Tires: 2.1< x< 2.5

[mimbresman]

Suggestions for tires that fit the above formula. I have some 2.1 Ritchez WCS Z-max that I hate. Looking for a good X-country set-up, but reasonably light.

My research has found the WTB Mutano Raptor 2.4 is a good looking tire on paper. Anyone know anything about this tire?

I also like the 2.35 Ritchey Z-max. Its a good tire.

[Hand/of/Midas]

2.3 tioga blue dragon

awesome tires for XC purposes, some people hate them thinking they can use it as a lightweight AM/FR tires but the casing is to thin for that. a buddy gots em on his 1X1 and will ony use them, for all conditions. really light.

[jh4rt]

Shiggie's MTB Tires (http://mtbtires.com/)

[tryandgetme]

I go with the Kenda Smoke 2.1's. Moderate rolling resistance on the road though, but they've got the traction and cornering I like in the dirt. Great snow tire as well. Very cheap.

[Teamfubar]

MM,

I've been running Panaracer Cinder 2.35" tires for a couple seasons now with a lot of success. Have rode them in the desert of Arizona, the slickrock of Moab, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and the loamy singletrack of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Equal success on all those surfaces. They might not be the best for each application, but they are great all around. Big, grippy knobs and a big foot print are a plus. The down side is they are a bit portly (750g. or so per wheel), but not out of line with other tires this size. It appears that Panaracer is replacing these with the Rampage, so you might want to check them out as well.

[rockyrider]

The new Continental Mountain King is available in a 2.2 and a 2.4, so you could run one on each end. The ProTection version has the Black Chili rubber compound which seems to have the claimed benefits of being grippy, having fairly low rolling resistance and good traction and not too bouncy over rocks. claimed weight is 580gms in 2.2 and 670gms in 2.4, but my 2.4 MK weighs in at 748gms exactly the same as the 2.35 Nevegals I was replacing.

[The Rose]

Suprised noone has mentioned the Nevegal, I run them on my SS and they grip like crazy. I have a set of Kenda Dredd Tread on my Marin and although they dont have the cornering bite of the nevegal they roll faster.

[Spalls]

I have been running 2.1 WTB ExiWolfs for about two years now and have been really happy with them. I ride in the wet a lot and they work great. Okay in the dry, too. I plan to upsize to 2.3s this spring.

[BMAC]

I've had very good luck with Panaracer Cinders and Fire Pros,so have many other club members here in the desert.I had a 2.35 Nevagal on the front of my SS and riding on asphalt it was like slogging through mud.Current set-up on the SS is 2.35 Nevagal on rear and 29" 2.55 WeirWolf up front and I'm loving it.

[mimbresman]

Now I got to try and find any of the above in country. Don't want to order out. I'll see what the LBS can get me.

[robcycle]

I have 2.3 ExiWolf's on the SS 29er, and I'm pretty satisfied with them. They roll fast, shed mud well, and the grip is great on hardpack and soft soil. That being said, the grip sucks on anything hard and wet, and isn't that confidence inspiring on loose over hardpack.

On the SS little-wheeled bike I have IRC TrailBear's, 2.5 in the front, and 2.25 in the back. The tires offer great traction in any condition I have used them in, but I think the 2.5 is a little big and heavy for the front.

-Rob.

[mimbresman]

The conditions I mostly ride in here are loose, gravelly, hardpack, with some sharp-pointy limestone. Throw in some beach sand for good measure.

I like the 2.35 Z-max I have on the Merlin SS, but the 2.1 Z-max are just too skinny for my Clydesdale ways. They feel too squirmy and break traction real fast.

In the past, one of my favorite tires in the Gila were the Velociraptors. They worked great on hardpack, rocky stuff, but are only available in 2.1. The 2.4 width vs weight is what is attractive on the Mutano Raptor. The downside is the blocky shoulders. I now like the more roundy shoulder profile of Z-Max.

Like I said before, I'll see what is available locally. Thanks for all the input.

[mimbresman]

Went to the LBS and ordered some Mutano Raptors 2.4s. They're going to check with their supplier in Caracas and see if they can get me some fat tires.

[PutAwayWet]

Went to the LBS and ordered some Mutano Raptors 2.4s. They're going to check with their supplier in Caracas and see if they can get me some fat tires.

How do you like the mutanos? It's my favorite front tire for rigid SS...

[mimbresman]

They never have got them for me. Still running the cheezy 2.1 Z-Max. I guess this will have to wait till I am in the USA.

[Jay13]

The Maxxis High Roller 2.35 is a good tire, I have them on my light wheelset for trail riding days... Mine are UST although I think they make them in non-UST too(I ride Minion 2.5's on the heavy DH wheelset, I switch off depending on what i'm riding...)

[riderx]

Since you mentioned WTB, the Motoraptor 2.4 is an old favorite.

Currently running one of the following on my bikes:
Kenda Nevegal 2.35 (Dual compound flavor)
Kenda Karma 2.2

[Blatz]

Conti Mountain Kings Rock. Corner Great, and shed the brown stuff like no one business

[bomberbarnes]

I run Schwalbe Nobby nics on both my SS (2.1s) and geared (2.25s). They're light and dead grippy. hey wear quite quickly due to a soft compound but the rolling resistence is kept low by having the grip compound moulded over a higher durometer knob. They're made of science and that.

The 2.25s weigh in at under 700g iirc but don't feel at all wimpy like Hutch airlights can. I run them on wide(ish) rims at reasonably high pressures (40psi ish) which seems to give the best combination of flatproof, grippy and low rolling resist. They are rock solid on the rim (no rollover like you find on some thin-walled tyres.)

Dunno how easy they are to get in the Americas, we get them on bulk order from our LBS and www.barracuda.be sell them online for not bad prices. They've just released a 2.4 version of this tyre aswell, which I am tempted to try but I think it might be a step too far.