What tires for VQ/CC?(merged)

The Specialized Captian S-works are an excellent choice for CC or VQ. Just as light as the small blocks but with much more tread and grip. The small blocks will limit you on the technical down hills as some others mentioned. My recommendation is to run them with Stans and carry a spare tube and sidewall patch.

 

ditto on the Stanitized Pythons. my favorite ss tires by far.

I've shredded two SB8's in the last month. They are off my list. In fact, Stans The Crows held up better for me.

 

I rode Black star / Motorway yesterday and ran a 2.3 SB8 in the back and a 2.35 Exiwolf upfront. These are 29ers and I ran at least 40 lb psi (Bike and me are at least 215lbs). The ground was really sticky and something a little more knobblie might have rolled a little better! Things are drying out quickly and I'll be running the same set up on Sat for a full CC try out.
I'm a little worried about Trabuco and Motorway as they could rip a SB8 to shreds, but I'd rather be a little more careful on the downhill’s and benefit from the rolling resistance. I also have a specialized Fast Trak that I might run insted of the SB8, depending on the weather.
Snow and Mud I'll be breaking out the Rampages!!!

 

CC 29er tire combo

Ok I'm narrowing down my tire selection for the CC.

Front:
Spec Capitan 2.0 control 2bliss

Rear:
Bontrager dry X tubeless

or Spec Fastrak 2.0 control 2bliss

What do you guys think? I weight 195 and want fastest rolling and lowest weight with out losing too much grip and survive MW.

Any other tire suggestions?:?:

 

I've always ran the crossmark in the rear, but for the CC I'm trying them on the front as well. I've loved the Resolution in the front and was OK with the Ignitor. I figure the crossmark will grip as well as the ignitor. These are 26"

 

I'm not a fan of the DryX. Especially tubeless. I've punctured one and ripped another both on the tread. Stan's failed to seal them both times.

Captain 2.0s are a good tire. Maybe even try Fastrak rear and Captain front if you want something that rolls fast in the rear.

Just watch your lines a bit on MW and you should be fine. But with all lighter weight tires with thin sidewalls, pack some park tire boots just in case.

 

29x2.35 Panaracer Rampage in front
29x2.10 Maxxis Crossmark in rear

 

Captain 2.2 armadillo elite f/r for me. relatively fast and bullet proof casing.

 

I've checked their weight and they are bit on the porky side.

Dry X has stronger or at least thicker sidewall compared to Spec's tubeless tires. :-k

 

Exiwolf 2.3 upfront
SB8 or Fast Trak in the rear

 

Just put some WTB stouts F/R and rip it. From what I read around here the CC is a social ride anyways.#-o

 

I've run the XDX's already and sliced both front and rear ( in the tread, not the sidewall!). Then again...... Those XDX's did roll like mad and had good traction..... I have two more in the garage....... What to do.....#-o

 

Are the XDX's a good snow tire?

http://www.airsites2000.com/santiago_peak.htm

 

looks like I better have a set of Haka's in my pack before I reach the summit...... Does anyone make snow chains for bikes??????

 

I'll take one off of your hands.....want to try it as a back tire.:wave:

 

Wait a minute, doesn't someone have a Clydesdale Class 1st place medal they need to give back?

 

I have been rolling the Dry X for some time now. I agree with Pho they are a bit thin skinned. I got a nice half inch cut in the rear tire and Stans did nothing. First time I ever cut a tire. I replaced it and have been good for a while. I will be using them for the VQ.

 

why yes it is! :bang: I got the camera, ken's bringing the music, so who's got the drinks and pizza?!

I don't think there's any rear tire that's going to get me up certain parts of main divide on my singlespeed.

 

Amen to that! I'm rethinking my tires now, might go back to the nanoraptor in the rear since it's drier than i had expected, and the pythons were spinning out sometimes. Though as donny pointed out, i really need a new rear tire anyway, so that might have something to do with it.

Anyone have experience with the small block 8 as a singlespeed tire- does it spin out too easily when hammering uphill?

 

I currently have a Nano on one ss, and Pythons on the other, and for a rear tire I prefer the Python. I've tried SB8's and while I liked the fast roll, I didn't like the spinouts and thin sidewalls - but they were filled with Stans which apparently really doesn't work too well with Kenda. I was actually happier with The Crows than with the SB8, but hey a lot of people LOVE 'em.