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I need tires

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
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borcester rhymes
Anybody have any suggestions for decent 29", aggressive tires for the east coast? I have a pair of michelin XC-AT tires which do fairly well in hardpack and dry conditions, but they really suck when it's a little wet or sweaty out. I'm looking for something more aggressive to add so that I have a better inventory to address conditions.

Cheap is good, sub $40 a tire is great, as anything above that line is pretty easy to pick out.
 

mdc

Monkey
Jul 8, 2006
243
15
Uxbridge
Panaracer Rampage 2.35's. Great traction, roll decent and have really good sidewalls. I just swapped mine out for some Schwalbe Nobby Nicks to shave some weight and get something a bit faster for racing, but they are kinda pricey...
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
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borcester rhymes
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/18116-320_MAXA98-3-Parts-429-29er-Parts/Maxxis-Ardent-Folding-29er-Tire-offerIN212GLB.htm?utm_source=Googlebase&utm_medium=datafeed&utm_campaign=FTP&zmam=3075515&zmas=2&zmac=84&zmap=320 MAXA98

I was looking at the panaracers. I think 2.35 might be pushing it for my frame, but I've heard good things. Are they a fairly sticky compound? The performance version of the NNs are around $40....are they close to the ultra deluxe evo version?
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
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May 23, 2002
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Could be. I'd prefer something a little less aggressive...this is still a trailbike, and a hardtail XC bike at that, but I need something with grip, just not crazy leaned over huckgnarjibbing grip.
 

mdc

Monkey
Jul 8, 2006
243
15
Uxbridge
Not sure what durometer the rubber is but they do hook up really well (I run mine tubeless with about 24 PSI). I had the 2.35's on my Banshee Paradox and they fit fine FWIW.

I went with the evo version of the Nobby Nicks to gain sidewall protection. Also make sure you are getting the better rubber compound in the NN (pacestar I think?)- their basic rubber is pretty hard and can be scary on wet rocks and roots...
 

JoshM

Chimp
Sep 3, 2012
1
0
Canada
Panaracer Rampage 2.35's. Great traction, roll decent and have really good sidewalls. I just swapped mine out for some Schwalbe Nobby Nicks to shave some weight and get something a bit faster for racing, but they are kinda pricey...
I second this. I ride them front and back on my Yelli and they are great. The Rampage or the Ardent are both worth a look.
 

conord

Chimp
Jan 20, 2011
5
0
Rode tubeless 29er Ardent 2.25s for this year BC Bike Race - faultless! Rolled well on the fireroad bits, great traction in the mud and were brilliant on the wet roots and rock of VI, the sunshine coast and Squamish. Couldn't recommend them highly enough. Way more impressive than the 26er version.
 

jacksonpt

Turbo Monkey
Jul 22, 2002
6,791
59
Vestal, NY
I've always rode nevegals on the back of my 26" bikes... I have one waiting for my 29er if need be, but I haven't put it on yet.

I started out with Knobby Nicks (really fast, great for dry hardpack, but bad on rocks/roots, and almost dangerously bad in the wet). Now I'm running Tioga Psycho Genius, which I really like. Not overly light, not especially cheap, but they work!
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
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Just for posterity...I switched to a 650b bike with pacenti neo-motos in 2.3. Great tires. Really similar to the panaracer rampage, and made by panaracer... Very happy with just about every quality so far. Have a pair of nevergrips for when it gets real slick out, as they're a bit of a softer compound but virtually the same tread.
 

CBJ

year old fart
Mar 19, 2002
12,861
4,158
Copenhagen, Denmark
Rode tubeless 29er Ardent 2.25s for this year BC Bike Race - faultless! Rolled well on the fireroad bits, great traction in the mud and were brilliant on the wet roots and rock of VI, the sunshine coast and Squamish. Couldn't recommend them highly enough. Way more impressive than the 26er version.
That tire does look really nice. A lighter and UST ready wheelset with that tire is really the only thing I would like change on my new 29r.
 

N8 v2.0

Not the sharpest tool in the shed
Oct 18, 2002
11,003
149
The Cleft of Venus
I have 100 mi with Hans Damph's on my Pivot 429 and so far they are excellent!

They are 850g's ea. I suppose you could run a Hans up front and a Nobby Nic in the rear and save 200g's or so. That would be a good combo.

 
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weedkilla

Monkey
Jul 6, 2008
362
10
Hans Dampf (trailstar - the soft one) is the only trail bike tyre I've ever worn out by ripping all the side knobs! Its still not the tyre I'm looking for, but it was close, and its still the only softer compound 29er tyre. Really wish Maxxis would release a minion....
 

gbone

Chimp
Apr 20, 2006
20
0
Try the Specialized Captains...I bought on a recommendation form a friend and they are working out great. My primary requirement was fast wet weather cornering performance.
 

mattmatt86

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2005
5,347
10
Bleedmore, Murderland
Anyone have experience with Ardents and Hans Dampf? Particularly on a 29er. I've never heard great things about the Ardents on a 26 but some guys say they ride better on on 29er. And I've also heard the Hans Dampf are a little chunky and slow rolling for XC rides.
 
Im rolling 2.4 ardents @ ~25psi tubed on the Tallboy. Nice wide contact for great traction. Alittle drifty in loose gravel or wet leaves but nothing unpredictable. I have a pair of hans dampfs to be mounted. They gripped well on my 26" bike and i suspect will be just as good on the 29r. Rolling resistance wasnt a noticeable issue with my experience. A hans front and ardent rear could work well tho.
 
Jan 15, 2013
93
0
Did you get new tires yet?

If not give a look at the Spec Purgatory 2.2's. Easy to set up tubeless and grip everything. Not the best tire for rolling resistance though. Used the Ardent for some time but got tired of the front end washing out. I tend to really push in the corners. The Purgs have been fantastic in the corners. Hans is a great tire just almost twice the price typically then the Spec.
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
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May 23, 2002
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Ha, MTBR leaks and suddenly the 29er forum comes to life!

No, I ended up selling my niner with the tires that were on it for a 650b. Now I'm on neo-moto nigh rampages and they're great.
 

StiHacka

Compensating for something
Jan 4, 2013
21,560
12,504
In hell. Welcome!
No, I ended up selling my niner with the tires that were on it for a 650b. Now I'm on neo-moto nigh rampages and they're great.
If you like Neo Motos, you may also like the new Vee Rubber 2.4 Trail Taker by Mr. Pacenti, formerly known as the Mega Moto. The thread pattern is a cousin to Neo Motos but with much more aggressive side knobs and side wall protection. Dual compound - medium center knobs and soft side knobs. Weight of mine was 752g. Its casing is small ~ 2.2", it is wide rather than tall. $49 shipped - not too bad.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VEE-RUBBER-TRAIL-TAKER-650B-x-2-4-MTB-TIRE-FREE-SHIPPING-/140904649635?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid=222002&algo=SIC.FIT&ao=1&asc=11&meid=4942181740408067144&pid=100011&prg=1005&rk=1&sd=130822027881&

I am also quite enthusiastic about the Nobby Nic 2.25 Pacestar, it is fast, lightweight and feels like a very grippy Racing Ralph (which I hated for the lack of traction). IMO it is a slightly better all-around tire than the 2.3 NeoMoto.
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
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May 23, 2002
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Have you tried those "vees"? They look neat, aggressive, well spaced...but the side knobs...you'll have to be parallel to the ground before they engage..
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
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hahahahaha hehehe...

most RMers are terrified of big wheels. In fact, you could roll the AM/XC, 29er, and shop forums into one and still barely get enough threads to read in a month.
 

StiHacka

Compensating for something
Jan 4, 2013
21,560
12,504
In hell. Welcome!
Have you tried those "vees"? They look neat, aggressive, well spaced...but the side knobs...you'll have to be parallel to the ground before they engage..
I have, so far on snow only and just in the front. It works pretty well in snow, the side knobs got me out of trouble a couple of times. I have yet to mount it on a Velocity P35, I think the tire will respond to wide rims very well.

 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
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yeah, the p35s are huge. It probably helps to square off the profile, which engages the side knobs quicker. I'd have to try those before I buy, as I really like the neo-brotos.
 

StiHacka

Compensating for something
Jan 4, 2013
21,560
12,504
In hell. Welcome!
I'd have to try those before I buy, as I really like the neo-brotos.
Me too. I did over 1000 miles on the Neos last year. But, the NN 2.25 is really nice also. I run a Lyrik on my FS rig and the Neo Moto 2.3 / NN 2.25 is about the biggest tire I can fit under the brace.

If you ever hit the trails in Fells, ping me. I live at their doorstep in 'chester and I hop on my bike and ride there at every opportunity.

 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
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I forgot about the NN in 2.2. I know the 2.3 is more like a 2.5, so I discounted them on my rush conversion. I usually avoid the fells, I know it's close but the riding is pretty meh and if you take a wrong turn you can get into some pretty weird spots.

I'm usually up in Chelmsford, but always open to new spots. I like bikes.
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
What do you guys like for a skinny 29" tire with very low rolling resistance for long days in the saddle covering pavement and fire roads? I picked up a Highball recently and am looking for some fast rolling rubber. Bike has Havens so tubeless is good but not required. Nothing very technical, I've got other bikes for that stuff. Oh, and please not specialized. Thanks.
 
Jan 15, 2013
93
0
What do you guys like for a skinny 29" tire with very low rolling resistance for long days in the saddle covering pavement and fire roads? I picked up a Highball recently and am looking for some fast rolling rubber. Bike has Havens so tubeless is good but not required. Nothing very technical, I've got other bikes for that stuff. Oh, and please not specialized. Thanks.
Absolutely hands down the Maxxis IKON with EXO sidewalls. Roll great, just enough grip and will last the whole season. The only tire I like better (If money is no object) for type of riding is the Schwalbe Racing Ralph, but wear VERY quickly and do not have the sidewall protection of the IKON, so not as durable.

Both set up tubeless without trouble,
 

golgiaparatus

Out of my element
Aug 30, 2002
7,340
41
Deep in the Jungles of Oklahoma
What do you guys like for a skinny 29" tire with very low rolling resistance for long days in the saddle covering pavement and fire roads? I picked up a Highball recently and am looking for some fast rolling rubber. Bike has Havens so tubeless is good but not required. Nothing very technical, I've got other bikes for that stuff. Oh, and please not specialized. Thanks.
Continental Raceking. Very little rolling resistance, knobs hold up when you hit the asphalt which is a big deal for me (especially in the rear) I do 20 miles sometimes before I hit the dirt.
 

bjorn

Chimp
Nov 10, 2008
12
0
My yeti came with Ardent 2.4 front Ikon 2.2 3c/exo rear, was a great setup for dry conditions in NE PA last summer, only sad-face was I only got about 230 miles of trail out of the Ikon before the knobs were shot. Ardent lasted about 500 miles or so.

But then, I'm no lightweight, and my bike likes to hit stuff hard and fast when conditions allow, so I'm going through rear tires pretty quickly.

Most endurance I've gotten out of a rear tire yet on this bike was the Geax Sturdy 2.3 TNT (about 260 miles), which surprised me as it doesn't have protected sidewalls. I had to take that tire off when things started to get wet last autumn though as they just sucked completely once stuff was damp. {shrug}