I liked Nevegals but wore them out too quickly, even using the longer-lasting compound. I've been running Maxxis Crossmarks, which I like a lot for the xc riding I do. Thinking about trying out the Larsen TT, just to switch it up a little bit.

_________________
A bicycle is a splendid thing.
~Ernest Hemingway

It's been about a year since last post, so I thought I'd bump this thread with my $.02...

Reading the reviews here, Nevegals seem to be a love-it, or not-so-much type of tire.
Nevegal Stick-Es do wear fast, but recently, have worked very well for for me, with maintaining
loose-over-hardpack slope traction, one of the performance features most important to me.
I'm a tall, heavy, rider (235 lbs.), and that is sometimes a lot of inertia to overcome when standing/torquing in the pedals (I use flats) - just the right tire pressure (still using tubes) helps too, 38-40 lbs. seems to be my sweet-spot. The $29.99 price tag (BB) makes sense to me too - wear-em-out, get more. I do have on-deck, a pair of Specialized Ground Control - got them on-sale, but I want to see if spending more, gets you more - I'm skeptical, but the Mag reviews liked 'em.

As mentioned by others, tire choices are ridiculous in number and highly subjective, but I'm interested in any opinions/experiences in the case of heavy riders like me, and Specialized tires in particular. TIA

For my 26er I like the Bontrager XR 4 team issue, rolls good and corners better than the Nevegal. On my 29er, it's a tallboy LT, I'm running a specialized butcher on the front and a Maxis ardent on the rear. The butcher holds like a dirtbike tire on the front and at 810 g is about the same as the Schwabe Hans Damph. My buddy who also rides a 29er runs the same tires he's about 230 pounds.

Thank-you sir, for the fast input - appreciated!

it would depend on the type of riding and style to some extent.

other than tire magic, which is undeniable, i do see a difference between pure xc tires (roundy, with even tread across) and dh tires (center tread-gap-massive outer lugs). on groomed or slow stuff the former may be best. on very fast action where throwing the bike down to make a turn is better. the 'gap' allows the outer treads to bite in. neve's are sort of an in-between. some guys who prefer a bit of a gap (which most maxxis tires have for am-fr-dh) cut off half the transition lugs on neves. i've unexpectedly washed out on neves, and although a great all round tire, the side lugs may not save you as with tires with a gap. on the downside, tires with a gap you can hit a nervous section before the side lugs catch. if you throw your bike hard into corners that shouldn't be a problem. if you're a pussy, eh, finesse rider like me, it takes some getting used to.

_________________
Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy. ~Milan Kundera

Thanks for the great feedback jSatch!
Due to numerous lapses of judgement during the 1970's, I'm solidly in the *Old Guy - Intermediate - Trail* class....
I like your term "finesse" better though - has a classy sound!

Dirty Harry Callahan said - "A man's GOT to know his limitations." I embrace this!
Harry also owned a S&W Model 29 - also a good idea....

solidly in the senior, intermediate wanna-be class myself.

_________________
Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy. ~Milan Kundera

Awakening this sleeping dog of a thread…

My newest bike came with 2.4 Dissectors front & rear, which had me worried they would be sketchy compared to my preferred 2.6 DHR & Assegai. I was pleasantly surprised — they were fine.

Not to say there aren’t MANY other currently popular tires I’ve never tried.

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

Wow tires were 26 inches???

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

-Big Clyde