Mountain Biking - Favorite Old Tires

retro grouch hat = on.
Why is it every year manufacturers have to make different tires? The new ones aren't any better than the old ones.

Continental Comp Pro: favorite rear tire evar.

Onza Porc: almost favorite best front tire.

Specialized Team Control: better than the Porc

IRC Missiles: for downhill and rock gardens

The new ones aren't any better than the old ones.


I disagree.

I think there have been a lot of improvements regarding weight, puncture resistance, and a variety of compounds for different terrain. I don't know if tread patterns have improved much, but they aren't any worse today.

Onza Porc: almost favorite best front tire.



Just curious, what recent tires have you used that you consider worse than the Porc? Because in my experience, that piece of crap is the absolute worst tire I have ever ridden. Ever.

I've been riding on WTB Velociraptors for years now, and think they are a great tire for the conditions I ride here in New England. The retro guys like porcs because they are, well, retro. Doesn't mean they are the best.

ive said it before and ill say it again. Panaracer Fire XC pro....the more expensive one!

Although ive been riding kinetics for a year now. Thats only because i have so many sets that I was given!

Just curious, what recent tires have you used that you consider worse than the Porc? Because in my experience, that piece of crap is the absolute worst tire I have ever ridden. Ever.

I probably haven't ridden on a Porc in 10 years, but compared to other tires in that day, they were pretty good. Think of what else was around back then: Specialized Ground Control, Panaracer Smoke&Dart, Ritchey Alpha/Omega.

As soon as the Specialized Team Control came out, it easily became my new favorite front tire.

I probably haven't ridden on a Porc in 10 years, but compared to other tires in that day, they were pretty good. Think of what else was around back then: Specialized Ground Control, Panaracer Smoke&Dart, Ritchey Alpha/Omega.

Your initial assertion was "the new ones aren't any better than the old ones," not that they were good for their time.

Besides, the Dart was a much better front than the Porc IMO, not to mention the Tioga Psychos, which were my choice for a couple of years around that time period.

WTB Velociraptors - hands down my favourite rear tire evar!
IRC Mythos XC - the only front tire I can say really impressed me. This may change soon, as I'm running Conti Vertical Pro's on the front of my SS this year.

I find the 'Raptors a bit too "John Deere" for me. Very bumpy and lots of rolling resistance. (the rear anyway)

I love Nevegal's. They have a bit more rolling resistance than some, but not as bad as others. They grip like a MoFo! They're a good "all around" tire. (IMO)

I love the Ritchey z-max and zed tires.. Ritchey zed race is the best front tire I've tried.

ive said it before and ill say it again. Panaracer Fire XC pro....the more expensive one!

Although ive been riding kinetics for a year now. Thats only because i have so many sets that I was given!

I agree 100%. Im very impressed with my Panaracer Fires.

Z-Max's.

I find the 'Raptors a bit too "John Deere" for me. Very bumpy and lots of rolling resistance. (the rear anyway)(IMO)
I agree that they're not smooth, but they grip so well it's worth it. They are not good in mud, but I've found them to be exceptional on wet rocks/roots, loose dirt and scree [which together make up 90% of my climbing].

...Think of what else was around back then: Specialized Ground Control, Panaracer Smoke&Dart, Ritchey Alpha/Omega...

Ahh the Smoke and Dart. I must have ridden on those puppies for about 3 years solid. Funny I almost forgot all about them.

Now riding Fire XC Pros, I suppose I've always found Panaracers to be reliable.

I had to find out the hard way why Kenda was blowing out Kolossals for near-to-nothing one year. I thought "Yeah, it's just because their pushing the (at the time) new Nevegals." Wrong. It's because they were pieces of crap that deserved to be retired. Tire technology continues to evolve and bring changes for the better.

best old school tire combo: Smoke 'light' in the back, dart up front. i picked up some of the re-issued smoke/darts, but they arent the same as the old ones. and no, it's not that new tires are so much better that the reissues actually ride the same and i just don't remember accurately- that old combination kicked a$$.

I agree that they're not smooth, but they grip so well it's worth it. They are not good in mud, but I've found them to be exceptional on wet rocks/roots, loose dirt and scree [which together make up 90% of my climbing].

That's the makeup of the areas I ride in, and the Velociraptors get it done!:)

Maxxis Mofo DH's front and rear. It was a sad day when I found out that maxxis discontinued them.

You need to watch some more forensic science shows. Car, bike, and shoe tread patterns are used to track mass murders (and others). The more tread patterns there are the smaller the pool of suspects.