Looking for a "lighter weight" 2.5 for the front and a 2.35 for the rear. I normally run a 2.35 Maxxis Mobster (ST42a) on the front and 2.35 Highroller (SR40a) in the back but have been using 2.3 Tioga Factory DH fr and Maxxis Minon DH rear lately in the wet. Everything I have in my reserve stash is too worn or a DH tire that is too heavy. Maxxis does not make a non-downhill 2.5 yet and looking for a little better performance from the back.

Background:

Ride in the South-East US mostly around the Atlanta area. Trails are the famous red clay that is very hard packed (in the warm, sunny months) with a light dusty film covering them and very slippery when wet (especially when covered in pine straw or leaves). Trail Ride agressively with 5" fr and 6" rear travel. 215+lbs in gear.

Have been considering these:

WTB Timberwolf
WTB WeirWolf - reviews say not good on hard pack though
Maxxis Hansventure - only avail in 2.35
???????????

Have you looked at the Michelin Hots? They're making a 2.5 that runs under 800 grams. I haven't used Hots, but I've heard that they're a great tire for conditions out here in Colorado. (Sandy hardpack & loose rock)

Looking for a "lighter weight" 2.5 for the front and a 2.35 for the rear. I normally run a 2.35 Maxxis Mobster (ST42a) on the front and 2.35 Highroller (SR40a) in the back but have been using 2.3 Tioga Factory DH fr and Maxxis Minon DH rear lately in the wet. Everything I have in my reserve stash is too worn or a DH tire that is too heavy. Maxxis does not make a non-downhill 2.5 yet and looking for a little better performance from the back.

Background:

Ride in the South-East US mostly around the Atlanta area. Trails are the famous red clay that is very hard packed (in the warm, sunny months) with a light dusty film covering them and very slippery when wet (especially when covered in pine straw or leaves). Trail Ride agressively with 5" fr and 6" rear travel. 215+lbs in gear.

Have been considering these:

WTB Timberwolf
WTB WeirWolf - reviews say not good on hard pack though
Maxxis Hansventure - only avail in 2.35
???????????

Try the Kenda Blue Groove 2.50 or 2.35. Very grippy, reasonably light in the folding versions. Does OK in the mud and very good on wet rocks/roots/logs (specs are on my tire site).

The Timberwolf is a very tall knob tire that may be sketchy on hardpack.

Think about using different tires for wet and dry conditions for best performance.

Just starting to get some time in on the Timberwolf and Kenda Nevegal in 2.35 and 2.5.

The Timberwolf came in heavier than advertised at 960gs. But it is large and knobby, I like it. I also got a 2.3 weirwolf it looks puny compared to the TW, 2.2 actual width, and 100gs heavier than advertised, but it has the innerpeace sidewalls which are noticably thicker. I would think from appearances that the WW would be better in hardpack than the TW.

The 2.5 and 2.35 Nevegal are quite close in size, and actually wide as claimed, the 2.5 came in lighter than advertised at 815, while the 2.35 was 800. Sidewalls seem very thin. I would go with Kenda's suggestion for the Blue Groove for hard packed.

I'll be hitting some trails with hard packed red clay here soon but I don't base my tire choice for those conditions, I'll keep you posted.

I'm also coming off sticky Mobsters in 2.3 and 2.5, the Nevegals and TW's are bigger and knobbier, feels like the Nev's are stickier too.

I just put the first dozen or so miles on a set of Nokian NBX 2.3 FR's and I'm initially very impressed. I know that they make a 2.5 DH with the heavier side walls and wire bead, but not a 2.5 FR. Althought the DH tires have a "dual compound soft & sticky tread" if that makes any difference.

I'm also anxious to try out the Kenda Blue Groove 2.5 with the lighter kevlar bead and the Geax Sturdy's.

Thanks for the input! Looks like I need to find an online dealer for Kenda now.

I'll let you know what I find and then report back on how they work.

Looking for a "lighter weight" 2.5 for the front and a 2.35 for the rear. I normally run a 2.35 Maxxis Mobster (ST42a) on the front and 2.35 Highroller (SR40a) in the back but have been using 2.3 Tioga Factory DH fr and Maxxis Minon DH rear lately in the wet. Everything I have in my reserve stash is too worn or a DH tire that is too heavy. Maxxis does not make a non-downhill 2.5 yet and looking for a little better performance from the back.

???????????

I can't find anyone selling the Kenda blue grooves but I did see the Fire FR 2.4. Does anyone know the true size?

Thanks for the input! Looks like I need to find an online dealer for Kenda now.

I'll let you know what I find and then report back on how they work.

Try Larry at mtnhighcyclery.com or Charles at Hammerheadbikes.com

Try Larry at mtnhighcyclery.com or Charles at Hammerheadbikes.com

Already sent Larry an email - waiting on reply

I will try hammerhead also. Thanks

I can't find anyone selling the Kenda blue grooves but I did see the Fire FR 2.4. Does anyone know the true size?


I have been using the FR 2.4 in front for about a month. While I haven't taken a ruler to them they are noticeably bigger than a Kenda 2.35. The knobs are huge and very stiff (definitely not soft rubber). Huge "moto" look is confidence inspiring and they don't weigh a ton like some of the Intense tires.

http://www.go-ride.com/prod_tires.html#kenda

http://www.go-ride.com/prod_tires.html#kenda

Only list the DH version, though, and just the 2.50 size.

Only list the DH version, though, and just the 2.50 size.
Larry @ MHC is getting some Kevlar versions Friday.

Thanks for the suggestions. I ordered a 2.5 and 2.35 Blue-Groove

Larry @ MHC is getting some Kevlar versions Friday.

Thanks for the suggestions. I ordered a 2.5 and 2.35 Blue-Groove

I bought mine from Larry too, he is awesome to deal with.

2.5 Blue Groove on the front and Nevegal on the rear. I have about 20 miles on them now, and the Nevegal is showing a good bit more wear than the BG. I'm a little worried at the rate of wear both are showing, actually. I know it's Stick-E rubber and all, but they more worn than WTB tires with over 100 miles on them.

I think the BG would be a great rear tire too. I definitely would not want to run the Nevegal on the front. I'm going to avoid using them on anything but dirt singletrack.

I definitely would not want to run the Nevegal on the front.

Why??

Why??

The center tread on the Nevegal is very "paddle-like" which you see on many rear-specific tires. It's great for digging in when climbing, but not the best for steering and tracking.

I've actually tried it on the front already, with the BG on the rear. I have to agree with Kenda's recommendation on running the BG front and Nevegal rear. The BG is not as front-specific though, the tread design is actually somewhat similar to a Motoraptor 2.24r, which I run as a dry weather rear tire. So I think it would be good for both front and rear use.

I don't think the BG climbed quite as well as the Nevegal. I have a feeling it's faster rolling though, which is pretty much how I feel about the Moto 2.24. Anyway, this is all my opinion, I don't claim to be a tire expert of shiggerific proportions or anything. ;)

It seems to me the Nevegals knob orientation makes it a good front tire because it should improve the rolling resistance considering the larger knobs. But then again I'm using this as a soft conditon tire, as recommended. It doesn't have nearly the paddle thing going on that a Velociraptor does. In fact I wasn't really excited about the Nevegal as a rear tire, especially once I got the Timberwolfs. For some reason I am into traction nowadays, uphill and cornering in particular and the Timberwolf is truly aggresive.

I have this thing were once I've experienced a tire with confidence inspiring qualities in the most technical situations, it's hard to go back, to heck with rolling resistance and light weight, I want to stay upright. I'm afraid that once I start running the Timberwolf on the front also that I'll be hooked. I'll then probably run the Nevees front and rear on those days when I want better rolling plus good bite.

I haven't tried the Timberwolf yet, but I'll pick up a pair eventually. WTB is my favorite tire brand, and I have tried just about everything they make over the years. For basically everything but wet or muddy trails WTB is usually my choice. I currently have several each of Weirwolfs, Mutanos and Motos in various sizes and compounds.

But their rubber compound, even the "tacky" dual DNA version, is very hard and doesn't grip wet roots and rocks that well, and for the most part they pack up in mud and don't clear easily. So it's a combination of rubber compound and tread pattern. The plus is that they last a long time, by the time the tread is gone the casing is about worn out too.

The knobs on the 2.5 Nevegal appear identical to the 2.5 BG in height. I thought the Nevegal was less than stellar up front, but our trail type is probably very different. They both corner great, I can't differentiate between them in that area, they are so similar.

I'm planning on getting a 2.35 BG to try out on the rear. The 2.5 is slightly too big. The BG as a rear tire still stuck to slickrock sections and roots when climbing out of the saddle. Probably the compound more than the tread.

I'm only using these when the trails are slippery. I can get away with pretty low PSI and still not hit my rim, even though mine are the single-ply version. I like that.

Regarding Go-Ride.com, I was in their home town recently so I decided to stop in and to see the storefront and pick up a couple of parts. I talked with Krispy for awhile and he mentioned that they're ordering a bunch of 2.3's-2.5's tires with the thinner non-DH sidewalls and kevlar beads for trail riding and light freeriding. Great guys to deal with!

...I'm planning on getting a 2.35 BG to try out on the rear. The 2.5 is slightly too big. The BG as a rear tire still stuck to slickrock sections and roots when climbing out of the saddle. Probably the compound more than the tread.

I'm only using these when the trails are slippery. I can get away with pretty low PSI and still not hit my rim, even though mine are the single-ply version. I like that.

Note that my 2.35 BG is only slightly smaller than the 2.50 BG. Casing is 1.3mm narrower and tread 1.6mm narrower. The 2.35's tread is also ~1mm shallower.

I agree about the traction, especially on wet roots and logs. I have been running both sizes on the rear at 22-25 psi (XC casing).

Looking for a "lighter weight" 2.5 for the front and a 2.35 for the rear. I normally run a 2.35 Maxxis Mobster (ST42a) on the front and 2.35 Highroller (SR40a) in the back but have been using 2.3 Tioga Factory DH fr and Maxxis Minon DH rear lately in the wet. Everything I have in my reserve stash is too worn or a DH tire that is too heavy. Maxxis does not make a non-downhill 2.5 yet and looking for a little better performance from the back.

Background:

Ride in the South-East US mostly around the Atlanta area. Trails are the famous red clay that is very hard packed (in the warm, sunny months) with a light dusty film covering them and very slippery when wet (especially when covered in pine straw or leaves). Trail Ride agressively with 5" fr and 6" rear travel. 215+lbs in gear.

Have been considering these:

WTB Timberwolf
WTB WeirWolf - reviews say not good on hard pack though
Maxxis Hansventure - only avail in 2.35
???????????
Thanks again Larry.

The brown Santa just dropped off my 2.5 & 2.35 Blue groove w/ Kevlar bead and Stick-e rubber. The 2.5 looks huge, I hope it fits in my fork! The rubber compound feels alot like the 40a Maxxis Slow Reezay. They will get a test ride tomorrow night in the slop since it rained here for 2 days. I'll post a full 1st ride review afterwards.

Thanks again Larry.

The brown Santa just dropped off my 2.5 & 2.35 Blue groove w/ Kevlar bead and Stick-e rubber. The 2.5 looks huge, I hope it fits in my fork! The rubber compound feels alot like the 40a Maxxis Slow Reezay. They will get a test ride tomorrow night in the slop since it rained here for 2 days. I'll post a full 1st ride review afterwards.

I got the tires mounted last night and here are a few measurements.
Mounted on Mavic F219 (approx 28mm rims) @ 31psi (PSI I normally ride my tires at)
2.5 55mm at the casing - 62mm at the tread
2.35 53mm at the casing - 58mm at the tread

They went on with out a fight - no levers needed!