Remind me Daspydr: is there some reason you're avoiding Nevegals? Because, really, they sound they could be just the ticket for you. Just play with size/compound combos front to rear. In other words, run a 2.1 on the rear and the 2.35 on the front; OR, if you can give up a smidge of rolling resistance, go 2.35 rear but in DTC and a Stick-E 2.35 up front.

It would be overkill for your situation/bike, but I've been running 2.5 front/2.35 rear Nevs on my trail bruiser and was real happy - - and thankful for the extra bite up front. I finally got a bit tired (ha!) of pushing that much knobby around and have pared back to 2.35/2.35. My only regret is that I'm not crazy about the weenie folding casing on the front. Feels a bit squirmy to me; I think maybe the DH casing up front would have suited me better.