Originally Posted by
Wooden Tiger
That is EXACTLY what the owner of the LBS told me...handling up front and the low rolling resistance in the rear. What concerns me about this is that by going with a "slicker" tire on the rear, I'm going to be fighting with grip on steeper climbs. It just seems like it would be a questionable strategy to throw a tire with less grip on the rear.
Think of it this way. If you are going around a turn fast and your rear tire slip you can catch it if your front tire slips you eat dirt. I've been running a maxxis crossmark on the rear and a panracer rampage on the front of one of my bike with good success. I've worn the crossmark out though and I think this time I won't worry so much about rolling resistance and just get another grippy tire. I just put a 2.4 maxxis ardent on the front of my rigid and that is one big ass grippy tire. I may just pick up another for the front of my other bike and put the rampage on the rear.