Nice bike hpiguy. Can you guys recommend me some good set of tires that are both good for pavement and bites good in the trails at the same time. The reason is I usually have to bike around 5 to 7 miles of pavement before I get to the trails. Same goes for when I go to work. I have to bike around 2 miles before I hit the trails. Right now I am running Kenda Nevegals 2.35 for the front and Conti mountain king 2.2 for the rear and it's slowing me down on the pavement, but great combo on the trails.
Kenda Nevegal have great traction but are sooo slow rolling and heavy...sold mine long time ago...never again.
Here's a great fast rolling all around trail tire combo imo and what I'm currently running, they have great traction even in the wet rocks. "thumbsup"
I like Specialized Purgatory Control 2Bliss 29x2.3 front (really more like proper 2.2) looks slow roller, but it is quite fast for great tire!
Specialized Bicycle Components
and Captain Control 2Bliss rear 29x2.2
Specialized Bicycle Components
I've heard the Renegade is a good rear tire too, but have not tried it.
Specialized Fast Trak tires were on a bike I bought and really impressed me, they look so mild but really worked in most cross aggressive cross country riding. I avoid their S-Works tires because I've seen and heard of too many with cut open sidewalls and they are more expensive.
GEAX Saguaro 29x2.2 are great fast rollers with good volume and traction, the downside is that they are not great wet rock tires. I realize this, still ride them in wet rocky conditions, but don't push them as hard in these conditions. These tires are cheap at
Find Bikes, Cycling Clothing, Bike Parts & Bike Shoes Or Your Local Bike Store at Performance., I pick them up usually for $35 per tire with folding beads, these are what I run on my SS rigid front and rear. "thumbsup"
Wow Saguaro on closeout at $25 each!
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1171310_-1___000000
REI has them for $12.93 each with folding (aramid) bead....omg! lol
Couldn't find mfr...just found em, now owned by Vittoria tires.