I cut a tire at my last Xterra race on some rocks (noticed after the race) and am going to need to purchase some new ones for Nationals. I’ve been on Kenda Small Block 8’s and have liked them so far. Right now I have another tire to train on but I really don’t like it overall.
I talked to an experienced racer at that race and he said to run whatever tire I feel comfortable with and the SB8’s would be just fine. I’m not expecting to contend for the win, in fact I just want to have a solid race for me and put up a respectable time.
My question is should I just stick with the SB8’s or go for something like a Schwalbe Racing Ralph? (I’m on a 29’er and I’m a small and light) I’ve been looking at those tires for a while and have been looking for a reason to pull the trigger.
I cut a tire at my last Xterra race on some rocks (noticed after the race) and am going to need to purchase some new ones for Nationals. I’ve been on Kenda Small Block 8’s and have liked them so far. Right now I have another tire to train on but I really don’t like it overall.
I talked to an experienced racer at that race and he said to run whatever tire I feel comfortable with and the SB8’s would be just fine. I’m not expecting to contend for the win, in fact I just want to have a solid race for me and put up a respectable time.
My question is should I just stick with the SB8’s or go for something like a Schwalbe Racing Ralph? (I’m on a 29’er and I’m a small and light) I’ve been looking at those tires for a while and have been looking for a reason to pull the trigger.
Thanks for any suggestions,
jaretj
I don’t really understand the infatuation some people have with schwalbe tires, they cost about 50% more than most other tires and I ave witnessed more sidewall tears with them than most other tires (although kenda is close behind). Low tread, fast rolling tire for the rear, so I’d say stick with what you already know.
I just don’t know much about Mountain bike tires. I hear people taking about things but I really don’t want to spend $150 finding out for myself two and three times over.
I’ve given people two recommendations in the past, a kenda nevegal front blue groove back, can be about 90 dollars for both on ebay. Or specialized the captain tires designed for ned overend. I typically wait till the day to decide which tire I’m going to need more. The kenda nevegal blue groove combo is great for lots of more technical days, and the captain is better for the hard climbing when you don’t need as chunky of a tire.
Thanks, I’ll look into those Kenda tires some more.
I have a pair of Captains and what I don’t like about them is that the tread seems to stop abruptly on the edge and I’m not confident laying the bike down in the turns with them.
I’m a better mountain biker now than I was last May so I’ll give them a try again.
I agree that the outer tread isn’t the grippiest on those. The kenda’s will help a lot more with cornering. But on a course like ogden’s with a lot of climbing I’d go with the captains just for less rolling resistance. Best of luck with nationals, enjoy the course, xterra is a ton of fun.
If you like the tread on the SB8, I would suggest looking at the Maxxis Ikon and Specialized Fast Trak LK. Both are lighter and faster rolling than the SB8 and offer much better protection (and cost much less) than the Racing Ralph. You’re on a 29er, so on most courses you won’t need a tire with more tread (ie Nevegal or Captain).
I’ve seen the Ikon and I almost bought them instead of the SB8, it was really just a flip of a coin decision.
I have the Fast Trak (not the LK though) on my 26er that I’ve ridden before I got my 29er. I was really happy with those tires too. I think a friend of mine has a pair I could try out.
Since I have you here. There is not an Avia dealer near me to try on shoes, what shoe do you recommend for trail racing, I’ve actually been racing on a pair of Saucony Fastwitch 4’s on the trail but I need a little bit of rock protection with a fairly light shoe. Got a suggestion?
Thanks, I’ll look into those Kenda tires some more.
I have a pair of Captains and what I don’t like about them is that the tread seems to stop abruptly on the edge and I’m not confident laying the bike down in the turns with them.
I’m a better mountain biker now than I was last May so I’ll give them a try again.
Thanks for your help
jaretj
Are you running the same tire front/rear?
I would suggest most riders to run a narrower/low tread pattern rear with something with more bite on the front. The added rolling resistance in the front is offset by the greater handling ability of the bike.
I personally run an S-works purgatory front (2.2) with a renagade control (2.1) rear. Specialized makes very light tires for being tubeless ready, plus I have a specialized bike so I’ve got to match.
Race king is good, but try to keep that one on the rear of the bike, it is prone to wash out up front.
I’m doing a 100K off road race at Snowbasin this weekend and I run tubeless Kenda small block 8 on the back(1.9) and the nevegal 2.1 on the front. About 28 psi in each. I haven’t had a flat for about 2 years with them and I like the way the small block 8 rolls.
I’ve seen the Renegade and it’s a very shallow tread which suggests to me that it’s fast rolling. I also like how the tire is rounded, it looks like it would have a consistant amount of traction if you leaned over on it.
I have not seen the puratory, there is a specialized store near me and I’ll check it out. I also have a specialized bike
AVI-Stoltz. It’s going to feel more like a training shoe but has plenty of cushioning, protection, and grip.
As for the Renegade, it’s a great, fast-rolling race tire but it’s not going to have the puncture resistance you want and it’s not going to brake as well as some of the other suggestions above. With a 29er, you can get away with shallower tread as long as you use a tire with good volume like the Ikon, Fast Trak LK, or Race King and run lower pressure (mid 20s psi if running tubeless).
FWIW, the 29er Racing Ralph 2.25 supposedly tested ahead of the Ikon, Race King and Renegade in a german bike magazine 29er rolling resistance test last year. I don’t have the actual article myself, but a poster on mtbr re-typed some test info here (not sure how the testing was done, and not too many 29er tires, but at least something else to consider):
Depending on how rocky, loose, etc, the course is, you still might want a wider/grippier tire in front than the RR 2.25 though (when I last rode a 29er over in Park City, I used a Specialized Purgatory Control 2.4 in front and a Captain Control 2.2 in back. Definitely not the fastest rolling but very happy with the grip for regular trail riding. I have also ridden Racing Ralph 2.4’s front and back in Park City and didn’t have any flat/tear issues myself.) Would be interested to know what you end up choosing. Have a great race.
I ride around Snowbasin almost every week and have done Xterra Utah the past few years. I’m not a fan of the SB8 or Nevegal. The Nevegal is heavy and doesn’t roll well. I run a Schwalbe Nobby Nic in the front and a Racing Ralph in the back. I’m very happy with them and there is a reason you see many people racing them here in Utah. If I wanted something a little cheaper I’d go with a Maxxis Crossmark, Aspen or Ikon.
Nationals doesn’t have a lot of downhill so I say stick with something really light. That’s why I like the Racing Ralph. It’s very light, rolls well but still hooks up good. Some people complain about the sidewalls but I’ve gone through 3 pairs now with no issue, just make sure you get the snakeskin version.
