Mountain Biking - Larger Front Tire

I am looking to swap out my front XC tire for something beefier, but not insanely heavy or crazy DH. I ride a 2005 Rocky Mountain Element 50 and do almost entirely XC but my IRC Mythos front tire doesn't give me much confidence. What would you guys recommend for the front? I've seen the Panaracer Trailblaster and the IRC Trailbear. Those are 2.5's and that seems beefy, but without being too huge. Go ahead and send me your suggestions. Oh yeah, the terrain I ride is always dry. No mud or sand.

2.5 is overkill for xc.

I dunno, my Mythos XC is still going strong, but I do ride some wet/sandy stuff sometimes. I really like my Fear Control(2.1, I think) or you could go with the Team Control(1.9 or 2.0)-both Specialized. The aggressive corner knobs make them wider than listed. Isn't the Panaracer Dart made for dry conditions? I think mine's a 2.0. My Fear Control/Master setup is probably too wide for XC, but they work pretty well unless you get into sticky mud. I wouldn't recommend anything larger than 2.1" for XC, but, hey, you want a 2.5, go for it. Just report back with trail experience....

I dunno, my Mythos XC is still going strong, but I do ride some wet/sandy stuff sometimes. I really like my Fear Control(2.1, I think) or you could go with the Team Control(1.9 or 2.0)-both Specialized. The aggressive corner knobs make them wider than listed. Isn't the Panaracer Dart made for dry conditions? I think mine's a 2.0. My Fear Control/Master setup is probably too wide for XC, but they work pretty well unless you get into sticky mud. I wouldn't recommend anything larger than 2.1" for XC, but, hey, you want a 2.5, go for it. Just report back with trail experience....


The Panaracer Dart and Panaracer Smoke are designed for mud, they don't work well at all on dry surfaces.

The Panaracer Dart and Panaracer Smoke are designed for mud, they don't work well at all on dry surfaces.

:lol:I wondered why I bought that, lo, those many years ago. Musta been for those wet German trails. I can't even remember if I had a Smoke or not. :o Thanks for the refresher, KonaRider24!

:lol:I wondered why I bought that, lo, those many years ago. Musta been for those wet German trails. I can't even remember if I had a Smoke or not. :o Thanks for the refresher, KonaRider24!

The Dart and smoke are up there on my all time favorite tire list, and the top for mud tires on that list, I just wish they made them in a 2.3 or 2.4, if they did, I would be all over that.

Panaracer fire series (XC 2.1 or FR 2.4) or
Specialized Enduro 2.2.

Sorry guys, I meant that the tires I looked at were 2.25, not 2.5 My bad.

I used to have the Fire XC's, but only rode them about 20 miles before I sold the bike. I will look into those tires. but you think 2.25 is too big for XC?

Sorry guys, I meant that the tires I looked at were 2.25, not 2.5 My bad.

I used to have the Fire XC's, but only rode them about 20 miles before I sold the bike. I will look into those tires. but you think 2.25 is too big for XC?

2.25 would work well for xc.

well then, since you gave the nod to the 2.25 front tire, care to recommend any? how about the panaracer cinder?

The Panaracer Dart and Panaracer Smoke are designed for mud, they don't work well at all on dry surfaces.
Unless of course that dry surface is sugar sand. :D

Sorry guys, I meant that the tires I looked at were 2.25, not 2.5 My bad.

I used to have the Fire XC's, but only rode them about 20 miles before I sold the bike. I will look into those tires. but you think 2.25 is too big for XC?

The Fires are venerable, but they're not old hat. If you want crazy traction from Panaracer, try the Cinder.

Unless of course that dry surface is sugar sand. :D True.

i'm running an irc trailbear 2.5 on the front on my bike. it's a tall tire. i know you made a mistake in saying you were considering a 2.5 and really wanted the 2.25s, but i thought i'd post this shot of mine anyhow to show you just how big they are.

http://www.dropmachine.com/media/data/500/1687random_shots_011.jpg

What about the WTB weirwolf 2.1?
Anyone like those?
I was thinkin about buying them

I run a Panaracer FR 2.4 in the front and a Panaracer Cinder 2.25 on the rear. It is the perfect combo for the dry, loose conditions locally. I leave them on in the winter (if you want to call what we have here winter) because it is just so fun to really fly when there is traction. That said, the weight is quite noticeable compared to smaller tires. I just consider it training weight.
As far as the Weirwolf's go, my son rides them on his singlespeed and says he likes them.

Continental Traction Pro?

kenda nevegal

The Kenda Blue Groove seems to do well in dry conditions.

I ran a 1.9" Cinder front and rear and really liked the performance, but they were a little narrower than I liked. I think 2.25s would have been perfect.

if you want nice performance and reasonable prices check serfas, tioga and WTB.

Ricardo

[mod edit]It's not that hard to spell out you.