Tires for CTR

[Pawel]

What type of tires are you using for Colorado Trail?
I have 26er bike and I wonder if 2.1" tires would be enough or should I go with 2.3" tires?
I know Colorado Trails only from photos and reports and it seems that conditions are mostly dry. Am I correct?
I am thinking of running Kenda Slant Six - new model in Kenda line - as a rear tire and Kenda Excavator as a front tire.
Please give me a piece of advice.

[Mike Brown]

Pawel- I would say 2.1's are enough, although I'd go with a 2.3 up front, personally. 
Conditions are mostly dry.  Lots of rocks on some sections, so I'd definitely get something with a strong sidewall. 
You do have to spend more than few miles on roads or gravel, especially to get to some towns and for some detours.  Take that into account. 
FWIW, I'd consider the Excavator to be a little bit too much for the front and would like for something designed more as a front specifc tire- if you like Kendas, the Nevegal would probably work well, although it wears fast.

[jeffkerkove]

From my experience on sections of the CTR, my tire choice will most likely be the Continental Mountain King 2.2 Protection.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/mtb/cross_country/MountainKing_new_en.html

Yes, these are labeled at a 2.2....but measure up to other brand's 2.1s.  The 'Protection' model is very durable.....knock on wood.....I have not had a flat in all year running these tubeless with Stan's

[Carney]

Last year I ran 2.25 karmas (29in) and easily could of gone bigger. Keep in mind that you're loaded down (some heavier than others) and some good cush is your friend after day one. Don't be afraid of a monster tire, with 20 lbs of crap strapped to you the extra 200g of rotating weight is nothing.

[Pawel]

Pawel- I would say 2.1's are enough, although I'd go with a 2.3 up front, personally.  
Conditions are mostly dry.  Lots of rocks on some sections, so I'd definitely get something with a strong sidewall.  
You do have to spend more than few miles on roads or gravel, especially to get to some towns and for some detours.  Take that into account.  
FWIW, I'd consider the Excavator to be a little bit too much for the front and would like for something designed more as a front specifc tire- if you like Kendas, the Nevegal would probably work well, although it wears fast.

Thanks Mike for advice. Perfect combo which works for me in technical terrain is Nevegal + Blue Groove, both 2.3. Blue Groove has better cornerring than Nevegal. I feel that Excavator is somewere in the middle in terms of cornerring abilities but rolling resistance is lowest. However, I would like to save some weight because I moved to Rohloff speedhub and my bike is now heavier than with derailleur.

[Pawel]

From my experience on sections of the CTR, my tire choice will most likely be the Continental Mountain King 2.2 Protection.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/mtb/cross_country/MountainKing_new_en.html

Yes, these are labeled at a 2.2....but measure up to other brand's 2.1s.  The 'Protection' model is very durable.....knock on wood.....I have not had a flat in all year running these tubeless with Stan's

I had lots of flats in Continental Explorers but this Mountain Kings in Protection model are interresting but heavy.

[timroz]

Pick whichever tire has the coolest looking tread, because you are going to be watching go round and round at 1 mph for DAYS.

I'd put some neat designs on the tops of your shoes too.

[naked indian]

Pick whichever tire has the coolest looking tread, because you are going to be watching go round and round at 1 mph for DAYS.

I'd put some neat designs on the tops of your shoes too.

LMAO x 2, thats the funniest thing I have read in WEEKS! AND I READ ALOT.

[bmike-vt]

Pick whichever tire has the coolest looking tread, because you are going to be watching go round and round at 1 mph for DAYS.

I'd put some neat designs on the tops of your shoes too.

might as well add some hokey spokes too, so that you can trance out at night, too.

[jeremy11]

How about tires for a 2x9 rigid 29er for the CTR?
I'm running WWLT front, Ardent 2.25 rear tubeless on Flows, and live in Lake City, CO, so am familiar with conditions.
Would the weight and rolling resistance benefit be much switching to Nanoraptors front and rear?  The slow stuff will be slow no matter what, so may as well make the faster terrain faster and easier.  Not that 400g in the tires will do that much

[Pawel]

That is good point Jeremy.

[wookieone]

There is a lot in that question, will you be going all out, ie lots of night riding? I think that if you are riding lots of pretty techy singletrack at night a bigger, more stable tire may keep the rubber side down and you ON the bike, one good crash and your race is over and you maybe in a bad place far from help. That said any decent tire would work, but I like to actually RIDE when the oppurtunity arrises, there is some awesome trail on the CT, so do you want to ride delicately or have fun? That is my take, plus fixing flats sucks, riding rules...peace Jefe

[Pawel]

To be more precise according to CTR2010: This will be my second visit in USA and first with a bike. Tires which works for me in Poland could be inappropriate on the CT. That's why my questions. I want to avoid riding at night and I would like to have fun exploring trails on the CT. So summarizing yours comments I've learnt that:
- conditions are mostly dry
- I will need strong sidewalls due to rocky terrain
- 2.3" in front will give me more confidence
- combination of 2.1" + 2.3" should be optimal for my riding style

Thanks everyone for discussion.

[Pivvay]

Run tires with good sidewalls. On 26" rigid I used the 2.25 Nobby Nic front, 2.25 racing ralph rear, both snakeskin and tubeless.

On a 29er I'd say run the 2.4 Mtn King, Nevegal, Rampage or similar up front and something in the rear like a Nano is probably okay. I mostly need a cushy nobby front tire on the CTR to keep me rubber side down.