Thread: NE Riding 2012

Posted it in its own thread to hopefully get some stoke going, but it seems like I'm not cool enough or people aren't impressed.

(Pardon the somewhat shaky/blurry camera)

Nicely done, you are cooler than me. Props to you.

I've recently decided it's time to get some new rubber for my hardtail (still rocking the WTB weirwolfs that came stock in '04) but I'm a little overwhelmed with the options.

I live just north of Boston and primarily ride the fells and Lynn woods (mostly southside) as well as Cutler Park and the town forest in Needham when picking up my daughter from the inlaws in Newton.

My biggest complaint with the current beat-to-shit-from-the-road tires is loss of traction in loose gravel (imagine that) both up and down hill.

So what should I be looking at? What other things about my riding do I need to consider? Seems pretty standard these days to run different tires front and rear?

Also, current tires are 2.1, but frame looks like it could handle bigger if that seems like a good idea...

Help?

im in the same boat, I'm looking for new tires as well, ride just up over the border in fort rock mainly. I've been running a kenda nevegal in front with a kenda karma for the rear, and been happy with those.

one tire that came highly recommended a couple years ago on another local board was the schwalbe hans dampf, its pretty pricey but looks decent.

Anybody have thoughts on the kenda slant six as a rear?

I've been running a 2.35 Maxxis Minion DHF on the rear of my 575 all summer.

No complaints in a wide variety of riding conditions.

A friend of mine has a set of hans dampfs. He liked their tread pattern, but the side knobs rolled off within a month of owning them. He was able to get them warrantied, but I think they're still an issue.

Was using a 2.4 ardent front and 2.35 dhr rear last year. I switched out for a 2.5 dhf with the beefy sidewall and have been very happy so far.

Nevegals are pretty all-around solid. 2.35 Sticky.

I am on some High Roller 2.35s and they're ok. Not the best cornering, but tough as nails with bomber sidewalls.

A buddy of mine is on Slant 6s and seems generally satisfied. He rides mostly Harold Parker. He described them as good in all but mud and VERY fast rolling.

Sorta fast rolling - Conti Mt King 2.2 protection, all condition aggro - Conti Trail King 2.2 or 2.4 protection. Deal with the price and just go out and ride the snot out of them.

rubber tires work great, specially if'n ya don't pump em up too hard.

rog

no one thinks of Bontrager when rubber comes up.
but their new stuff is excellent.
they hired some moto-tire guru who changed everything.
the XR4 tubeless are the best i've ridden.
i'm on the 2.2's they also make it in 2.35, they run large.
never squirm in the corner's with 25lbs of pressure.
the transition onto the side lugs is seamless.
awesome everyday front and rear NE rubber.

Originally Posted by JayPowHound

I've recently decided it's time to get some new rubber for my hardtail (still rocking the WTB weirwolfs that came stock in '04) but I'm a little overwhelmed with the options.

I live just north of Boston and primarily ride the fells and Lynn woods (mostly southside) as well as Cutler Park and the town forest in Needham when picking up my daughter from the inlaws in Newton.

My biggest complaint with the current beat-to-shit-from-the-road tires is loss of traction in loose gravel (imagine that) both up and down hill.

So what should I be looking at? What other things about my riding do I need to consider? Seems pretty standard these days to run different tires front and rear?

Also, current tires are 2.1, but frame looks like it could handle bigger if that seems like a good idea...

Help?

Some of all around tires I like have around here are WTB Bronsons(true all around and the TCS have a sticky tread), Maxxis ardent, more towards the dry side of things, Geax gato more towards the wet side of things. All three really wont leave you hanging in any condition.

Originally Posted by Anospa

Posted it in its own thread to hopefully get some stoke going

I haven't been to Nam in awhile--probably at least a year I guess now. Those features under the power lines look new, yeah? Is there much new stuff out there?

Originally Posted by biggins

Nevegals are pretty all-around solid. 2.35 Sticky.

I started riding Nevegals years ago and haven't really looked back. Probably not the best tactic, but beats buying several $50 tires and being disappointed.

Speci The Captain 2" full UST rear, Bontrager XR4 2.25" "tubeless ready" on the front. Been on the hardtail for a few weeks now, and am really digging them. Having the rear a full UST gives it a bit more beef, considering it's a narrow-ish tire. I'd like to ttry the XR4 in back, but think the sidewalls would end up shredded in fairly short order around here.

I suppose if un-smooth, a basher, looking for wider, you could just bump them both up to the larger size of each.

Fast rolling, still gives me great traction so far, though have not had them in really sloppy stuff yet.

Yeah some of the new B tires are pretty nice and people seem to love them but I've just had such good luck with the Conti stuff the last few years I'm afraid to try anything else. One flat in three years is a pretty good track record and that one was my fault. Just make sure to get the ProTection versions.

Originally Posted by Natedogg

I haven't been to Nam in awhile--probably at least a year I guess now. Those features under the power lines look new, yeah? Is there much new stuff out there?

I saw it new at the end of last year and they added another few feet to the drop since the beginning of this year. There's another trail being built across the power lines from the NEMBA property; very gnar looking: 8' gap double through 2 trees and some other craziness I don't have the balls for.

Gonna be in S. VT this weekend. I'm thinking about riding the STAB trails for first time on Saturday. Anyone around?

lame fat bike POV to some kewl tunes

^ beats the hell out of tire discussions. Purrdy view at the end there. Thanks for posting

Off to the South for a couple weeks of riding. Pics will be taken. Have fun in the NE for me. I spent 7 straight days lapping Tap n' Die and Troll Stroll, I love it up here. They have better fried chicken and biscuits down there, though.

Just moved back to NH from Tahoe, will be moving down around Boston when I get a job. Pumped to get up to Kingdom but struggling to find a Seacoast NH/North Shore Mass. spot where I can get my girlfriend into riding. Have only been succesful in tracking down boring fire roads or crazy technical rocks and roots... anybody know which spots have a relative plethora of easier singletrack within an hour of the Seacoast? Was told to check out Bear Brook state park up near Concord, was thinking of checking out willowdale state forest.

Willowdale. Place is sooooo nice and smooth. It is completely different from every other place in the northeast corner of Mass. It is actually pretty baffling how it is so smooth and every other place within an 30 minute drive is wicked technical.

willowdale would work.

Kingman farm in madbury would be a good option. The trails at stratham hill park may be a good place as well. I've never actually ridden there, but did some trail work for them, and it seemed pretty tame.

The FOMBA trails in Auburn may be a good spot as well, some are technical though.

Random story (sort of NE riding related).....

Decided to check out Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, NH. Immediately took a wrong turn and after 5 minutes of riding ended up back at the gate house. Started talking bikes with the kid working there and mentioned I was in the process of upgrading the front end to 20mm. Ended up buying this from him for $60. Cleaned up nice.

Crossing my fingers and hoping the fork I bought on PinkBike arrives in good shape.

Looks like a good deal on a wheel. What did you think of BB? I used to ride there years ago and found it ot be a fun middle ring hammerfest.

Originally Posted by powbmps

Random story (sort of NE riding related).....

Decided to check out Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, NH. Immediately took a wrong turn and after 5 minutes of riding ended up back at the gate house. Started talking bikes with the kid working there and mentioned I was in the process of upgrading the front end to 20mm. Ended up buying this from him for $60. Cleaned up nice.

Crossing my fingers and hoping the fork I bought on PinkBike arrives in good shape.

i think a guy i know left that wheel behind at the hiker/biker lot awhile back. hmmmm, fishy.

i'll check in with him.

rog