Sticky Tires?

So I have two sets of wheels for my AM bike. One burly for the North Shore and one XC for...XC.

The burly wheels have maxxis swamp things in a 2.35 with the slow reezay compound (very low durometer). These tires are just stupid they are so awesome. I think their awsomeness is due entirely to the rubber compound.

The XC wheels have Maxxis something-or-others, with a much harder durometer and stan's. Compared to the swamp things, these tires are fast. Fast rolling and even faster slipping off wet rocks and sending my ass to the ground. I'm hating them.

Who's running light sticky tires? Which model? Did you find there was a big increase in rolling resistance? What are the hybrid tires (hard in the middle/sticky on the sides) like? Do they work or is it better to go all or none?

Thanks to all.

no experience with hybrids (never heard of em) but you could also try running a soft durometer up front and a hard durometer in the rear. it really depends on the specifics of the terrain you are riding. this will reduce the chances of your front wheel sliding out meanwhile give you the better (lesser) rolling resistance and speed.

i ride DH and have been running soft front / soft rear. the tires wear out too quickly for me so i switched to a soft front / hard rear combo. for my conditions (hard, rocky and usually dry) it works well. the rear lasts a lot longer now too.

Kenda Nevegal stick-e rubber 2.3 with Kevlar bead should be what your looking for.

Lots of people here in North Van run the Nevegal DH stick-e rubber tires for the grip.

I have Kendas on my XC bike - Blue Groove front/Nevegal rear. They aren't the lightest tire, but they're decent if you get the folding bead/non-dh version.

I've also run Maxxis Minions/Highrollers with whatever their mid-durometer is on my downhill bike. They're pretty good, but seemed to wear faster than the Kenda's, even though they are a bit less sticky. I'm going to go back to the Blue Groove/Nevegal combo once I wear the current set out.

Kenda Nevegals seem to be universally loved. I guess I'd better stump up the cash...when did tires get so expensive?

Just a heads up, the Nevegals are *not* the best wet weather tire. At all.

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Originally Posted by Ripzalot

no experience with hybrids (never heard of em) but you could also try running a soft durometer up front and a hard durometer in the rear. it really depends on the specifics of the terrain you are riding. this will reduce the chances of your front wheel sliding out meanwhile give you the better (lesser) rolling resistance and speed.

i ride DH and have been running soft front / soft rear. the tires wear out too quickly for me so i switched to a soft front / hard rear combo. for my conditions (hard, rocky and usually dry) it works well. the rear lasts a lot longer now too.

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Which setup are you running exactly? I've been considering the soft front hard rear combo for awhile since I have a long bike that I like to drift and my rear tire wear out quite fast. I've been Running Michi comp32 F and 2.2" comp16 rear. I think i want to move to a 2.5" comp16 in the front but I'm not sure what to put on the back. Maybe a Highroller or something?

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Originally Posted by Dromond

Which setup are you running exactly? I've been considering the soft front hard rear combo for awhile since I have a long bike that I like to drift and my rear tire wear out quite fast. I've been Running Michi comp32 F and 2.2" comp16 rear. I think i want to move to a 2.5" comp16 in the front but I'm not sure what to put on the back. Maybe a Highroller or something?

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for what it is worth. I love the 2.5 comp16 up front. definitely seemed significantly bigger than a 2.5 minion and had a much less rounded profile, which i like up front.

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Originally Posted by lph

for what it is worth. I love the 2.5 comp16 up front. definitely seemed significantly bigger than a 2.5 minion and had a much less rounded profile, which i like up front.

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Cool. Last year the mtn I was riding at was all steep fall line with lots of pointy rocks. Jiminy has less fall line, more dirt, and less rock-only lines. I think I might actually enjoy less rolling resistance as there are some pedaly sections :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dromond

Which setup are you running exactly? I've been considering the soft front hard rear combo for awhile since I have a long bike that I like to drift and my rear tire wear out quite fast. I've been Running Michi comp32 F and 2.2" comp16 rear. I think i want to move to a 2.5" comp16 in the front but I'm not sure what to put on the back. Maybe a Highroller or something?

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2.7 minion 42a front / 2.5 high roller 60a rear

if i wasnt such a penny pincher i would just run the softs front/rear but there are no deals on tires in switzerland. top dollar...er...CHiF. :mad:

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Originally Posted by home_piece

Just a heads up, the Nevegals are *not* the best wet weather tire. At all.

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Care to share more of your opinion on this. If these are not a good wet weather tire for the price then what is?

I also have the Kenda Nevegal on the rear (2.1) with a Maxxis Ranchero (2.0) on the front for an XC set up which seems pretty light and sticky. I tried the Velociraptor but it was more of a soil tread design and seemed heavier than the Kenda or Maxxis even in the kevlar bead.

I'm gonna put 12 hours on them tomorrow in Park City so we'll see how the whole thing (including me) performs!