So many options! Doing extensive research on the internet is great, but overwhelming without the direction provided in these forums, so the input by all is much appreciated!
A little more back story, and I apologize up front for the lengthy diatribe, but it gives the whole rider picture!
The reason I was looking for new tires is because I purchased the bike on eBay from a seller on the east coast, so I ASSumed the setup, at least tire wise was probably based on their riding conditions on east coast.
The tires that are on it now are the Bontrager Revolt Super X Lite, which seem to be well reviewed tires
Bontrager Revolt Super X Tubeless Tire Reviews - Mtbr.com. The tires themselves are in great shape, and look brand new. So at this point I am thinking the need/want for new tires lies in the riders (me) confidence level, skills, and comfort!
I originally had a 2001 Ellsworth Truth, and rode that for 3-4 years on South Mountain, doing mostly Desert Classic, Mormon, and National. Admittedly I felt more comfortable on Dessert Classic then I did riding up Mormon, and down National. I would walk sections of National as it was beyond my skill/comfort level. Flipping over my handlebars and tumbling down a small cliff didnt help. ;-) Eventually I got out of mountain biking as I started having problems with my knees due to sand volleyball.
I got back into mountain biking a few months ago. As I was out walking around the McDowell Mountain trails I was amazed at the sweeping views, smooth trails, and gradual climbs and decents. I wanted to see more, but my legs would only carry me so far!
So I decided to get a bike so I could explore more of the trails the McDowells offered. Instead of rushing out and buying a 3-5K bike without knowing how my knees would hold up (double knee surgery), I decided to find something used on craigslist. I ended up getting a decent deal on a used Fuji Tahoe 29er.
I rode my 29er a dozen or so times, and I loved being back out on the trails, but something didn't feel quite right. When descending some of the rock gardens on Lost Dog, and the Quartz trails, the bike just didnt feel nimble at navigating the rocks, and the bike felt like it wanted to go off the trail, again this is probably more the riders fault then the bike!
However, I didnt remember having these issues with my Ellsworth and descending much more technical trails like National. My knees held up in the dozen or so rides I did, and I loved being out on the trails, so I decided to get an Ellsworth Truth like I use to have.
Unfortunately when I took it out on the Quartz trail I felt even MORE uncomfortable, LESS confident, and more squirrely than I did on the 29er. I was all over the place on the decents and had to stop 10x as many times as I did on the 29er.
The tires just felt to small! Again, at this point I am sure its 90% rider, and maybe 10% bike, as I am sure I can make some improvement on the bike to make me more confident. I am thinking wider, beefier tires might inspire more confidence.
Learning how to ride my bike will probably be the best upgrade though!
