XC tire recomendations?

[Mr.Grumpy]

Hi. I am getting a bike together for next spring and need to get tires for her. What would you guys recommend for a dirt-only xc tire? There are SO many to choose from, I figured I'd ask some guys who are using them not selling them!

[Mongoose]

I'm loving my blue groove light front and small block 8 rear combo.

[heckler19]

Kenda makes great all-around tires. Nevegal is a classic design, but the Blue Groove, Excavator and Moco are all good too. A lot of people like the Panaracer Rampage, a tire along the same lines as the Nevegal. Continental Mountain Kings are excellent tires in sloppy spring conditions. Maxxis also makes some nice designs. Hard to go wrong with any of those.

[Slappy]

Recently been trying out some different tires after running Tiogas forever cuz they were cheap. Liked the Nevagal 2.3ish XC model, though the rear wore really fast. Still got one in the front, now paired with a Maxxis High Roller XC, also 2.3ish, in the back. Seems like a good combo.

[leebo]

+1 for above posts. Think 2.3 to 2.5 tires. This is what works for me. I have conti's diesels(2.5) on my surly 1x1 now, they grip well on every thing and have good cush for the bumps.

[LeonD]

I've been using 2.3 Kenda Nevegals on my hardtail. I feel it's a great, all purpose tire.

I wouldn't hesitate to get another set when these wear out.

[Mr.Grumpy]

any thoughts on the WTB velociraptor tires?

[bogdogs]

In 2009 I used a combination of Kenda Nevegals and Panracer Fire XC Pro to get me through a full season of cross country racing. The Panaracer is an excellent back tire that never slips on any kind of terrain. My brother raced on Maxxis High Rollers and loved them.

[LeonD]

any thoughts on the WTB velociraptor tires?

I went years only using Velociraptors. I think they're excellent tires. Can you still get them?

I feel the Nevegals are like an updated Velociraptor.

In reality, I could be very happy with either one.

[Mr.Grumpy]

is there any reason that a tire sould say Kenda on one side and bontrager on the other side? That's what came off the rims that I have.

[redridercr250r]

mountain bike action mag often suggests using 2.3 nevegal up front for traction in corners and 2.1 small block 8 in back for low rolling resistance. I'm going to try that combo next summer, see how it handles fort rock and fomba

[Mongoose]

I used to run Nevegal 2.1 DTC's front and rear. The traction was nice but the rolling resistance was high. With the BG and SB8 combo I use now, the traction isn't as good in some conditions (anything rocky, roots...) but the speed on smooth terrain makes up for it. I think you have to decide if you want to sacrifice traction for speed which is a personal preference.

[Reptilzs]

i just buy whatevers cheap. have used weirwolfs, fire xc pro, hutchinson spider, maxxis bling bling. all seemed fine to me