Another ride thread/ xc tire recommendations needed
 

I went to my favorite after-work local trail and tried out my newly refined roadie legs in the dirt. Man, it felt good to tackle stuff twice as fast and 2 gears higher than I used to!:D Unfortunately, I found the cornering limits of my tires a couple times:irritated I've been icing my right hand for the last 1/2 hour to dull its impact with a small tree on one wipeout. Before that, on a downhill hairpin, I did a split as my left foot stayed clipped in after I bailed and my bike continued to slide downhill. On top of that, the new ISIS BB I installed a few weeks ago is creaking like a rusty barn door!:crash: When it rains, it pours, but that's a matter for the mechanic forum. So...anybody know some tires that corner well, roll fast, and grip well for all-around xc riding? I've been using these Panaracer Trailblasters for 2 seasons and haven't had any complaints until now (I guess 2 years of wear and tear have taken their toll). Unless I see some compelling suggestions I'll probably stick with them.

Ugh, I bought those Trailblasters in the UST version and I hate them. The only thing I liked about them was that they're light and roll fast. They don't corner worth a damn, though. I've been seriously impressed by Michelin tires, both on my car and my bike, so that's what I've been running lately. I've found that the XLS in the rear and the Front S in the front is an awesome combination for cornering, braking, and climbing. I ride variable types of terrain from asphalt, hardpack, loose sand, root filled singletrack, and THICK sticky mud.. and these tires are just at home in any conditions. I've been very happy with them. Plus, Jenson has a sale on them right now for 25 bucks apiece, which is a steal for a tubeless tire.

I believe I'm currently using specialized team master tires, though i dunno, they work good so i ride with em, i don't burn through tires that fast so i don't really concern myself much with them, but i do ride XC

I find the Nokian NBX2.1 to be a very good all around XC tire. I also like their NBX2.0 Light. For my riding I prefer the wider 2.1.

Both tires roll fast and have good grip in the turns.

:beer:

I run a Panaracer Fire XC on the front with a IRC Mythos on the back and have been pretty happy with that. I rode on my bros bike for a while who has pythons and those just dont corner or climb like my bike which is probably why last night he ordered a Continental Survivor front tire and a Intense System 1 for the rear.

When you buy a knobby just make sure to take a look at the weight b/c you'd be suprised some of the not-so-knobby tires can be tanks even in a 2.1

panaracer fire xc's roll like bricks, grip like tiger claws but roll like bricks :p

I'll agree that the Fire XC's do feel like they literally stick to the ground. Good traction but slow rolling. Deciding on new tires is really driving me crazy. Now that I ride a lot faster I need to find new solutions. I'm seriously tempted to get some Motoraptors that nashbar has for $13 each. How are they? I see that many members use the 2.4's on the front, mostly. What about the 2.1's? Do they work well on the rear?

My roomies ride Hutchinson Mosquito Golds and love 'em. I ride the Fire's myself and agree w/ Toninator... they grip like superglue, but roll like they grip w/ superglue ;)