Mountain Biking - Tire selection

I have an 09 Specialized Rockhopper Comp and I want to swap out the stock tires to something a little "better". They work fine, but don't shed mud that great and just seem OK, not great. I live in Pa, riding conditions range from some mud, single track, some fireroads, loose shale (sharp!) and some hardpack thrown in for good measure. Basically, I need a tire that can do everything good. I'm not switching to tubeless and I'd like to get best bang for my buck (I'm a bit cheap). Please let me know your thoughts and experiences with different tires (what you ride, type of terrain etc). Thanks!

Try Maxxis Minion DHF 2.35 wire bead at Blue Sky Cycling for $22 bucks each. A little heavy, a little slow but they're awesome grippers.

Find a tire that works on all those conditions is tough. The Larsen TT is the most versatile tire that I've used, though I haven't tried it in overly muddy conditions. The Kenda Nevegal seems to be pretty good too, though I admittedly have less riding time on that tire than the Larsen.

Larsen TT is $20 at Blue Sky Cycling. Nevegal is $28 on the same site.

Kenda Excavator blew me away on a muddy climb. I was used to a Nevegal...occasional slippage...I did a muddy chute climb with my new Excavator and didn't slip a wheel. My riding bud was on a maiden voyage with his new Excavators on the same ride and noticed the same thing. We both stopped and talked at the top of the chute and were like "WOW!"

I really like the WTB Exi Wolf for good grip and fast rolling. If you're in the wet more than not the Maxxis Highroller is hard to beat.

Anybody try the WTB Weirwolf Race Tire? It looks like it would be effective. Also, I've seen a few locals running Small Blocks. Thoughts? I spend most of my riding time riding vintage road bikes throughout backroads and buying tires for them is cake, something skinwall or tubular. Not much to think about there.

Smallblocks suck in moisture

How do they suck in moisture? Are they made out of sponge rubber or something?

mtnbiker66, Widely spaced blocks throw mud off (self clean) more easily than closely spaced blocks.

Brad

i love the continental rubber queens. they changed the name from rubber queen to trail king, so look at conti trail kings. they are excellent in hard pack and rock and fire roads. mud....they do ok.

I really like the WTB Exi Wolf

I have been riding the Kenda Nevegal for about eight months now. I have been very pleased with them. I have not hany any problems in mud with them but I also have limited muddy encounters and I live in an area that is pretty flat so I have not had any muddy uphill battles. For the past two months, I have been running them tubless and have not had any problems there either.

I do have intentions of changing them out at some point to schwables because I want a tire that is designed to be tubeless and I like the Rocket Ron and Raceing Ralph tires they make.

How do they suck in moisture? Are they made out of sponge rubber or something?

Yes, actually...they tend to swell when they get wet. By the end of the ride...you have clearance issues on even the widest pugs.


mtnbiker66, Widely spaced blocks throw mud off (self clean) more easily than closely spaced blocks.

Brad
Hmmm...I'm gonna have to call BS on that one.



I have been riding the Kenda Nevegal for about eight months now. I have been very pleased with them. I have not hany any problems in mud with them but I also have limited muddy encounters and I live in an area that is pretty flat so I have not had any muddy uphill battles. For the past two months, I have been running them tubless and have not had any problems there either.

I do have intentions of changing them out at some point to schwables because I want a tire that is designed to be tubeless and I like the Rocket Ron and Raceing Ralph tires they make.

If you would pay attention, the OP is asking for opinions on a tire that you have experience with for a variety of terrain. This means you must steer clear of personal experience, varied terrain, tires, and pretty much any discussion that is relevant to the original topic.


Now where was I...something with bacon, I think.

Yes, actually...they tend to swell when they get wet. By the end of the ride...you have clearance issues on even the widest pugs.


Hmmm...I'm gonna have to call BS on that one.




If you would pay attention, the OP is asking for opinions on a tire that you have experience with for a variety of terrain. This means you must steer clear of personal experience, varied terrain, tires, and pretty much any discussion that is relevant to the original topic.


Now where was I...something with bacon, I think.


You must have hit the crap out of your funny bone, LOL.

mtnbiker66, Widely spaced blocks throw mud off (self clean) more easily than closely spaced blocks.

Brad

Please try to keep up.:roflmao2:

Kenda Excavator blew me away on a muddy climb. I was used to a Nevegal...occasional slippage...I did a muddy chute climb with my new Excavator and didn't slip a wheel. My riding bud was on a maiden voyage with his new Excavators on the same ride and noticed the same thing. We both stopped and talked at the top of the chute and were like "WOW!":thumb: I tell everyone that will listen that Excavators are hands-down THE best all-conditions tire I have used. And my 'gold standard' used to be Minion DHFs. I like Nevegals, don't get me wrong, but the Exs take it.

I'm just throwing this out there because I often ride a hybrid although my winter bike is a cheap Canadian Tire mountain bike with front suspension. First, on a hybrid, I tried 700x35 that came on my CCM Excelsior and found I could feel train tracks way too much with that. Then I tried 700x45 Kenda Keen Commuter tires I found at Nashbar. These tires have an awesome thread that dissapates water and still allows you from city smoothness and some treads for riding on trails at the same time. Really clever design although I found when you don't have enough air in the tires, they're slow like molasses.

Now, on the subject of winter biking in the snow, I find even 26x1.75 tires are fat enough to be heavy and slow when the snow sticks to your tires. My current idea when I have the money is to build a winter bike that takes 700c tires but to choose a frame one size or even several sizes smaller (just in case the bike slips under me quickly and I land on my feet) then using maybe 700x40 studded tires and sealed hubs, headset and of course bottom bracket. Much thinner tires like 700x40 compared to 26 inch tires might just do the trick to cut threw the snow very quickly with less resistance yet still allow you to stay on the bike with the studs. That might be a future project for me because I haven't finished the touring bike I wanted to build but I already started doing research on the idea.

:thumb: I tell everyone that will listen that Excavators are hands-down THE best all-conditions tire I have used. And my 'gold standard' used to be Minion DHFs. I like Nevegals, don't get me wrong, but the Exs take it.

Commuting through puddles on a recumbent doesn't qualify you to give advice to the OP regarding "all conditions".

^^ Another Bfer gets lost on the way to the Commuting forum . . . .


edit = hey, there's an echo in here :D.

:thumb: I tell everyone that will listen that Excavators are hands-down THE best all-conditions tire I have used. And my 'gold standard' used to be Minion DHFs. I like Nevegals, don't get me wrong, but the Exs take it.

Who doesn't listen?

+1 for Maxxis - ADvantage and Ardent have been very good tires for me as a "all arounder"
I also love the Ignitors and you can usually find them on blow-out sale somewhere if you look. Blue sky just had them on sale and I think Jenson did too.

Muddy conditions, wow, I gonna have to book a trip to find some place that has mud! Our rocks get slippery, thats all the desert is good for.

Who doesn't listen?I see your eyes glaze over when you tune me out. Not that it keeps me from yammering on anyway :D.

^^ Another Bfer gets lost on the way to the Commuting forum . . . .


edit = hey, there's an echo in here :D.

:lol: That was actually directed toward you ya old phart.

^^ Dang, it was, wasn't it? Well, I resemble your slander! My 'bent is a Super-Gnar-'Bent I'll have you know. And I'm almost as fast on it as I am on my Rascal.

I see your eyes glaze over when you tune me out. Not that it keeps me from yammering on anyway :D.

Hmmm, I didn't think you had noticed but once I hear you say Kenda Excavator, it's time for me to check out.

Conditions for me have changed, crossmarks for DJ's and once I can get a hold of a set 26x2.3 DTH's for park and street.

Good all around tires: Specialized Eskar(If you can keep them from failing) Kenda Excavator(I'm the one to blame for both Doug and Ed being hooked on them), Maxxis Highroller Front and Maxxis Minion DHR on rear(That is if you can get past mismatching tires) Hutchinson Toro, and even though I'm not compatible with them, michelin wild grip'r.

Kenda Excavator(I'm the one to blame for both Doug and Ed being hooked on them)

Don't feel responsible...as soon as I saw them released, I had to have them. Doug just does everything I do, so that was expected.

As some of you might know already I just purchased my first "REAL" mountain bike last week. The bike got rave reviews but the one consistant knock on it was that it comes gagbage stock tires on it. Several members in my riding club all suggested Kenda tires for it.

My question is first what are the advantages of going tubless vs a tire that has a tube. Do they hold up better to puntures? Are they easier to repair? Do they hold up better thru stuff like rocks gardens and areas that have a lot of thorns?

I've never considered going to tubeless. I figure if I lose 10-15 pounds, that'll make the bike faster than messing with tubeless tires.... But that's just my take on it.

My wife surprised me with new tires for Christmas (WTB Wolverine Race 09). No one mentioned them, but she was very pleased with herself so I'm going to give em a chance. I'll report back. Thanks for the input guys

I've never considered going to tubeless. I figure if I lose 10-15 pounds, that'll make the bike faster than messing with tubeless tires.... But that's just my take on it.
I see this argument all the time, to lose weight, because that will make you faster than putting on lighter parts. But it won't make you as fast as lighter parts + losing weight. :p And 9 times out of 10, with any weight loss also comes some muscle loss, even if you lift while losing weight. Plus not everyone is overweight and has extra weight to lose. Just sayin'.

Well, tubeless tires cut into my beer money;)

I honestly never really gave much thought about switching to tubeless. My current style works fine (I'm a recreational rider not racing) so I didn't see a reason to switch. Perhaps when I wear out this wheelset....

My question is first what are the advantages of going tubless vs a tire that has a tube. Do they hold up better to puntures? Are they easier to repair? Do they hold up better thru stuff like rocks gardens and areas that have a lot of thorns?



only benefit I've found was a lot less flats. All of the other e-benefits (less weight (didn't see that; Stans + heavier sidewalls negates this) lower pressure (just dented up the rims)) I already did with tubes and good tires. Also, you have to screw with Stans goo. I hate the stuff. Still plan on sticking with tubeless come spring when I break the bank for a good set of UST tires though and I expect no flats for the spring and summer. Pretty sweet in that regard.

My bike came tubeless (Stan's) and was great until a bent nail took out the bottom and sidewall. Now the rear tubed and the front is still tubeless. I have patched the back several times and just check the front ever few rides.

The real down side I can think of on tubeless is flatting and breaking a seal when off roading. You will have to put a tube in as you need a compressor pump to reseal tubeless setup. If you do have to install a tube in a tubeless setup, you have a ton of gunk to clean out of the tube and the inside of the rim.