I prefer Maxxis Minions for Socal all-around riding.
For a "velcro grip" tire, try Kenda Nevegals.
For a "velcro grip" tire, try Kenda Nevegals.
Trying to find the best tires for So Cal conditions.
Ok so this probably belongs in the tire/wheel thread but I am asking here so I can get some local knowledge. I currently have a Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.4 on the rear and it's getting pretty worn, it's been ok but with the conditions we have in Topanga and Cheesbro and Sycamore, ie dry, dusty lot of outside camber corners especially in Topanga, is there a better 2.3 / 2.4 tire I could be running that would give me more traction ?
tia for your suggestions :thumbsup:
tia for your suggestions :thumbsup:
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From a guy who ran Nevegals for the past year...I just spent the last 60 miles on Weirwolf LT 2.55s (more like 2.3 actual) running tubeless @ 25lbs and I'm in love. It's summer, dry, dusty and whether loose dg over super hard park or loose and dusty they never cut loose. YEMV
With that being said there are a million variables when it comes to tires and no two riders are the same.
With that being said there are a million variables when it comes to tires and no two riders are the same.
I'm running Nevegal 2.3 in front with Small Block 8 2.1 in back, both tubeless on Spinergy rims with Stans. The combination works great in the canyons of San Diego county but I had some issues up at Rim Nordic this past weekend; there are some corners there with a deep covering of gravel and I came close to losing the front a couple times, which is not fun when the runoff area has a large tree in it... 
I'm not sure if any other tire combo would work better in that situation. FWIW a well known rider I met recently runs SB8 in front and Kenda Karma in back.
So I guess the answer to your question is "it depends". It wouldn't hurt to try Kenda first; you can pick them up for under $30 at Beyond or Bling.
I'm not sure if any other tire combo would work better in that situation. FWIW a well known rider I met recently runs SB8 in front and Kenda Karma in back.So I guess the answer to your question is "it depends". It wouldn't hurt to try Kenda first; you can pick them up for under $30 at Beyond or Bling.
I just recently switched to Nevagals in front and SB8 in the back, and they work great for the hardpack stuff that Chesebro and Sycamore throws at you. I just got an e-mail today that BeyondBikes.com has some of these Kendas on sale for $23. Check it out.
I suggest Schwalbe Big Betty.British Bulldog said:Ok so this probably belongs in the tire/wheel thread but I am asking here so I can get some local knowledge. I currently have a Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.4 on the rear and it's getting pretty worn, it's been ok but with the conditions we have in Topanga and Cheesbro and Sycamore, ie dry, dusty lot of outside camber corners especially in Topanga, is there a better 2.3 / 2.4 tire I could be running that would give me more traction ?
tia for your suggestions :thumbsup:
I run a 2.4 maxxis ADvantage on the front and a 2.25 ardent for my all around tire and they are great in the conditions I ride (sand / silt / DG / with loose rocks) however, I am trying a new setup that is slightly better but wear quickly with a Minion dh f 2.35 super tacky on the front and a Nokian Boazabena X 2.1 or a Kenda Karma 2.0 L3R pro as a rear. As far as the nevagals go I ran a 2.1 DTC on my bike for about 80 miles and hated them in dry conditions but in tacky mud they were good. I haven't tried them yet but my riding buddies swear by Maxxis Ignitors.
I run the Maxxis Ignitor 2.35 UST in the front and the Specialized Captain 2Bliss Control 2.0 in the back on my Intense 5.5. They've worked very well for the last 9 months or so. Will swap the front for a Specialized Eskar 2.3 2Bliss Control in the front when the Ignitor runs out. I like the tread of the Speshy tires and their lightness and have had no sidewall issues.
+5 but get the FR version. much better. :thumbsup:Margaritaman said:From a guy who ran Nevegals for the past year...I just spent the last 60 miles on Weirwolf LT 2.55s (more like 2.3 actual) running tubeless @ 25lbs and I'm in love.
Having moved down here from wet portions of Oregon, I find that I can get away with less aggressive tread patterns...remember the Farmer John? How about the Cousin or the Nephew?
Moreover, I get the chance to explore compounds and blends on a specific tire to dial in handling or provide some measurable amount of feedback from my front tire at high speeds.
I'm currently running a Karma up front. I like the hard center to hold a line through sandy/loose dirt portions of a trail or corner and the softer transition blocks help to stabilize my higher speed lines on hard pack.
My rear tire is a Nevagal...incredible grip and a great performer at low/high pressure.
My next journey will be with Maxxis...nothing wrong with Kenda but I would no mind seeing what other brands have to offer. Worse comes to worse, i can always pass the tires on to a friend.
Moreover, I get the chance to explore compounds and blends on a specific tire to dial in handling or provide some measurable amount of feedback from my front tire at high speeds.
I'm currently running a Karma up front. I like the hard center to hold a line through sandy/loose dirt portions of a trail or corner and the softer transition blocks help to stabilize my higher speed lines on hard pack.
My rear tire is a Nevagal...incredible grip and a great performer at low/high pressure.
My next journey will be with Maxxis...nothing wrong with Kenda but I would no mind seeing what other brands have to offer. Worse comes to worse, i can always pass the tires on to a friend.
Can I be your friend? Those tires you have right now are substandard and would go great on my substandard bike.......
Those tires you have right now are substandard and would go great on my substandard bike.......
Bigdurty,
That's like the total opposite of the "norm", and a great example of diff'rent strokes.
Which is why threads like this go on and on...
That's like the total opposite of the "norm", and a great example of diff'rent strokes.
Which is why threads like this go on and on...
Kenda Nevegals are the best tires, www.beyondbikes.com has some amazing deal on them right now with their coupon code. I've run maxxis and wtb both with not much luck, keep coming back to Kenda Nevegal, 2.35 up front, 2.1 in back. A lot of guys run the Nevegal in front and their Small Block 8 design in back, very good setup. I ride with over 15 riders and none of them will run Panaracers anymore, almost all are on Kenda.
Nevegals last 500 miles then the knobbies go bye buy, I use 2.35 BG front mrc 55 Hutch pythons back, still over 50% at 600m fast and never skids but that back tire loves to drift!. Nevegals on the front push on the soft, beware, and good luck
Important
An important thing to remember is socal is that the natural terrain is mostly shrubs. Shrubs tend to have thorns, thorns fall on the ground, Thorn flats happen all the time if you don't use a tough tire. Their are lots of good choices Specialized armadillo or a good thick Maxxis ( I like the high roller 2.5). A tire can have great grip and be super light but if it's flat it really doesn't matter.
An important thing to remember is socal is that the natural terrain is mostly shrubs. Shrubs tend to have thorns, thorns fall on the ground, Thorn flats happen all the time if you don't use a tough tire. Their are lots of good choices Specialized armadillo or a good thick Maxxis ( I like the high roller 2.5). A tire can have great grip and be super light but if it's flat it really doesn't matter.
Maxxis High Roller 2.35 or ADvantage 2.4 or Specialized Chunder or Eskar.
See what I mean?sdcadbiker said:Which is why threads like this go on and on...
hello, i'm a brit who ride the Santa Monica's alot.
the mrs loves her Conti Race King Protection 2.2 over pretty much everything they are nice & cushty + great traction during climbs + wearing well. they were easy to convert to tubeless (eclipse/dt swiss) no problems they seem to be a great all-rounder for fireroads & singletrack.
before the RK i had her on Stan's Crows 2.0 also run tubeless, they are pretty light & rolled fast but were not grippy enough. before that she was using Hutchinson Python NG 2.0 tubeless ready (hard compound) which were great SoCal casual fireroading tires.
on her other wheelset there's Mountain King Protection 2.2 (black chili compound) they are great for rocky AM and loamier rooty trails, this might be a good rear tire option in 2.4 for yer off camber berms?
i'm using Race King Protection 2.2 and also Race King Supersonic 2.2 for leary fireroad training sessions + singletrack, the RK are nicely ballooney & provide a constantly great level of grip, running them tubeless they are pretty much install and forget till they wear out.
i might try Schwalbe Racing Ralph + Nobbly Nic UST next time, i ran a set of RR EVO's last year but they were too fragile and didn't last long, i think the UST flavour will be tuff enough to ride up to trailheads from my home without tearing up on the tarmac.
if i was you i'd search the wheels and tires forum for wider opinions....
the mrs loves her Conti Race King Protection 2.2 over pretty much everything they are nice & cushty + great traction during climbs + wearing well. they were easy to convert to tubeless (eclipse/dt swiss) no problems they seem to be a great all-rounder for fireroads & singletrack.
before the RK i had her on Stan's Crows 2.0 also run tubeless, they are pretty light & rolled fast but were not grippy enough. before that she was using Hutchinson Python NG 2.0 tubeless ready (hard compound) which were great SoCal casual fireroading tires.
on her other wheelset there's Mountain King Protection 2.2 (black chili compound) they are great for rocky AM and loamier rooty trails, this might be a good rear tire option in 2.4 for yer off camber berms?
i'm using Race King Protection 2.2 and also Race King Supersonic 2.2 for leary fireroad training sessions + singletrack, the RK are nicely ballooney & provide a constantly great level of grip, running them tubeless they are pretty much install and forget till they wear out.
i might try Schwalbe Racing Ralph + Nobbly Nic UST next time, i ran a set of RR EVO's last year but they were too fragile and didn't last long, i think the UST flavour will be tuff enough to ride up to trailheads from my home without tearing up on the tarmac.
if i was you i'd search the wheels and tires forum for wider opinions....
kenda small block 8's for pretty much everything.
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