I have a small tear in the sidewall of my rear tire (I run tubes still, not tubeless). This seems to be the ongoing problem with me. I don't know if it is my riding style, if I have too much psi in them, or what.

Regardless, right now I have a maxxis Ardent in the rear and a maxxis Ignitor in the front. I like the grip of the Ardent and the Ignitor, but wanted to know what other rear tires you all are running in the back (or front) and seem to like or dislike.

I used to have a Fire XC pro on front of my older bike and a WTB weirwolf, and I also liked them.

My bike originally came with crappy Bontrager Jones XR and I hated them. I might as well have been running fat slicks on my bike for traction, but I do have one in decent condition for the time being that I might swap with the Ardent for the time being...

So, after all that, what are your tire suggestions for riding Calavera, Daley Ranch, and La Costa Watertower conditions?

Thanks in advance.

Shwalbe Hans Dampf. Front n rear. Love em!

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Read through this thread:
http://dirttreaders.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=679

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

+1

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I've read parts of that thread last night, but I need more than direct tire info, I need to know what I can do to minimize getting tears in the sidewalls of my tires...

My tires always seem to tear at the sidewall well before they are even halfway worn out on the tread...besides changing my lines and how I ride, which tires have a thicker and stronger side wall?

am I running the PSI too high causing this to happen?

will a kevlar wire bead be better?

so many questions...

The only non 2 ply tire I've ever run on the rear without a failure was a Schwalbe Muddy Mary wih their free ride casing. It weighed in at around 1000 grams. Their free ride casings are pretty durable if you can deal with the weight.

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What kind of riding are you in to?
I'm a 190# agg/xc guy who runs an Ardent 2.35(29er - tubeless) in the back on my Rumblefish and it has given me no grief whatsoever on rocky scrabble, boulders or buff.

I have a speccy up front with the armadillo casing. It has a pretty thick sidewall that you might look into. It works good tubeless 'cause I can run some pretty low pressure up there, probaly due to the thick sidewall.

I ride in Calavera, La Costa Watertower, and Daley Ranch...I really think it is me just not paying enough attention and rocks tearing into the sidewalls of my tire...

I run tubes still, but the weight penalty is not that big of a deal for me, I will suffer for mental security if it comes to that.

I just need some tough thick sidewalls for reinforcement...

Switch to tubeless and you'll never look back. UST tires (not 2bliss or tubeless ready, etc.) have a much thicker sidewall casing (duh). More importantly, you'll be able to run them at a much lower pressure allowing the tire to conform to and grip the terrain (versus sliding off and contacting the sidewall).

The additional weight sucks, but you'll get used to it and it's nice not to have to worry so much about getting flats.

I also resisted going tubeless for as long as I could. When I got my new bike I decided to give it a go and now could kick myself for not converting sooner. Now I wouldn't run anything else. When riding one of my old bikes w/tubes it just sucks. I would suggest trying it on your front wheel first if you're not sure.

Just seems like more work for me to do on my bike, but from your posts and all the others on the tire tread posts, seems like I should up the ante and just do it...

The lower tire pressure does sound nice, but how hard is it? is it something where I could use someone who has done it supervise me and give me pointers?

I guess I'll look online for videos on how to do it and pull the trigger....

I guess I am just as adverse and stubborn as many of us out there and probably will never go back to tubes again if I do...just seems risky to go on a ride, getting a flat and have to hike out...

Since converting to tubeless I've never lost enough air to where I had to walk out. Punctures seal. Pinch flats don't happen(29er). Early on while figuring what pressures I'd run I went a little too low and burped some air and just pumped back up. Just in case I carry a spare 26" tube, but the last two I've had ended up being given to stubborn effers that refuse to see the light. Plus the bike rolls far better. I'm a 190-195 non-finesse type.
I run 25lbs rear and 22 lbs up front, and traction, handling and durability aren't an issue.

^This.
While each of those places has spots that could be bad news for sidewalls, if you're busting tires in that manner on a regular basis, I agree that you need to pick better lines.
Oh, and by all means go tubeless. Once you go through the first attempt mounting and inflating they don't require much extra attention and the benefits are worth the initial hassle.

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It is not enough to fight for the West; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it's still here. -Edward Abbey

Regardless of your sidewall issues, definitely go tubeless.
http://www.notubes.com/helpcenter.aspx

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

It's actually no more risky than your current set up. You can always throw a tube in a UST tire and ride home. Just pop out the tubeless stem and check the inside of the tire for thorns, etc., first.

Other than the additional weight, I haven't found any downside to running tubeless over tubes. In fact, I feel a whole lot more comfortable doing back county kind of rides on UST tires because I know they will hold up a lot better.

Check out the No Tubes website for all sorts of good info, set up, and FAQs.