|   Tire Recommendations Suggestions????? | KMan
Jul 10, 2003 9:17 AM | | Now that I have decided to stay with regular tires for now and selling both the IRC Serac's UST's and Schwalbe UST and am looking for some suggestions for a new set of tires.
What I am looking for are tires that are "relatively light" about 550 grams +/- (this is not a race set of tires, but a general purpose tire for my Single Speed). Also would want to keep the size around a 2.1 for a little added comfort over any 1.8/1.95's. I would prefer to get a tire with a bit more traction with very low rolling resistance. I really enjoy a tire (especially the front) that can carve a tight turn without the fear of breaking loose.
FYI...I ride in the Mid Atlantic East Coast. Trails are compromised of a bit of everything....especially roots and rocks. Lots of tight, fast, switchbacked, tree lined type singletrack.
Any Suggestions other than what I currently have....Conti Explorer Pros and Supersonics
Thanks
KMan |
| A good solid 2.1 is the IRC Mythos | LOGIC MAN
Jul 10, 2003 9:35 AM | | I dont think they have the lowest rolling resistance but great all-arounder tires for sure.
Low rolling resistance AND good grip are in my opinion a bit of a paradox in most cases. |
| A good solid 2.1 is the IRC Mythos | danny K
Jul 10, 2003 5:31 PM | | In my opinion and for me and my needs, the IRC Mythos are scary. I tried them several years ago and about killed myself on them during one 40 mile ride. And then I bought some from Performance last month and gave them 3 weeks. Whew, some things never change.. Nothing about them works for me. Well, they were cheap.
The WTB Mutano Raptors are lighter, faster, grippier, quieter (hardpack buzz), and all around far superior for ME. And they are 2.4! |
| maybe I should learn to read | danny K
Jul 10, 2003 5:33 PM | | He wanted narrow tires. Sorry. But the 2.4's still rock! WTB's team won the 24 hour championship riding a single speed with these tires. |
| Solid? | Feideaux
Jul 10, 2003 5:59 PM | | I found the mythos to be rather sketchy, particularly when braking. Mind you, that was coming from a WTB velociraptor, which is akin to dropping a plough behind your bike when hauling on the anchors. Hey, mixed metaphors!!
This my subjective opinion, of course. Just thought I'd save you the time of pointing that out...
Feideaux |
| Well, here's what i'm running most of the time now | Duckman
Jul 10, 2003 9:56 AM | | As i scope my huge tire pile(48 tires now...god help me), my black trail nrs has Mosq. Golds(figure better sidewall protection if anything)front and back at the moment(did the lower Pinhoti trail solo Sun on them). My HT has a Python airlight rear, and a Python ust wheel/tire up front. The race nrs has a Mosq. airlight front(better steering), and a Karma in the rear(rolls faster). All are 2.0's. The Mosq can be had for $14-24ish all day long on the net. Fast rolling..work good in loose shallow mud..steer good. Air pressure is most important for these tires for proper footprint. Wear fast tho, but they are cheap. Ride the SE mtns and such. Roots, rocks, red clay, black slickass decaying leaf matter, etc. Love them as well as the pythons(have and use 3 python airlights, 2 golds, 2 ust...5 gold mosq, 2 airlights). All are high volumn casings for comfy comzy feedback as well. |
| Duckman, do you ever notice that with the Python up front they | LOGIC MAN
Jul 10, 2003 12:08 PM | | are imprecise? For the front I dont like them for cornering because they are a very tall tire. They have lots of volume, but it doesnt come from width, it comes from height. This makes them laterally flexier. I noticed they required even more pressure because of this. They really want to fold on you in corners like a big Buick tire with 10" high sidewalls. :)
Kinda like a low profile tire on a MX bike or car will handle more precisely. Albeit rougher.....
But I do like them for straightline absorption. And with their extra 1/4-1/2" in hieght they almost have a slight 29er feel to them. They roll over bumps good. That could be purely psychological though... |
| Not duckman, but I do agree with you | Batas
Jul 10, 2003 12:53 PM | | they seem that they don´t want to steer or something... There are much better tires for the front. |
| Yes, the Python makes a better rear tire. Having said that.. | Duckman
Jul 10, 2003 1:31 PM | | ...they make a great "urban" do-all tire for the HT ride, like a plush semi slick sorta that grips lots better tho. I use'm on the local 58 mile rails to trails deal alot, as they are still good for exploring side trails when found during a training ride. The high profile does help with the ride, and traction..especially in the rr. I've seen the rear go up wet rocky slick stuff in the N Ga mtns that my comp s ust's or my buds 2.1 ust seracs couldn't get much grip in the same. Surprised me for sure.
Also above, regarding the heavier front...yes, the ust python can, and does slow excelleration. The front ust combo(used more so cause the rear to it has a dead freewheel hub, so its the odd "wheel" out to go on the HT ride for now)really "feels" like it tracks better over techy stuff. Prob cause of the heavier gyro-weight affect carrying it thru such better. Run 29-30psi front, and 35 rear.
Been giving the roadies hell on the Rails deal here lately. Sure is fun when they hear me enter into thier draft pocket with my high pitched mtb tires, and then shortly after watch as they can't shake me from there on out. At least not on the rails deal since theres no big downs they can take advantage of the taller gearing.
Like the Mosq for the front much better for typcial offroad, and have used a Gold Mq with a Gold python on the rear of the HT just last week. Swap tires alot, since its cheap and impacts a given bikes caracteristics a ton if played right. |
| Like Duck said, The Hutchinson Mosquitos and Pythons | DIRT BOY
Jul 10, 2003 10:22 AM | | are your best bet here on the east coast for what you are looking for.
DIRT BOY |
| Check out the Specialized Roll X Pro... | Toxic
Jul 10, 2003 10:39 AM | | I'm running these right now and they've been great. They weigh ~530 grams and have a huge air volume which could provide a little cushion on your singlespeed. They also grip extremely well. I was running Python airlights before these but had problems with them washing out in turns and technical areas. Since switching to these I haven't had any problems. |
| Some suggestions | Feideaux
Jul 10, 2003 6:19 PM | | Currently, I am running the Ritchey Z Max Millenium on the rear. Folding version.
It fits your criteria. 2,1, 550 grams (ish), excellent wear rate, very very low rolling resistance, and hooks up like a (insert tawdry reference to dubious sexual promiscuity here) in a wide range of conditions. Quite happy with it as a rear tire . Only drawback is that it tends to skip sideways a tad when breaking at high speed. No drama, I've incorporated that characteristic into my repertoire of cornering 'skills'.
The front? Hmmm, tricky. At low weights, your riding style and pressure set up become more of a determining factor. I'm running a IRC trailbear at the moment. Reasonably light, lots of knob for the money, but drags like a sonofabeeotch.
The best front I've ever had was actually a Bontrager Jones. I know! It shouldn't be so, but it was. Seemingly glued to the ground, predictable in all conditions, and rolled forever. Cheap as chips too!
Feideaux |
| re: Tire Recommendations Suggestions????? | YankeeGuy
Jul 11, 2003 5:46 AM | | I would try a set of Panaracer Fire XC Pro. I have been riding them for over a year now and they seem to work the best for me thus far. I have tried Hutchinson Mosquito, Kenda, WTB VeloRaptors & MotoRaptors and a few that i have forgotten. The Panaracers handel the rocks, roots, sand and hardpack very well and shed mud very well also. they may be a bit heavier than what you are looking for (i didnt check the specs) but even if they are I feel it will be worth it for you. |
| re: Tire Recommendations Suggestions????? | Kleinadian
Jul 11, 2003 9:02 AM | | I have similar conditions in the Ottawa area. I race often, so I don't consider tires that don't roll fast. My opinions on what I use and others mentioned:
Mythos XC. Good tire, but pinchflats all the time. Every time I use it, I pinchflat. Ask Roland Green. He pinchflats these tires often and I can't beleive he still uses them (at least he did up until a year ago). These tires slip out a bit on wet roots. Rear tire doesn't roll that fast.
Michelin Comp S: Great tire. Very fast considering how much grip they get. Front washes a bit on dry or wet roots.
Python Lites: Great rear tire. Wash out too much on the front. I attribute it to no sideknobs. Slash easy on rocks though. Not great in mud.
Mythos XC. Good traction for fun rides in the dry, although heavy feeling and slow. I used someone elses bike once for a race with these. When I rode through mud, it felt like the bike was made out of solid lead. Held mud and felt heavy.
I use a Jet UST on the front, which is squirmy in the mud, but good traction otherwise. Very fast and good cornering out front compared to a Python. Damn ugly in green. Works well with a Python Lite rear. Like I said though, these are also my race tires. Yes the UST is a bit heavy out front, but it works.
For all around though, go for the Michelins. |
| re: Tire Recommendations Suggestions????? | Kleinadian
Jul 11, 2003 9:09 AM | | Also used Trailblasters for a bit, but was not thrilled with the rolling resistance or traction. Thought they felt vague. Didn't try them as a mud tire though. |
| How about WTB tires?? Anyone useing these? | KMan
Jul 11, 2003 9:46 AM | | I was considering the WTB Weirwolfs @ 545g
The Epic Wolf (though thinner tan I want at 1.95) is 465g
Any WTB thoughts/comments?
KMan |
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