Scottluebke2004

On my current bike I've got Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1's on front and back. My new bike, whatever it is, will probably need new tires. I've look at the factory tires on the bikes I'm considering, read the reviews, and the tires gotta go. The Panaracer tires seem to be great, everyone loves, but is there a better setup?
I know that a wide front tire can be a good thing, and so on.
What setup do you guys recommend for all around XC riding?

DjRider04

Try the tires first, dont just get new tires...

enduro

If you get an all-around XC bike, the manufacturer will have chosen all-around XC tires that will probably be just fine.

jeff williams

I prefer round profile tires rear and front. I prefer 1.95 R, 2.10 F.

I use IRC Mythos XC Kevlar R, Notos XC front.

I find the rounder profile better for higher speed cornering. The IRC are a softer rubber
compound (no skidding!) and are not for heavy rockwork.

Companies I prefer are IRC, Maxxis, Hutcheson and Michelin, not in that order.

Tread design is matched to your terrain, mud grip tires are not very good at cornering and XC round profile are usually not so good in the bog.

Also if you XC, look for smaller, lighter tread designs, wheel rotational weight is important.

FatBomber

This question is about as vague as they get. Give us a little something to work with, like your average riding conditions.

Here are some recommendations:

Leaves and mud with some hardpack - Hutchinson Mosquitos. Excellent in mud and where there are leaves on the trail. They shed mud and debris very easily and have a fairly low rolling resistance. The only downfall for these tires is that they tend to wear out quickly. Fortunately, you can get them on super-sales for less than $20 each if you look about. I used these in the Iceman last year and the worked great in the sand, mud, ice, and snow.

Hardpack with some minor debris - Michelin Jet S. Fantastic tires for dry harpack conditions. Semi-slick with tread on the edges let you flat-out scoot on the straightaways and still let you corner well. These are terrible in muddy conditions and will feel slick and have a dendancy to slide sideways. On a dry day there is not much better.

Scottluebke2004

Mostly hardpack. There is no rain in Santa Barbara so there is no mud or water on the trails.

I am looking at the Kona Caldera. It comes with Tioga Phoenix tires and the reviews on MTBR are awful. People seem to really hate this tire. I can't believe they would use a bad tire on the bike. I'm sure it's not terrible, but it could be a lot better. I had some Bontrager tires on my Trek and they wore really fast. After a few runs of a singletrack trail I could tell a major difference in the rear tire already.

No leaves on the trails either. I could easily go with the Panaracer's again. Good tires, they look nice too. But if there's something better for the money then it makes sense to get those.

stapfam

As someone has already said, try the Tyres First, experiment with pressures, and if they are a directional tyre, even put them on the wrong way round. Then if they are no good, keep them for hardpack conditions in the summer, as all tyres seem to work then. I use the Panaracer XC's and personally found no difference between Steel beads and folders, What I did find a difference on was width. I could not get on with the 2.1's, and now only use the 1.8's. Whether it is the different tread or the actual width, I cannot tell you, but this is the tyre I know, I like and use.

my58vw

I like maxxis tires alot and have them on my jekyll right now.

For road work which I do most of the time I am using the Hookworm tires which have a nicce road compond which works well on road and hard stuff. I also have a set of Larsen Oriflamme maxxis tires for more hard pack stuff also if I am inclined to change tires which of course takes some time with these tires, they are tight. The hookworm tires seem to work nice on hard dirt in my experience.

Good luck and wear your other tires out before swapping...

Scottluebke2004

What is a good front/rear setup for XC riding? This is an old thread of mine that I am reviving. I talked to an LBS today he talked about a WTB Weirwolf on the front and a WTB Velociraptor on the back. I discovered many new trails lately that have lots of loose debris, rocks, roots, and some dampness, but not much dampness. Simply looking for a good setup that won't weight 10 pounds. Average weight is fine. Point me in a good direction.

FS Tech

I saw you live/ride in SB. I'm down the 101 in Ventura, and ride all around here and SB.
Our So. Cal. trails and fire roads are great for the IRC Mythos 2.1 F/R combo. Folding beads or steel wire-it does not matter (folders are a little lighter and a little more expensive).
If you just do average XC around here, these are a good choice. I've tried many tire combos over the years, and these seem to be the best all around. Remember-all that loose and damp trails we have now will be hard and dry in couple months-so I would get tires that will be good for the nine-ten months of dry conditions we have.
Ed

Killer B

Panaracer RuleZ....

I run Fire Mud Pro F&R man.... They're GREAT !!!!

Scottluebke2004

You ride the rocky trails as well? The tires I have now do fine on fireroads. What I am looking for is a tire that really does well in those hiking/biking trails that are cluttered with rocks. You know what I mean. You say the IRC Mythos are good for the SB area? If so, I might pick em up. I actually have an old set on a walmart bike, but they are messed up now and like 1.8's or so. the IRC Mythos is a popular tire anyways. gotta be a reason for that you know. =)

Scottluebke2004

Pricepoint has a deal, $25 for 2 a set of the Kevlar tires. These are legit and not something strange right? I hear about some tires having like 3 different models but having them all labeled the same, or something like that. Check em out and let me know.
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/109...--Set-of-2.htm

FS Tech

Yes, I use them everywhere-rocks, roots, hardpack, dusty, pebbly creek crossings, tight s/t, wide open fire roads etc. Not so great in muddy conditions, but you should not be riding on muddy trails around here anyway. The ones at Price Point are a smoking deal, I'm going to buy some right now. They are blackwall, same as the gum or the red ones. I prefer the blackwall.
Ed

Killer B

Gotta Luv PricePoint.com, huh?

Scottluebke2004

Thanks guys. I went ahead and bought a set. Good deal. i can hardly believe the ripoffs downtown at LBS.

Killer B

************************************************************
Well, they do have to survive the rent hell they face, but on the other hand, so do we, huh?

I never buy anything local except an occasional tube... Sorry

Scottluebke2004

I would love to support the local shops but when they want $50 for 1 average quality tire, I just gotta leave. The only thing I buy there is a full bike and maybe little things like gloves, you know, things you really gotta try on.