[johnbryanpeters]

Having been dumb enough to sign up for the Vermont 50 again this year, I'm thinking about what tires to use.

I'm riding the Joker, which usually sports WTB Motoraptor 2.3s with wire beads. I also have a set of Kevlar bead Motoraptor 2.1s, more aggressive tread but lighter, and a new pair of Maxxis Hookworm 2.5s, real heavy but I could pump 'em up and roll easy.

The course is 50 miles, lots of climbing, with gravel roads, doubletrack, singletrack and paved roads, in descending order of total mileage.I'm leaning towards the Hookworms, barring rain, figuring that reduced rolling resistance trumps weight in the long run.

Thoughts?

 

[bjanga]

Is traction going to be an issue with the hookworms? What about a semi-slick?

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I dunno. I have about five minutes of ride time on the Hookworms. If it became an issue, I guess I'd drop the pressure. I was hoping that someone with some actual experience could chime in.

 

[Rockland]

I think the Hookworms would be a poor choice. They don't have any cornering knobs, or knobs for climbing traction or braking. Sort of a big bmx tire.

 

[skinny mike]

1.9 kenda small block eights would be a good tire. i have them in the 2.1 and they roll super fast but still grip well offroad.

 

[bjanga]

JBP, I run an Intense Zero semi slick rear, and I doubt you would miss climbing (gotta stay super smooth and controlled on gravel though) or braking traction. I would worry about the lack of side knobs, however.

 

[Wumpus]

What about something like the Pythons?

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I would like to use a pair of the tires I already have.

If we discount the Hookworms, what about the Velociraptors vs. the Motoraptors?

 

[bjanga]

What compound are the hookworms? I would run the motoraptor (assuming it is a hard compound) front and the hookworm rear (assuming it is harder or as hard as the moto. I find that I notice differences in compound more than differences in tread pattern.

 

[blue]

What compound are the hookworms? I would run the motoraptor (assuming it is a hard compound) front and the hookworm rear (assuming it is harder or as hard as the moto. I find that I notice differences in compound more than differences in tread pattern.

Hookworms are hard as nails and pretty much suck for anything but street and ultra smooth hardpack (ala DJs).

Hutchy Pythons, Larsen TTs, and the Kenda Small Block 8 all fit the bill JBP...Spoil yourself, biatch!

 

[DirtyMike]

Having been dumb enough to sign up for the Vermont 50 again this year, I'm thinking about what tires to use.

I'm riding the Joker, which usually sports WTB Motoraptor 2.3s with wire beads. I also have a set of Kevlar bead Motoraptor 2.1s, more aggressive tread but lighter, and a new pair of Maxxis Hookworm 2.5s, real heavy but I could pump 'em up and roll easy.

The course is 50 miles, lots of climbing, with gravel roads, doubletrack, singletrack and paved roads, in descending order of total mileage.I'm leaning towards the Hookworms, barring rain, figuring that reduced rolling resistance trumps weight in the long run.

Thoughts?

WTB Weirwolf 2.3 SIngle plies, pefect for what your looking for

 

[sanjuro]

Having been dumb enough to sign up for the Vermont 50 again this year, I'm thinking about what tires to use.

I'm riding the Joker, which usually sports WTB Motoraptor 2.3s with wire beads. I also have a set of Kevlar bead Motoraptor 2.1s, more aggressive tread but lighter, and a new pair of Maxxis Hookworm 2.5s, real heavy but I could pump 'em up and roll easy.

The course is 50 miles, lots of climbing, with gravel roads, doubletrack, singletrack and paved roads, in descending order of total mileage.I'm leaning towards the Hookworms, barring rain, figuring that reduced rolling resistance trumps weight in the long run.

Thoughts?

I used a combination of a WTB Weirwolf 2.3 front, Motoraptor 2.1 in the rear. Good XC setup.

I switched to Nevegals 2.3/2.1, which is a little wider...

 

[Ozzer]

What about something like the Pythons?

Yup. I just participated in a 24hr race this weekend and I ran front 2.0 tubeless light Python and rear 2.0 tubeless light piranha (semi-slick). Thought of switching to fatter higher air volume 2.3 Pythons for the loose/sandy conditions, but the tires hooked very well after my first lap. I am loving the UST tubeless setup as of late!

OMFG, after this weekend, I'm turning into an XC geek. I love the suffering from a 24hr race. I'm hooked.

 

[Ozzer]

I find that I notice differences in compound more than differences in tread pattern.

With all these tech-whore talk with tire compounds and suspension setup lately, you better bring your techno-whiz advantage next time you ride our trail here down south.

ride...

 

[lovebunny]

Yup. I just participated in a 24hr race this weekend and I ran front 2.0 tubeless light Python and rear 2.0 tubeless light piranha (semi-slick). Thought of switching to fatter higher air volume 2.3 Pythons for the loose/sandy conditions, but the tires hooked very well after my first lap. I am loving the UST tubeless setup as of late!

OMFG, after this weekend, I'm turning into an XC geek. I love the suffering from a 24hr race. I'm hooked.

lets train! im gonna buy a bike. your mine bitch!

 

[Changleen]

I would suggest Holy Rollers. They are way lighter than Hookworms, but still roll great for the smooth stuff and will have some traction in dirt. In BMX they are used for street and dirt and loved for both. They will roll better on Tarmac and hardpack than any MTB tyre.

 

[Changleen]

DMR Motos might be a good choice too, maybe a moto digger on the front if it is really loose fire road.

 

[benno]

I used to run hookworms, even on a dedicated street/jump bike there were quite a few situations in which I wished I had Holy Rollers.

 

[Jim Mac]

Keep this in mind (advice from friends who have done the VT 50 Miler several times): It will be slick and nasty if it rains...You might want to have a backup mud/sticky tire to use in case of bad weather. Less than 60 durometer with widely spaced knobs...

 

[narlus]

hookworms would be the worst choice by far...ungodly heavy, hard compound, no lugs...stay far away.

i'd go w/ the kevlar 2.1s myself...there's a lot of climbing on that course, and i'd want the lightest setup i could go w/ that wouldn't sacrifice cornering or be too prone to flats.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

hookworms would be the worst choice by far...ungodly heavy, hard compound, no lugs...stay far away.

i'd go w/ the kevlar 2.1s myself...there's a lot of climbing on that course, and i'd want the lightest setup i could go w/ that wouldn't sacrifice cornering or be too prone to flats.

Thanks. That's the conclusion I was coming to.

 

[Wumpus]

I would run the 2.3 motos if was dry/hardpack and the 2.1 if it was softer/mud. The 2.1 motos always felt squirrelly in the corners to me in the dry.

 

[golgiaparatus]

Having been dumb enough to sign up for the Vermont 50 again this year, I'm thinking about what tires to use.

I'm riding the Joker, which usually sports WTB Motoraptor 2.3s with wire beads. I also have a set of Kevlar bead Motoraptor 2.1s, more aggressive tread but lighter, and a new pair of Maxxis Hookworm 2.5s, real heavy but I could pump 'em up and roll easy.

The course is 50 miles, lots of climbing, with gravel roads, doubletrack, singletrack and paved roads, in descending order of total mileage.I'm leaning towards the Hookworms, barring rain, figuring that reduced rolling resistance trumps weight in the long run.

Thoughts?

Kenda Blue Groove with StickE rubber for your XC needs. Nevegal for your slightly more aggressive needs.

I rode nothing but Conti Verts and Explorers for years and finally this tire came along and dethroned them. I'll be riding them until I find something better, which may be a long time.

 

[JRogers]

hookworms would be the worst choice by far...ungodly heavy, hard compound, no lugs...stay far away.

i'd go w/ the kevlar 2.1s myself...there's a lot of climbing on that course, and i'd want the lightest setup i could go w/ that wouldn't sacrifice cornering or be too prone to flats.

This is what I would do. The 2.3s probably aren't necessary, especially if there's a good amount of road/gravel in the ride.

Geez, people, could we try to read the thread and try not to just tell jbp to buy new tires?

 

[sunny]

hookworms would be the worst choice by far...ungodly heavy, hard compound, no lugs...stay far away.

i'd go w/ the kevlar 2.1s myself...there's a lot of climbing on that course, and i'd want the lightest setup i could go w/ that wouldn't sacrifice cornering or be too prone to flats.

What are you doing with a pair of Hookworms? Did you win them in a raffle? I didn't take you for an urban guy... :biggrin:

 

[johnbryanpeters]

What are you doing with a pair of Hookworms? Did you win them in a raffle? I didn't take you for an urban guy... :biggrin:

Wull, we were considering a century on pavement on MTBs and I ordered the tires. The century turned into 70 miles and the bikes turned into road bikes, so I now have these monster tires and am looking for an excuse.

I do ride urban in the sense that if I have errands to run in Burlington or iff'n it's muddy at lunchtime I thump about on pavement, and sometimes I get a little silly...

 

[sunny]

Wull, we were considering a century on pavement on MTBs and I ordered the tires. The century turned into 70 miles and the bikes turned into road bikes, so I now have these monster tires and am looking for an excuse.

I do ride urban in the sense that if I have errands to run in Burlington or iff'n it's muddy at lunchtime I thump about on pavement, and sometimes I get a little silly...

you just don't want to admit that you scour the neighborhood for dry swimming poolz to sneak into and then rip it up... S'ok. Secret is safe with me.

 

[Polandspring88]

I once ran a set of Hookworms in the spring time fora trail ride. Typical New England trails, wet, rocky, rooty, and with the spring thaw there was some occasional mud and snow. Oddly enough the Hookworms never slipped on me once. Had to be one of the weirdest experiences I have had.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I once ran a set of Hookworms in the spring time fora trail ride. Typical New England trails, wet, rocky, rooty, and with the spring thaw there was some occasional mud and snow. Oddly enough the Hookworms never slipped on me once. Had to be one of the weirdest experiences I have had.

They're on the bike now, I may try 'em after work. It's raining, so that should prime the pump so to speak.

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

Wow definately do not run the hook worms, i have used them on my street/dj bike and they suck on that, really heavy and are horrible on dirt. I would definately go with some larsons/pythons/small blocks in a higher volume like a 2.1 or 2.3, i run a 2.3 larson kevlar on the back of my soviergn for xc and it rolls crazy fast, light as hell to. One thing to keep in mind is that they arent quote a 2.3 either.

hope that helps.

 

[Wumpus]

Why hasn't this thread been moved to the 'appropriate' forum yet?

 

[mogulskr]

Kenda Blue Groove with StickE rubber for your XC needs.

I'll be there as well and I will be running Blue Grooves in 2.1. Not sure it's right, but there on the bike.

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

Why hasn't this thread been moved to the 'appropriate' forum yet?

god you people are out of your minds...what is wrong with someone asking about tires in the lounge where trillions of people traffic through. I think alot of people on this board have lost touch with the fact that this is a RIDING forum, not an eating/getting fat/home improvement forum...

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Why hasn't this thread been moved to the 'appropriate' forum yet?

PAWN?

 

[golgiaparatus]

god you people are out of your minds...what is wrong with someone asking about tires in the lounge where trillions of people traffic through.... this is a RIDING forum...

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

THANK YOU!

 

[Wumpus]

I don't get it.