I vote for wide large volume tires. But I do weigh 220lbs and don't speed
much time worrying about my bikes weight. Fixing flats and bike repairs on
the trail are more of a priority. Current bike about 30lbs.

I used Panaracer XC Pro 2.1 for a my first year riding and they seemed to
work good for So-Cal riding.

When a brought my 5-spot, 18 months ago, I started with 2.35 IRC Trailbears.
I could run them at low pressure (28-30lbs) and not get pinch flats. They
are slow on the flats, but climb well and feel good downhill.

I am now running a 2.5 WTB Weirwolf Race on the front and a 2.5 IRC
Trailbear on the rear...28lbs in front, 30lbs in back. In my experience
descending steep loose stuff is not as scary with wide tires and low
pressure, they don't break loose as easy in heavy braking.

Was up in Big Bear, CA. today and caught the sleeve of my jersey on a
branch. Pulled my handlebars to the right in very sandy trail and when over
the bars, landing on the back of my head and left shoulder. My riding buddy
could hear my helmet cracking and it was so noticeable that I was conscience
of the noise even before coming to a stop. For me, when things go wrong it
happen so fast that it feels like a blackout. I have been OTB about 5-6
times and each time I have avoided face plant by rolling with it. I have
engrain in my head not to put my hands to stop the fall. This was the first
OTB on flat ground, all others were downhill and not having my weight back.


"pas" wrote in message
...
educate me, discuss or call me an idiot, doesn't matter ;-)

What's the deal with different tire sizes? Tuff grrl keeps telling I
should
go bigger, but being the weight weenie and cheapskate I am, I "just say
no".
Is there a reason an XC rider would want bigger tires? More traction, more
stability? I always figured bigger tires were for primarily big hit/DH
riders. Do bigger tires contribute more to trail erosion, or only if
skidded?

care to elaborate, any one?

penny