What tyres for bikepaking?

[Brothersmith]

Ok bit of a STW forum thread I know, but have some new 29er Hope Hoops on order and my trusty nanoraptors arent compatable with them. Only other tyre I have used is a race king and they are lethal in any kind of mud.

Just interested in what everyone else uses.

[Taylor]

I use Crossmark rear and Ardent front.

[gairym]

I've got Ardent front and rear on my 29er but I can't say that I've felt particularly inspired by them in anything other than dry hard-packed conditions (and even the cornering hasn't felt great).

But.....they're just what happened to be on the bike when I got it and so I've got very little to compare them to (I'm new to the 29er experience).

[Ian]

I rather like my Ardents. A different view to Gairy for sure, but maybe I use them in different conditions. I find them a good tyre for open hill/moorland riding, stone tracks, rocky/bouldery descents whilst not being completely rubbish in the mud. I tend to run them from late autumn to early spring before switching to Race Kings for the summer. However, I recently switched back to Ardents due to the lack of summer.

[gairym]

Ian, that's interesting to hear.

The reason I've persevered with them is that they always get such good reviews.

I think I need to try some other rubber on there as it could be something other than the tyres that's making me feel less than confident whilst riding my 29er.

[Brothersmith]

Seems a lot of love for the Ardent. How do they role on tarmac / fire roads?

[Ian]

Gairy - I find that they're a bit harsh if you get the pressure wrong, especially as I run rigid forks. I find them good at about 26-28 psi.

Brothersmith - the main disadvantage is that they do drag a bit, especially in comparison with something like a Race King. I don't mind it though - good resistance training and when I do put Race Kings on, the bike really flies 8-)

[gairym]

that makes sense as I usually run my tyres on the firm side (being weighty) and so maybe i'll give 'em a whirl at a lower PSI.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Race Kings all year round for me

[zigrat]

Guess it depends on where you ride, personally running Specialized s-works Ground Control up front and racing ralph on the rear, can't say enough good things about the ground control - fast, light and hugely grippy (and cheap) with very predictable cornering and ran them front and rear down the west Highland Way with no issues, did however tear a Racing Raplh apart after 50 miles at 10 under the Ben....

[Anthony]

Currently enjoying an Aspen rear, Ikon front combo on the 69er.

Rated the Small Block 8's that came off too but at 700g+, even for the 26" wheel, they are just too meaty for my liking.

[Brothersmith]

Thanks guys. Decision made and going for Race King rear and 2.4 x-king upfront for a bit of extra bite and cushion.

[Trafford]

Some good advice in this thread.
I've recently switched to a 29er and running WTB EXI Wolf, which are terrible in the mud.

@Gairy- I know what you mean about confidence on the 29. Riding rigid over rough terrain can be iffy at times for me.
I've been riding a SS CX bike for the last few years, so it shouldn't matter too much.

[gairym]

@Gairy- I know what you mean about confidence on the 29. Riding rigid over rough terrain can be iffy at times for me.
I've been riding a SS CX bike for the last few years, so it shouldn't matter too much.

I don't even have that excuse as my 29er has a whopping 80mm of travel on it's front-end!

I took the 29er out yesterday (with about 28 psi in the tyres) and, whilst I remain to be convinced by the cornering, the bike handled like a dream.

It was my first time riding the 29er since getting back from my big trip (as I've been loving my Cotic 'Soul') and I did the same route I did on the Soul a few days ago and I made the same sketchy-as-hell descent with no dabs. That same descent forced 3 of the little buggers out of me on the 26er in the same conditions (on a pair of 'Race Kings' just out of interest).

[Bearbonesnorm]

One of these will soften up the front of any 29er ... out of production now but you might track one down. Needs to be the LT (low tread) version, otherwise it'll weigh more than your bike and drag like hell

[Ray Young]

Doe's anyone have experience of Geax Gato TNT 2.3 folding tyres on the front. On One is doing them for £17.49 + p&p or should I go for an Ardent 2.4 wire for £21.99 inc p&p. It's for all round winter use? My race king was just sliding all over the place under heavy braking yesterday!

[restlessshawn]

I really like the 2.4 ardent on the front at a nice low pressure 23psi ish, hums a bit on the road but when it comes to mud it's night and day better than a 2.25 ardent

It's a pretty big volume tyre btw

However, even the folding version is 815g, the wire one must be so heavy things will go into orbit round your front wheel

[Ray Young]

Forget my above queery, just bought a 2.4 mountain king.