[Kook91]

I'm trying to find the best rear tire for traction on muddy Oregon trails. I don't want to give up the security of the Nevegal 2.35 on the front as it's so solid on wet roots and rocks, so am looking for something with good climbing traction for the rear to make up for the Nev's less than brilliant performance in mud. I am trying a Maxxis Medusa right now, but it doesn't seem to grip that well on the wet, mucky and loose churned (by motos) dirt on the uphills. Maybe it's my technique or maybe I need something with taller knobs. I was actually surprised when I got the Medusa at how short the knobs were for a mud tire.

So, would I be better off checking out a TrailRaker, or a Mud X? Or maybe I'm running the wrong psi. I'm wondering if mud tires should be run with a bit more pressure so that the knobs keep their shape and don't squish down -- conforming to hard packed trail is good for traction, but conforming to mud may be less so. Anyone have any theories on this?

 

[Drea]

I race muddy trails with Maxxis Medusa at 28psi front and rear (tubeless). Amazing grip IMO.

 

[shiggy]

I'm trying to find the best rear tire for traction on muddy Oregon trails. I don't want to give up the security of the Nevegal 2.35 on the front as it's so solid on wet roots and rocks, so am looking for something with good climbing traction for the rear to make up for the Nev's less than brilliant performance in mud. I am trying a Maxxis Medusa right now, but it doesn't seem to grip that well on the wet, mucky and loose churned (by motos) dirt on the uphills. Maybe it's my technique or maybe I need something with taller knobs. I was actually surprised when I got the Medusa at how short the knobs were for a mud tire.

So, would I be better off checking out a TrailRaker, or a Mud X? Or maybe I'm running the wrong psi. I'm wondering if mud tires should be run with a bit more pressure so that the knobs keep their shape and don't squish down -- conforming to hard packed trail is good for traction, but conforming to mud may be less so. Anyone have any theories on this?

Yes, "higher" pressures can help with mud tires and deep, soft muck, as does a narrower tire.

A Trailraker would probably work better than the Medusa but nothing really works well in moto-turned conditions.

 

[Kook91]

Yes, "higher" pressures can help with mud tires and deep, soft muck, as does a narrower tire.

A Trailraker would probably work better than the Medusa but nothing really works well in moto-turned conditions.

Thanks Shiggy, that makes sense. So, do the TrailRakers have taller knobs that the Medusa's? And why is it so hard to find mud tires in the US anyway? Whenever I search online for them, almost all of the sites that show up selling them are in the UK.

 

[six foot sloth]

would a thinner nevegal do the trick are you looking to save weight

 

[Kook91]

I'm not worried about weight, just traction. I do have a 2.1 Kenda Excavator sitting around that I could try on the front instead of the 2.35 Nevegal. It might help in the mud given that it's narrower. Anyone know if it's as good as the Nevegal on wet roots?

 

[ae111black]

maybe a kenda telonix run backwards???

 

[DJ Giggity]

I'm not worried about weight, just traction. I do have a 2.1 Kenda Excavator sitting around that I could try on the front instead of the 2.35 Nevegal. It might help in the mud given that it's narrower. Anyone know if it's as good as the Nevegal on wet roots?

If you are not worried about weight then the Maxxis WetScreams are going to be the best. They are pretty amazing. Schwalbe black sharks are great in mud but are sketchier on roots and rocks.

Schwable Muddy Marys are another option if you are looking for an all around tire. They are just as good as the nevs on roots and rocks and better on everything else. Look at the Intense 909 if you are on a budget.

 

[mtb143]

I threw on some Bontrager Mud X's a couple of months ago and they have performed really well in the mud, but what surprised me is that they work so well in all other conditions, short of snow, that I've encountered, and that they're way lighter than I expected. Great all around tires, and definitely a couple steps up from Nev's in the mud. I can't compare them to other mud specific treads, but I will definitely be using these a lot in the future.

 

[urmb]

That Maxxis Wet Scream looks like my next front snow tire:thumbsup: Warning about only for competition use reminds me of the older Panaracer Spikes warning. If you can find a Rear Spike, they are great in the mud. When I lived in Oregon, I used them. Still have the rear tire and use it for snow riding on occasion.

urmb

 

[tekkamaki]

2.1 nevegal sticky run backwards works great on the rear for NW mud.

2.2 Conti Mountain king Supersonic is very close in grip, much lighter and rolls much faster- a far better choice IMO.

 

[PedroC]

I had a Nev 2.1 as a rear tyre on one of my bikes but it was too bad in the mud. Just put a Mud X 2.0 and it has worked great in the mud.
I actually don't understand the fuss about the Nevegals at all. High rolling resistance + crap traction in loose terrain (even when tread is inverted) + average performance in the front are really not the qualities I seek in any tyre.

 

[Drea]

I had a Nev 2.1 as a rear tyre on one of my bikes but it was too bad in the mud. Just put a Mud X 2.0 and it has worked great in the mud.
I actually don't understand the fuss about the Nevegals at all. High rolling resistance + crap traction in loose terrain (even when tread is inverted) + average performance in the front are really not the qualities I seek in any tyre.

+1 (Nevegals suck big time)