What tires are you using?

[Pebble]

I've got Panaracer Fire XC 2.1 Pro (the wire bead version). Weighs 780g

Recently I've brought a set of Michelin Hot S 2.2's reinforced sidewall 127tpi version (got them cheap and they still had 98% tread) I have put one on the front. Weighs 676g

So my current set up is Panaracer 2.1 up back and Michelin 2.2 up front.

Specialized Ground Control (came on my old bike) not very good in comparison to the Panaracers and others.

Synchros Point & Chute 2 (2.1) were good - very low profile, cleared mud pretty well and very good rolling and light tyre. I'd say they're probably better for xc racing than general use though. Kicking myself for selling them with hubbys hardtail!

Hutchinson Bulldogs - as came stock on my Trance were absolutely crap for cornering (supposedly a good mud tyre though). Don't know - I like confidence in the corners and good overall grip which these didn't seem to provide.

I've mostly ridden in dry rocky & very loose sketchy stuff with the panaracers. Of course it only got muddy when it rained - some real bogholes.(mx tracks!).

My riding now consists of parts being very dusty, some rocky sections and some rocky creekbed type riding, including sharp corners with small berms. When it's wet it stays reasonably dry except for bogholes and muddy patches.

I'm really liking the Hot S on the front - excellent cornering and good mud clearing. All round grip seems ok and haven't had it long enough to gague wear (seem like it would be close enough to the Panaracer in that dept but probably wear a bit faster as it's a softer compound). They were specifically built as 4x tyres I think?
Oh & it seems to roll well at around the 35psi mark.


The Michelin is alot better as a front tyre compared to synchros or panaracer. And it clears Mud better than the Panaracer tread pattern - but the Panaracer seemed to do almost as well.

If possible probably best to get advice from those in your area though. Tyre choice I reckon is almost as personal as saddle choice!

Oh & talking about mud (slightly OT) - my recent muddy ride was only yesterday. Probably first time I've gotten real dirty since I've brought the Trance. Anyway I wanted to say that the sram X7 components performed flawlessly throughout the whole ride (using Prolink lube atm). On my old bike the Shimano Deore / Alivio would always mis-shift & chainsuck etc at the mere sight of mud! (with finishline wet lube and then later I tried white lightening).