Road and XC/trail tyre

rh-keith

hi all

I currently have Kenda Nevegals 26"x2.1".

I do about 70% backroads and 30% trail/XC.Looking for a good tyre to match this. Something that rolls well on road but can also handle the few times I go to the local trail center etc

Also what is the 60a, 62a, 70a after some tyres is this the compound, if so which is softer/hardder etc?

thanks

The Spiderman

What works well on the road will be cr@p off road and vice versa.
If you only ride off road on fireroads ,canal paths and bridleways you might get away with a semi slick.Something like:http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1008&categoryId=132

If you ride a mixture of proper trails and road in the same ride, you could run a grippy tyre up front with something faster rollling out back.This way you will cut down on rolling resistance where most of it takes place,on the rear but the front won`t run wide and wash out when you ride off road.

Something like a Pnaracer CInder or Fire XC up front with a Razor on the back:
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1003&categoryId=132

The numbers you mention are durometer.The higher the number the harder the tyre.
For example 70 a will be harder wearing ,will roll better and be better for road use.60a will be grippier but wear out quicker.

rh-keith

maxxis crossmark keep popping up on my searchs. How are these for road eg wear and rolling resistance?

The Spiderman

rh-keith wrote:

maxxis crossmark keep popping up on my searchs. How are these for road eg wear and rolling resistance?

No experience of Cross marks but I to give you a comparision I have used Nobby Nics and Racing Ralphs (similar type of tyre to the Crossmark)on the road.By off road standards these are fast rolling tyres,but on road they are nowhere near as good as even a cheap slick.You`ll wear them out quick if you ride on tarmac a lot too.

Whats most important road or off road performance?

If your priority is road and you can live with a bit of slip and slide,go with something ike the Mach SS if its trail performance get something grippier.Even better get 2 pairs of tyres..........!

ride_whenever

If you want a good combo, try a rampage up front and a razor on the back, seriously fast rolling when pumped hard, good off-road too. Not as fast as full slicks, but the off-road performance is excellent.

If you want more emphasis on road, try a pair of twin-rails, pumped hard they roll really really fast, like a slick, let most of the air out and they are grippy enough for some off-road action.