WTB weirwolf 2.55LT

[dirtydirtysouf]

has anyone used this for a front tire? whats the traction like? im going to run this tire on the rear but was wondering how it is on the front?.........

what would you guys/gals recomend for a grippy front 2.5 that will see hard pack, soft, sandy soil and some street

[particle bored]

The WeirWolf is a good tire but it has a few quirks. The angled side knobs feel squirmy when you have a bit too much pressure in the tire, but since the LT version has superthin sidewalls, you have to run a fair amount of air pressure to avoid pinch flats.

Steering & cornering with the WeirWolf is good on hardpack, on loose over hardpack, and on grainy soils. It's decent but not great on loose big rock chunk.

The squirmy knobs will be weird on pavement, for sure.

Overall it's not a bad tire, pretty light weight, better as a front tire than a rear tire, and not a true 2.55 size. There are tires sized smaller that actually are bigger -- for example, Kenda Nevegal 2.35 or Tioga DH Pro 2.3.

For front use I would suggest a Kenda Nevegal Stick-E 2.35 folding bead tire instead of the WeirWolf 2.55 LT.

[Kanter]

I agree with gonzostrike.

I will add that I found the WeirWolf was terrible at braking and prone to flats. They have to be run at about 45-50psi.


Im just not a fan of single ply anymore after double flats one ride. I like to run the Nevegal 2.3 in the 2ply wire bead or the Minion 2.3 in 2ply. You can not get the 2ply Minion in a 2.3 in the US. I order mine from www.chainreactioncycles.com and they are under $100 for 2 tires delivered!

[particle bored]

Yup, Kanter's got it.

There's also a 2.35 "freeride" Minion that has a pretty thick single-ply sidewall casing. It's a good compromise between paperthin casing tires like the WTB LT casings or the Kenda folding bead casings, and thicker wire bead DH casings.

Of course the Maxxis 2.35 really is about a 2.1, so if you're going for big size then you might not be happy. But the Minion is a super-good cornering tire and you might be surprised that such a narrow tire holds so well in a fast loose turn.

Kanter, how much PSI have you needed to run in your DH casing Kendas? I weigh only 160 and I can't use less than 35 psi unless the terrain has no chunks. At 30 psi at Snowbowl this past summer I got 2 flats in a single run.

But I found they corner just fine at 35-40 psi, still stick and conform really well.

[mud'n'sweat]

I ran the 29" 2.55LT on my 29er and I couldn't fathom running this tread on a DH/FR machine. I gave it several rides both front and rear and this tire just blows for the most part. I'd say it's only decent application is in the SS rigid format in super dry hardpack climates, mainly desert, etc. It's fast rolling with lot's of volume for cush on a rigid. It washes like crazy in the corners and provides horrible breaking traction and bad rear traction as well. I'd have to give it a big thumbs down for the freeriding community.

[Kanter]

Yup, Kanter's got it.

There's also a 2.35 "freeride" Minion that has a pretty thick single-ply sidewall casing. It's a good compromise between paperthin casing tires like the WTB LT casings or the Kenda folding bead casings, and thicker wire bead DH casings.

Of course the Maxxis 2.35 really is about a 2.1, so if you're going for big size then you might not be happy. But the Minion is a super-good cornering tire and you might be surprised that such a narrow tire holds so well in a fast loose turn.

Kanter, how much PSI have you needed to run in your DH casing Kendas? I weigh only 160 and I can't use less than 35 psi unless the terrain has no chunks. At 30 psi at Snowbowl this past summer I got 2 flats in a single run.

But I found they corner just fine at 35-40 psi, still stick and conform really well.

I weigh about 180 but I carry lots of gear. Im the guy with all the tools and spare parts on the trail. I hate walking out.


I have to run the Kenda 2.35 2ply at 35psi in the rear and 32psi in the front. I have yet to flat with them. I check my air pressure before every ride, though. I also run Specialized THIN tubes with LOTS of baby powder.

For most resort riding I still use the Minion DHF 2.7/2.5. I just cant find a more pinch resistant tire with better traction.

Ive tried almost every tire out there and I always go back to the Minion or the Nevegal.

[particle bored]

I ran the 29" 2.55LT on my 29er and I couldn't fathom running this tread on a DH/FR machine. I gave it several rides both front and rear and this tire just blows for the most part. I'd say it's only decent application is in the SS rigid format in super dry hardpack climates, mainly desert, etc. It's fast rolling with lot's of volume for cush on a rigid. It washes like crazy in the corners and provides horrible breaking traction and bad rear traction as well. I'd have to give it a big thumbs down for the freeriding community.

One thing to note -- the 29" version is practically a semi-slick. It's a lot different tire from the 26" version -- not just a bigger diameter version of the same tire.

The 26" version has tall knobs, a much chunkier tread. The 26" version is not a fast roller. While I wouldn't use it, it seems Mark Weir likes it just fine, and he's no slouch.

For a smooth rider or someone who doesn't ride a lot of super-sharp-bumped trails (rocks, ledges, big roots), the 2.55 LT and other single-ply tires might be usable for FR. It really depends on the rider, the terrain, the speed. I've been able to ride what surely could pass as "freeride" terrain on single-ply Nevegals, many times.

In addition to rider, terrain, speed -- it also depends on how you define "freeride".:busted:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kanter, I hear ya. The Minions and the Nevegals are the two tire patterns I like most for this region. I have Nevegals on all my bikes, and I keep a set of Minion DH F/High Roller DH R tires in the garage for fast DH, lift-served big mtn riding.

[Kanter]

The 2.3 and 2.5 Nevegal knobs are even a little different. The 2.5 are longer. The pattern is even different. Here is a pic of the 2.3 and 2.5. Both tires are fairly new. The 2.3 is just a little more dirty.

The 2.5 is on the left and the 2.3 is on the right. Both are the 2ply DH version.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p277/kanter1/Misc/DSC00074.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p277/kanter1/Misc/DSC00072.jpg

[TheMontashu]

I have some DH Wierwolfs and I like them alot, The braking isnt the best but the tire hooks up well and the harder you push it it the better it hooks up. It does realy well on loose as well as hard pack, and they do real well in rock gardens if the rocks arent real loose. I don't know how well the LT will do with pinch flats, I have the heavyest one they make and I pinched it a couple times up front running 30 PSI

[dirtydirtysouf]

well since the 2.55LT doesnt look like a good tire ill be reserching some more........i like the maxxis highroller look.......how does it ride?

or what about intense tires?

[TheMontashu]

The maxxis are saposed to be good, but I dont have any time on them so I dont know for sure

The intenses are great, but they wear out FAST and they are HEAVY

[dirtydirtysouf]

The maxxis are saposed to be good, but I dont have any time on them so I dont know for sure

The intenses are great, but they wear out FAST and they are HEAVY

im not worried about weight....since im over 280#..i dont think a few ounces will kill me

[TheMontashu]

There like 1600 grams, your talking pounds not ounces

[tozovr]

I ran the 29" 2.55LT on my 29er and I couldn't fathom running this tread on a DH/FR machine. I gave it several rides both front and rear and this tire just blows for the most part. I'd say it's only decent application is in the SS rigid format in super dry hardpack climates, mainly desert, etc. It's fast rolling with lot's of volume for cush on a rigid. It washes like crazy in the corners and provides horrible breaking traction and bad rear traction as well. I'd have to give it a big thumbs down for the freeriding community.

Weird, I live in Maine. It's Mucky, rooty rocky and loamy and I LOVE the tires. I run a 2.3 out back and a 2.5 up front. The hook up on the nastiest climbs and are great railing turns. treadwise it feels like they were built for my mountain...sidewalls could use some beef though.

One note though, I had the same exact tires on my Surly Instigator hardtail and wasn't thrilled with them...put them on the Liquid and they're unreal.

RJ

[MTB_Rob_NC]

I have been running the Weirwolf Downhill race version that is 720 grams, 2.5 tubeless (with Stans on a tubeless rim) on the front of my Heckler for as long as I can remember. (at least 2 years) For pressure I typically run 30-32psi and cannot remember the last time I got a flat. It is a fantastic front tire. It grips like crazy laying the bike over on its side for cornering in almost any condition. However with the knobs so close together it does not shed thick tacky red mud that I see in parts of NC all that well, but other types of mud seems to come right off.

It tracks really well on all of my local (Charlotte, NC) trails and I have been in the Pisgah area almost every weekend lately. It even served me well in Mammoth Mountain CA the past 2 summers. In Mammoth I run in both the front and the rear.

On the rear it corners very well, but it does not grip particularly well under acceleration (pedaling over roots, technical climbing and what not). Most cases I do not run it in the rear.

Hope that helps.

[dirtydirtysouf]

However with the knobs so close together it does not shed thick tacky red mud that I see in parts of NC all that well, .

thats what i see with my 2.1 weirwolf in the rear......so looks like that tire is a no go then........

[MTB_Rob_NC]

thats what i see with my 2.1 weirwolf in the rear......so looks like that tire is a no go then........

Just a FYI.... not nearly the issue when the tire is in the front. If you like the cornering traction, dont be scared.

[dirtydirtysouf]

Just a FYI.... not nearly the issue when the tire is in the front. If you like the cornering traction, dont be scared.

i didnt know that........so what tires do you rock for general trail riding.............

[MTB_Rob_NC]

i didnt know that........so what tires do you rock for general trail riding.............

I have the Weirwolf in the front (2.5) and a Maxxis Larsen TT (2.0) in the rear.

I have been up in Wilson's Creek a lot lately and the LarsenTT is over matched when it gets steep and slippery, but I love it every where else.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/MTB_Rob_FL/Bikes/DSCN2885.jpg

[Ciaran]

I also have found the weirwolfs to be a bit squirrely. I like the Timberwolfs in the soft compound much better. And I have never had a pinch flat on a WTB Innerpeace tire. (Of course it is heavy and I don't ride nearly as hard as most of you all)

[tozovr]

thats what i see with my 2.1 weirwolf in the rear......so looks like that tire is a no go then........

Does ANYTHING shed that confounded goop? I STILL have it on shoes from 3 years ago LOL

[dirtydirtysouf]

Does ANYTHING shed that confounded goop? I STILL have it on shoes from 3 years ago LOL

yea some super swamper boggers.......but i dont think i can spin them fast enuff

http://www.intercotire.com/piclib/572.jpg

[Kanter]

Nevegals, Minions, or Highrollers are the best tires out there for all around riding.