Which is better for tire tread?

[Muddawg]

Is it better to have more tread on the back or the front? or both? cuz im goin to need a new tire in the back its starting to ware down. i ride alot on the road to get to HP. but my front isn't that bad. so could i just switch them or buy a new one(s)?

[BadDNA]

Assuming your tires, like mine are not side specific, you could do what I do. When the rear wears out I still usually have plenty of life left in the front. I'll move the front to the rear and replace the front with the new tire.

[Muddawg]

Alright thanks. i probaly buy a tire tonight. i start my first job after easter so i will buy the second tire after that.

[bikerdom]

Front is more important to have more tread since most of your weight is back while pedaling the rear usually gets more "bite". So a worn rear will grab better than a worn front which could cause "washing out" into corners or off camber sections.

[Muddawg]

alright. i was just looking in my barn at the mtb tires i have, and found one that fits my bike. so i will put that on the front, and go and buy a new one tonight. anyone ever try Panaracer Fire XC PRO Mountain?

[Jisch]

I used to swap tires front to back many moons ago. I don't anymore. The front tire definitely wears much more slowly than the rear tire, however I don't like having a bald tire in either place. In the front a bald tire will mean washouts on turns - not fun. In back a bald tire means no traction when climbing - likewise not fun.

I treat the tires independently now, replace the rear when its worn, replace the front when its worn. If I'm feeling all rich and stuff, I'll replace both at the same time, but its rare that both tires are worn out at the same time. There are those rare occassions where the ratio works out perfectly - I think its about 3:2 - you'll wear out three rear tires for every two front tires, so I guess after six rear tires you need both... if my math skills are still working on this late Friday afternoon.

John (who still maintains that Nevegals are great, though fast wearing tires - 6 months on my rear and its done)

[Muddawg]

ya. my front there are some tread grips were its weared down, so that the tread is at an angle. replace or no?

[bikerdom]

Panaracer Fire XC Pro's are one of my favorites. Excellent all around tire. Be sure to get the ones made in Japan they have the higher TPI making them tougher than the cheaper model XC Pro made in Tiawan that the internet discounters usually sell on sale. I just ordered some Panaracer Rampage tires. Anyone tried these? 26x2.3's?

[heckler]

alright. i was just looking in my barn at the mtb tires i have, and found one that fits my bike. so i will put that on the front, and go and buy a new one tonight. anyone ever try Panaracer Fire XC PRO Mountain?

That's what I run, front and rear. I like 'em! But I don't really have a ton of miles on them yet so I can't say how they will hold up.

[hammerhead]

The fire xc Pro is a great tire, just extremely prone to side wall damage. If you ride rocky places, front tread is key, if not you can run them a bit longer. I have only been to HP once, but I remember a few places where I would really like to have good grip both front and rear.

H.

[off piste]

Somebody clued me in to Tioga Factory DH 2.3's for XC, and they're about the best New England XC tire I've run so far.

[Muddawg]

Alright everyone thanks for all the advice and answers.

[Jisch]

Somebody clued me in to Tioga Factory DH 2.3's for XC, and they're about the best New England XC tire I've run so far.

For a long time those were my tires - they're cheap, last pretty good and when you run them with 25-30psi, they have pretty amazing grip. The downside is they are very heavy.

My new bike came with Maxxis Minions and I was instantly impressed by their ability to grip, yet I could run them with 40psi - less pinch flats. That was great until I took one off one time and found that they were even heavier than the Tiogas.

I now use Kenda Nevegals they are relatively light (almost a lb lighter EACH than the Minions) grip amazingly well and can still run them with 40 psi. The downsides - they're not cheap ($32), they are tough to get to hold air with Stans and they seem to wear quickly.

John

[BigMac]

alright. i was just looking in my barn at the mtb tires i have, and found one that fits my bike. so i will put that on the front, and go and buy a new one tonight. anyone ever try Panaracer Fire XC PRO Mountain?

The Fire XC is all I have ridden since they came on the market, clearly the best "All Around tires" for the money. I would spring for a pair though if you can, you may be able to saye a buck by buying only oe and riding out the the better or the exsisting two but having good traction both Front and Rear when your bombing down a trail can mean the difference between staying on the trail ir perhaps getting intimate with a pine tree or even worse maybe learning to fly of a..... well you get the point!
Save the old worn ones for when your new ones are shot and you need a spare to hold you over ntil you can get to your LBS.
Mark,