29er tires

I had Ardents on my SJ'r but the Purgs are far superior for traction. A Ground Control in the rear should make for a great rear in the dries months.

Anybody know who has 2.1 GC x 29 in stock?

2.1 GC is really narrow (like 1.9-2.0 i'd guess), in case that matters to you. for some reason all their tires are full size except that one.

ardent 2.4 - 800g
i don't like the ardent, except run backwards in the rear, where it seems to work quite nicely. big volume, very round tread. good climbing traction, loose braking (not much worse than when its run forwards), loose but stable cornering. i've had good luck with the sidewalls, but friends running them with tubes get a lot of pinch flats.

Anyone else try running the Ardent backwards?

2.1 GC is really narrow (like 1.9-2.0 i'd guess), in case that matters to you. for some reason all their tires are full size except that one.

That's the biggest listed in 29 for it..

I have been pretty happy with my Hans Dampf front tire, the Nobby Nic out back has been jut meh for me though. I didn't think I liked either better than DHF, but rode a bike with DHF's very briefly on a ride recently and almost washed out.. so maybe the Schwalbe's are better than I realized.

DB can order a 2.3 GC

backwards ardent is still a turd, just a bit less turdy. blew out the "exo" sidewall eventually, that was the last straw. there are far better options.

These Bontys look like they could be pretty good. Has anyone tried them yet?

been trying to find one to try, it does look good. the 26" version is impressive, a little cornering machine like the butcher. rubber durometer feels 60-ish, could be a great summer front tire.

I was looking for something tackier than that… 60a is OK when its dry, but when the weather goes back to normal I need something softer for the greasy roots.

it was a prototype version that i checked out. sounds like the production version has softer side knobs.

2.1 GC is really narrow (like 1.9-2.0 i'd guess), in case that matters to you. for some reason all their tires are full size except that one.

My GC (on Crest rim) isn't undersized for a 2.1. I really like it on my singlespeed (Purgatory up front).

I think if you want larger (2.3) the Purgatory is probably a better way to go anyways (once you are turning a 2.3 the Purg is more confidence inspiring under hard riding).

-D

These Bontys look like they could be pretty good. Has anyone tried them yet?

I've used these on my Rumblefish since December. Awesome tire! I was using Ardents before, it's like night and day. I do alot of riding at the Delta Watershed, it has alot of different surfaces and I can't think of one it doesn't hook up well on. Maybe really loose gravel but who really rides alot on gravel. I'm running the tubeless in the back and it holds air great (DT rim, tape and goo). Also ridden Seymour and Fromme without any issues, wet or dry.

Anybody know who has 2.1 GC x 29 in stock?

Corsa in Squamish has them in stock.

After 2 days of riding the Ardent in Pemberton [HTML_REMOVED] Whistler, they are coming off. They just don't work well in the damp early season conditions. The knobs seem to small and to short.

Based on the recommendations in the thread I picked up a couple of Specialized Purgatory tires from Corsa on the way down. I'll post my comments after a few rides.

I'm planning to use the Ardents for BC [HTML_REMOVED] Washington interior road trips later this year.