Thread: What tire for loose/sandy XC race

I didnt want to take over the other tire threads but I wanted an opinion on which tire you guys might recommend. I basically have 3 sets to choose from. I dont have the money to go out and buy tires just to race on so I need use what I already have. I would maybe be up to buying something as long as it was a good all around tire. I have a 2.0 and 2.2 race king set that I really did not like when I rode them on the course they were unpredictable and not much control. I also have 2.2 captains that seem descent to me and what I have been thinking I will run front and back. I am not a big fan of the captains but they seem to roll fairly fast, are atleast has a predictable drift in the corners, and I am familiar with them. The third set are 2.4 advantage's I have never ridden these but they seemed like a little much for my purpose but I considered it as a front tire. It seems like a lot of people like the advantage as a rear tire so I might use it as a rear after the race but seemed a little to big for an xc race.

The captain tires seem to have a similar transition knob angle as the old high roller tires kidwoo explained in another thread. Would flipping the tire around help at all to keep the angle of the tread from pushing the tire out from under you?

The race course is 26ish miles 7-8 miles of loose to packed sand single track. Once you stray from the small bit of packed sand it gets really soft and the outside of the corners are pretty loose and sandy. 8 miles of hard pack dirt well roads, and 10 miles of single track that is more of a mix of hard pack, sand over hardpack and slickrock.

I have very little knowledge about tires only what I read on here so I might be way off but any opinions are appreciated. My riding style is more of lean the bike over onto the cornering knobs then cornering with the bars.

Captains sound reasonable. Don't change tires just for race day - use what you're comfortable with and find predictable.

If its an xc race that has at least 18 miles of hard pack, go with some skinny, low knob pinner xc tires. You'll flounder in the sand a little bit, but you'll more than make up for it with a fast rolling tire.

Schwalbe Racing Ralphs or Rocket Rons. If money is no object.

I would only consider 8 miles of the race to be smooth hard pack another 8 miles of it is lots of deep sand with a lot of tight corners and a 10 mile loop that is anywhere from short rock gardens to hardpack to slickrock to 2" deep sand with lots of speed into tight corners. The race course is kind of broken up into 3 sections.

I've seen people really rock with Racing Ralphs. Especially if they're light. Nothing is going to do well in deep sand. 2.25 and under RaRas can probably be found at discount.
Any supersonic Conti is pretty light too.

Anybody use the ritchey wcs shield. Look fairly similar to the race kings with a little more emphasis on the cornering knobs. There are only a couple good reviews with one guy not getting them to seel up tubeless. I might try to look for some racing Ralph's

Haven't tried the set-up yet, but maybe try a Conti race king on the back and a Racing Ralph on the front. I have a race king 2.2 up front and it doesn't impress me in the sand/loose stuff but have a feeling it would make an allright rear tire. Might ease the cost of the transition. Don't know about the ritchey.

Thanks for replies. I went with the ritchey shields. They did pretty good seemed fairly fast with a little more bite on the cornering knobs. It was my first bike race and a good time ended up winning my group and finished around 5th or so for the sport group 24 mile ride.

maxxis ignitor (only as a rear)

The 2.1 panaracer CG SC is like cheating in sandy conditions. 650g, really durable and rolls super well given the tread

Originally Posted by jqualls

It was my first bike race and a good time ended up winning my group and finished around 5th or so for the sport group 24 mile ride.

congrats

Congrats. And Maxxis Ignitors are the worst tire I have ever ridden. Just when I got them to a pressure that offered any kind of decent grip and rolling resistance, I'd get a pinch flat.
These were 2.35s that came on my bike, so they were probably some oem crappy rubber, but I couldn't say for sure.
There are plenty of tires that are both faster and grippier.

Sent from my cell phone. no, a cell phone.

Well, my experience has been the opposite of yours unfortunately. I've yet to come across a fast rolling tire that grips as well as the ignitor does. Maybe it only works well on UT dirt.

I'm running the 2.1 tubeless version. It's been really durable and the tread is holding up well after a season of riding.

I weigh a lot more than your average racer

Sent from my cell phone. no, a cell phone.

It's got nothing to do with weight. I'm right around 220.

Tahoe has a lot of dry sandy conditions once things melt out and summer takes hold. I like my Geax Sturdy 2.25 Kevlar for the front, they're pretty big too as not all companies measure equally. Think they also come in a smaller size, 2.1 maybe.

Originally Posted by dfinn

It's got nothing to do with weight. I'm right around 220.

Damn, dude. You must be good. Even with the 2.35 on the front, I'd skid and flip myself over.
I've gotten a lot better, but extra knobs up front really helps me.

Sent from my cell phone. no, a cell phone.

Maybe you missed the part where I said this should only be used as a rear tire?

lolololololol

Congrats on your race! Just for future reference I know bontrager has a 30 day satisfaction deal. Buy their tires, test em out, if you don't like them you can swap em out for a different one or get your money back. Pretty solid deal if any of their tread patterns interest you guys

and fwiw, I find the Nobby Nick Evo in a 2.25 to be lighter, faster, and grippier than the Ignitor in a 2.35. By a lot on all 3 factors.
So if you like a 2.1 on the rear, maybe try a Nick in the same size or smaller. No kidding.
You can take if from me, because I'm terrible even though I get in a ride 3 or 4 times a week.