cpper

Hello
I'm looking for a 27.5 front tire which would work decent on asphalt and hardpack+rocky(loose) terrain. I'll only use it in dry conditions.

My budget is pretty narrow and I only have these 5 options:

Schwalbe Rapid Bob
Schwalbe Though Tom
Continental Mountain King 2
Continental Trial King
Continental X-King


What would you recommend ?

MisterK

I had rapid robs on my old mtb. Quick wheel. Grippy. But the pavement ate em up pretty quick. The knobbies arnt really as big as they look online. But they got the option for those really slick white stripes on the tread.
Perhaps something more all round like a schwalbe table top or kenda k rads?

bikeme

I know you listed your only options but the Maxxis Crossmark is a great hardpack tire that rolls easily on asphalt too as it has a flat, tight center knob. It has enough side knob for mellow cornering on dirt.

3speed

Is this rocky, loose terrain going down a hill quickly on mtb single-track, or just a bike path sort of thing? If you're going down hills where you might lose traction and crash, I'd opt for a more aggressive tread and accept the penalty of more resistance and tread wear on the asphalt. If it's just bike path kinda lose terrain, just get the more asphalt friendly tread. You don't need much tread for flat, shallow turns even if it's gravel, etc.