A Slightly different sort of tire question

[MMcG]

I know that there have been several "what tire is best" threads here, but I don't know if this specific topic has come up yet so here goes:

How many of you guys and gals run a narrower tire in the rear than in the front on your trail bikes?

And if so, what sizes do you run, and why do you choose to run that type of set up vs. a matched pair?

Oh yeah and feel free to name the brand of tires you are running too and how you like em?. ;D

Thanks!

McAskalot (who needs to put new rubber on his new bike)

[SloMoJo]

Geeze Marko...
That's sort of like asking what's the best sneaker out there.

Just the same....
Here's the earlier thread on tires.
http://www.nemba.org/yabbse/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=1023

New England trail riding is much like the weather. If you dont like the conditions your riding on, just wait a few yards, it will change.
No tire or combination is going to suit all the conditions you encounter on the trail with the same degree of performance. With that in mind i chose the Panaracer FireXCPro. You can get them mail order from PricePoint with a good 2fer deal. The folding kevlar bead makes it easy to change a flat without tire levers, they have directional tread and come in colors.

[MMcG]

Geeze Marko...
That's sort of like asking what's the best sneaker out there.

Just the same....
Here's the earlier thread on tires.
http://www.nemba.org/yabbse/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=1023


SloMo,

My question is aimed more at size combinations than brands of tires.

Wondering how many people run wider tires up front than in the rear and why.

One more thing,

Front and rear tires wear at different rates and patterns. Running different sizes would prevent you from rotating them to maximize tread life

[MMcG]

I guess so Bill, but so would tires that come as front and rear specific right?

These have a multi-directional tread so depending on which way you mount them they can go front or rear. The rolling direction is marked on the sidewall. Many tires have this indicator even if they are not multi-directional

[MMcG]

Thanks Bill, the Panaracers are high on my list for certain....they come highly recommended by you, JT, IAB and others.

I want to find them in all black and I should definitely look for the Kevlar beaded ones correct?

Oh yeah and btw, are you riding anywhere next weekend? I'll have my sons with me all weekend this weekend and we'll have a blast, but next weekend I have all to myself and I wanna RIDE!!!

When are they going to get a live chat on this site. This post and reply stuf is a bit cumbersome.

Good decision on the all black tire. Those colored ones are so tacky. Definetly dont get the blue. That goes for every one.

My schedule has been disrupted latley due to my becoming an emergency Foster parent. A condition that should be temporary, but who knows. I cant really think more then a few days ahead but would also like to get out on the trail for an extended bit of personal time and space. Where were you thinking of riding? up my way, down yours, inbetween. I am also free on tues and thurs during the day

[MMcG]

These new WTB Weirwolfs look pretty nice too. They now come in 2.1s

Whattya think of this tread pattern for New England conditions?

[gungywump]

Mark,

Your tire question seems to allude to a classic BMX tire setup. Years ago I uses to run a Panaracer Smoke Light 1.9 in back and a Panaracer Dart 2.1 in front. More recently I have run a Tioga XC 1.95 in back and a Tioga XC Extreme 2.1 in front. Most recently I have a Tioga DH 2.1 in back and the XC Extreme 2.1 in front.
The basic advantage of the different size tire setup is that a larger tire in front will usually tend to steer better and the smaller tire in back will place more weight on the contact patch of the tire and provide better traction(bite). This works well in dirt but on wet rocks and roots I have come to like the larger tire in back for the opposite reason. The larger contact patch distibutes your weight across a larger area and seems less prone to slipping on harder surfaces. Plus the larger tires offer a somewhat softer ride and will roll over obstacles better than a smaller tire.

[MMcG]

Mark,

Your tire question seems to allude to a classic BMX tire setup. Years ago I uses to run a Panaracer Smoke Light 1.9 in back and a Panaracer Dart 2.1 in front. More recently I have run a Tioga XC 1.95 in back and a Tioga XC Extreme 2.1 in front. Most recently I have a Tioga DH 2.1 in back and the XC Extreme 2.1 in front.
The basic advantage of the different size tire setup is that a larger tire in front will usually tend to steer better and the smaller tire in back will place more weight on the contact patch of the tire and provide better traction(bite). This works well in dirt but on wet rocks and roots I have come to like the larger tire in back for the opposite reason. The larger contact patch distibutes your weight across a larger area and seems less prone to slipping on harder surfaces. Plus the larger tires offer a somewhat softer ride and will roll over obstacles better than a smaller tire.


Gungy,

I plan on running 2.1s front and rear after doing some more thinking this a.m.

I know you regard the Tiogas highly, but can you elaborate as to why you prefer them over other brands? For example Panaracers or those MTB Weirwolfs I put up there above?

Your input is always welcome, informative and greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Mark

[Big Game]

I dig the traction of the the Tioga, but for me, they just look cool and get me into the groove. Allow me to explain in the manner you are accustomed to:

Simple big knobbies
Rocks and Roots only stoke more
My subtle attack

[gungywump]

I honestly feel that the all-time greatest mountain bike tire was the original Fisher Fattrax.
It employed a simple and highly effective square block design.
The Tioga is the closest tire on the market (in my humble opinion) to that tire. It's also tuff and durable.
In review "If it ain't broke don't fix it"!

[knucklebuste]

These new WTB Weirwolfs look pretty nice too. They now come in 2.1s

Whattya think of this tread pattern for New England conditions?


Dude, I got a set of those, 2.5's those are nice tires, never slipped around a corner on those puppies. No pinch flats either. Nice tires. As far as your question, I got a pair of gazzoldi's on my kona, a 2.6 and a 3.0
A lot of people like a bigger tire up front for more stability and a skinnier tire in back. I stuck the 3.0 on front and the 2.6 in back at first and I diddn't like it. The 3.0 is a rounder of a tire while the 2.6 has more sidewall bite, so I switched, putting the 2.6 in the front and the 3.0 in the back. Doesn't look as stupid like that, plus the 2.6 in the front corners pretty well. Take a look at the Nokia Gazzis, they come in all different sizes. Knuckle

[AGENTGRAPE]

on my old hardtail i have a michelin wildgripper kevlar 2.1 and a hutchinson mosquitio lite 2.3 on the front it looks way out of balance but corners nice and the big tire up front rolls well. i tried to put the other 2.3 on the rear but it was bigger than the lower rear triangle.and would not go thru the brakes. so change back to the 2.1 and i cant see anything bigger fitting on there.also both tires can be run in any direction.