which tires???

thejuru said:

hopefully this subject hasn't been beaten to death!! i love my huth python airlights (non UST), except for the fact that i have been ripping the sidewall too often on them and having to replace them too frequently. BTW, i use them with stan's sealant. I know you all will say then to use UST tires, but hopefully someone will come up with a better tire that it light AND has grip AND can be used with stan's for a tubeless setup. Yes, I do want it all!! I liked my continental's alot, but they would blow up with stan's and no tubes.
i have been off of this board for awhile, so what is the newest, latest tire out there that is all the rage???
thanks!

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If you are shredding sidewalls, take a look at the Specialized Team Control/Team Master set up. The weights a little higher than the Python (although lighter than any UST), but they consistently do well in the rolling resistance tests and they grip very well, better than the Pythons IMHO. Plus they have a thicker sidewall that would be harder to shred. The trade off is that they aren't as tall as the Pythons, so you lose a little volume, but you have a full suspension anyway.

For lighter weight, try the Kenda Karma DTC's. The sidewall "feels" tougher than that of the Python, but I don't know if that will hold true in real life. I used them in Mammoth, including Rock Creek trail and they held up great. I run them tubeless also (Eclipse). All 4 of my Karmas weigh between 453 and 472.

Also, the Racing Ralph 2.25. I am trying one right now on the front (with a Karma on the rear), and it feels tough for a racing tire. Nice big volume too. Mine weighs 509 grams, 15 grams or so lighter than my Python Airlight.

I've run all of these tubeless with no problems.

thejuru said:

How do the karmas and racing ralphs grip compared to the python airlights???? any suggestions as to which makes the best front tire and rear tire?? i don't mind intermixing brands and sizes....

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I'm still in my first impression stages with the Racing Ralph, but I like it so far. It tends to wash out a little faster on loose over hardpack stuff than the Team Control, but most tires do. Very good grip on hardpack. I'm currently trying the RR on the front with a Karma DTC on the rear. I haven't noticed too much difference between that and the Karma on the front. They both roll very fast and grip fairly well for low knob tires. They are both similar volume, although the RR is a little wider, whereas the Karma is lighter.

I have not yet tried the Python on the front, only the rear. It feels about the same as the Karma on hardpack and loose over hardpack. I only have one right now. The nice thing is that they are cheap and easy to get ($19 at JensonUSA, 15 minutes from my house)

If I had to choose a set right now, I'd go with the Karmas on both ends, although the RR is very close and with some more experience on it, that may change. With grip about the same, volume about the same, rolling resistance about the same, I'll take the lighter tire.

One more factor, the Racing Ralph is still harder to get (although it can be ordered at a lot of places now) and more expensive than the Karma.