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26" tire advice

Darkreaper

Monkey
Sep 26, 2004
313
0
Away in the head
I did look for an existing tire thread, and I know I'm not planning full downhill, but this appears to be the closest forum for what I need.

I'm looking for some cheapish 26" tires, mainly for muddy tracks and gentle hills but ideally something that is rideable (if not brilliant) on pavement and road as well. I've got semi-slicks on my bike atm for road riding, but want to get off the road and go through a bit of dirt without spinning out. I'm looking at a pair of either 2.3 continental verticals or 2.1 IRC mythos.

Any input appreciated, cheers
 

MikeD

Leader and Demogogue of the Ridemonkey Satinists
Oct 26, 2001
11,737
1,820
chez moi
Conti verticals are not good on pavement at all...very tall and spiky knobs...love the tires, but they're not gonna be great for what you want.

Given what you're looking at, I'd say Maxxis highroller singleply 60d 2.35s would be good, or maybe the Panaracer Fire XCs...they seem to be a popular XC tire.

MD
 

MikeD

Leader and Demogogue of the Ridemonkey Satinists
Oct 26, 2001
11,737
1,820
chez moi
You really might want to check the XC forum; people in here generally ride 1300-gram plus tires made of sticky rubber and shuttle along the roads in cars...people on the XC forum actually ride to their trails most of the time, so they'll be more familiar with what you need.

I still think the Maxxis singleply would be a great all rounder for you.

MD
 

The Rose

Monkey
Aug 2, 2004
120
0
pine barrens N.J
If its inexpensive tires you want , why are you looking at the conti's? Check out Kendas offerings. I like and ride Kinetics and blue grooves. The Klaw would be another option. Foe my money I haven't found a tire to stack up against Kenda in the value/performance area.
 

Darkreaper

Monkey
Sep 26, 2004
313
0
Away in the head
I asked in XC and got slapped down for asking about MTB tires in a cross forum... meh.

The continentals are actually cheaper than the IRC, conti are £13 a go, IRCs £17.50 each. I'm also sticking with the one shop, which sorta limits me but hey. www.bikedock.com is the one, my preferred LBS. Are these the tires? If so, which high rollers?
 

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
WTB Mutanoraptor 2.25 would do the trick, good grip (in hardpack, I don't know anything else) and they roll fast.
 

Spunger

Git yer dumb questions here
Feb 19, 2003
2,257
0
805
I've had good luck with a semi-slick outback, and a normal up front, right now I'm running a 2.25 kujor or high roller up front and a high roller semi-slick out back. The Larsen TT tires from Maxxis are suspose to roll fast as well but I dunno how well of wet traction they give.

It's gonna be a hit or miss. Intense makes some sub 800g system tires. You could try a system 2 outback and a system 4 upfront, they are suspose to be awsome for trail riding.
 

Darkreaper

Monkey
Sep 26, 2004
313
0
Away in the head
My problem with semis on the back would be total spinout on too wet a surface. I'm in belfast, we get ****eloads of rain so I'll be going through wet mud and grass. I need the grip, i think
 

s1ngletrack

Monkey
Aug 17, 2004
762
0
Denver
Zark said:
WTB Mutanoraptor 2.25 would do the trick, good grip (in hardpack, I don't know anything else) and they roll fast.
I really like the Mutanoraptors for a light, high volume tire - it's kind hard to recommend a good tire for you from Colorado though - since it is obvious that tires which are very expensive here (Conti's) are very cheap there.

It sounds like you're getting plenty of use out of the new Mt. Bike - I'm still waiting to see your post about hitting your first drop... :)
 

Darkreaper

Monkey
Sep 26, 2004
313
0
Away in the head
That may not be for some time, s1ngle! Steps scare me enough, I can never keep my feet on the damn pedals! Keep slipping onto the saddle, busting my nads, and then wind up swerving enough to catch my handlebar in a fence and do a rapid 'assisted' dismount...

Plus some dumbass bitch ran over my bike today, I'm not gonna stress it too hard for a day or two until I know it's ok.
 

s1ngletrack

Monkey
Aug 17, 2004
762
0
Denver
Darkreaper said:
That may not be for some time, s1ngle! Steps scare me enough, I can never keep my feet on the damn pedals! Keep slipping onto the saddle, busting my nads, and then wind up swerving enough to catch my handlebar in a fence and do a rapid 'assisted' dismount...

Plus some dumbass bitch ran over my bike today, I'm not gonna stress it too hard for a day or two until I know it's ok.
Sorry to hear that - at least you weren't on it (I assume). Good luck with the bike Dr's prognosis. You might try pedals with a bit more grip to them - some of those OEM pedals are pretty weak - as many companies just expect that they will be swapped out for the riders preference (this is not uncommon).

Good Luck
 

Darkreaper

Monkey
Sep 26, 2004
313
0
Away in the head
Cheapo plastic pedals already swapped out for V8s... :S

No, I wasn't on it - I had left it leaning against a delivery truck while I ducked into a shop, came out and there was a car inb the truck's place. Walk round the other side to see two wheels sticking out from under the car! *#@£%&!! Saddle ripped, light bollixed (third time since I got it) and a whole lotta scratches...
 

Kornphlake

Turbo Monkey
Oct 8, 2002
2,632
1
Portland, OR
I liked IRC mythos XC tires, of course they were the only XC tires I've ever used but they rolled fast and hooked up pretty good in dry, dusty stuff and exceptionally in tacky stuff. They seem to be a harder rubber so they wear pretty well and they're pretty light and stuff. I think they only come in a 2.1 or maybe a 2.2 so it might not really be what you're looking for.
 

Booker

Monkey
Feb 5, 2003
233
0
Louisville, KY
I run Maxxis Larsen TT 2.0 UST on my XC bike and am pretty happy so far. The are awesome on hardpack and loamy trails and the knobs are spaced close enough together that they actually feel like a slick on pavement. In deep mud they tend to float through corners (knobs arn't tall enough to bite down) but they shed mud pretty well, even though the tread pattern would have you belive otherwise.
 

JRogers

talks too much
Mar 19, 2002
3,785
1
Claremont, CA
I think you got some aggrivation from the other forum because you posted about XC tires in a CX thread, if I remember correctly (the XC and CX forum is one and the same).

Anyways, I would avoid some of the recommendations already given. Larsen TTs, for example, because of poor mud and grass performance. I have a set of Vertical Pro 2.3s and they are great for mixed conditions; don't squirm on hardpack but bite in grass and wet dirt. As mentioned, they are not the best for roads (and because I live in the states, I paid about $50 for each tire). Not really bad but also not good. If you plan on riding on the road just to get to trails, go for it. If road rides are done for fun, stay away.

I have also used Panaracer XCs and Mythos XCs. Neither are particularly awesome but both are solid and proven.

I would really look into Kenda stuff. What might be the perfect tire is a 2.1 or 2.35 (single ply) Nevegal. Built for wetter conditions than the Blue Groove but knobs are close enough together that road performance is good.
 

MikeD

Leader and Demogogue of the Ridemonkey Satinists
Oct 26, 2001
11,737
1,820
chez moi
If you like the Contis, there is another one (explorer, I think) which seems a lot like the Vert but with shorter center knobs, too...
 

Darkreaper

Monkey
Sep 26, 2004
313
0
Away in the head
Ah well. Had a ****e day what with the whole running over thing, so I just went and bought a pair of continental survivals, listed as XC on bikedock.com. I want to go out cycling tomorrow, and I discovered that retail therapy really does work!