Mountain Biking - Fave XC tires?

I'm sure this has come up before but I haven't been around in two years (been back about 3 weeks so far). My current fave, albeit a tad heavy, are 2.1 WTB Velociraptors. I was running a 1.9 Specialized Dirt Control and a Dirt Master before and they were super fast on the flats and climbs but suicide on any DH or corner. The Velocis turned my aging hardtail into a freeride machine! Oh, I ride on so. cal. dry hardpack with an occasional deep sand or dust pit and some scattered rocks. Other XC faves?

Originally posted by bikeme
Other XC faves?

I've been pretty happy with the 2.1" Panaracer Fire XCs (kevlar). They're pretty fast and work well in most conditions except heavy mud or extreme DH.

Hutchinson Python UST /Air Light /
Michelin Wildgripper CompS UST

Originally posted by TimB
Hutchinson Python UST /Air Light /
Michelin Wildgripper CompS UST

Wouldn't bikeme have to swap out rims for tubeless compatible ones or do a Stan's No-Tubes conversion to run those tyres? Then again, I guess the original poster never said they actually wanted to switch tyres. :D

I love my continental explorers.Really lightweight.Handle well on hardpack and soft(i have not ridden much mud so i cant say).My only complaint is the price.

Originally posted by khuon
Wouldn't bikeme have to swap out rims for tubeless compatible ones or do a Stan's No-Tubes conversion to run those tyres? Then again, I guess the original poster never said they actually wanted to switch tyres. :D


Both those tires are available in non tubeless versions.






My favorites are the Michelin XLS in the rear, and Front S in the front... I run both tubeless, but the tire is also available in standard tubed versions as well.



The ones I've tried but didn't like are the Pythons, and Panaracer Trailblasters. Pythons just don't hook up for me, and they're too narrow for my tastes. I need something with some knobs.

Well, my favorites are still the OnZa Aggro and Honch K's, but that's water under the bridge.

Now, I like the Panaracer Fire 2.1, particularly as a rear tire, the IRC Mythos 2.1 Rear (not the front version!) and the WTB Mutano 2.25 and 2.4 K as front tires. Both the Mutano and Fire tires are sold as being f/r tires, but I think they work better as listed.

Originally posted by redfox
I love my continental explorers.Really lightweight.Handle well on hardpack and soft(i have not ridden much mud so i cant say).My only complaint is the price.

I like the Explorers as well.

Panaracer Fire XC!. ... they eat up the trail!

Mega Dittos on the Panaracer Fire XC's

I have Conti Explorers on my Scalpel and they seem to be doing great. I'd like to try the Panaracer Fire XC but I don't know if it's worth it, since I have to do a fair amount of paved road riding.

Originally posted by mightypudge
I have Conti Explorers on my Scalpel and they seem to be doing great. I'd like to try the Panaracer Firte XC but I don't know if it's worth it, since I have to do a fair amount of paved road riding.

I've found the Fire XCs to be a great trail tire, but they're not at their best on paved stuff. Best to choose something else if you do a decent proportion of paved roads/trails, IMHO.

Originally posted by booyah
I've found the Fire XCs to be a great trail tire, but they're not at their best on paved stuff.

I'll agree with booyah. The Fire XC's bigger blocks make the them a little squirmy on pure pavement. They're not unridable but they're not as smooth as other tyres either.