Need help with choosing tires.
#1
Thread Starter
Über member!

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale, CA.
Bikes: 2004 Albert Eisentraut
Hi,
I am looking for a pair of tires for a friend. I am a roadie and know nothing about MTB tires.
Here is what he asked:
A good quality pair of 26"x2.1", front and rear, for cross country and single-track, should go as low as 35PSI..
He said that the front and rear tires are different.. ??
Can someone please give me some ideas..
Thanks in advance!
.
I am looking for a pair of tires for a friend. I am a roadie and know nothing about MTB tires.
Here is what he asked:
A good quality pair of 26"x2.1", front and rear, for cross country and single-track, should go as low as 35PSI..
He said that the front and rear tires are different.. ??
Can someone please give me some ideas..
Thanks in advance!
.
Last edited by sorebutt; 06-02-05 at 07:04 PM.
#4
there ARE no bad rides
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Western Massachusetts
Bikes: Gary Fisher Tassajara mountain bike and an Iron Horse Triumph road bike
I think Shane45 is right....Probably one of the best all around xc tyres is Panaracer Fire xc Pro. For me anyway. I replaced my IRC Mythos (also a great tyre) with Fire xc. They really hook up in mud, sand gravel etc. Mud does seem to stick to them somewhat but as soon as you get some speed into them, they shed the mud away quickly enough.
Here in New England, the terrain is such that there is no one kind of surface in any area. A trail may be sandy for a short distance then turn rocky then loaded with roots and moss all in a matter of a couple of hundred feet, so it's important to have a tyre that works well in all conditions.
The xc Pro's are not front and rear specific either, which makes rotation every so often possible. Just alternate front to rear and go.
They even look cool. Blue,red or yellow sidewalls, although that shouldn't matter.(but we all know better, don't we?)
By the way, I run mine 35-38psi
Here in New England, the terrain is such that there is no one kind of surface in any area. A trail may be sandy for a short distance then turn rocky then loaded with roots and moss all in a matter of a couple of hundred feet, so it's important to have a tyre that works well in all conditions.
The xc Pro's are not front and rear specific either, which makes rotation every so often possible. Just alternate front to rear and go.
They even look cool. Blue,red or yellow sidewalls, although that shouldn't matter.(but we all know better, don't we?)
By the way, I run mine 35-38psi
#6
Elite Rep
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne - Australia
Kenda is good.
I got a set of Panaracer Fire XC Pro's last month...brilliant. Just make sure you get the ones that are made in Japan or USA (higher TPi).
That would be your best shot at an all round tyre.
I got a set of Panaracer Fire XC Pro's last month...brilliant. Just make sure you get the ones that are made in Japan or USA (higher TPi).
That would be your best shot at an all round tyre.
#7
Shreddin' heaven on his 20"
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 1
From: markham, ontario, canada aka chinatown north
what would be a good tire for trails and would give you ******** amounts of grip on roads? (i'm looking to actually get into freeriding... urban-style, trail-style, XC, and my daily road exercise)
#9
Shreddin' heaven on his 20"
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 1
From: markham, ontario, canada aka chinatown north
hm. the mythos looks way too blocky... i dont know if that'd grip on tarmac... looking at the slick version loosk a lot better.
another thing. how are the bontrager big earl's that come with the bruiser?
another thing. how are the bontrager big earl's that come with the bruiser?
Last edited by the wonginator; 06-03-05 at 07:26 PM.
#10
I couldn't car less.

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
Bikes: Ritchey P-series prototype, Diamondback, Nishiki Triathelon Pro.
Originally Posted by revmonkey
hm. the mythos looks way too blocky... i dont know if that'd grip on tarmac... looking at the slick version loosk a lot better.?
#12
Senior Member

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
I find WTB Velociraptors to be great all around tires. I would also look at IRC Mythos XC (these are really 1.95) that have a similar thread pattern and can be usually found in sale. For less rolling resistance and slightly less traction I would recommend that you check WTB Epicwolf (also 1.95).
#13
THIS BIKE'S 4 U !!!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 0
From: Western, NC .... (Pisgah, Bent Creek, DuPont)
Bikes: HARO Xtreme X2, K2 Lithium 3.0, K2 Beast, K2 Flyin' Monkey, DiamondBack Accent EX, DiamondBack Axis TR
I personally like Panaracer tires, but there's several good brands also out there. I mainly check the weight of each tire also. It's very important, and should be considered along with the tread pattern.
I try not to spend my $$$ on any tire that weighs more than 600gm. Otherwise it's very heavy & slow on the flats & uphills....
I try not to spend my $$$ on any tire that weighs more than 600gm. Otherwise it's very heavy & slow on the flats & uphills....
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
Bikes: Specialized AWOL, Soma Juice
Originally Posted by revmonkey
what would be a good tire for trails and would give you ******** amounts of grip on roads? (i'm looking to actually get into freeriding... urban-style, trail-style, XC, and my daily road exercise)
#15
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
From: Oztraylya
Bikes: '03 Fuji Roubaix Pro; '03 KleinGi Attitude; '06 Soma Rush; '04 Surly Cross-Check; '06 Soma Rush; '07 Scott CR1 / Chorus
Panaracer Fire XC Pros have been the best I've tried so far.
If you go this route, make sure you buy the kevlar beaded version made in Japan. There's a wire bead/60tpi/made in Taiwan version on the market, which is usually a bit cheaper, but heavier and supposedly not as good (different rubber compound, from what I heard).
If you go this route, make sure you buy the kevlar beaded version made in Japan. There's a wire bead/60tpi/made in Taiwan version on the market, which is usually a bit cheaper, but heavier and supposedly not as good (different rubber compound, from what I heard).
__________________
#16
I drink your MILKSHAKE

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 15,061
Likes: 3
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity
Originally Posted by revmonkey
******** amounts of grip on roads?
4 entries found for ********.
v. tr.
To cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede.
v. intr.
To be delayed.
n.
1. A slowing down or hindering of progress; a delay.
2. Music. A slackening of tempo.
3. Often Offensive. Affected with mental ***********.
4. Occurring or developing later than desired or expected; delayed.
Don't use the word unless you know what it means. I'm NOT playing around on this one. Don't even try me.
#17
Novice rider
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: New Market, MD
Bikes: '05 Trek 4500
I am not impressed W/ my Michilen all mountians. they are they are weak in mud and I could not hook up on wet pavement today. I was actualy doing a burnout up a wet paved hill today a fairly steep hill but none the less I nearly had to walk on a paved road.
#18
Just Ride
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne - Australia
Bikes: 2005 Giant Yukon with the works.
I would say the best all round tires would be either out of the Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1 (120TPI Version, Japan), IRC Serac XC 2.1, Nokian NBX 2.1 or the WTB Velociraptor 2.1 (different tread on front and rear).
#19
Kenda stickies - Kharisma is a great all-around MTB tire for dry or muddy conditions, and hold up well. The kind of tire you want depends upon the general riding conditions you have.... what works well on the east coast may not be so great for the west...




vs



