|   follow-up question for shiggy re:tires | rigel
Mar 27, 2003 8:02 PM | | I posted this in the Beginner's corner...just wanted to know what you think (I'd appreciate additional suggestions):
HELP! I'm on a quest to find THE best all-around tire. I building up a hardtail I plan to use for anything and everything, and since I'm only a student (in a 3rd World country at that!) I can't afford to get different tires for different riding conditions.
I plan to use my bike for...
1) non-technical trail riding (dry, smooth to rocky singletrack with some stream crossings) - I want a tire that rolls fairly fast but is still grippy
2) commuting - ...good durability and low rolling resistance for pavement;
3) light urban assault - ...a bit beefy/wide; large volume for cushiness.
I don't plan to go racing so weight isn't much of a concern (though the lighter the better).
I'm chossing among the Geax Sedona 2.25, Specialized Enduro Pro 2.2 and WTB MutanoRaptor 2.4.
I've read the MTBReviews here for all these tires but I've yet to come across one that compares all three. Anybody out there who has?
(Some reviews of the Geax and Specialized mention them having weak sidewalls)
While I do want a larger volume tire to add some comfort to my hardtail, I'm also concerned if it'll fit my Schwinn Moab frame. |
| Sorry, but you are dreaming | shiggy©®
Mar 27, 2003 9:22 PM | | One one tire can do what you want. There is no magic tire that can wear like iron, grip all surfaces like glue and roll fast.
Choose one use. You can not have it all.
None of the tires you are looking at are good on pavement. All will wear quickly and then not be good on dirt.
I would find the biggest semi slick or tightly-packed knobby you can and use that - and the cheaper the better, it will wear longer.
The only major brand knobbie that
i might
work are the Bontrager Jones AC 2.1 and the Huthinson Python Gold 2.0 but they are not all that big and still will wear quickly. |
| try Maxxis Larsen Mimo 2.0 | been_jammin
Mar 28, 2003 12:27 AM | | 1. they're high volume and seem wider than 2.0
2. ramped knobs roll pretty fast on hard surfaces, rounded tread profile is good for cornering
3. they have a hard durometer rating, so they should be durable for continuous use - a buddy who use one bike for technical dirt and commuting swear by 'em
4. they are engineered to have sort of a rebound damping effect that is hard to explain, but feels good on a hardtail
5. from time to time, can be had for as little as $18 each at online outlets like supergo.com
6. strong sidewalls and high quality rubber, even at the bead, mean you can use them for a Stan's conversion to no tubes--check it out at notubes.com. save $$ and weight on tubes!! run tubeless at low pressures for off road traction and small bump absorbtion; pump it to 65# for road rides
only negative I've found: tendency for back tire to skid a bit while braking on steep descents |
| Terrible traction on pavement... | shiggy
Mar 28, 2003 8:52 AM | | ...washout instantly when leaned over on dirt. One of the worst tires I have ever mounted on a rim. |
| interesting how different impressions can be | been_jammin
Mar 28, 2003 3:42 PM | | I've had instant washout tires, like Specialized Rockster Pro 1.9--they took me down twice and were 10 minutes slower (than Tioga Extreme XC 2.1s) on a 18mi loop at an endurance race.
I know several people who love the Mimos for fast rolling on dirt or pavement, tight and twisty singletrack with loamy soil and seriously rocky climbs and downhills.
For me, they're just a backup tire in my collection now 'cause I don't want to compromise on one tire for everything.
I seem to recall that they performed more differently than other tires with a variance of tire pressure. |
| I generally will not use any knobby for road riding... | shiggy
Mar 28, 2003 4:48 PM | | ...such as commuting or training. I have much better tires for that purpose. I do ride knobbies on pavement during off-road rides but there is no way I am pushing them as hard as I would a road tire. I can hear and feel the tread blocks walking in the corners where I would not even slow down using slicks. Get even worse in the wet.
The Mimo had fine dirt/mud traction (its claimed strength) as long as the wheels stayed verticle, but the moment I leaned the bike I was off the trail. Happened 8-10 times in a 12 mile ride. Same trails I always ride, same conditions, same technique.
As far as rigel's criteria go, #2
i "commuting - ...good durability and low rolling resistance for pavement"
eliminates the three tires he is looking at, and most other performance knobbies - they are going the wear out quickly on pavement. As they wear down their dirt performance will suffer and they need to be replaced sooner, so why bother buying higher-end tires. In the long run it could be cheaper to get a cheap, on-sale set of slicks
i and
a decent on-sale pair of knobbies. |
| re: follow-up question for shiggy re:tires | Jeromelo
Mar 28, 2003 3:14 AM | | I've said this before. I understand the adversion to semi-slicks for ss, however I live in Michigan and do 50/50 between dirt roads and single track. I run Bontrager Revolt ss on the front and back %90 of the time. You have the flexability of dumping pressure for hook-ups in the loose stuff, filled with air they run the roads and fire trails like a raped ape.
They can be picked up at price-point for $20 a pair...CHEAP..CHEAP..
BTW- I use Stan's so I can dump pressure big time for loose and greasy conditions. These tires with proper pressure do everything pretty well except mud. They suck big time in the mud. (find a buddy with some knobbies sitting in a tire pile and buy him a beer)
Total cost $20 and a beer. That's as close as your going to get for your one tire fits all search.
-Jerry |
| You are right. This is a place semi slicks can be OK | shiggy
Mar 28, 2003 4:52 PM | | Especially if they have a thick center-tread base rubber. You just need to understand the limitations of the tire. |
| Bling Bling! | DancingBear
Mar 28, 2003 9:02 AM | | Maxxis bling bling 2.35 in a 60 durometer will come close to what you are looking for. They are high volume, semi-slick (they feel pretty fast) and actually have aggressive cornering knobs so they hook up well in corners. They are pretty durable too. Get 'em without the DH casing and they come in around 700grams. |
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