I am desperatly looking for a 26" X 2.0 or 2.1 tire. This will be used for off - road, not DH, but also a good tire for some road. I dont want something that is going to drag me down, not looking to spend heaps, but dont want a heavy tire either. Any recommendations?

Nokian NBX 2.1s just don't skid...as long as you don't skid they're good tires...I finally wore mine out

I try not to drift, but sometimes I cant help myslef around off-road corners.

they're ubersoft compound...grip like hell though. I was madly impressed with them while I went on a trail with them.

Yup, well these would be a rear set, I dont want heaps of drag, because this bike I also use for on road and bike paths and stuff when I go touring around Melbourne. I got Kenda Kobras at the moment, and there worn out to the full, and have absolutley no grip.

I Never skid with my tires anymore, i'm just too scared that they'll wear too quickly!

Cryogenic digs his speedmax pro 2.0 tires. They're another soft compound tire <1000 mile tire. They are made for hardpack dirt racing or w/e...real smooth center and knobbies around the edge...they grip well and ride smooth. Another option.

Couldn't find any thing on the Speed Max Pro 2.0. I'm not looking for stuff with a smooth center, got that at the moment. I want full coverage of grip all over the tire, but not too much that would create drag.

How much are Nokian NBX 2.1s, and whats your opinion on the Hutschison Mosquito tires?

I just picked up a pair of Intense System 3 XC tires from e-bay. Haven't ridden em yet, but I've heard good things. Maybe these are what you're looking for.
https://www.intensetires.com/cc_home_1.htm

the nokians can be had for 30/tire from what I've seen. maybe even cheaper. they're great for loose mud/leaves.

I'd suggest the Maxxis HighRoller Semi-slick. I run one in the back, and it does grip pretty well in fairly loose conditions.

Going up a hill in the mud today, I stood up and leaned forward, and did lose a little traction, but considering it's a semi slick tire with an almost smooth middle section, a little lost traction, which can be countered by leaning back a bit, is understandable.
That, and they do quite well on the road.

You can find the High Roller SS for $14 each at JensonUSA.com.

I'm using IRC Mythos and Notos. The Mythos xc are kevlar wall. Nice and grippy, softer compound.
For road to mountain, it's more that I prefer a rounded profile tire for cornering.
If I was all mountain, I'd run a flatter profile.
The Notos are tread reversable for rear, I like to toss them on the back @ half life.
Can't say they are better, I like them a lot.
For xc they have a lot of tread, but no way a mud tire.

I was looking into the IRC Mythos.

What are opinions for Hutchison Mosquito or Mosquito Air Light??

Average Rating 2.95/5 on mtbr.com

Yeah I checked that out, but I might consider them for what i'm looking at. For grip and all, I'm not too hyped up on smooth center right now

ehh at 40 bucks a pop for the Mosquito, the NBX 2.3's are 42/each and Average Rating 4.23/5

what about the Tioga XC Factory?

Look it up https://www.mtbr.com/

Looks like a good tire. 3.78/5 on mtbr. Could be the tire for you blue_neon. Only thing is, its slightly smaller, 1.95".

Decent not great

Yes, well its good for his budget.

I'm using panaracer fire xc pro 2.1 ust at the mo and i think they are great, really low rolling resistance for the width of the tyre and great on the corners. if they get clogged up they can take a while to clear but i reccommend them for any general cross country use. they have a strong sidewall too, at least the ust version does. i'd say they might be a little heavier than some other comparable tyres out there but they have certainly given me more confidence to put the foot down.
in relation to riding them on the road my local off road spot is 25 miles away so i pump them up good and hard to cycle out to it. i usually ride slicks on the road but i have no problem putting down the road miles with the panaracers.

go with the fires as stated above. you can get the wire bead(slightly heavier) for as little as $14 on sale .they last well for mix on/off road,excellent traction in most conditions and they are fast.pretty much as stated byaidan.ie but the non UST work as well ,they just need tubes or Stans

I will decide my budject thankyou very much