[BigBull]

What's your favorate XC/Trail tire combination in dry/sand/ruts/rocky condition? I am trying to see if my FirePro/ IRC Backcountry is adequate for the job here in So. Cal?
By the way, which tire (F or R) should have larger volumn size if desired?

 

[gabe0807]

I love the IRC Mythos XC 2.1" folding. They're great tires, good braking, acceleration, turning, and predictable break-away when they do start to drift. Plus, they're pretty light. I think they make them in 1.95" too but I've never tried them. The 2.1 inch are really narrow for a 2.1.

 

[jrm]

I used that same set up

What's your favorate XC/Trail tire combination in dry/sand/ruts/rocky condition? I am trying to see if my FirePro/ IRC Backcountry is adequate for the job here in So. Cal?

when i lived there. I'd try the 2.1 BG rear, and 2.35 BG or 2.
35 fat albert up front. Im using this now and it works well in nor cal.

 

[shiggy]

What's your favorate XC/Trail tire combination in dry/sand/ruts/rocky condition? I am trying to see if my FirePro/ IRC Backcountry is adequate for the job here in So. Cal?

Quite a few options:

• Nokian NBX 2.3
• Schwalbe Albert/Fat Albert 2.25/2.35
• Panaracer Cinder 2.25
• Kenda Blue Groove 2.10/2.35
• WTB Weirwolf 2.3/2.5
• Conti Gravity/Diesel 2.3/2.5
• Intense CC 2.25
• [email protected] Sturdy 2.1/2.25

...for a start.

 

[Blue Shorts]

What's your favorate XC/Trail tire combination in dry/sand/ruts/rocky condition? I am trying to see if my FirePro/ IRC Backcountry is adequate for the job here in So. Cal?

My current favorites are WTB Weirwolf 2.5 race front, Geax Sturdy 2.25 rear. If I kwill see a lot of hardpack, or slickrock, I substitute another Sturdy for the front. They're great tires.

I ride in N. California. In your area, I've had great luck withthe Sturdy / Sturdy combo.

 

[BigBull]

Quite a few options:

• Nokian NBX 2.3
• Schwalbe Albert/Fat Albert 2.25/2.35
• Panaracer Cinder 2.25
• Kenda Blue Groove 2.10/2.35
• WTB Weirwolf 2.3/2.5
• Conti Gravity/Diesel 2.3/2.5
• Intense CC 2.25
• [email protected] Sturdy 2.1/2.25

...for a start.

Larger size for front or rear? do you know why? thanks

 

[Ultra Magnus]

I second the IRC's.. Awesome grippers.. I ride in the high desert of SoCal which sounds a lot like what you are describing. The sidewalls are holding up really well on all the sharp rocks out here too.

 

[Stinky Wiz]

I'm too big for the Mythos combos so I use the IRC 2.25 Trailbear. Same handling characteristics though...when traction reaches the limit, they just enter a nice gradual slide...no nasty surprises and easily controlled. Jjust meatier for the 200lb set. (Dang, my delete button has just cut out on me....)

 

[shiggy]

Larger size for front or rear? do you know why? thanks

Same size f&r or larger front. You tend to get better control with a larger front tire. Many other reasons and depending on the conditions, specific tires and riding style.

 

[PMW]

Which tires?

I can't really tell what to use for the front because I'm going to switch to the Panaracer Firepro 2.1 after useing Specialized Ground Countrol's for years. The Ground Controls I liked were unfornately phased out. For the rear though I highly recommend the Panaracer Smoke Classic 2.1 (folding) I have used the Smoke for more than 10 years and it good on hard pack and great in loose dirt or sand. It's also on sale at Performance bike now for $17.49. Good luck: PMW

 

[jonowee]

Same size f&r or larger front. You tend to get better control with a larger front tire. Many other reasons and depending on the conditions, specific tires and riding style.

So a wider front tyre gives you more control, so say...
- 2.3" NBX front and 2.1" NBX rear
- 2.3" NBX front and 2.0" NBX rear
- 2.1" NBX front and 2.3" NBX rear
- 2.0" NBX front and 2.3" NBX rear
... how would these combinations handle on the terrain and conditions mentioned above (dry/sand/ruts/rocky).
I just used the NBX as an example, you can substitute the NBX series with other series of tyres of similar threads and different sizes, eg. Continental Endless Edge, Gravity Arc, Schwalbe Alberts, Jimmy-Jim etc...

I currently run a 2.0" front and 2.1" rear Continental tyres and I'm thinking of getting a 2.2"-2.3" wide full-knobby rear tyre. I ride similar conditions in that it's very dry most of the year, but there is pea-gravel (think: nature's ball bearings) which only full-knobbies manage to get a decent amount of grip.

 

[wipe-out]

This is gonna sound kinda weird...

I live in Michigan, and whenever we get a dry spell, I run Panaracer Fire XC Pros on both ends. However, I run the rear tire backwards from the normal rotation direction. I ride a hardtail XC bike, and this seems to work best.

 

[Bikehigh]

I live in Michigan, and whenever we get a dry spell, I run Panaracer Fire XC Pros on both ends. However, I run the rear tire backwards from the normal rotation direction. I ride a hardtail XC bike, and this seems to work best.

Fire XCs are expected to be flipped on the rear. That's why the arrows going one way for front and one way for rear. So, are you saying you run your rear in the same direction as the front? Or are you saying you're running them the way they are intended to be run?

I love Fire XCs front and rear in the dry too. I also love Pythons. I'm not real big on fat meats, even if riding rigid.

 

[shiggy]

So a wider front tyre gives you more control, so say...
- 2.3" NBX front and 2.1" NBX rear
- 2.3" NBX front and 2.0" NBX rear
- 2.1" NBX front and 2.3" NBX rear
- 2.0" NBX front and 2.3" NBX rear
... how would these combinations handle on the terrain and conditions mentioned above (dry/sand/ruts/rocky).
I just used the NBX as an example, you can substitute the NBX series with other series of tyres of similar threads and different sizes, eg. Continental Endless Edge, Gravity Arc, Schwalbe Alberts, Jimmy-Jim etc...

I currently run a 2.0" front and 2.1" rear Continental tyres and I'm thinking of getting a 2.2"-2.3" wide full-knobby rear tyre. I ride similar conditions in that it's very dry most of the year, but there is pea-gravel (think: nature's ball bearings) which only full-knobbies manage to get a decent amount of grip.

Personally, for the conditions you describe, I would use the 2.3-2.25 front, 2.1 rear with any of the tires listed. I would not use the NBX Lite 2.0 (f or r) or the bigger tires on the rear because of the pea gravel. Pea gravel tends to roll under wider tires, especially on climbs.