New to MTB, should there be different tire treads and different tire sizes on the front and rear? There are some companies such as WTB, I believe the Raptor tire, has a less aggressive tire tread for the front than the rear. I see some tire companies also offer different width tires. Should the narrower tire go on the front? If you ride in loose dry dirt and mud after raining, should you want a deep lugged tire? Should you want a narrower tire for mud so it cuts through the mud to penetrate the harder ground below?

Personal preference. You're gonna have to ride some tires for a while before you decide what works for you.

I like a Kenda Excavator front with a Nevegal rear.

I've run a Nevegal front / Smallblock 8 rear on my rigid bike for a little snappier ride with a bit more control up front. The tiny knobs on the smallblock8 are crap for moisture though.

SizeWize...if I'm not running a 2.35 front and rear, I'll put the larger tire up front for more shock absorption, more control and turning bite.

I runn different tires. Depending on why but I put a smaller high roller on the rear and a larger more knobby tire in the front.

Depending on the weather and terrain I could run any combination

I run the WTB 'raptors and love them. The front doesn't have a 'less aggressive' tread than the rear, it has a different purpose than the rear tire. The front tire of the raptor's is for steering, the rear is for grip/traction/go, whatever you want to call it. But like Chelboed said, you'll have to ride a few to figure out what you like. Good luck
Jon

I hated Raptors until I rode them on the dirt...(intended purpose)...then I grew an appreciation for that "paddle tire" design. I can't say that I'll ever get them again, but there is a good reason for the frt/rear specific design.

I've found that a good all-around trail bike tire is the Nevegal. The Excavator is a little less pedal friendly, and the Smallblock8 loads up too quickly. Nev's fr/rr work well for the average Joe. Panaracer Fire XC Pro's are a good "cheap" alternative. They're not spectacular, but you can find them for $15ea all the time it seems.

I'm holding my breath for a set of Tomac Slant Six meats next spring. I'm thinking that with a Nev or Exc front would be a great fast/grippy combo.

That rear tire with Kenda's DTC instead of the rock hard rubber WTB uses would be my "dream" tire.

Check out the Telonix and Excavator...they are dadgum aggressive. Roll a bit better than the paddles to.


For more extreme traction, the King of Traction (Tomac series) looks pretty amazing. Not for hard-pack though. Just loose dirt & slop.

What about marble sized gravel on hard pack, any suggestions? Seems like the corners on switchbacks collect the devious debris.

I'd run a Nevegal rear / Excavator front and keep a pair of KOT's in your pack. about 10 feet before the switchback, stop and change out your meats. About 10 feet after the switchback, stop and change back.

Thanks Chel! Any mods close enough to Chel to "smack" him?