Is it a bad plan to mix and match tires? I only have 30 bucks and I need tubes also. Nashbar has some cool deals. I am looking at putting a Maxxis gluteus(rear specific) and a WTB velociraptor in the front..Is this a bad plan? Also, has anybody used nashbar tubes? Are they worth the money?

I don't think it's a bad idea at all. It even makes sense to me that a rear tire would be different than a front. As you've noticed they make front and rear specific anyway. I haven't tried any Nashbar tubes, so I can't help you there. Good Luck Fubes!

Ditto!

Ride Any Rubber
Pat

Cycling on a budget, you grab any deal you can. I ride mixed tyres every day, with no ill effects. You may find one is a better stopper and the other a better go-er.

I ride mixed as well and if they`re non specific i switch rear and front depending on the surface.
They only thing you should notice is the rotation direction; really important !

unless you are buying a lot of stuff, the postage will set you back more than the cost of a couple cheapos at the local bike shop. Chen Shin makes some decent tyres, cheap.

Any advantages to having a semi-slick rear and front slick, or vice-versa? could you minimise rolling resistance but still have some grip on gravel? I guess a slick front would work better?

How about different wheels?

Richard

I'm just going to spend a little extra and get the WTB velciraptor front specific, and the the rear specific. That way my tires will match, and my tires will be from an American company, and I will be happy. coolio. Jsut one question..The front tires is a "velociraptor 44/50" tire..what doesn the 44/50 stand for?

Nevermind my question about 44/50 or whatever..That tire was a 1.9. The rear is a 2.1 and i want both tires to be the same size, so I spent a little more and got the front tire the same size...Plus it has a kevlar bead, coolio!