What's a good, light "general purpose" tire for MTB?

[merlynda]

Hi all,

I am looking for a kevlar tube tire (something light <500 grams) that is a cross between a "knobby" and a "slick"... you know, like the tires we had on our bikes as a kid.

The Vredenstein S-Licks are too slick as are the Ritchey Tom Slicks. I tried the Continental Town and Country ... they were the closest....but I felt like I could not turn very well with them... it was kinda hard for me to control the bike with them.

I am looking at the Panaracer TServ or Urban Max... the tread is the same on each of those tires... they are $36 a tire and I think the tread may not have enough "bite" for me...

Any ideas?? -Thanks!

P.S. What to the bike cops use on their bikes???

[RhinofromWA]

Not Kevlar but $10 at GIJoes.com



Seems to me you are looking for a road bike that will work well on a DH course. Just two entirely different situations.

These tires are about trade offs. I picked up some Tioga MTB road slicks and use them for streat work. I have big knobbies WTB Motoraptor 2.4 kevlars for the dirt.

[RhinofromWA]

Here are my MTB slicks,

[RhinofromWA]

And the knobbie offroad tires,

[-BB-]

Kenda 2.35 Sticky

about 700g, but tons of traction...

[RhinofromWA]

Crossroads Armidillo Tire from SPecialized. Looks like an aggressive cross tire. As agressive as they get I imagine. There is a reason slicks work on pavement and knobbies work well in dirt....and they don't cross over the best.

$29.99 810grams wire bead road/offroad tire.

[BikeGeek]

The Ritchey Innovader looks to be a good hardpack/pavement tire. The side knobs may feel a bit squirrelly cornering on pavement though.

[freeridebiker21]

look at the pannaracer fire XC

[The Rose]

Look no further than the Kenda K-Rad. neaky:

[Cash-Money]

get some tioga factory dh 2.1 tires and gut off the center knobs. these are light weight, will be totally smooth in the middle, but will maintain the outer knobs for cornering. i have a 2.7 tire like this, and a 2.1. it's the best way to go for riding street, but still being able to corner

[mirage542]

pythons nuff said

[Kornphlake]

I'd just get a fast rolling harder rubber XC tire like an IRC mythos, put a good amount of air (50psi) in and let them roll. I don't think you'll really sacrifice that much on pavement but you'll still have plenty of chunk for going off road.

[Meat Foot]

look at the pannaracer fire XC

Yeah, the norrower and lighter version, the 1.8 Panaracer Fire XC. IRC Mythos semi-slicks, if they still make'em, Hutch Pythons, WTB Nanoraptors, and WTB makes an urban/dirt tire, don't remember the name off hand....wait a minute...WTB Allterainasaurus (sp.?). Some other options.

[genpowell71]

WTB makes the Mutano tire. I've had them about a week now, and I cant say as I've had a tire in the last 4 years that handles quite like it. Its a 2.2 size and I run about 40 lbs of air in them and they handle great.

[NCBikingJim]

Panaracers are nice, but the way to go is definetely Maxxis. If you're looking for a dry ride tire go with the Larsen TT, otherwise go with the Ignitor.