I am running Kenda Nevegal DTC 2.1 with slime lite tubes. I have been very happy with this set up. I tried the adrenalines and I thought they rolled slow. I highly recommend using some slime or similar product for riding in the Phoenix area.ingluis said:
Another tire suggestion post...
What tires are you Phoenix guys running? Looking at recent pics of the trails, most seem to be dry, loose and very rocky. Right now I'm running spec. adrenalines (good traction, sidewalls are a little weak imo).
Also, I'm running regular tubes on my tires. Will I be changing tubes every 5 minutes if I dont add some puncture protection goop?
thanks!
Also, I'm running regular tubes on my tires. Will I be changing tubes every 5 minutes if I dont add some puncture protection goop?
thanks!
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
Use slime or slimed tubes. Some sort of punture goop is essential. Before using punture goop, I would be fine until the next day when my tires were suddenly flat.ingluis said:What tires are you Phoenix guys running? Looking at recent pics of the trails, most seem to be dry, loose and very rocky. Right now I'm running spec. adrenalines (good traction, sidewalls are a little weak imo).
Also, I'm running regular tubes on my tires. Will I be changing tubes every 5 minutes if I dont add some puncture protection goop?
thanks!
I have used several different tires. I still say that the best overall Phoenix tire is the Continental Vert. Pro. 2.3. These are a bit thin for 2.3 tires, and they have somewhat questionable durability. I am now running Kenda Nevegals DTC 2.35 front and back. The front tends to be mushy/slippery at speed and the rear is not the best for grip on climbing up shale. Still, not bad tires. I will be returning to the Vert Pros. after these wear out. I also like the Panaracer Fire XC 2.1 for a cheaper tire, the WTB Mutanoraptor 2.4, and the Geax Sturdy 2.25 for a bigger aggressive tire and the Geax Loco Lobo as well.
Kenda Nevegal 2.35 DTC always worked well for me in Phoenix. I also like the stick-e compound but it wears very fast. They hook up like velcro though!
Puncture resistant tubes with some goop is the way to go for pretty much anywhere in the desert southwest. Cactus are murder on tires. However, even though I add some weight with that setup, I never punture tires (knock on wood)!
Puncture resistant tubes with some goop is the way to go for pretty much anywhere in the desert southwest. Cactus are murder on tires. However, even though I add some weight with that setup, I never punture tires (knock on wood)!
I used Cont Vert Pros. Those worked well too on the climbing side. I think the Kendas still kill coming down through the sketchy stuff.Dirdir said:Use slime or slimed tubes. Some sort of punture goop is essential. Before using punture goop, I would be fine until the next day when my tires were suddenly flat.
I have used several different tires. I still say that the best overall Phoenix tire is the Continental Vert. Pro. 2.3. These are a bit thin for 2.3 tires, and they have somewhat questionable durability.
Agree. My personal "badge of honor" for tires is how well they peform climbing up very loose shale. The Continentals outperform the Nevegals in this test. In my opinion, the Nevegal's tread is a bit too large for climbing up the loose stuff. The large tread also makes the Nevegals a bit sketchy at spped up front. This is not a big issue for me because I am not into "at speed", however, I hate not having good grip on the shale climbs at T100.NMPhi767 said:I used Cont Vert Pros. Those worked well too on the climbing side. I think the Kendas still kill coming down through the sketchy stuff.
With that said, the Nevegals are indeed superior coming down the sketchy stuff.
For cheap tires I use IRC Trailbears. $14 a pop at our favorite online/local retailer. They hook up well and seem to last forever.
I hardly ever use slime or the like, and have rarely regretted it unless I'm on a Dale ride.
SN
I hardly ever use slime or the like, and have rarely regretted it unless I'm on a Dale ride.
SN
WTB Motoraptor 2.4's in front, same or WTB Wierwolf 2.3 in back. 25-28 psi in front 30-33 psi in back. I run thick, thorn-resistant tubes rather than slime and they are bomber.
What tires to run is open to suggestion. I'm sure you'll get lots of input. As far as punctures go; I personaly don't put anything in my tires and I run regular tubes. I don't typically get anymore flats than most of the guys I ride with. I just bring an extra tube and a patch kit along (which you'll be doing anyway I'm sure), and go for it. If you're light on the bike you'll be fine. If your constantly off trail and land hard off jumps, and can't get your ass out of the saddle, you'll probably flat more than you used to.ingluis said:What tires are you Phoenix guys running? Looking at recent pics of the trails, most seem to be dry, loose and very rocky. Right now I'm running spec. adrenalines (good traction, sidewalls are a little weak imo).
Also, I'm running regular tubes on my tires. Will I be changing tubes every 5 minutes if I dont add some puncture protection goop?
thanks!
Have fun!!!
Nevgal 2.35 stick-e, Stan's!
Another vote for the Nevegal! It's been my favorite rear tire since they first came out a couple years ago. I spent hundreds of $$ on tires in 2004 and 2005, looking for something better, or something that works as good but lasts longer, and always come back to the Nevegal Stick-E rear. As Dirdir comments, they are a bit washy in the front at speed, so I run a Maxxis Mobster (2.5 40a) up front, but this is a heavy FR tire, not so much an XC deal.
I have UST rims and run standard (non-ust) tires with Stans and no rim strip. My wife runs standard rims with Stan's and rim strip, of course. Neither of us has had a flat in over two years. In fact, I can't recall anyone in our group having a flat since switching to tubeless. I've worn out several tires with this setup and other than one "burp" on a newly mounted tire, have never had any problems. Tubeless is the only way I'll ever go!
Great example: last spring we were exploring remote state trust land near Tucson and got into some downed cholla. We each had several cholla branches stuck in both of our tires, going round and round through our forks and frames for miles (you don't touch cholla, so they stayed in until we got to pliers) - we rode for hours with them in there! Easily there had to be five dozen punctures in each of our tires, but none of the four seemed to lose any pressure at all, let alone go flat! In fact, my wife is still riding one of those tires!
Points to consider for your referance:
1) I live North of Phoenix, so my "home" rock is sandstone, basalt and a bit of limestone - slightly different from the decomposing granite / lava of the valley.
2) I'm on a 6"x7" 38lb bike and typically hammer apropriately for such a rig - hard up and hard down through tons of rocks rocks rocks, always trying desperately to keep up with these crazy DH/FR guys who all used to be XC pros and climb like mad too... Thus, my tire choice is biased toward the heavy / tough end of the spectrum. This is my one and only bike, though, and I do use it for everything - from swoopy Fruita-ish singletrack to ski resort DH to steep uphill fireroad training runs. If SoMo were in my back yard, I'd likely use the same setup, but if I were riding the less intense trails in the valley, I'd certainly go with a lighter tire up front - possibly another Nevegal???
Another vote for the Nevegal! It's been my favorite rear tire since they first came out a couple years ago. I spent hundreds of $$ on tires in 2004 and 2005, looking for something better, or something that works as good but lasts longer, and always come back to the Nevegal Stick-E rear. As Dirdir comments, they are a bit washy in the front at speed, so I run a Maxxis Mobster (2.5 40a) up front, but this is a heavy FR tire, not so much an XC deal.
I have UST rims and run standard (non-ust) tires with Stans and no rim strip. My wife runs standard rims with Stan's and rim strip, of course. Neither of us has had a flat in over two years. In fact, I can't recall anyone in our group having a flat since switching to tubeless. I've worn out several tires with this setup and other than one "burp" on a newly mounted tire, have never had any problems. Tubeless is the only way I'll ever go!
Great example: last spring we were exploring remote state trust land near Tucson and got into some downed cholla. We each had several cholla branches stuck in both of our tires, going round and round through our forks and frames for miles (you don't touch cholla, so they stayed in until we got to pliers) - we rode for hours with them in there! Easily there had to be five dozen punctures in each of our tires, but none of the four seemed to lose any pressure at all, let alone go flat! In fact, my wife is still riding one of those tires!
Points to consider for your referance:
1) I live North of Phoenix, so my "home" rock is sandstone, basalt and a bit of limestone - slightly different from the decomposing granite / lava of the valley.
2) I'm on a 6"x7" 38lb bike and typically hammer apropriately for such a rig - hard up and hard down through tons of rocks rocks rocks, always trying desperately to keep up with these crazy DH/FR guys who all used to be XC pros and climb like mad too... Thus, my tire choice is biased toward the heavy / tough end of the spectrum. This is my one and only bike, though, and I do use it for everything - from swoopy Fruita-ish singletrack to ski resort DH to steep uphill fireroad training runs. If SoMo were in my back yard, I'd likely use the same setup, but if I were riding the less intense trails in the valley, I'd certainly go with a lighter tire up front - possibly another Nevegal???
I notice that most recommendations lean toward a width of around 2.3. For the terrain we ride in the Phoenix area, is it generally better to run a slightly wider tire versus a narrower one, like a 2.1?
I was thinking the same thing. The largest tires I've run were mutanoraptors 2.24, they were too heavy and slow. My spec adrenalines are 2.0 (more like 2.2 really). Is it better to have a beefier tire in this terrain?mwcet8k said:I notice that most recommendations lean toward a width of around 2.3. For the terrain we ride in the Phoenix area, is it generally better to run a slightly wider tire versus a narrower one, like a 2.1?
Thanks
We have lots of sharp rocks on many of the trails in the Phoenix area. My experience has been that larger volume works better for me. I don't care about sacrificing rolling resistance for better traction and durability. The only time I run a tire smaller than the 2.24 Mutanoraptor is when I run a 2.1 at the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo race.ingluis said:I was thinking the same thing. The largest tires I've run were mutanoraptors 2.24, they were too heavy and slow. My spec adrenalines are 2.0 (more like 2.2 really). Is it better to have a beefier tire in this terrain?
Thanks
It all depends on what trails one likes to ride and whether one prefers speed over stability. Last night I went on the last TNR ride of the year. For a period, I was riding behind Mark Christiani. He was riding over every rock and obstacle possible while I was following the easiest line.ingluis said:I was thinking the same thing. The largest tires I've run were mutanoraptors 2.24, they were too heavy and slow. My spec adrenalines are 2.0 (more like 2.2 really). Is it better to have a beefier tire in this terrain?
Thanks
I will say one thing. I have been riding these dirt bicycles for 4 years now. I have "progressed", or changed if you will, from using thinner tires to thicker tires. Recently, I switched out my tires and put on a three year old pair of 2.0 Hutchinsons. I hated it.
Nevegals
Oh, I run nothing in my tires but tubes. DH tubes in the banshee, regular tubes in everything else, no slime. Almost all my flats are pinch flats where slime wouldn't help. With slime in the tubes it's awfull hard to patch a tube.
I love my nevegals, but thats in 2.5 on my FR rig. I also like my 2.5 highrollers on the HT. I have a 2.24 Mutanoraptor on the back and a 2.5 weirwolf on the SS. Alright set up but I think there might be something better out there. I would like to try a 2.1 or 2.3 nevegal on my SS. I put some 2.0 pythons on the SS and absolutely hated them. Fat tires for fat riders! Also got a 2.5 tioga DH on the back of the trials rig. Think i might puut a nevegal on there too.ingluis said:What tires are you Phoenix guys running? Looking at recent pics of the trails, most seem to be dry, loose and very rocky. Right now I'm running spec. adrenalines (good traction, sidewalls are a little weak imo).
Also, I'm running regular tubes on my tires. Will I be changing tubes every 5 minutes if I dont add some puncture protection goop?
thanks!
Oh, I run nothing in my tires but tubes. DH tubes in the banshee, regular tubes in everything else, no slime. Almost all my flats are pinch flats where slime wouldn't help. With slime in the tubes it's awfull hard to patch a tube.
I think this is a result of tires that generally suck (like pythons... I don't care what other racers say) rather than the size. I do agree with the need for a wider tire in your conditions. Our trails (FL) are mostly hardpack clayey-sand (loose when dry, slick when wet). Rocks are few and far between. I have been pretty happy with the performance of the adrenalines, but after 500 miles of smooth trails they definitely show some wear. I don't think they will hold up in AZ.Dirdir said:I switched out my tires and put on a three year old pair of 2.0 Hutchinsons. I hated it.
I may have to buy new tires!(there is always an excuse for new tires...) Problem is I fly to Phoenix on Friday and tomorrow I'm super busy. Can you recommend a good shop in Phoenix? I've seen the site for South Mountain Cycles' any other suggestions?
Thanks.
Yea, true. I never really liked the Pythons.ingluis said:I think this is a result of tires that generally suck (like pythons... I don't care what other racers say) rather than the size. I do agree with the need for a wider tire in your conditions. Our trails (FL) are mostly hardpack clayey-sand (loose when dry, slick when wet). Rocks are few and far between. I have been pretty happy with the performance of the adrenalines, but after 500 miles of smooth trails they definitely show some wear. I don't think they will hold up in AZ.
I may have to buy new tires!(there is always an excuse for new tires...) Problem is I fly to Phoenix on Friday and tomorrow I'm super busy. Can you recommend a good shop in Phoenix? I've seen the site for South Mountain Cycles' any other suggestions?
Thanks.
I have heard good things about SMC, but have never been there. The guys at Cactus Bikes are cool. Not sure about the tire selection. I am faithful to the Slippery Pig on Central at Camelback. Got my Nevegals there. Expensive, even after a discount. Best option is close to where you are staying. Where is that? There is also an ex Supergo, now Performance, in Chandler and one in Scottsdale.
Just curious, anyone ride Kenda Kinetics 2.35? If so, what do you think? I've got them on my old bike, so I haven't ridden them lately. They've got an agressive tread pattern and Kenda's stick-e compound. They're cheap too. I was pretty happy with them. They're not very efficient, but they seem to bite really well on the desert terrain.
I used a Kinetic 2.35 as a rear tire in the past and didn't like it, the sidewall was too flexy. I could feel the sidewall "roll" when turning (at high and low pressures) and it never felt quite right to me. I like the Nevegal 2.35 as a rear tire and plan to try the Blue Groove 2.35 in the front very soon.mwcet8k said:Just curious, anyone ride Kenda Kinetics 2.35? If so, what do you think? I've got them on my old bike, so I haven't ridden them lately. They've got an agressive tread pattern and Kenda's stick-e compound. They're cheap too. I was pretty happy with them. They're not very efficient, but they seem to bite really well on the desert terrain.
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
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