Running a nevegal backwards

[Mongoose]

Has anyone run their rear neve tire backwards? I tried it this weekend and it gives a bit more traction, especially on roots. I pre-rode the Landmine racecourse and got my fastest time yet. (Fastest still isn't fast...) It seems like overkill for an XC bike though. For an XC race bike, there must be better options?

[mad4mtnbike]

I'm on my 4th set and I've always run them backwards on the back. There's no doubt you'll get better traction with the square edge of the knobby leading instead of the ramped edge. Especially on roots as you stated.

Mark

[woodsguy]

That doesn't make sense. Having the square edge to the back should give you better traction. How would having the ramped edge to the back be better? I would think having the square edge forward would give you better braking which I could see doing for downhill. The ramps are there to reduce rolling resistance.

[mad4mtnbike]

Hello Woodsguy:

If the square edge leads, that's the first edge to contact the root and will give you a better bit. If the ramped edge leads it tends to push the knobby up and away from the root and can cause the tire to slip. I agree the ramp as the leading edge does reduce rolling resistance, and also helps with steering at the front wheel.

Mark

[thomllama]

yup, did both, I do like the extra traction but I also noticed the reduction in braking, kinda a trade off..:rolleyes:

[Groundchucky]

I've been running nevegals for years now with the rear backwards and for me, the upside has been greater than the downside. I've even run this out in moab and fruita (a worn set) and it worked well

[Mongoose]

I'll keep my neve reversed in the rear. I could use a faster rolling tire on the front though. Has anyone tried running a Blue Groove on the front? It seems popular, but I wonder how blue grooves work on New England trails?

[Jisch]

I ran a blue groove for a while. It worked well, I didn't notice a significant difference between that and a Nevegal, but I don't know what I should have noticed (i.e. better cornering etc).

[mad4mtnbike]

I put a Maxxis Larson TT 2.35 on the front of my SS a couple weeks ago and I'm lovin it. A fast rolling tire that grips and brakes well. Thinking of putting one on my Chumba also.

Mark

[woodsguy]

I had a Blue Groove for about a year and I thought it was the worst tire I've ever tried. It never seemed to have traction. I had high hopes for it since it looked like it would be good front tire.

So far my favorite tires are the ones I have now. WTB Weirwolf 2.55 LT (low tread - makes them super fast). Since they are such high volume I am able to run them at 27psi (all other tires I've had to go to at least 40psi or I would pinch flat). Because of the low tread and low pressure they grip and glide over roots like nothing I've ever ridden. On a very rainy trip to KT I didn't slip on a wet root once. That said, they aren't very good at very muddy cornering. The knobs just aren't long enough. Surprisingly, they can climb in the mud just fine. In dry cornering they hang on like velcro.

Another great front tire is the Serfas Burner but it is a wire bead.

[thomllama]

if you like the nevegals i highly recommend trying the serfas Krest tire. it's a tad heavier that the kenda (wire bead) but the traction feels a bit better and they roll easier. the knobs are just a little smaller and tighter on the tire. One other thing that's a bonus is the flat protection strip. It works!! there is not one thorn sticking through mine and by now I would normally have a dozen or so.

also they are way less $$$$ really worth a try!