Thanks for recommendations that might work with loose climbs, Calaveras, Mission Trails, San Juan etc but not be as slow as a Nevegal....the 'sticky PIG' of tires.

Jon

Hi Jon, check in the Garage section - there's a sticky thread at the top with six pages so far of tire opinions. And if you're not running tubeless, there's a sticky about that. Let us know what you end up with and if you're happy with them.

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

thanks!

Jon who is looking for more speed and climbing traction. Look at tires similar in tread pattern as the nevagal; why? We have similar styles, we don't really corner on those very outside knobs so we need tires with knobs between the center and the very outside knobs; I call * them transition knbs •*^*• Climbing traction has a lot to do with tire pressure, body position and gear selection (torque); gear too low and we spin out, do a repeat with a slightly higher gear (slower pedal stroke) and see if it differs.
TRACK STAND = low speed traction. That's my story and I'm sticking to it

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"Just stop this walking shit and let's get this done"
Avidtesty (Arch 2019)

Just bought some GEAX "STURDY" 26x2.25 about a month ago. Now that I have ridden them about 12 times, I can render a big

A fine alternative to Neveglumps!!!

Where did I get them? Same place I bought my first set of Nev's years ago.


Zumwalts College Cycles on El Cajon Blvd

ok thanks Fred!

I do a lot of MTRP, Cowles and used to do much Sweetwater, RH and Hollenbeck. A Kenda SB8 in the rear and Slant Six up front has served me well. Gotta run low pressure though - pump up that Slant6 and it slides all over the place.

What low pressure do you run ft and rear??

I second the Small Block 88s as a good rear tire for here, when it is winter. When trails get chewed up in summer, they don't have enough tread for me. I tried running the Neves once as a rear and did not like it, as you say sticky pig. I am running a Conti Vertical in rear now and its OK when inflated real high like 40 psi. Lower than that and these tires get squirmy.

Front tire is a tough call. I have been running Neves up front for a few years and sort of like them since they are wide and mostly predictable, but recently they have begun to wash out on me. So I am on a quest and just picked up a Schwalbe Has Dampf based on some good reviews from others here and we'll see how that goes.

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"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

28 in the rear, 26 up front usually. 2.1 SB8, 2.2 S6. I'm 180lbs in lycra, 190 in baggies and a full pack.

I need to lay off the burritos for a while...

BTW, one of my friends runs lower - like 24 on both ends.

Maxxis ardent front and cross mark rear

Easy choice… Hans Damp's way better than Nev's

Of course they work best on a carbon bike…


Note: the above is intended to be a joke… aka a good natured obvious troll…

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Having grown up in Massachusetts I learned to ride with lots of rocks, roots, leaves, mud, water, etc. Now being in Cali, I'm shocked at how agressive a tire most people are using. I recently was looking for something that would roll faster and still have great traction. Was originally looking at SB6 or SB8, but ended up with Schwalbe Rocket Ron on back and Racing Ralf on the front. The change to these from the Specialized that came on my 04 Epic, I can tell the roll much faster, are much quieter and have more traction on climbs than I can physically use so far. My legs give out way before I run out of traction.

I agree. IMHO this is the best tire combo for SoCal riding, especially if you go tubeless. I do not recommend the UST/LUST versions however as they are way too heavy.

Locally I mostly ride San Diego(MTRP/hollenbeck/sweetwater/noble) and once a month or so travel up to SLO(morning glory/shooters/MDO/etc - lots o' sharp rock, chunk, scrabble)

rear: 29er Ardent 2.25(tubeless) mounted "backwards" 25psi.
front: 29er Ardent 2.4(tubeless) 21psi.
^^ Good roll to grip factor - seems to work well for what I like to do. As the rear wears down it's rolling faster, and so far still offers plenty of grip.

Up front I've also had good luck with the speccy Eskar armadillo. It's kind of old school, IMO needs to be run tubeless/29er or the lack of intermediate knobs could be a problem, but it's a fast roller w/great grip on edgy off camber stuff.