woomie Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Since I'm not racing these days, I'm looking for more of an all-around tire. Right now, I run what I brung: a Maxxis Ikon 29x2.2 on the rear and a Maxxis Ardent Race 2.2 on the front. I recently bought a Nobby Nic 2.25 that I was going to install on the rear, but also want to replace the front with something a little more beefy. I'm just getting back into MTB after mostly road riding the last 10 years so I have been riding what I know best, Walnut Creek. Just about any tire setup seems to work there, but when I rode the South Austin Trails yesterday, I was reminded of our more typically perilous traction situations. And yes, I searched the previous threads for this topic as y'all must have hashed this over before, but couldn't find what I'm looking for, so let's go, tell me what you ride and why. TIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Tires are personal, specific to both the rider and the bike. Good luck getting a straight answer on this. It is more likely that you will end up more confused than enlightened. I would argue that it is going to be less about the actual tire (i.e. tread pattern) and more about the width. For the most part people are running 2.3" - 2.4" tires on their bikes. A 2.2" or even a 2.25" tire probably won't give you what you are looking for here. I ride 2.4s and find them to be a significant upgrade from the 2.25's that I used to run. Personally I believe that moving beyond 2.4" to 2.5" (or larger) does give you an even better experience, but the cost is significantly higher. This makes 2.4" the price performer for today's rider. 10 years ago 2.2" was the price performer and 2.4's were too expensive to justify for most. Tires are a moving target and highly specific. But not knowing what bike it is on and the rider (along with the true issues you are facing now), it will be impossible to hone in on the single best tire for your needs. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throet Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 6 hours ago, woomie said: Since I'm not racing these days, I'm looking for more of an all-around tire. Right now, I run what I brung: a Maxxis Ikon 29x2.2 on the rear and a Maxxis Ardent Race 2.2 on the front. I recently bought a Nobby Nic 2.25 that I was going to install on the rear, but also want to replace the front with something a little more beefy. I'm just getting back into MTB after mostly road riding the last 10 years so I have been riding what I know best, Walnut Creek. Just about any tire setup seems to work there, but when I rode the South Austin Trails yesterday, I was reminded of our more typically perilous traction situations. And yes, I searched the previous threads for this topic as y'all must have hashed this over before, but couldn't find what I'm looking for, so let's go, tell me what you ride and why. TIA! You could pair that Nic with another one at 2.35 in front and do pretty well around here. Personally I like the 2.35 Nic (Speed Compound) in back with a 2.35 Magic Mary (Soft Compound) in front, both with the SnakeSkin casing. Probably more rubber than what's really needed, but I'm not trying to win medals and don't like dealing with flats. Those MMs with the soft compound seem to last forever and hit their sweet spot after a few months of riding on them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRider3141 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Oh boy a tire thread! 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4fun Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 DHF 2.5 front, aggressor 2.3 back 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I have Ardent and Ikon on my XC bike, and they SUCKED doing the Banduro. I'm buying an entirely new bike for that stuff. it won't have Ardent on it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Txduc Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 7 minutes ago, TheX said: I have Ardent and Ikon on my XC bike, and they SUCKED doing the Banduro. I'm buying an entirely new bike for that stuff. it won't have Ardent on it. This times a thousand. I run Ardent race on all of my bikes and they work really well at Brushy, Walnut, Warda, RPR, etc but at Bandera it felt like I was running slicks. Now to find an old 26er DH bike. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csmceuen Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Classic tire thread. Get ardents. Corner hard. Profit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Ardents work great doing my normal XC riding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Damn, Maxxis is killing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadtokevin Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Schwalbe Magic Mary or Nobby Nic front and Nobby Nic or Rock Razor for rear are great combos. I also have a wheelset with a DHF 2.5 and Ardent 2.3 and it works well. I think the Magic Mary holds better when you lean the bike over.. Jenson has the Vittoria Morsa and Mota on sale(29 version) I picked up a few to try on my harduro tail. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestbike85 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I’m done a number of combinations on the last few bikes. Austin trails only I’ve not found much better than a DHF/Rekon combo. If it’s wet the Rekon will be a little less reliable to lock up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cafeend Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Schwalbe Magic Mary or Nobby Nic front and Nobby Nic or Rock Razor for rear are great combos. I also have a wheelset with a DHF 2.5 and Ardent 2.3 and it works well. I think the Magic Mary holds better when you lean the bike over.. Jenson has the Vittoria Morsa and Mota on sale(29 version) I picked up a few to try on my harduro tail. I run the Rock Razor out back and it is crazy good..except in anything wetter than hero dirt. But surprisingly nice.Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chongo Loco Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 3 hours ago, bestbike85 said: I’m done a number of combinations on the last few bikes. Austin trails only I’ve not found much better than a DHF/Rekon combo. If it’s wet the Rekon will be a little less reliable to lock up. Ditto this setup. I look for light with the most rubber to rock for the wheel I'm spinning, reliable/predictable in drops/dust/scree in a front tire. The Rekon is near a semi-slick like an Ikon for sticking to rocks on climbs but has a decent amount of side lugs for turns. The DHF is heavy AF but it bites great on drops/turns so I'll pay the penalty and in a plus tire its a heavy penalty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Man Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I ran Panaracer Rampage 2.35 on various bikes for years. Then I went to Tubeless and those wouldnt work so I switched to Panaracer Fire Pro. They are similar tires, held up well in all conditions seemed to last a decent amount of miles. That tire was right for the bikes I had them on (still on one bike). Now riding Maxis Recon 2.6 because thats what came on this bike. Seems like a decent tire, havent had long enough to give true commentary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 8 hours ago, TheX said: Damn, Maxxis is killing it. There is a reason for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sluggo Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 26”, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 13 minutes ago, Sluggo said: 26”, right? Retro! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woomie Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 16 hours ago, RedRider3141 said: Oh boy a tire thread! Thought y'all would like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 This could go anywhere. Get the ones that match your frame color Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAF Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 I have been rather enjoying the Maxxis Rekons - I have 27.5 x 2.8 on my Tallboy, and 29 x 2.6 on my Chumba Stella. Solid grip on the local chunk, and no sliding on cornering. Short-cutting on the road. or some EB 360 riding? Oooph, that's a bit of a workout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Did I miss anything? I was over at the Gibson forums starting a "best string" thread. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAF Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 56 minutes ago, TheX said: Did I miss anything? I was over at the Gibson forums starting a "best string" thread. Surprised RA hadn't already done so ... but over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yosmithy Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 a tire thread with no name calling or personal condemnations? What has this world become? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradtubgin Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 I am putting new tires on the bike today. Minion DHF and aggressor for the rear. Also check out what I found in my old tires. I think there is a crazy tiny knife. Must have ran over a tiny warrior. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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