The never ending tire question….

[jebfour]

I hate to ask another tire question since it seems to always be an ongoing debate, but what the heck….it’s raining and I can’t make it to the mountains to go snowboarding this weekend…….

With that being said, what brand / model / size of tire do y’all recommend for EXREMELY loose pumice and/or shale rock conditions? Think Mammoth (or if you are in So. Cal. think Suicide trail….)

If it matters, I will be running them tubeless with my UST rims, and weight does make a bit of a difference because other than places with a chairlift I’m climbing to the top. Also, I don’t have a “full-blown” DH bike….it’s an AC1 with a Z1 fork…..

As always, thanks for any and all advice!

Jeb4 :thumb:

[black noise]

I had a good experience with 2.5 Nevegals at Mammoth. Those tend to hook up well on loose stuff.

[Netguy]

Nevegals.

[Sherpa]

Cut Michy Comp 16

[TheMontashu]

nevegals

[jebfour]

Thanks for the replies! It seems like nevegals are an overwhelming favorite......do you guys recommend the DH Version of the FR (foldable) version??

[spacemanspiff06]

dh weighs a lot more. fr has a ultra thin sidewall. it's personal preference

[Pat...]

I like thick tires. With thick tires, there is much less chance of pinch flatting or flatting. Just my opinion, but if you are going to use it for lifted riding, dh would be a good idea, especcially in the rocks.

[bballe336]

I have the nevegal FR 2.5's they grip well on loose dry stuff. You will probably flat with the FR casing unless you run them at a relatively high pressure.

[Acadian]

for loose pumice - Maxxis Minion DHF front and rear :thumb:

[chicodude]

for loose pumice - Maxxis Minion DHF front and rear :thumb:


This is the combo kevin keeps pushin' me to run.

I guess he got to you too...

:oink:

[Zach Dank]

Kenda K-rads are perfect for these conditions.

[bullcrew]

Nevegal/bluegroove combe

[kidwoo]

This is the combo kevin keeps pushin' me to run.

I guess he got to you too...

:oink:

I don't use dhf ones in the rear. They don't release good and proper till they're beat to hell.

And they're just too precious as a front to do that.:blah:

[Bicyclist]

Specialized Roller RS Pro 2.6s RULE at Mammoth. They're huge for a 2.6 and they hook up great in pummice. Nevegals are a close second.

[amateur]

2.7 Mobster front, possibly rear
2.5 HighRoller rear

[SXtrailrider]

go with the micheline comp 16, getthe 2.7 everyone at mammoth during the national race was using those they have the best tracktion for that kind of terain

[S.K.C.]

Maxxis High Rollers, 40a, 2.7

[jebfour]

Thanks for the repiles everyone! Looks like I have plenty to check out....

[Bicyclist]

I've ridden Kendas, Michelins, and Intense tires in pummice and I can say nothing is really close to the performance of Specialized Roller RS 2.6s other than Nevegals, but they get kinda sketchy when it gets real loose.

[stgil888]

I've never ridden the freeride casing, but for loose, rocky terrain, the Kenda Nevegal/Blue Groove combo has worked the best for me. I ran the DH casing 2.7 front, 2.5 back. These tires are much larger than Maxxis tires listed at the same size. I doubt the 2.7 would fit a Z1 easily. Also, I've heard questions about whether Kendas can be used with Stan's sealant. Good luck.

[Bicyclist]

I really don't like Blue Grooves for loose terrain. They feel vague and they don't seem to hold a line, even at pretty low pressure for a 2.7. That's just my experience with them.

[dcamp29]

Also, I've heard questions about whether Kendas can be used with Stan's sealant. Good luck.

they work fine with stan's.

[Bicyclist]

they work fine with stan's.

I've seen and heard that after a while bubbles can form in the sidewall and Kenda says not to use Stan's. I don't run tubeless on mine so I don't know, but I've heard you shouldn't.

[Biscuit]

they work fine with stan's.
They do, but the inside has a "tendency" to de lam faster than without. Basically your tire won't last as long.
And, the FR light duty Kendas have pretty thin sidewalls which do pinch at the bead. Stans can't plug that.

[Biscuit]

I also tried several tire setups at mammoth last year including pretty much everything michelin makes.

I was really surprised at how well a soft highroller worked. And they're relatively light, and they have great pinchflat protection, and they roll fast.
If you clip the outer edge of the ramped center knobs, to expose the corner knobs more, they really dig in the flat loose stuff.

[dhbuilder]

i'm still trying to find conditions that the maxxis minions don't work in.

[profro]

I ran 2.7 Highrollers at Mammoth last year and I hated that setup. I'm not a huge HR fan, but I will run them on the rear in loose/blown-out conditions. I usually run 2.5 Minion DHF front and rear. The HRs might be better in a 2.5 size. the 2.7 seems to float at speed on the pumice and 2.7s always seems way too slugish for me.

[Kanter]

I ran 2.7 Highrollers at Mammoth last year and I hated that setup. I'm not a huge HR fan, but I will run them on the rear in loose/blown-out conditions. I usually run 2.5 Minion DHF front and rear. The HRs might be better in a 2.5 size. the 2.7 seems to float at speed on the pumice and 2.7s always seems way too slugish for me.


I run the same set up. I do like the 2.5/2.7 combo for resort riding though. The Minion DHRs are so nice. :)

Nevegals are great too. I run 2.35s front and rear once in awhile. They are the exact same size as the Maxxis 2.5s but about 200 grams lighter, each.

[ride_fast]

2.5 40a DHF's front and rear is the only way to go. sick all terain set up.

[chicodude]

I don't use dhf ones in the rear. They don't release good and proper till they're beat to hell.

And they're just too precious as a front to do that.:blah:


Er...I forgot tha DHF And DHR letterage

[1soulrider]

For pumice and ultra loose conditions (Mammoth etc.) I recommend WTB Timberwolf 2.5s, Mitchy comp 16 2.5s, Specialized Evil Twin/ Roller RS 2.4s, or Kenda Nevegal 2.5s.