also but I feel more confident with the Blue Groove. I think running any tire with a "Stick-E" compound up front is a good idea. I have a 2.35 WTB Weirwolf on the back right now and it's been okay. I've been thinking of getting a 2.1 Nevegal as my next rear tire.

What is the advantage of a more narrow tire on the rear? Less rolling resistance??? :?:

 

[Von-Skipp]

What is the advantage of a more narrow tire on the rear? Less rolling resistance??? :?:

I think of it as having a larger tire on the front. I usually run a 2.35 or 2.25 front and 2.1 rear.

Having a larger tire on the front defintely helps going down!

 

[flyingmonkey]

i run anything that is a MAxxis dh/fr from 2.35-2.7 ,50-60 duro
(i must be the only one that doesn't care about weight)
ride free

 

[TURNERob]

i run anything that is a MAxxis dh/fr from 2.35-2.7 ,50-60 duro
(i must be the only one that doesn't care about weight)
ride free

Yeah weight and the fact that Maxxis tires are nowhere near the width of the Kendas. Not nocking your choices, I have run quite a few Maxxis tires in the past....some were outstanding others flat out sucked, but have you ever tried a Kenda? Dropping a good .5-1lb from tires alone can make a huge difference, especially if you don't sacrifice any grip What kind of bike do you ride flyingmonkey.....a freeride/dh bike?

 

[ShinKen]

i run anything that is a MAxxis dh/fr from 2.35-2.7 ,50-60 duro
(i must be the only one that doesn't care about weight)
ride free

u're not alone!! I too ride big tiers and even dough I ride up hills like a freaking turtle:-$ I love the feel and the grip when u hit the DHs!! :bang:

@ the moment I have 2.3s both front and back. Weirwolf = front, Kenda Nevegal DH -back <- it’s heavier then my last Reg Nevegal

My bike freaking weights something around 34 or 35 but I don’t mind it as long as It gets my lungs going. The weight thing can even help me on the long run!:bang: stronger legs maybe? :-k

 

[flyingmonkey]

i have a Trek hardtail to a Banshee Scream, i have a Kenda Kollasal on my hardtail front (2.6) and picked up the 9$ 2.35 from Jenson. i have found on average that the kendas seem to be a harder duro (60a) compared to a Maxxis 60a duro. with the Maxxis tires i have had a flat maybe once. tiogas dh and wtb (i forget the exact tire) were the worst in the flat dept.
besides all that i run the fat dh/fr tubes e.g Maxxis, intense, irc tubes vs. thinwall or "light" tubes. i am guessing that a lot of the riders here do a ton of racing. but really i pick up tires that are deals and steals.
for example Jenson blew out maxxis high rollers 24 x 2.7 ( for banshee scream) for 14.00 ! i bought 4.

pricepoint has 60 duro 2.7 mobsters for 20.00 a steal
if it works it works
with the Maxxis tires i have had no issues in regards to terrain or conditions, snow and rocks in Utah to down rockit or on the "loose" sections on San Juan
ride free

 

[royta]

I am an admitted tire weight weenie. I'm currently running Specialized Fast Trak Pro D2 2.0 tires on my Flux, and I love them. They're nice & light at 550 grams, and they do me just fine in the corners. Since making the jump from my hardtail to my Flux, I have been running the tires lower at around 35 psi with tubes.

I'm heading to Noble Canyon this weekend, and understand there are some technical, rocky sections of the trail. Please don't say that you run a 2.4 Nevegal, or a 2.7 High Roller, and that you just love them. I'm sure you do. I was actually thinking of trying the 2.1 Nevegal, but they will add almost a 1/2 pound of weight in the worst possible place to add weight, the outer most part of the wheels.

I only weigh 150 before water & gear, and after riding for hardtails for 13 years, I ride light too. Will my current tire selection be just fine? They've done me well on San Juan, and on the Luge, so will they work for Noble Canyon too?

Specialized also makes the Fast Trak Armadillo Elite in 2.00. The world’s fastest mountain bike race tire now gains the world’s best puncture-resistant technology. The Fast Trak has proven itself on the World Cup XC circuit time and time again, and our new lightweight Armadillo Elite armored casing fends off nearly all punctures while adding less than 2 ounces to this already lightweight tire. Should I look into something like that, or is there something else out there with comperable weight that will do better than my current tires?

 

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

I think most tires will do fine at Noble Canyon, the only concern i had was pinch-flats or ripping any sidewalls, other than that, if you don't keep your PSI low you should be fine

i ran 2.1 Panaracer XC fire pro's at 45 psi over at Noble & didn't flat. i weigh about 210 fully loaded with all my gear for a trip like Noble.

Have fun out there!!

 

[flyingmonkey]

2.7 high rollers ...i love them!!! dainty tires just don't cut for me. weight is never an issue when i buy bikes or parts.
ride free...