Thread: JONG question - Fast rolling XC tire for Front Range

Hey guys, I've got some JONG questions regarding tires. I've got a Trance X2 that Marshal hooked me up with last year. I just ordered a lighter-weight BWW wheelset (BWW Pure XCR hubs/wheels, SuperComp spokes, 1570gr-ish) and I'm wondering what a decent rolling XC oriented tire for the Front Range recreational riding would be. I'm really a poser when it comes to riding but hope to get out more this year than last and maybe actually be able to make some of the easier rides as known by MTB people around these parts. I'm at ~180# riding weight and I'm currently on 2.1 Nevegals. What tire would be maybe a little lighter and/or faster rolling than these that I might want to look into? Again, easy/JONG trails with typical conditions around the FR.

Schwalbe Nobby Nic is very fast rolling with good grip and cornering in a variety of conditions. They aren't the toughest tire out there.

I haven't tried it in a 26 inch, but the 2.25 29er Maxxis Ardent is a very interesting tire. It rolls faster than the Nev (or so it seems to me) but doesn't seem to loose anything in terms of grip and cornering. I don't have a lot of time on the Ardent, but so far I like it. I am currently running these mounted tubeless with some stan's goop. They sealed up nicely.

i have been riding schwalbe racing ralphs and nobby nics on my xc bike. stoked on them. roll fast, grip pretty good, and overall holding up to more abuse than they should.

Myself and a few others around Boise have been rolling some Maxxis Larsen TT's for a few years. They seem to hold up better on tread wear than some others (i.e. Kenda's and Schwalbe's), but sacrifice some grip. I have Nevegals and Schwalbe Big Betty's on my XC bike and like those too, but the Nevegals always seem to wear out quick.

The Larsens roll really fast on the hardpack trails around here and corner well, but when you get them on roots and such they don't do as well. Seems like they have very little rolling resistance on the up too.

for really fast rolling, check hutchinson python, small block 8 and crossmark. No promises as far as cornering is loose stuff goes depending on how you like your tires to grip.

Thanks for the info so far. I've always been intrigued by the Schwalbe lineup. I haven't been done wrong by Marshal's advice yet.

It looks like Chain Reaction Cycles has some pretty good prices on them. Where else should I look for them? Marshal, do you have a line on these things? Also, do you the NN on front and RR rear? That seems to be a standard combo. I'm also not sure on size. Should I stick with the 2.1 or go up to 2.25 or even 2.4? It seems from my little reading that the Nevegals are pretty true to size and the Schwalbes are maybe a little smaller than stated. The rim I have is most similar to a DT 4.2d which is 17.8mm wide.

small block 8 and cross marks

Nokian nbx's rolled pretty fast considering they're a fairly knobby tire. I've had mixed luck with them as far as traction though - some bikes they seem to work great, and some bikes they just don't seem to hook up very well.

i have a crossmark ust tire, brand new i'll sell you for $20

If you are just riding around for recreation an XC tire with actual knobs would probably be more predictable and safer over the long haul than the micro treads. The semislicks seem to be really sketchy if the trail isn't in good shape. And for XC you are going to be riding long distnace and who knows what the trail will bring. Keep the knobs, especially up front.

I would look at something like the Specialized "The Captain" 2.0" or Panaracer FireXC pros 2.1" or Maxxis Ignitors or the narrow high rollers...

i really really like my specialized fast trak on the rear