Mountain Biking - Big-small Tire combos on your Rigid XC bikes

For those of you who run a larger tire on the front of your rigid XC bikes for a little extra cush, I'm just wondering what you're using and what you're pairing it up with in the rear.

I'm trying to decide what tires to put on my rigid single speed build. I'm really looking for a tire combo to fit the following criteria:
-Not too heavy, but with a large enough casing to allow me to run at lower PSIs.
-Good on mostly hardpack dirt, with enough traction to stay dug in when cranking the pedals (since I can't switch to a lower gear)
-Softer compound and/or knobs to help grab roots running diagonal to the trail.

Mud is not a major issue for most of my rides.

Oh, and how big of a tire do you typically choose for the front? (XC purposes only.)

I run some big rubber up front in my 1x1, the Timberwolf race 2.7. Not exactly light but you can run at super low pressure and it is pretty sticky. If you are worried about weight maybe try the 2.3 size out and make sure and get the 'Race' casing, the DH casing is twice as heavy.

One tire I was impressed with in the past that I had used is the 2.24 mutano Raptor race. It has very large air volume for a 2.24'' tire. And as long as you are not riding in mud it proved to be a good tire for me in all other conditions. A very 'big' 2.24 tire.

I run some big rubber up front in my 1x1, the Timberwolf race 2.7. Not exactly light but you can run at super low pressure and it is pretty sticky. If you are worried about weight maybe try the 2.3 size out and make sure and get the 'Race' casing, the DH casing is twice as heavy.

One tire I was impressed with in the past that I had used is the 2.24 mutano Raptor race. It has very large air volume for a 2.24'' tire. And as long as you are not riding in mud it proved to be a good tire for me in all other conditions. A very 'big' 2.24 tire.

2.7 up front! Them's some big tires. What kind of riding/conditions are you typically doing? I'm guessing you're dealing with rougher terrain and more downhills than I would be on the singletrack near here.

It's good to hear you like the Mutano Raptor. If I were to choose WTBs, I would probably run a 2.24 Mutano up front with a 2.1 Nano Raptor up front. I obviously still haven't narrowed the choices down that far yet, though.

What kind of pressure did you typically run the Mutano at?

I liked to stick with 20-25 psi with the Mutano Raptor. Sometimes if I was riding at a fast track I would get them up to 40, and you can definately feel the difference

I run a hutchy mosquito 1.85 out back; gives great grip climbing, and at high pressures. I run a tioga factory xc 2.1 up front right now (which I hate, too squirmy), but I dont have clearance for anything bigger.

i run the same tire front and back on my rigid xc ride, nevegals 1.95. very cushy at high pressures and great traction. had wtb weirwolf, they were pretty good, seemed very fat for a 2.1