Need front tire suggestions for Indiana
04-12-10, 12:55 PM
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Need front tire suggestions for Indiana
This is my second summer riding XC trails. I want to get new tires for my Trek 4300 disc because the Bontrager Jones ACXs that came on my bike don't instill much confidence when turning. I weigh 155 lbs. I am from Fort Wayne, IN and ride Winona and Franke Park 90% of the time. I was thinking I would get a Panaracer Fire XC Pro for the back, but haven't decided on the front yet. Should I use the Fire XC Pro for both front and back or would something wider and meatier on the front help my confidence? Is putting a 2.35 Nevegal or 2.3 Weirwolf too aggressive for riding the trails that I do? Although I want more confidence I don't want to be slowed down too much either because I was thinking about doing a beginner race this year. Thanks a bunch!
04-12-10, 04:37 PM
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Tire design changes over the years. The once venerable Fire XC is now not so popular as two trends have emerged:
1) Wide spaced blocks for mud clearing.
2) Short blocks for low rolling resistance.
If you have the Fires in place, I'd just leave them there unless you're riding in real loose conditions. Winona did not strike us being so loose.
BTW, I know DINO comes to Warsaw, but everything else is way South. For a local racing experience try https://www.nimbaseries.org . It's a race series for folks for Northern Hoosiers don't want to break the bank on gas. Lower price and better swag.
1) Wide spaced blocks for mud clearing.
2) Short blocks for low rolling resistance.
If you have the Fires in place, I'd just leave them there unless you're riding in real loose conditions. Winona did not strike us being so loose.
BTW, I know DINO comes to Warsaw, but everything else is way South. For a local racing experience try https://www.nimbaseries.org . It's a race series for folks for Northern Hoosiers don't want to break the bank on gas. Lower price and better swag.
04-12-10, 06:29 PM
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Tire design changes over the years. The once venerable Fire XC is now not so popular as two trends have emerged:
1) Wide spaced blocks for mud clearing.
2) Short blocks for low rolling resistance.
If you have the Fires in place, I'd just leave them there unless you're riding in real loose conditions. Winona did not strike us being so loose.
BTW, I know DINO comes to Warsaw, but everything else is way South. For a local racing experience try https://www.nimbaseries.org . It's a race series for folks for Northern Hoosiers don't want to break the bank on gas. Lower price and better swag.
1) Wide spaced blocks for mud clearing.
2) Short blocks for low rolling resistance.
If you have the Fires in place, I'd just leave them there unless you're riding in real loose conditions. Winona did not strike us being so loose.
BTW, I know DINO comes to Warsaw, but everything else is way South. For a local racing experience try https://www.nimbaseries.org . It's a race series for folks for Northern Hoosiers don't want to break the bank on gas. Lower price and better swag.
About the tires: You are saying that the Fire XC is not as popular any more because the blocks now have wider spaces between them and the blocks are now shorter than they used to be? Am I understanding you right?
04-12-10, 06:31 PM
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Tire design changes over the years. The once venerable Fire XC is now not so popular as two trends have emerged:
1) Wide spaced blocks for mud clearing.
2) Short blocks for low rolling resistance.
If you have the Fires in place, I'd just leave them there unless you're riding in real loose conditions. Winona did not strike us being so loose.
BTW, I know DINO comes to Warsaw, but everything else is way South. For a local racing experience try https://www.nimbaseries.org . It's a race series for folks for Northern Hoosiers don't want to break the bank on gas. Lower price and better swag.
1) Wide spaced blocks for mud clearing.
2) Short blocks for low rolling resistance.
If you have the Fires in place, I'd just leave them there unless you're riding in real loose conditions. Winona did not strike us being so loose.
BTW, I know DINO comes to Warsaw, but everything else is way South. For a local racing experience try https://www.nimbaseries.org . It's a race series for folks for Northern Hoosiers don't want to break the bank on gas. Lower price and better swag.
About the tires: You are saying that the Fire XC is not as popular any more because the blocks now have wider spaces between them and the blocks are now shorter than they used to be? Am I understanding you right?
04-12-10, 07:19 PM
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hello, i live in avon . first what kind of bike do you ride? on my banshee i love the 2.35 Nevegal . it hooks up like no other, lets me corner with no fear of spilling. on my surly 1x1 SS i like the exiwolf( rolling speed is most important). it hooks up OK but rolls super fast. you live in northern indiana so i would most likely think you ride in dry hard pak so try the wtb exiwolf. i have tried the kenda small block 8 but sorry they suck( love kanda here) but there lack of corning ability is a joke and hit one tree root and your dead!
04-12-10, 08:50 PM
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I ride a Trek 4300. So you do think the Nevegal is overkill? Remember it will only be on the front where the resistance is less noticeable. I think I'll put a Panaracer Fire XC Pro on rear.
04-13-10, 08:57 PM
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you just need to decide what's your strong point. i am a bigger guy( about 220 lbs) my leg strength with corner knobs lets me handle corners great. i can lose other riders 2/3 my weight because i can go through turns without worrying about spilling, best i can power out of the turns giving me a big advantage( good side knobs are most important). sense i have moved to indiana i have learned the trails dont have mountains so they use turns and switch backs. i dont know for sure what the trails are like where you ride but i have been as far north as logansport and they all seem the same, massive turns and switch back. you need cornering as your main trait if you want to win. if you are an endro rider( no good at the technical but kill on the strait the away ) then run the wtb exiwoulf.
