what are you rideing XC only please
What's the best XC tire?
- Thread starter williesurvives1
- Start date
for what?
mud
dry
slickrock
snow
gravel
pavement
mud
dry
slickrock
snow
gravel
pavement
Hutchinson Python UST 
Get the new maxxis series. They have lots of variety in durometer, air volume and tpi.
yea, depends on the conditions and the terrain, but I generally ride Conti Verticals.
I've used Michi Comp S Lites(XCR Dry for '05), and liked them. However, my Fuel came with Bontrager Super X tuless ready which you need sealant for. I'm liking them a lot, 550g, and I've had no problems with them. They're similar to the Pythons.
I use Kenda Nevegals or Blue Grooves...the Nevegals if is loose or wet out and the BG's for eveything else....D
For out here in the dryness, Pythons for both racing and trail riding. In wet goo, Tioga Red Phoenix for racing, and Conti Verts or the Kenda Nevegals for trail riding.
Kenda Karma DTC 2.0s
Great all conditions tire=Conti vert
Dry conditions racy tire=Python
Wet conditions racy tire=Mosquito
Dry conditions racy tire=Python
Wet conditions racy tire=Mosquito
unless its super muddy, Hutchinson Pythons (I have gold & air light)
For all conditions in Colorado I use the Ritchey ZMax. 2.35 in the front, 2.1 in the back. This is my preferred tire combo if I can find the ZMax on sale.
-S.S.-
-S.S.-
Ditto, they do wear fast though. I run the ust version and often run them under 30 PSI. You pay a speed penalty on fireroads but on the trail they hold on where higher pressures would washout. Probaly the most sticky xc tire I have had.jacksonpt said:
WTB Weirwolf up front
Maxxis Larsen TT in the rear.
Those Kenda Karma's dont look too bad for the rear. Are they UST? How much can you usually find them for?
Maxxis Larsen TT in the rear.
Those Kenda Karma's dont look too bad for the rear. Are they UST? How much can you usually find them for?
Those particular ones are mine, and are not UST, just Kevlar bead. They are available in UST though. I think they retail for around $40.Mtb_Rob_FL said:
Here's a better pic of the tread pattern.
you gotta get the nokian NBX light..this is a super light tire and is the best performer that i have ever had!
it won't let you down!
peace
it won't let you down!
peace
Panaracer Fire XC Pro.
Love the Kevlar bead, can roll the tires off and on without tools. Makes for quick field repairs. High knobs for outstanding traction, nice spacing for shedding the mud, light weight.
Love the Kevlar bead, can roll the tires off and on without tools. Makes for quick field repairs. High knobs for outstanding traction, nice spacing for shedding the mud, light weight.
Fire XC Pro here too. The outstanding traction is helped by the multi-height knobs and the side knobs really help when cornering.HenryTheHammer said:
I agree with Henrythehammer and pixelninja. I have ridden the Fire XC Pro form SoCal to the PNW and I've found it to be a great tire. The (old) WTB Velociraptors are great for absolute traction but they are heavy and tend to dig in corners. Try the Panaracers
Try the new Panaracer Cinder 2.1 and 1.95 tires. I like them even more than the Fire XC. The Cinder's compound is better on rocks and roots, and still wears at a pretty slow rate.pixelninja said:Fire XC Pro here too. The outstanding traction is helped by the multi-height knobs and the side knobs really help when cornering.
Hey MBA had a pretty good tire comparison test in the Sept. '04 issue...it was over 40 tires...see if you can get ahold of a copy. Usually I don't put much stock in their reviews but this reveiw was pretty well written....D
EDIT: Found the issue...here's the top 10:
1. Kenda Nevegal Lt
2. Specialized Roll X pro
3. Ritchey ZED Race WCS
4. Hutchinson Spider tubeless
5. Continental Survival Protection
6. Maxxis Ranchero
7. Hutchinson Scorpion Tubeless Light
8. Continental Vapor Protection
9. Maxxis Mobster
10. WTB Weirwolf Race
EDIT: Found the issue...here's the top 10:
1. Kenda Nevegal Lt
2. Specialized Roll X pro
3. Ritchey ZED Race WCS
4. Hutchinson Spider tubeless
5. Continental Survival Protection
6. Maxxis Ranchero
7. Hutchinson Scorpion Tubeless Light
8. Continental Vapor Protection
9. Maxxis Mobster
10. WTB Weirwolf Race
Correct me if I'm wrong BMXman as I don't have the issue any longer, but weren't all those tires tested out west? Just keep that in mind if you ride in conditions that are dramatically different.BMXman said:
I agree, it seemed pretty comprehensive, however I found a few inconsistencies within that review. There were a few lightweight, low knob, tires(ala Karma DTC and Python) that recieved lower pedal efficiency ratings than the NevegalBMXman said:
I mean, seriously.....
I may give those a try when my Fire's wear out. Or the Panaracer Cinders. Or I'll just stick with the Fires. We'll see what's on sale when I need new tires.AustinM said:
That's the nice thing about tires nowadays - doesn't seem to matter what you like, they all seem to always be on sale somewhere.pixelninja said:
-S.S.-
I've been pretty happy with my Continental Explorer Pros. They work really good on hardpack and some loose. Ok on rocky stuff. Corner at higher speeds really well.
Right now I am riding a Speci Enduro Pro S-Works front and a Conti Escape rear tubeless. Currently running Stans. May change to a IRC Mythos XC with a tube for the rear when the Escape wears out. The Escape is a great climbing tire and fast. I like it a lot. It works very well in most situations. I wish it came in a bigger size......jdcamb
If Hutchinson went back to their late nineties casings and compounds I'd be running pythons, but alas they went and screwed up a perfect tire when they decided to sex-up the python with colors and casing options....
I have been running Maxxis Advantage tires for the last 2 weeks, and I'm stoked on them. Intelligently designed knob flex means they hook up well while still rolling fast.
I just ordered some new Michielin AT's to try out as well, they look like they should work well for my loam'n'rocks around here. I just spent the last 4 weeks on Conti Twister pro 1.9's and was pretty damn suprised, for a paper thin almost knobless tire they worked well. They weren't grippy by any means, but the front wheel pushed predictably and they were easy to bring back out of a slide.
I have been running Maxxis Advantage tires for the last 2 weeks, and I'm stoked on them. Intelligently designed knob flex means they hook up well while still rolling fast.
I just ordered some new Michielin AT's to try out as well, they look like they should work well for my loam'n'rocks around here. I just spent the last 4 weeks on Conti Twister pro 1.9's and was pretty damn suprised, for a paper thin almost knobless tire they worked well. They weren't grippy by any means, but the front wheel pushed predictably and they were easy to bring back out of a slide.
I'm sort of going to try to hijack this thread.
I've noticed that almost everyone in this thread is insisting on a different good xc tire, which suggests that there are a lot of tires out there that are just that. Now, almost certainly there are tires out there that are bad and are a waste of $.
Maybe the question should be:
What's NOT the best XC tire?
Maybe each person can give an example of an inferior tire, and accompany it with a reccomendation for a similar category but superior tire.
I will start with the aforementioned velociraptors which are heavy and dig in corners. A better tire may be the IRC mythos xc combo that probably dig about the same amount, but have as much traction and are lighter.
T
I've noticed that almost everyone in this thread is insisting on a different good xc tire, which suggests that there are a lot of tires out there that are just that. Now, almost certainly there are tires out there that are bad and are a waste of $.
Maybe the question should be:
What's NOT the best XC tire?
Maybe each person can give an example of an inferior tire, and accompany it with a reccomendation for a similar category but superior tire.
I will start with the aforementioned velociraptors which are heavy and dig in corners. A better tire may be the IRC mythos xc combo that probably dig about the same amount, but have as much traction and are lighter.
T
WTB mutano's are my fav. They go anywhere and do anything...
I use Continental Survivals front and back and don't seem to have any grip problems, even going through deep puddles of crap they hold on well enough for me. Shed dirt quickly too.
Maxxis Minion DH. Very $$$. and Heavy!!HOOWAH said:
jdcamb said:
thats what she said
Can someone tell me what TPI means.......?.....like the Maxxis xCeption series are 120 TPI......is 120 a good number or something....?
And what are some tire presuures you guys run in rocky terrain.......?
And what are some tire presuures you guys run in rocky terrain.......?
For loose rocky conditions, I will never again run the Panaracer Smoke/Dart combination or Maxxis Larson TT's.HOOWAH said:
The Smoke/Dart look like they should work ok, but they don't. I've never spun out so many times while climbing. And the Dart tends to wash out in corners.
The Maxxis Larson TT's just don't have enough of an aggressive tread for loose conditions.
Two tires that are vastly superior for these types of conditons are the IRC Mythos and the Panaracer Fire XC Pros.