Parafly9

Well, just called the bike shop where I am getting my bike tuned up. My tires were last replaced in 1998. Apparently, they are dry rotted out. Does that seem reasonable? They weren't in the light of day. I thought the tread wsa still OK.

Anyways, what tires are popular now? I had Continentals on the back and Tioga Pyscho's on the front, the setup had always worked well for me. The combination always worked really wellf for me. What are you guys running / what has good reviews for just general cross-country? Not looking for mudhogs or anything, I do do occasional road riding with my MTB as well. I would say 70% rocky w/ packed dirt, 20% wet including slick roots, 10% road.

I live in New England, so you know.

I am also buget minded - i'd like tires in the MAX $40 range.

Thanks

cyccommute 

A tire from 1998 is 7 years old! Of course it's reasonable that they had dry rotted, especially if they are skin-walls. Skinwalls have a higher content of natural latex and less carbon than the tread. Latex is a natural product and, as is the man made polymer, prone to oxidation. If you are in an environment with a high ozone concentration, the degradation is even faster. Seven years is remarkable for a tire. If you paid $40 for the last set, they've cost you $0.48 per month. It's time for new ones!

And quit making the buffalo fart

snakehunter

Michelin comp16 infront
Michelin comp24 rear
run dual 16's for wet junk
run dual 24's for real dry dusty pack

Dannihilator

Can't get the michelin comps for $40 more like 50-60 dollars.

Ymmie

IRC Mythos or Panaracer Fire XC Pro should both suit you well and both be within your price range. I run both of these and will buy them when I need new ones.

Parafly9

Yeah, I just got a call from the shop. they suggested Panaracer Fire XC Pro's as well. He said the width is 1.8, 2.1 or 2.3. Which one should I go with? I think I was previously running 2.1's. Also, (cosmetically) they come with red, yellow, blue, or black sidewalls - my bike is blue with yellow lettering (Proflex 855) - would Blue or Yellow tires look good? I've never had colored tires before.

Also, are those tires good for the front and the back? I always though - directional tires in the front, lugs in the back.

One final thing - tires come in steel or kevlar bead - obviously the kevlar is better?

Thanks!!

Drunken Chicken

In my experience IRC Mythos'es are absolutely crap, but that just might be me. As for what color Panaracers: I'd go with the blue.

Parafly9

You don't think that would be too much blue? I was thnking yellow, then I thought those would be too bright. Then, I like the red, but would red go with a blue and yellow bike?

argh. decisions, decisions.

Ymmie

The color would be a personal preferance but I would go with blue.

As far as tread pattern, those tires are the same front and back you just have to look which way the tread is facing when installing them, you'll see what I mean when you get them.

[bEn]

There are many many XC tires out there. I run Panaracer Fire XC Pro at the rear and will be getting a IRC Serac XC for the front.