Mountain Bike Tire Recommendations?

I really like the Velociraptor (or the Mutano Raptor) as a front tire, but for how you describe your riding conditions, I wouldn't recommend it. The knobs are a bit aggressive and do better in softer soils/sand....and they wander on pavement. They are pretty durable tires, though.

You might consider the Maxxis Holy Rollers....enough tread to handle most trails pretty darn well, but they're smooth enough to roll beautifully on pavement. If you have loose stuff on top of the hardpack trails, they may drift a bit in fast corners but they're predictable. They do not do well in sticky mud, but in normal conditions they're very good and climb pretty well, too. The Kenda K-Rad and DMR Moto RT are very similar tires.

If you want more of a knobby tire, I'd probably steer you towards a low-knob design like the Kenda Small Block 8, Maxxis Ignitor, WTB Nanoraptor, WTB Weirwolf LT (low tread, not the normal one), or even something like the WTB Vulpine and Kenda Short Track if you want a slick-ish tire with cornering knobs.

If you liked your Blue Grooves, you might like the Nevegal better....both of them will wear out on pavement a little sooner, but most tires will do that, especially knobby ones. Kenda has the dual-tread compound that will last a bit longer, too, so if you have the Stick-E version you can plan on them wearing out pretty fast.

I don't know about retailers in your part of the world, but http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ in the UK is great with international shipping and they have great prices, too. I'm in the US but order from them on a fairly regular basis.

Hope this helps you out....lots of tires to choose from, just remember that most do a pretty decent job and as the seasons go by you can try out different models when you have to buy new ones. It's fun. :o)

Go for WTB VelociRaptor, I've rode lots and lots of trails on different types of tires, I switch every once in awhile to something different, like Continental, Michelan, Kenda etc the list goes on and on, for some reason I always go back to these. They are awesome!!! One of my buddies I ride with has worked in the bike dept. at REI for 9 years (a great outdoor gear store) anyway he says they are the best too. Quote: "If it's not broke don't fix it." Best bang for your buck for sure with the most miles too.

Good luck!

SPECIALIZED CHUNDER MADE IN USA

go to specialized.com and look at tires

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/tires-and-wheels/Tire/spec...