Mountain Biking - Looking for New Moutain bike tires

I have been researching new tires and I think I want the Kenda Nevagal DTC. What I'm not sure of is what size to get.. Is it better to get the smaller 1.95 or the larger 2.35?????

larger up front, smaller in the rear. you can also go nevegal up front and small block 8 in the rear (a common set up).

I wouldn't go smaller than 2.35 in the hiney b/c I like that little extra volume. I won't try to steer you away from the Nevegal toward the grippier, more aggressive, better all around, and far superior Kenda Excavator because I hate it when people suggest things that aren't within my original question, but if I were to steer you toward an optimal setup, I'd probably say something like 2.35 Nev rear and 2.35 Excav. front.

It all comes down to what you want to accomplish. Fatter tires get better traction, can handle low PSI, and are more comfortable to ride on, but they do have a wider spread and will slow things down a bit. A narrower will get you rolling a little faster but won't provide the plush ride.

A common thing to do is run a wide tire up front for traction, and a narrower tire in the rear to keep you rolling.

I concur with chelboed on sizing. I like 2.35 for trail bikes for the fat volume. And either Nev/Nev or the Ex/Nev combo are killer. I'm of the opinion the Nev up front will roll a little easier but there is no denying an Excavator will give tons of traction where needed.

Not to mention that the Extra rolling resistance from the Excavator's gnar-knobs wouldn't be felt as much on the front as on the back...for my anyways.

I appriciate all the feedback that I'm getting. One of the reasons that I mentioned the Neval DTC is the fact that it is a pretty popular tire around here and gets a very favorable review. I was told to get the DTC over the Slick E because they will hold up and last longer. Here in the Ohio area we have lots of clay, mud, rocks, and roots.

I have to admit that I'm not all that familiar with the Excavator. I am open to any and all options.

I tend to put more weight and wear toward the rear tire...thus a DTC is much better back there. The Stick-E is pretty incredible, but they do wear faster. I was totally flabbergasted at how much grippier the Exc was when I was running them F/R and I rode up a muddy chute. (that sounds kinda ghey:lol:) Anyhoo...the places where I was accustomed to the Nev slipping a bit, the Excavator grabbed like Hell.

Man, I'm with these guys. Sorta. I used to loooooove the Nev. But it rolls slowly, and is pinch prone IMO.

Check out the Maxxis ADvantage line. 2.1 in back and a 2.25 up front on one bike and a 2.1 in back with a 2.35 Minion DHF on the other. Way, way happier with these than I ever was with the Nevegals.

Bonus is they are much easier to set up tubeless than the Nev in my experience. Set them up tubeless and you can get away with running a narrower/lighter/faster tire overall than you can with tubes. It's a win-win.

Otherwise, a better description of what/how you ride and your trails would be better, in order to let us give better suggestions.

Otherwise, a better description of what/how you ride and your trails would be better, in order to let us give better suggestions.

Agreed. Nevegals are good for a lot of things and a lot of riders, but not everything and everyone. I've used them and like them, but for single-track around here I think they are a bit slow for my tastes and prefer the Small Block 8 or Maxxis Crossmark for a little better speed with still good grip. Other people I ride with around here think the Nevegals aren't knobby enough. I work with a guy who rides street and trials and swears by the Nevegals as the best all around tire. Just really depends what you want and intend to do.