What tires do you use here in PNW

Bowenac said:

Ok so right now I have Kenda Krads. I like them for the most part if the trails are hard and dry. But lately I have been riding in some really muddy soft trails. I am getting no traction climbing, sharp turns, or roots. Also when I hit any mud it really slows me down sometimes stops me in my tracks.

So can you recommend me a tire good for trails wet conditions. And also where you get them seems like pricepoint has the best prices. Or any LBS you prefer.

I have been looking at Kenda Nevegal but read they can be slow??????
Also looking at blue grooves??????

What are you using?

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On my XC/FR bike I'm using the Nevegal 2.35's DTC (dual tread compound) w/ a wire bead. They rock. Probably not the fastest rolling tire, but they hook up in flat corners (create your own berms today!!) and will shed mud like a champ.

My DH bike rolls with either Nevegal 2.5 stick-e's w/ the DH casing (these rock for DH) or Arrow Ramped Bite 2.5 stick-e's depending on wheelsets...The Arrows are heavy...but they have what amounts to a 4-ply casing...a little ridiculous...yes...but they are the best I've found for just mowing through stuff.

Edit: Oh yeah, I live in Seattle and ride all around the area, incl. a bunch at Whistler.

I'm running a Maxxis Minion DHF SuperTacky in the front and a High Roller 3C in the rear. This is for downhill trails that are mixed loose over hard, loam, and packed dirt with the occasional mud mixed in. I'll leave these tires on for all of my riding until they wear out. If I had a second set of wheels I'd keep a set of wet screams mounted too but those roll even slower than what I've got but have unreal grip in the mud.

I've run the Nevegals in the past but prefer my current setup. I'd like to try the Small Block 8s for trail riding too.

I've been buying my tires at Drop'N'Zone lately but that might be a bit far for you unless you're driving through Bellingham anyways.

i love the maxxis advantage tires they r fast and good in the mud,rock,dirt, and loos on top of hard pack and they last a good amount of time.

I run 2.35 nevegal dtc on my RM Slayer and I run 2.5 maxxis Minions on my Kona Stab Supreme

i use small block 8s for FR and DH and intense micro knobbies (hardtail) for trails and park.

Maxxis Hookworms for everything. They hook up like no other in corners and are super predictable when drifting.

No but for real. Maxxis Minions front for both the front and back. they are great tires that corner absolutely amazing, they are fairly fast rolling. They hadnle wet roots and rocks better than the ardents. Just a killer tire. another way you can run a minion set up as well is with a high roller in the back, that way you have a better braking tire.

Speed of tire depends on how you own the tire and make it work for your riding style. Continental has a great single ply out that has had great reviews and know of people running them on the DH rig.

First determine and define a single ply vs DH tire. Example I have some Maxxis high rollers that are nice and light and I use on my all mountain rig during dry conditions. I also run high roller DH tires (much slower and heavier) in 42a super tacky when its dry and sandy.

With the weather up till now I have been running a Maxxis Minion DH F in both front and rear. These things hook up like crazy! When I need a bit more drift and a little less point and go traction I will put a High Roller on back and leave the Minion DHF on the front.

I find the Minion DH_F is the perfect tire here in the NW as a front and the rest of it is up to what you think you like. I do have some Swamp things around but would NEVER run one in the front and don't think I even liked it in the rear.

The Yeti Team had some pretty sweet looking rubber they were playing with at the last FR cup race. Looked even beefier then the wet scream!

Why are you running K-rad's in anything but concrete or dry jumps? Those are not tail tires

What kind of riding do you do the most? And what kind of bike is it?

DesuL said:

I do have some Swamp things around but would NEVER run one in the front and don't think I even liked it in the rear.

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I ran a Swampthing front for most of the winter/spring and FR Cup 1, and it was awesome. Tons of traction, and it never got packed up. Minions are great, but not in the mud. Wet Screams are the best in mud and fresh dirt, but they suck on hard pack and shred up trails pretty bad.

.Eben. said:

I ran a Swampthing front for most of the winter/spring and FR Cup 1, and it was awesome. Tons of traction, and it never got packed up. Minions are great, but not in the mud. Wet Screams are the best in mud and fresh dirt, but they suck on hard pack and shred up trails pretty bad.

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We will have to agree to disagree then your right minions get packed up and swamp things don't. butg I have seen and ridden some sketchy shiot on swamp things I would not like to repeat. To the original poster I don't think you will have a stack of tires around for you. Nevegals are great, as are minion DH F as well as the High Roller. Lots of tires for lots of people but since I tend to stay maxxis, the minion and High roller have served me very well. I enjoy putting a swamp thing on the rear during nov-dec when its just wet as hell but other then that the swamp thing has not proved reliable.

My Fav tire combo at port angeles has to be a Minion F front and rear. the dirt loves to grab them and you really are able to just point it. Anyways, ride what you want to and see what works

For all-mt with good traction, I usually run Velociraptors. For fast XC, I've recently discovered the maxxis ignitors and really like how they don't sacrifice cornering as much as the other xc tires i've tried.

sell the k-rads to someone at pt83.... and go find some dirt!

minion super tackys f and r

trees4me said:

sell the k-rads to someone at pt83.... and go find some dirt!

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DOH lol no keep them for your next project. Sounds like you are looking for a single ply type agressive XC tire. I don't have much to go on other then what I have already stated. I don't ride XC, if a hardtail is together its going to be for a skate park or the bar. Sounds like some people have good suggestions. Are you close to Seattle? (not looking at location while typing this)

Nevegal stick-e front and rear. Sheds mud great, sticks to the slime, and seems to be durable. I ride an AM Yeti 575 pretty hard and have 2.35 front, 2.1 rear, both in foldable kevlar.

I like my Ardents. 2.6 3C sticky in the front and 2.4 Maxxpro 60a in the rear. I ride to the Nade a good bit so they see a plenty o' road time and are holding up great. Roll pretty fast too IMO.

I have yet to run the DHF front rear combo yet but all the talk of hookup makes me want to try em... Or check out the personals section on Craigslist

continental gravity's

I've been running Nevegals on my smaller bikes for almost 3 years now... I just put the 2.5s Nevegals on me big bike... In the past I have also run Mobsters, Minions, High Rollers... on my park/urban bike I run holyrollers

Best ride on most trails, most times of the year; Maxxis Minion dh f. However, dual ply Minions for racing dh trails and shuttles; single ply Maxxis Minion and High Rollers for fast rolling / pedaling around the mountains. Minions are way faster rolling and track through corners better than most tires.

Kenda Nevagal is clunky (IMO), but loved my many; just happen to have some for sale. The Kenda Telonix is a promising tire; not the best or worst and it gets pretty good traction in the winter. I just happen to have a set of Kenda Telonix for sale at a reduced price

Check out the tires at Fluidride in the U-District, they might have some single ply Minions left; you might find 2.35 & 2.5 single ply and of course a good assortment of dual plys.

Winter riding is a different experience; everyone has their own unique style and favorite tire set up. Schwalbe Big Betty's work well in wet weather, so do the Telonix tires. Swamp Things and Wet Screams are for stronger/faster riders; gotta pedal hard to get those puppies up the trail.

Bontrager Big Earls. I ride mostly Shore and Galby with the occasional Whistler trip thrown in there. I find that they hook up well on everything, are generally cheaper than the Maxis stuff, and last a good while. I am trying Intense 909's on my HT, but I got the version with the harder rubber down the centre and the softer stuff on the sides. They roll great and are light, but don't grab like the Big Earls. Wicked cheap though.

PeachesN'Cream said:

I like my Ardents. 2.6 3C sticky in the front and 2.4 Maxxpro 60a in the rear. I ride to the Nade a good bit so they see a plenty o' road time and are holding up great. Roll pretty fast too IMO.

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When riding moon dust/hardpack you want to run a higher durometer (sp?) tire. A 60 or so is great if all you are riding is dry dusty dirt. The 60s are popular in CO and CA tracks. Once your out from under the freeway and trying to stick to rocks roots and surfing mud you will want something like the super tacky or 3C compound which uses a mix of compounds.

Minions will hook up and point you in the right direction. When riding the AM bike in the dry I like the high rollers. On the DH bike depends on course. I have not ridden PA and ever felt like I wanted anything but a minon F in front but have switched the rear around from a Minion F with damp conditions or a High Roller in the rear to get a bit more drift. Maybe thats just me