Tour Divide/GDMBR - tires

[Cosmo K]

The link below is to a bunch of testing on tires from bike magazines (halfway down the page).  Testing for rolling resistance, puncture resistance, wear, grip, etc.  Interesting.  The Conti x-Kings seem to rate high in all categories.  Saguaro's look good too.

http://forums.mtbr.com/wheels-tires/tire-test-results-german-bike-magazine-419392-12.html

[krefs]

I have finished two TDR's on small block eights - first year no flats - last year about 8 and a sidewall blow out hitting the black top into Del Norte--this year riding either cross marks or Maxxis Aspens---fast rolling rammed and a bit stiffer side wall then small blocks--BTY the nano raptors are not the same now that they are made elsewhere than a few years ago--most folks comlain that they too blow side walls too easy. You need something that rolls fast and holds up-nothing bigger than 2.2 --nothing techncal enough to lug a heavy tire for 2700 miles

That's good advice. For most riders, Small Blocks are too fragile due to their paper thin casing. And no, the Nanos are not what they used to be, and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone for TD riding at this point. Most Racing Ralph models use an incredibly soft compound that probably wouldn't even last through Montana. I think they offer an inexpensive version that's a more durable compound, but all the models with the Snakeskin protection are quite soft.

My advice would be unless you're shooting for some sort of record/PR, take the hit of an extra couple hundred grams on each tire and get something that's good and durable. Saving a bit of weight is not worth the possible hassle and time lost due to dealing with strings of punctures and sliced sidewalls.

[febikes]

I am planning on running Specialized Fast Track LK tires front and rear.  These are the same tires that I train on and they seem to be reasonably durable plus fairly fast rolling.

[Thumby]

2011 I ran Maxxis, Aspen Front, Crossmark rear.  Lasted entire route with tread to spare.  Slime w. tubes.  One flat, a pinch flat. 

[Foster]

That's good advice. For most riders, Small Blocks are too fragile due to their paper thin casing. And no, the Nanos are not what they used to be, and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone for TD riding at this point. Most Racing Ralph models use an incredibly soft compound that probably wouldn't even last through Montana. I think they offer an inexpensive version that's a more durable compound, but all the models with the Snakeskin protection are quite soft.

My advice would be unless you're shooting for some sort of record/PR, take the hit of an extra couple hundred grams on each tire and get something that's good and durable. Saving a bit of weight is not worth the possible hassle and time lost due to dealing with strings of punctures and sliced sidewalls.

So the Nano is junk now ehh, did WTB sell out to new owners or something?  How about the UST Nanos?  Does this go for all WTB tires you think?  I used a wolverine and a werwolf on the AZ300 and didn't have one flat. 

Anyone ever used the Vulpine?

[woody]

So the Nano is junk now ehh, did WTB sell out to new owners or something?  How about the UST Nanos?  Does this go for all WTB tires you think?  I used a wolverine and a werwolf on the AZ300 and didn't have one flat.  

Anyone ever used the Vulpine?

I got one of the Nano's TCS Tire mounted (it was a b!tch) right now, but will be changing it out. Stan's website states these tires are too tight to get mounted onto their rims so keep that in mind. The tire has been great, but I don't want to be able to get it off in the middle of nowhere if I have to.
I didn't find the above out until after the tire was mounted so I left it on and rode it.

Not sure what rims you're running.
Here's a quote from Stans Forum:
"We have had reports that the TCS tire is too tight and it is not possible to mount it on our rim. We think that it might also not work well on other companies rims. The TCS tires do work on WTB rims. Recomend your try the race version.

_________________
Bob Nunnink
Inside Sales Associate
Stan's NoTubes"

Here's a link with tires Stans recommends:
http://www.notubes.com/RecommendedTires.aspx

Woody

[Foster]

I think I am going with the Geax Sagauro in front and the Crossmark UST in back after doing some more research.

[mcmurv]

I think I am going with the Geax Sagauro in front and the Crossmark UST in back after doing some more research.

Foster:
Do not use the Crossmark UST with any kind of sealant.  The rubber will bubble or come off of the bead. 

The regular Crossmark is an incredible tire and my tire of choice.  It seals super easy, especially with Orange Seal.  http://www.orangesealcycling.com/  I have sworn off of Stan's after it evaporating so quickly and having such a hard time sealing. 

[sluttyduck]

Foster:
Do not use the Crossmark UST with any kind of sealant.  The rubber will bubble or come off of the bead. 

The regular Crossmark is an incredible tire and my tire of choice.  It seals super easy, especially with Orange Seal.  http://www.orangesealcycling.com/  I have sworn off of Stan's after it evaporating so quickly and having such a hard time sealing. 

I never had any trouble with the 26er UST crossmarks with Stans(several pairs).
one of my 29er UST crossmarks did bubble up in southern New Mexico, without any catastrophic failures though.
YMMV I guess.

[mcmurv]

I never had any trouble with the 26er UST crossmarks with Stans(several pairs).
one of my 29er UST crossmarks did bubble up in southern New Mexico, without any catastrophic failures though.
YMMV I guess.

Stephen:
Yea, I had used UST Crossmarks for a while with full knowledge of this bubbling warning from everyone I have known.  The kicker is that there isn't any way to predict when this will happen.  For me, I was 42 miles outside of town on a training ride last fall when the rubber started unwrapping from the bead.  This created a catastrophic failure, which resulted in my carrying my fully loaded bike for about 10 miles before I could find someone to give me a ride back to town. 

[Foster]

Foster:
Do not use the Crossmark UST with any kind of sealant.  The rubber will bubble or come off of the bead. 

The regular Crossmark is an incredible tire and my tire of choice.  It seals super easy, especially with Orange Seal.  http://www.orangesealcycling.com/  I have sworn off of Stan's after it evaporating so quickly and having such a hard time sealing. 

I tried using the regular Crossmark for tubless but I couldn't get it to seal...I have a UST rim, its not stans.  So the rear tire search begins again, ugh.  I want something that is bomber and super fast rolling, any more suggestions?

[mcmurv]

I tried using the regular Crossmark for tubless but I couldn't get it to seal...I have a UST rim, its not stans.  So the rear tire search begins again, ugh.  I want something that is bomber and super fast rolling, any more suggestions?

Yea, the rim is a big part of sealing a tire.  On some instances, I have tubed a Crossmark on my rims to get one side of the bead to seat.   Remove the tube and it seats just fine.  I also unfold and hang the Crossmark for a couple days. 

For me, Crossmarks with Orange Seal is bomb proof.  Far better than all others. 

Enjoy the search....better settle on something quick. 

[Endurance Junkie]

Iv'e been running that set up for two weeks and love it for fire roads!
Tech single track not so much?
Seated up on stans arch with no issues.
Might try another could be a fluke ?

[Foster]

Iv'e been running that set up for two weeks and love it for fire roads!
Tech single track not so much?
Seated up on stans arch with no issues.
Might try another could be a fluke ?

What is your setup?  Saguaro in front and Crossmark in back? 

[Foster]

The nano for the rear option seems like the perfect tire but all I have heard lately is not to use them because the quality went downhill?  Can I get some verification on this?

[mcmurv]

What is your setup?  Saguaro in front and Crossmark in back?  

Crossmarks on front and back with Edge wheels.  This is the best wheel setup I have ever had.  

[BobM]

The nano for the rear option seems like the perfect tire but all I have heard lately is not to use them because the quality went downhill?  Can I get some verification on this?

Not the quality so much - just the sidewalls are thinner now so more prone to slicing.

[Endurance Junkie]

What is your setup?  Saguaro in front and Crossmark in back? 

yep

[rooster14]

despite the hate, running a set up i got for free...slat six rear and small block 8 in the front...just gonna hope for the best i suppose

[THE LONG RANGER]

Whatever you decide, realize you're probably going to replace one of the tires while on the route, so you may be at the whims of whoever stocks the shop (or, ship yourself a tire or two). Glacier in Whitefish, Outdoorsman in Butte, Orange Peel in Steamboat, Absolute in Salida and Hike and Bike in Silver City will have a good selection. We may want to communicate w/the Outdoorsman about more selections than the Nano, as they like to stock up on things we enjoy for the TD.