Mountain Biking - Need a good XC knobbie of the UST variety...

Can't be any more narrow than 2.0 and has to work well in a variety of conditions, but most of all sandy hardpack. I've tried the Hutchinson Python UST and didn't like them. Not wide or aggressive enough for my tastes. I've tried the Panaracer Trailblaster which was a wretched tire for practically all terrain, but rolled fast. Tried the Michelin XLS and Front S combination and am currently running that. Good traction, but I'd like better cornering and lower rolling resistance if possible. I also tried the Michelin Jet S which is an amazing XC tire for hardpack conditions but doesn't offer enough bite in the loose/root filled sections. So what are my options here? I don't want anything narrow, obviously, and rolling resistance isn't too much of an issue, but I don't want anything that won't roll worth a damn either. Basically I want something that will offer lots of control especially in the corners. Any suggestions? It's gotta be tubeless which narrows the selections immensely.

try continental explorers they worked well in southern cali hardpack and loose gravel. i would personally run a continental vertical pro 2.3 in front and a explorer 2.1 in the rear for general XC use. i've also heard alot of good things about panaracer fire XC but i've never tried them

I like these. They work well.

Nokian (http://www.nokiantyres.fi/bike/xc/index.html)

I like these. They work well.

Nokian (http://www.nokiantyres.fi/bike/xc/index.html)


They look similar to the Michelin Comp S. I don't suppose you have any links to a good online dealer with low prices?

Try Nokian Gazzalodi for XC. Apparently Nokian Boazobena X is for XC but i don't like it, doesn't seem to serve its purpose as an XC tire. Gazzalodi is heavier than Boa, has bigger knobblies, while i believe Boa is more for road, urban, dry condition riding. I'm using Boazobena. :D

Which Boazobena are you using? According to their site there's an X and S version.

Many views, but no replies.


:(

Maybe the Hots S, I like the mud shedding design and they have pretty good traction loose/root areas. Their not too expensive, but they weigh a bit more than normal (630 grams)

Gazzalodis for XC, I think not.

Is the Hot S from Michelin available in a tubeless version?

I found Michelin Comp S tubeless tires on sale for 20 bucks at Performance bike! Great deal, so I decided to snatch em up. If the Comp S turns out to be a crappy front tire I might use the Front S I've got in conjunction with it. But I've heard good things about the Comp S tires from TimB and others. It's had lots of podium XC finishes as well, so it can't be but so bad. But I'm still in search of a good full knobby!! I just couldn't pass up that deal. 20 bucks for a tubeless tires is incredible.

i'm using a Boazobena X. i don't know much about Gazzalodi either, but i hear from my mates that Gazzalodi is pretty good for XC. Opinions?

The Gazzalodi is a DH tire.

Gazzalodi is a big heavy burley monster :D

Which eliminates it from my selections.


:D

Hutchinson Python? how abt that?

I don't like the Hutch Python... just not aggressive enough to me and it doesn't corner very well.