Tire for a 29" hardtail
07-13-20, 03:30 PM
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Tire for a 29" hardtail
Yes, another "which tire" thread...
29". hardtail. (REI Novara Ponderosa ~2012)
San Diego CA area (ie dry, a bit rocky, lots of steepness)
Has stock 2.25" WTB ? tires (rear is almost gone, front has OK tread still on the centerline)
My dilemma is that I usually ride the hardtail to the trails ( 5-7 miles pavement and 10-15 miles dirt is normal) and an occasional commute (30 mile round trip) so I want something that is not too slow on pavement and has a reasonable centerline for those moments.
Suggestions?
29". hardtail. (REI Novara Ponderosa ~2012)
San Diego CA area (ie dry, a bit rocky, lots of steepness)
Has stock 2.25" WTB ? tires (rear is almost gone, front has OK tread still on the centerline)
My dilemma is that I usually ride the hardtail to the trails ( 5-7 miles pavement and 10-15 miles dirt is normal) and an occasional commute (30 mile round trip) so I want something that is not too slow on pavement and has a reasonable centerline for those moments.
Suggestions?
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07-13-20, 03:43 PM
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Small Block 8's or any of the similar options, there are a few now.
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07-13-20, 04:12 PM
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It has a lockout. I am only looking for tire suggestions here though as the rear tire has almost worn off the tread blocks completely...
07-13-20, 06:11 PM
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07-13-20, 06:23 PM
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I ride my hard tail XC 50+ miles mixed terrain with 2.25 WTB Bee Line/Nine Line TL. Previous tires I tried were Conti Trail King and Schwalbe Nobby Nic, both too much geared towards rougher trail and loose and not XC in my opinion and noticeably slower on anything hard. Bee Line and Nine line are discontinued but I bet the 29'r version of the Riddler would be a close second if less mud is involved. Any "Cross Country" or XC designated tire would be a good place to start. There are lots of choices.
Last edited by u235; 07-13-20 at 07:00 PM.
07-13-20, 07:33 PM
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I love Continentals cross king in 2.2 with black chili compound. Don't think they have a tubeless version though. When mine wear out I'll probably look into a tubeless wheelset and tires.
07-13-20, 08:42 PM
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Maxxis Minion DHR II Mega Exo
Not entirely kidding... I want my trail tires to work on the trail and I'll tolerate wear elsewhere. I am using a less aggressive rear tread than the front, though.
Not entirely kidding... I want my trail tires to work on the trail and I'll tolerate wear elsewhere. I am using a less aggressive rear tread than the front, though.
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Genesis 49:16-17
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07-15-20, 09:19 AM
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Well after a bit of digging around I ordered a Continental Race-King Protection from Amazon. I really like the reviews I saw for bot the Ikon and the Mezcal but I could not find them for less than ~$68 where the RaceKing was about $50 and had a good review at https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...rotection-2020. Hopefully it won't be too fragile or quick-wearing. Sizewize I got a 29x2.2 after realizing my current tires were only a 2.1 so I was not sanguine about fitting a 2.4"+ tire and this is for the rear anyway and it seems most people but the bigger tire on the front (opposite of on road where I spend more time).
07-15-20, 11:43 AM
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My cross king protections have worn very well with all the pavement I've put on them. They're also very fast to me, so I was surprised to read that Continental uses different black chili compounds, and the cross kings are supposedly "much slower" then the race kings!
08-04-20, 06:32 AM
#17
Dino Sore
I'll second the Ikon. I also ride to my rides, and this tire works well on the road and on New England singletrack. I also use the Maxxis Ardent for more technical trails, and while they are a bit slower than the Ikons on the road, they are still acceptable on the road and the knobs are holding up surprisingly well.
08-10-20, 10:25 AM
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The race Kings roll fast. I like the traction.
If you ride shale, the sidewalls aren't up to the task. I got a huge gash, that I tried like hell to repair but ultimately, is not salvageable - right where it's printed "shield wall system"
If you ride shale, the sidewalls aren't up to the task. I got a huge gash, that I tried like hell to repair but ultimately, is not salvageable - right where it's printed "shield wall system"
08-17-20, 06:06 AM
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Thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up getting a Conti race-king (2.2) I found on sale. Have had it on the front with the old rear for ~200 miles and its definitely an improvement on the WTB Nano 2.1 that wore out. I am waiting for delivery of a 2.3" cross-king which when it arrives will go on the front and the race king will switch to the back. There are other tires I wanted more (Mezcal & ikon) but the crossking was only $31 and basically the set cost just slightly more than one tire of either of those.
