Mountain Biking - Wife says "buy yourself any 4 tires you want"... Schwalbe? Maxxis? Continental?

My wife's Xmas present to me is that I can buy any 4 mountain bike tires I want, no matter what the cost.

I ride a ti hardtail, and I weigh 180 lbs.

My (almost daily) ~ 30 km ride to and from work is very mixed:


I ride 10 blocks on the asphalt/tarmac, then I ride hardpack and gravel. Then I ride one km of ups and downs, with babyhead rocks. There's a couple of steep 10-14 degree hills. Then 6 blocks of asphalt/tarmac, and then a steep 1600 foot climb on medium hardpack with with a bit of sand and some gravel. It's non-technical. There are very few turns, so it's a lot of point-and-shoot cardio.

As I'm in Vancouver, there's often some moisture, but luckily very few roots. I guess I really would like the proverbial all-purpose tire, IF it exists...

My LBS has recommended Nevegals for the winter, 2.3 up front and 2.1 rear. (I suspect these will have too much rolling resistance. At the other end of the spectrum, this fall I rode Specialized Fast Traks and they were light and fast, but had too little traction/grip.)

I'm thinking about Schwalbe's 2010 Nobby Nics with snakeskin. I know lots of people ride the Nics up front with a Racing Ralph in the back, but I think the Ralphs' knobs are too low, though I could be wrong.

Nobby Nics? Racing Ralphs? Continental Vertical Pro with black chilli? Someone else recommended the Maxxis Larsen TT tire, but it seemed somewhat like the Kenda Small Block 8, which I SUSPECT isn't quite grippy enough.

Considerations and advice please!

PS -- I'm not going tubeless ... yet.

I would definitely stay away from Nevegals simply for the application that you are using the bike for. Nevegals are great for All Mountain riding and offer great traction, but are probably a little overkill for what you are doing.

The Schwalbe Nobby Nic is probably going work out great - it rolls fast, but offers great traction for climbing and cornering, and the Snakeskin compound definitely helps out with durability. If you want added speed, use a Rocket Ron in the rear, you'll be surprised how much traction it will give for climbing.

Agreed for the Larsen TT and Small Blocks. Both really great tires for XC Racing, but probably not the best for your situation.

I would definitely stay away from Nevegals simply for the application that you are using the bike for. Nevegals are great for All Mountain riding and offer great traction, but are probably a little overkill for what you are doing.

The Schwalbe Nobby Nic is probably going work out great - it rolls fast, but offers great traction for climbing and cornering, and the Snakeskin compound definitely helps out with durability. If you want added speed, use a Rocket Ron in the rear, you'll be surprised how much traction it will give for climbing.

Agreed for the Larsen TT and Small Blocks. Both really great tires for XC Racing, but probably not the best for your situation.


Great, thanks. I had no idea about the Rocket Ron... I just figured it would wear out in no time.

I could ask "Santa" -- i.e., me -- for three Rocket Rons for the rear, and one Nobby Nic for the front ;)

If I get the Rocket Rons, should I get the snakeskin variety ... hang on, I should see if that's an option with those tires.

I'd stay away from anything Kenda except for their tubes. I like WTB.

If I get the Rocket Rons, should I get the snakeskin variety ... hang on, I should see if that's an option with those tires.


If I get the Rocket Rons, should I get the snakeskin variety ... hang on, I should see if that's an option with those tires.

Nope, no snakeskin. Just three varieties: the new for 2011 Pacestar, the triple Nano, and the performance ORC.

So what about the Nobby Nic on the rear, for a bit o' longevity ... and the Rocket Ron up front?!?

Cheers

I'd stay away from anything Kenda except for their tubes. I like WTB.

Umm, why? You're going to get chewed up here with that statement. With kenda you have to steer clear of the cheaper offerings, there are quite a few people here who have had great experiences with kendas and there are a few that have had really bad experiences with wtb's(I'm included with that one.) However there are two wtb offerings that are nice. The new Weirwolf, and the Bronson.

To the OP
Haven't tried the nobby nics yet, but they are on my to try list as well as rocket rons.

I'd stay away from anything Kenda except for their tubes. I like WTB.

Umm, why? You're going to get chewed up here with that statement.
http://growabrain.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/spanking.gif


Kenda Smallblock 8's are the Beezneez on a variety of surfaces. Very fast.

DUPL....delete

There are SOOOO many good ones out there to choose from....

I ran Michelin Country Dry 2.15's all summer/fall, and had a great experience. For the cold/snow, I'm rolling DMR Redshift 2.25, and I have NEVER experienced a grippier tire! But you could also look at Maxxis Instigator, my bud swears by them.

My all-round favorite isn't made anymore (Hutch Spider), and I'm still in recovery over that..........

Maxxis Crossmax in the rear would be very fast rolling on the tarmac and climbs great. get at least one of those. I've seen people run them on the front too but not for me. I would pick a Maxxis Ignitor as my favorite all arounder. Maxxis ADvantage and the Maxxis Ardent are great front tires and hook up very well in most all conditions for me - hard pack, loose over hardpack, dry, wet, roots and rocks.

My LBS called just now and I'm getting some WTB ExiWolf tires today (a 2.3 for the front and a 2.1 for the rear). They oughta be solid 'til springtime and I can get something faster and lighter (Schwalbe probably, Rocket Ron and Nobby Nic.)

Please tell your wife you are going to buy as many ******** tires as you want. Who wears the Lycra in the Family?

And when you get homeafter a long ride, you expect a footrub and an ice cold beer.

I have no opinion on tires.

That is all

Please tell your wife you are going to buy as many ******** tires as you want. Who wears the Lycra in the Family?

And when you get homeafter a long ride, you expect a footrub and an ice cold beer.

I have no opinion on tires.

That is all

Actually, she wears Lycra too. I got her to commute to work over a year ago.

C'mon, you gotta have some opinions on tires...

I picked up the ExiWolf tires this afternoon. Will install them later.

Nobby Nics are a great all arounder

Get 4 Rocket Rons and you'll thank me later...

Get 4 Rocket Rons and you'll thank me later...

That seems to be the consensus. Great, thanks, I got one. With at least one more to follow.

Which particular one do you recommend? The newest "pace star" or "triple nano" or what?

Go weird and buy this lol
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=435474

CST Corporal tire 26x1.5

At least you can say you'll go faster. :D

EDIT: P.S. I think some brand names like Continental, Michelin and Schwalbe are probably good enough. But, in my opinion, I'd start looking at tire threads if I were you.

That seems to be the consensus. Great, thanks, I got one. With at least one more to follow.

Which particular one do you recommend? The newest "pace star" or "triple nano" or what?

Get a pair of triple Nano and UST(very beefy + light)

I know nothing about Kenda MTB tires but I had a pair of Kenda road tires and they were the only tires that ever delaminated on me when there was tread left on the tires. Both Kenda tires delaminated, the tread just came off like a retread left on the side of the road by a truck. Because of this experience, I would never buy Kenda MTB tires.

Ebay is my friend.

I got two 2.25 Nobby Nics, triple nano and snakeskin. From England, 55 bucks for both, plus reasonable shipping.

And a Rocket Ron from Hong Kong (2.1 folding, evo) around 50 bucks shipping included.

All new. Will get some more Rocket R's when the price is right.

I know nothing about Kenda MTB tires but I had a pair of Kenda road tires and they were the only tires that ever delaminated on me when there was tread left on the tires. Both Kenda tires delaminated, the tread just came off like a retread left on the side of the road by a truck. Because of this experience, I would never buy Kenda MTB tires.

Can't say I know them that well. I've had good results with WTB and Schwalbe tires. The venerable old Panaracer Fire XC pro has hard rubber and is extremely tough, though the traction is not great and the weight's not great either. Hard to wear them out, but they're not a high end tire.

On my road bike I've been very happy with Continental, Vredestein (front tire) and especially Schwalbes (long lasting, no punctures).

Get a pair of triple Nano and UST(very beefy + light)

Thanks!

I've just heard that a local shop is selling off some Schwalbes -- the owner says he's yielding to pressure from Vancouver area riders, and is bringing in Michelins instead. I'll see what's on his shelves.

Hmmmm. Why would Michelins be preferred? Probably the price of the Schwalbes and the relatively fast wear. And most riders here will encounter more rocks and roots than I do on my fast fitness rides. (I'm more of an XC guy than a North Shore rider.)

Thanks!

I've just heard that a local shop is selling off some Schwalbes -- the owner says he's yielding to pressure from Vancouver area riders, and is bringing in Michelins instead. I'll see what's on his shelves.

Hmmmm. Why would Michelins be preferred?

I stopped by the LBS today. The owner misspoke. He's getting in Maxxis tires, lots of them, instead of Schwables. Ardents, Aspens, Crossmarks, Larsens, etc. etc.

That makes more sense than the Michelins. For a lot of BC riders, Maxxis have hit the sweet spot re: price, quality and durability. But I'm excited about the Schwalbes.

I got his last Nobby Nic, 45$ :)

^ just ask dminor, he'll tell you Maxxis are by far the best!!

I know nothing about Kenda MTB tires but I had a pair of Kenda road tires and they were the only tires that ever delaminated on me when there was tread left on the tires. Both Kenda tires delaminated, the tread just came off like a retread left on the side of the road by a truck. Because of this experience, I would never buy Kenda MTB tires.

For road, give me vittorias.

Their mtb tires are good, this coming from a person who is becoming more and more of a maxxis person again.

I rode today, on Nobby Nics 2.4 snakeskin (front) and ExiWolf 2.3 (rear).

Awesome ride. I did 18 km, though because I had to shop on the way home, about half that was on asphalt :notamused:

But the rest was great. It rained while I was riding and it has rained on and off for days. (It's Vancouver.) So the ground was slick and saturated. I rode on some slippery small rocks but 90% fire roads. I lost very little traction on the steep parts -- incl. a short 100 foot steep stretch with rain-slicked babyhead rocks. It wasn't easy but with Panaracer Fire XCs on the bike, I'd have to bail. Today no bailing.

If this is the Nobby Nic ride with an Exiwolf, I can't wait for a ride with 2.25 NNs on the rear, or a Rocket Ron on the rear!

For road, give me vittorias.

Their mtb tires are good, this coming from a person who is becoming more and more of a maxxis person again.

I don't know them, but Campione -- the high end Crammeroti road cycling store in town -- sells them. I like Continental and Vredestein (which seem to slide under the radar a bit in N. America). Michelins (Krylion) have been solid too, for rougher city roads.

My wife's Xmas present to me is that I can buy any 4 mountain bike tires I want, no matter what the cost.

I ride a ti hardtail, and I weigh 180 lbs.

My (almost daily) ~ 30 km ride to and from work is very mixed:


I ride 10 blocks on the asphalt/tarmac, then I ride hardpack and gravel. Then I ride one km of ups and downs, with babyhead rocks. There's a couple of steep 10-14 degree hills. Then 6 blocks of asphalt/tarmac, and then a steep 1600 foot climb on medium hardpack with with a bit of sand and some gravel. It's non-technical. There are very few turns, so it's a lot of point-and-shoot cardio.

As I'm in Vancouver, there's often some moisture, but luckily very few roots. I guess I really would like the proverbial all-purpose tire, IF it exists...

My LBS has recommended Nevegals for the winter, 2.3 up front and 2.1 rear. (I suspect these will have too much rolling resistance. At the other end of the spectrum, this fall I rode Specialized Fast Traks and they were light and fast, but had too little traction/grip.)

I'm thinking about Schwalbe's 2010 Nobby Nics with snakeskin. I know lots of people ride the Nics up front with a Racing Ralph in the back, but I think the Ralphs' knobs are too low, though I could be wrong.

Nobby Nics? Racing Ralphs? Continental Vertical Pro with black chilli? Someone else recommended the Maxxis Larsen TT tire, but it seemed somewhat like the Kenda Small Block 8, which I SUSPECT isn't quite grippy enough.

Considerations and advice please!

Do these four tires have to last for a full year of use?

Do these four tires have to last for a full year of use?

Hmmm. Let's see ... I ride 3-4 days a week, lots of climbing and fireroads. But I'm pretty easy on stuff (no jumps, no rock gardens with sharp rocks, and these days no attempts to leave long skid marks :lol:). Hmmm. Nah, I don't see any high end, light Schwalbe tire (RRs, Rocket Rs, NNs) lasting a year on the rear.

But 2.4 or 2.25 Nobby Nics on the front? Wouldn't they last me a year at least?

I think I should be able to get 6 months out of, say, a Nobby Nic for the rear. And 12 months for the front. But I dunno.

Hmmm. Let's see ... I ride 3-4 days a week, lots of climbing and fireroads. But I'm pretty easy on stuff (no jumps, no rock gardens with sharp rocks, and these days no attempts to leave long skid marks :lol:). Hmmm. Nah, I don't see any high end, light Schwalbe tire (RRs, Rocket Rs, NNs) lasting a year on the rear.

But 2.4 or 2.25 Nobby Nics on the front? Wouldn't they last me a year at least?

I think I should be able to get 6 months out of, say, a Nobby Nic for the rear. And 12 months for the front. But I dunno.

If you have not purchased all four tires, I would add the Panaracer CG XC 2.1 to the mix. I like them front and rear. Fast rolling (pavement and dirt) and grip very well. Should wear better than most on the rear, too.

If you have not purchased all four tires, I would add the Panaracer CG XC 2.1 to the mix. I like them front and rear. Fast rolling (pavement and dirt) and grip very well. Should wear better than most on the rear, too.

Haven't heard of them. Will check them out. Thanks.

PS -- what about running a Nobby Nic 2.4 front and a Rocket Ron 2.1 on the rear... Too much height differential?

Haven't heard of them. Will check them out. Thanks.

PS -- what about running a Nobby Nic 2.4 front and a Rocket Ron 2.1 on the rear... Too much height differential?Size is not an issue. Just do not expect a long life from the Ron, or good grip/low rolling resistance from either tire on pavement.

I would save at set of aggressive knobbies for your all dirt/trail rides.

Schwalbe Little Albert up front and Smart Sam in rear. Best combo I've ever usered.

I really like the IRC Trailbear for a front tire, they are less than 20 bucks so maybe throw in an 5th. I used to experiment, but now I only change the rear tire on a regular basis. currently it's a Maxxis Ridgeline, rolls great, traction is so so, but it's light. Maybe get something old school like a ritchey z max. Seems like every time I pay ~50 bucks for a fancy new tire it wears out very quickly and I am disappointed. I have had good luck with the maxxis brand tires though.