First set of new tyres

Ransaka

Firstly, sorry for a "What tyres?" thread.

I've got Kenda tyres on the bike (hardtail) at the moment (It doesn't say what variety they are on them, I've looked) and the side wall on the rear has got damaged (bulging out at the side, wondering if it's due to the recent addition of tyre liners but doubt it as the bike was in for a broken spoke last week at the LBS so I would like to think it was put back together in a non sloppy manner, they are usually very good) and needs replacing. I'm using the bike for commuting to work each day (on tarmac sadly) and for off road (trails around the South Downs and suchlike) at the weekends.

I want to put a tyre on that will do both rather than me having to keep swapping them out every Saturday morning and so I'm looking at a Nobby Nic as it seems to suggest decent off road grip for what I'm doing but reasonably fast rolling so won't drag too badly on tarmac. I know it'll wear down quicker using it on the road but I'm prepared to put up with that.

Am I on the right track or way off target?

Beardface

If it's any help mate, I also ride to work each day (on road), and ride the North Downs at the weekends.. I have 2.1 Nobby Nics, and don't find them to drag on the roads as much as my old hutchinsons, or anything else I've used. So I'd say they're perfect for what you're after... although, you could consider Nobby Nic on the front, Racing Ralph on the back? (A mate does that, and swears by it).

Like you say though, they do wear quite quickly, thats the only downside!

surreyxc

On oldie but a classic. Panaracer fire xc pro, I have had three sets of these. I almost bored of them and keeping looking for something else, possibly the Kenda Nevegal. In the summer I will try a set of the Kenda 8 block. The Fire XC do not excel at anything but a great all rounder, always grip for me, wear well. They do occaisonally puncture, but then all but the heaviest tyres do. Worth noting I commute everyday on these and ride around the Surrey Hills and the slippery Downs. Do not be tempted by the ultra light tyres the Super Sonics I have are terrible, quick but with all the punctures just awful. If you have the cash Nobby Nics/Ralphs are great apparently.

bails87

Depends how boggy your off road riding is, but I was really impressed with the Racing Ralphs I had front and back. Maybe try a RR on the back and NN on the front.

Otherwise, a Continental Race King, which would be quite biased towards road/hardpacked trails.

Edit: Oh yes, the Fire XC Pro's are decent. They seem to reach a point on the road where, above a certain speed, the resistance seems to disappear. This is more obvious when you've got more pressure in them.

joshtp

i use a highroller and swear by it....

sam_commencal

you could always get a cheap set of wheels for the weekday commute with tarmac tyres on?

JamesBrckmn

Specialized the captain 2.2/2.0 - front/rear. great tyres.
the bulge you have is probably the tube trapped inbetween the tyre and rim . I didn't know this until mine blew up in the lbs :oops:

pdid

joshtp/mbukman wrote:

i use a highroller and swear by it....

+1 in single ply, 2.35 maxpro 60a guise

Northwind

Nevegal 2.1s, DTC on the back, Stick-e on the front. Not fast for tarmac but they do everything decently well.

upinsmoke

Northwind wrote:

Nevegal 2.1s, DTC on the back, Stick-e on the front. Not fast for tarmac but they do everything decently well.

I have these in 2.35 on mine and today on road, ice, snow, mud and frozen ruts they didn't put a foot wrong.

I prefer them to the Mountain king and race king on my hardtail. they are good just not as sure footed as the Nevegals.