[ATXSS]

So, My rigid fork-with-fat-tire experience has been limited so far to a Geax Sedona 2.25 and a Mutano Raptor 2.4.

By far, for performance here on central Texas trails, I like the Mutano Raptor better for these Reasons:
1. Tread design is nice and fast compared to most fat tires since my trails are usually solid hardpack with or without alot of imbedded rocks. Occasionally the rocks are loose over the hardpack. In all these conditions the front traction has not been an issue.
2. The sidewalls and such work well with Stans, I have been running this tire in the 20-25psi range with best results and no flats due to too low pressure.
3. The kevlar bead keeps this tire sub 1000g which is somewhat of a concern with me.

My only wish is to possibly use something with even larger volume that has both a fast XC tread and a kevlar bead. Does this tire exist? I haven't found anything bigger that doesn't go to a steel bead AND have Gnarly knobs hanging off it for loose type conditions all the time.

I appreciate that some of you will tell me to suck it up and go to a 3.0 1500g Gazzi, which is fine. But I'm mostly interested in finding a tire that is still a relatively light kevlar XC tire since I have no issues with the tread and durability of the WTB. Any suggestions are most welcome and greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
SL

 

[Chris2fur]

Not that I know of.

My only wish is to possibly use something with even larger volume that has both a fast XC tread and a kevlar bead. Does this tire exist?

Guess it depends on what you mean by XC tire. The Mutanoraptor 2.4 Race is pretty big for most XC forks. Technically, I think the clearance on my Skareb is a little iffy already. Some frames may have issues in the rear, as well (the Homegrown S-bend stays have no problem in my case). I used to run Python Air Lights and liked them. They were always referred to as a "high volume" tire. Now that I've tried the Mutanoraptors, I know what high volume really means and wouldn't go back for the weight savings. I don't see how a higher volume tire would even fit anything but a downhill frame.

-Chris
http://www.enduroforkseals.com/

 

[ATXSS]

Clearance isn't an issue on my setup. The Kelly rigid fork seems to have clearance for anything and I use Avid disks. I am ok with a 2.0-2.3 in the rear. I'm just thinking about the front tire. And I use Salsa Delgado rims which out to mount anything I think, if it matters any.

 

[Chris2fur]

Sorry, out of my league.

Clearance isn't an issue on my setup. The Kelly rigid fork seems to have clearance for anything and I use Avid disks. I am ok with a 2.0-2.3 in the rear. I'm just thinking about the front tire. And I use Salsa Delgado rims which out to mount anything I think, if it matters any.

I can't fit anything bigger, and wouldn't want anything heavier, so I have no useful experience to help... I have no business in the single-speed forum anyway, but saw the thread and love the Mutanos so thought I'd jump in....

-Chris

 

[shiggy]

So, My rigid fork-with-fat-tire experience has been limited so far to a Geax Sedona 2.25 and a Mutano Raptor 2.4.

By far, for performance here on central Texas trails, I like the Mutano Raptor better for these Reasons:
1. Tread design is nice and fast compared to most fat tires since my trails are usually solid hardpack with or without alot of imbedded rocks. Occasionally the rocks are loose over the hardpack. In all these conditions the front traction has not been an issue.
2. The sidewalls and such work well with Stans, I have been running this tire in the 20-25psi range with best results and no flats due to too low pressure.
3. The kevlar bead keeps this tire sub 1000g which is somewhat of a concern with me.

My only wish is to possibly use something with even larger volume that has both a fast XC tread and a kevlar bead. Does this tire exist? I haven't found anything bigger that doesn't go to a steel bead AND have Gnarly knobs hanging off it for loose type conditions all the time.

I appreciate that some of you will tell me to suck it up and go to a 3.0 1500g Gazzi, which is fine. But I'm mostly interested in finding a tire that is still a relatively light kevlar XC tire since I have no issues with the tread and durability of the WTB. Any suggestions are most welcome and greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
SL

Here is a list of kevlar tires with more volume than the Mutano 2.4:

• Kenda Blue Groove (and Nevegal) 2.35 and 2.50 (740-780g and 820-835g)
• Kenda Cortez 2.4 (675-700g)
• Conti Diesel Pro/ProTection 2.5 (750 and 770g)
• Schwalbe Fat Albert 2.35 (730g)
• Ritchey Motovader Pro 2.4 (750g)
• Panaracer Fire FR 2.4 (910-930g)

These are just the ones I have measured.

 

[Drevil]

Clearance isn't an issue on my setup. The Kelly rigid fork seems to have clearance for anything and I use Avid disks. I am ok with a 2.0-2.3 in the rear. I'm just thinking about the front tire. And I use Salsa Delgado rims which out to mount anything I think, if it matters any.

Like you, I used to use the Mutano 2.4 all the time. I also have the Kelly fork. As Shig suggested, this summer I started using the Blue Groove 2.5 and occasionally the Cortez 2.4. Both are bigger than the Mutano and provide more cush, but they aren't too porky either.

The BG has bigger and wider separated knobs than the Cortez and is what I prefer at the moment.

 

[riderx]

One thing about the Nevegal 2.35 and the Fire 2.4, they both have noticeably more resistance than the Motoraptor 2.4s I usually run. More volume, but not a fast tread.

 

[Ron]

Bigger and better XC Kevlar Tire than Mutano 2.4?

This is an easy one, that would be a 29er 2.1 Motoraptor

 

[icegeek]

You in Austin? I use the Cortez on everything around here, but I'm no racerboi.

 

[ATXSS]

I like the looks of the Cortez, but is it bigger than a Mutano by any amount? It says its a 2.4 as opposed to the 2.5 of the Nevegal and Blue groove. Have you measured this one Shiggy? I guess the extra claimed size could be the bigger knobs on the other two and the casings are the same?

 

[Fast Eddy]

A Tioga 2.3dh...

...is right about 1kg, and much cushier and fatter than a Mutano. The heavy Mutano is also much cushier than the race version. Inner Peace baby...

I picked up a Fire FR 2.4 at a supergo sale the other day, and it's noticably slower than any of the above, FWIW.

 

[GlowBoy]

Geax 2.25s are pretty big

My 2.25 Geax Blade is substantially larger in volume than my 2.4 Mutano. Grips better in everything I've tried it in, too.

 

[icegeek]

I did a little reach-around with a tape measure. Rim contact to rim contact: Mutano 15.8cm, Cortex 16.4cm

 

[icegeek]

I have mutano'son my SS and Cortez on my FS. Eyeballing the casing outer dimensions: Mutano height (from rim) 5 cm, width 4.8 cm. Cortex height 5 cm, width 5.4 cm.

 

[Padre]

One thing about the Nevegal 2.35 and the Fire 2.4, they both have noticeably more resistance than the Motoraptor 2.4s I usually run. More volume, but not a fast tread.

The Mutano 2.4" is not only sub 1000 grams, but usually sub 600. That is amazing considering it's volume.
The Pana_racer 2.4" rolls relatively more slowly.

My vote would be the 2.4 Moto_raptor. It rolls great, much stiffer than the 2.4 mutano and pretty burly.

 

[shiggy]

I like the looks of the Cortez, but is it bigger than a Mutano by any amount? It says its a 2.4 as opposed to the 2.5 of the Nevegal and Blue groove. Have you measured this one Shiggy? I guess the extra claimed size could be the bigger knobs on the other two and the casings are the same?

The specs are on my site.

 

[MellowCat]

What about a smaller tire...

with a "Stick-E" Rubber compound?

I've been running a 2.1 Nevegal with Stick-E. It seems much faster than the 2.35 Nevegal or Blue Groove without the loss of traction. The sidewall is still pretty tall.

I run a 2.4 Mutano alot to. The 2.1 Nevegal is less bouncy, absorbing the trail shock better. I guess its the rubber compound?

Anyway, my .02!

MC

So, My rigid fork-with-fat-tire experience has been limited so far to a Geax Sedona 2.25 and a Mutano Raptor 2.4.

By far, for performance here on central Texas trails, I like the Mutano Raptor better for these Reasons:
1. Tread design is nice and fast compared to most fat tires since my trails are usually solid hardpack with or without alot of imbedded rocks. Occasionally the rocks are loose over the hardpack. In all these conditions the front traction has not been an issue.
2. The sidewalls and such work well with Stans, I have been running this tire in the 20-25psi range with best results and no flats due to too low pressure.
3. The kevlar bead keeps this tire sub 1000g which is somewhat of a concern with me.

My only wish is to possibly use something with even larger volume that has both a fast XC tread and a kevlar bead. Does this tire exist? I haven't found anything bigger that doesn't go to a steel bead AND have Gnarly knobs hanging off it for loose type conditions all the time.

I appreciate that some of you will tell me to suck it up and go to a 3.0 1500g Gazzi, which is fine. But I'm mostly interested in finding a tire that is still a relatively light kevlar XC tire since I have no issues with the tread and durability of the WTB. Any suggestions are most welcome and greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
SL

 

[bones]

piggishly heavy

One thing about the Nevegal 2.35 and the Fire 2.4, they both have noticeably more resistance than the Motoraptor 2.4s I usually run. More volume, but not a fast tread.

Nevegals. Love the tire going down, going up is an epic battle. Slow as hell. I put them on my heckler.

My current favorite tire, which doesn't come close to the size of the mutano but I think actually performs better is the Kenda Karma. I can't believe how good this tire is for being a 2.0. I ran the 2.4 mutano's religiously for 2-3 seasons before coming across the Karma.

my .02
b.