WTB: A good front tire for XC in the Southern Rockies?

[ANON-505]

Hey.

Looking for a new front tire for my 575. I just got a Conti Vert, but I think it would make a better rear....maybe it seems a little small for a 2.3.

On my older bike I have a MotoRaptor 2.4 (2.3?) and I really liked the rounded shape for cornering, but I'd like to try something different, also pretty fat. I'm not so interested in DH/FR tires, as I don't really ever shuttle or ride lifts, and the riding around here is STEEP, riding uphill is part of the gig.

Anyone have any advice? I'm not a weight weeinie, but I'd prefer to not have anchors.

Thanks.

[homi]

I like the mutano 2.4 up front and the moto 2.4 in back
the mutano seems to hold the line in loose stuff and on off-camber uphill switchbacks.

anybody find a 2.4ish UST tire that weighs < 900g and works well for our loose/rocky/waterbar climbs? I run the mutano and moto tubeless (they're non-UST tires on crossmax xls with stans but no rimstrips). The setup rides great, but isn't so durable. Is there a reason they don't make UST tires bigger than 2.2?

[shirk]

2.5 Weir Wolf kevlar bead. Check the wtb site, a few different options with the weir wolf tires. Don't know how they ride, but they look good.

I liked my motoraptors and conti vertical pors.

[mntlion]

kenda nevegals, they make diff compounds, and make a 2.3? and a 2.5 too.

[homerjay]

Just switched from conti vert 2.3s to Maxxis ignitor 2.35s, noticeably larger profile and ust. Similar tread, great cornering, reasonably light.

[homi]

the UST Nevegal and Weirwolf only come in 2.1

Just switched from conti vert 2.3s to Maxxis ignitor 2.35s, noticeably larger profile and ust. Similar tread, great cornering, reasonably light.

I'll check these out. are they as thin as people say?

[marshalolson]

the panacare fire FR 2.4 is sweet too. 850ish g, and more like a 2.5 - rad tread for railing it down

[lph]

Although, as we have previously discussed, the Maxxis Highroller 2.35 is definitely undersized, man does it perform well. Hooks up great in the loose stuff and sand, sticks well to rocks and is relatively light. Lots of people running them up front as a trail/xc tire with the Ignitor in the rear.

Kenda nevegal 2.35 with the folding bead and Stick E compound would probably be a great bet for what you are looking for as a front tire as well. Definitely a bigger 2.35 than the Conti or Maxxis.

[801 jav]

Bringing this thread back to life... but need a new set for my XC... not just a front. Looked at WTB Motoraptor 2.24 for a set or Conti Gravity 2.3 (used the Vapor 2.1 in the past/ kinda narrow for a 2.1, but traction proved well out here) better options?

[uncle crud]

Kenda Nevegal 2.35
or
Panaracer Rampage 2.35

For all-round use including soft soil, loose rock, chunk rock and roots, front tires should have nice chunky knobs.

For hardpack and solid rock riding, small knob tires work well. The Maxxis Ignitor is almost identical to the Continental Vertical Pro, and costs less. The WTB ExiWolf is a tall tire with really small knobs that wrap around to the sidewall, it corners a lot better than it looks -- provided the trail is pretty buff and there's no loose sand or gravel on top.

Maxxis Ignitor
or
WTB ExiWolf

[El Chupacabra]

the panacare fire FR 2.4 is sweet too. 850ish g, and more like a 2.5 - rad tread for railing it down

I'm using this as a front tire on two mtn bikes. I like it a lot. It barely cleared the fork arch on a Manitou Minute, but it clears just fine on a Fox Vanilla 32, and (as you would expect) has plenty of room on a Fox Talas 36.

[BushwackerinPA]

the panacare fire FR 2.4 is sweet too. 850ish g, and more like a 2.5 - rad tread for railing it down

use it on front(wont fit on the back) of my trance LOVE it on hardpack/not loose rocks. You are right very wide, and not that heavy.

Is it just me or is this tire not so good in loose conditions?

I wish panaracer would make a UST version of this tire.

[801 jav]

Kenda Nevegal 2.35
or
Panaracer Rampage 2.35

For all-round use including soft soil, loose rock, chunk rock and roots, front tires should have nice chunky knobs.

For hardpack and solid rock riding, small knob tires work well. The Maxxis Ignitor is almost identical to the Continental Vertical Pro, and costs less. The WTB ExiWolf is a tall tire with really small knobs that wrap around to the sidewall, it corners a lot better than it looks -- provided the trail is pretty buff and there's no loose sand or gravel on top.

Maxxis Ignitor
or
WTB ExiWolf

With some areas of loose conditions that are a factor where I ride... was leaning towards the Moto's... although real I could see the ExiWolf being a great tire for the buffed trails...

[ANON-505]

wow. a year later and it's still here.

back in the market again. something with alot of volume, big and knobby, but now a UST requirement.

which of the tires listed above are UST?

[801 jav]

BTW... should i run a 2.24 instead on 2.14 on my Rush to give more stability without losing much of it's nice agile feel?

[El Chupacabra]

Is it just me or is this tire not so good in loose conditions?

I wish panaracer would make a UST version of this tire.

Tahoe this summer = bone dry & looser than usual, and it's usually loose. I thought the 2.4 Panaracer Fire FR was as good as anything else I've tried here. If someone has a tire that will stick to loose sand/gravel/babyheads, let me know.

I'm using this non-UST-specific tire on a UST rim, with Stan's sealant. It mounted nicely, hasn't burped, and I haven't had to add any sealant since I installed it (3 months). No sign of sidewall damage from running it tubeless -- so far.

Performance Bike also has a 2.3 version of this tire that I haven't seen for sale anywhere else. I don't have a 2.3 version so I don't know how they compare to the 2.4, which looks considerably wider than several other 2.3s I have (much wider than 0.1 difference should look).

[Ferniefreeheels]

For a front tire I use a Maxxis Minion in a 2.35 on my Enduro. It's the perfect tire for single track around here.