Tire sizes?

[Evil E]

What is a good tire size for agressive cross country? Right now I am running 2.5 rear and 2.3 front weirwolf wtb and I think its too much on the climbs. Im thinking of using the 2.3 for the rear and finding something similar or smaller for the front. Thoughts appreciated.

[snow_slider]

I'd say anywhere between 2.1 and 2.35 depending on the tire.

[Ski Monkey]

I run a 2.1 in back and a 1.9 in front.

Being the bike jong that I am, I have no idea why that is good or bad. Just what is.

[bagtagley]

First, I recommend running the bigger tire on the front. When you're pedalling, most of your weight is over the rear tire, so having a lighter/smaller tire back there will decrease rolling weight and resistance and make things easier. On the opposite side, when you downhilling, more of your weight and braking power is on the front, so you want a bigger patch of rubber up there.

On my hardtail I run 2.35 front, 2.1 rear for XC and 2.35 on both for everything else.

[p-tex]

Originally posted by bagtagley
First, I recommend running the bigger tire on the front. When you're pedalling, most of your weight is over the rear tire, so having a lighter/smaller tire back there will decrease rolling weight and resistance and make things easier. On the opposite side, when you downhilling, more of your weight and braking power is on the front, so you want a bigger patch of rubber up there.

On my hardtail I run 2.35 front, 2.1 rear for XC and 2.35 on both for everything else.

What he said. Exactly what I run.

[mtnrider]

I'll second the bigger tire in front, smaller in rear. Less rolling resistance running a smaller in the rear, right?!?!?! More control steering w/ larger in the front. i run a 2.4 Panaracer FR front and a 2.35 Conti Survivor Pro rear.

[Ski Monkey]

See, you guys are smart. Glad I hang out here. I'm still not changing it though as an act of defiance.*



*Only because a new bike is in transit and my current bike is getting slicks and it will all be changed around next week.

[Vets]

Added question:
Does anyone out there ride in mostly loose/sandy/rocky conditions?
If so, what tires do you find to work the best?
I am riding mostly singletrack/fire roads/old mining roads in the high desert with an occasional trip up to the Sierras. I plan to purchase new tires asap. I currently have a Michelin Wildgripper Hot S 2.1 in front (which I like but it is wearing out) with Bontrager Jones 1.95 rear (which has lost a side tread knob and is also wearing out). I'm on a 2001 GT i-drive 3.0.
Thanks.

[bagtagley]

Since I see those conditions maybe a handful of times each season, I'm not the best source of information, but I'll try.

Early this season I rode a bike w/ Maxxis Mobster XC tires on it. They rolled well and cornered even better. Another choice would be the High Roller XC or the 2.35 DH in a 60 durometer. If you're short on cash, I've always found the Panaracer Fire XC to be a great all-arounder, or if you want bigger, the Fire DH comes in a 2.35 and is relatively light.

[Beaver]

I third the larger one in the front not the back. I have 2.5 Maxis Mofo DH on the front and a 2.35 something or other on the back. I don't race so I don't care how slow I am.

[Darkside]

Try something from Nokian maybe, a gazz. dual, bazzobeano, nbx, etc. I say this because they have tall outer lugs and a square profile which helps them dig in on corners with loose sand/dirt. Whatever you run, i'd avoid worn out WTB's (what I'm running).

[Arty50]

2.4 Mutano Raptor in front
2.24 Mutano Raptor in back

Sweeeeeeet setup. Great in sand and loose stuff. Just don't inflate them all the way. The word is they don't run as well with a lot of pressure.

[Evil E]

good info...ok heres another one. Do you recommend flipping the tread pattern on the rear for more traction?? Ive heard this before and not sure what to make of it.

[Vets]

Originally posted by bagtagley
Since I see those conditions maybe a handful of times each season, I'm not the best source of information, but I'll try.

Early this season I rode a bike w/ Maxxis Mobster XC tires on it. They rolled well and cornered even better. Another choice would be the High Roller XC or the 2.35 DH in a 60 durometer. If you're short on cash, I've always found the Panaracer Fire XC to be a great all-arounder, or if you want bigger, the Fire DH comes in a 2.35 and is relatively light.

I found a great deal online for the Panaracer Fire XC in a 2.1. I picked those up. I hope they work as well as they look. The red and black looks great. I'm also looking into the Maxxis, Nokians (they look extra beefy) and Mutano Raptors based on Beaver's, Darkside's, and Arty50's recommendations. Thank you.
Evil E, I hope that you don't mind me adding to your questions.
Here is an answer to your latest one. Many of the tires I have seen and used recommend that they are turned around depending on whether they are used as front or rear tires. The Bontrager Jones tire I have even designates a wet or dry direction on the tire. Once when changing a flat (on a Michelin - thorn in the sidewall) I noticed a slight difference in how the bike handled when I reversed the way it was supposed to be. I switched it back. I would guess that in some easy conditions you might not notice a difference and in others that it might actually make a difference.

[Evil E]

i kept the 2.3 weirwolf on the front and I now have a 1.95 veloceraptor bringin up the rear. definitely spins a little faster. Looking forward to some better climbing tommorrow for my first winter park race

[gravitylover]

2.35 Ritchey Z-Max Millenium front and rear on my hardtail. Love it.

[Arty50]

Originally posted by Evil E
good info...ok heres another one. Do you recommend flipping the tread pattern on the rear for more traction?? Ive heard this before and not sure what to make of it.

Just to expand on what vets said, it depends on the tire.

For instance, the Conti Vertical Pros have arrows noting direction. Forwards for the front and reverse rotation for the back.

Velociraptors have front and rear specific versions, so no need to switch there.

And the Mutanos are sorta the same. The 2.4 is basically a front specific tire; while the 2.24 can be run as either. They both only run in one direction though. I wanna say a local LBS employee played with turning the 2.4 around an putting it on the back, but I can't remember the conversation that well.

So basically, it depends. If in doubt, check out the mtbr.com tire reviews. For instance, the Mutano reviews are favorable/unfavorable mainly depending on whether the rider aired up or aired down initially. I was told not to air up too much when I bought them. So dialing in the air pressure can make a difference too.

[Vets]

Arty50,

Based on your enthusiasm for the Mutanos, I picked up 2 of the 2.4s on ebay. I'll try using one of these on the front along with a Panaracer Fire XC in a 2.1 on the rear. If the shipping is quick enough, I hope to have these on by next weekend. I'll post on how they feel after a ride or two. Probably a ride here in the Pinenuts and another ride in the Sierras.

[Arty50]

Cool! If you don't like them, I'll buy em off you. Not just because I feel responsible, but I need one also.

[snow_slider]

2.4 Mutanos are GREAT tires - great grip and very fast rolling. However I've had more pinch flats with them that any other tire I've ever used.

They are awesome as a snow tire too.

[Vets]

Yeah baby! Just finished my first ride with the new tires. 2.4 Mutano on the front and Panaracer Fire XC in a 2.1 on the rear. I rode the Minnehaha Secret Singletrack near my house. It is a steady climb up a road with a loose dirt and rock surface. The Fire XC just kept going up w/o a slip. The Mutano held a stready line. On the downhill to Secret Singletrack I was able to go faster than usual with confidence. No problem at all on the very narrow loose singletrack. The Mutano even allowed me to practically carve a turn through what I previously considered a sandtrap. Thank you again to bagtagley and Arty50! Great recommendations! Arty50, I do have another Mutano 2.4, if you really need one PM.

[Arty50]

I'll only take it if you don't want it. Otherwise if it's a back up, keep it. I can get one no problem. As for the suggestion, don't thank me. Thank Paul at Sports LTD. He's the one that suggested I get the Mutanos. Unfortunately, I only got to ride them a handful of times. Sooon....very soon....

[Vets]

Originally posted by Arty50
I'll only take it if you don't want it. Otherwise if it's a back up, keep it. I can get one no problem. As for the suggestion, don't thank me. Thank Paul at Sports LTD. He's the one that suggested I get the Mutanos. Unfortunately, I only got to ride them a handful of times. Sooon....very soon....

I love the tires. I brought it up because it sounded like you were in need of a tire, I got a real good deal and I went with the Mutano based on your genuine enthusiasm. It probably will be wise to have backups for my tires. I'll have to thank Paul at Sports LTD the next time I am up at the Lake. Maybe this weekend when I"m skiing (today and Sunday), biking (Saturday - I've got to try the tires in the Sierras too), or just looking for Yebisu beer.

[hev]

damn. the mutanos are the hot tire aperantly....I run them on my dirt jump bike. great compromise of rolling and cornering abilities.

[freshies]

Originally posted by p-tex
What he said. Exactly what I run.

ditto: run bigger up front, smaller in back. i run wtb mutanoraptors front and back (sweet tires) w/a 2.4 upfront and a 2.24 in back.......run this same combo on my FS (Blur) and SS Hardtail (Yeti) - works great for both.