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What a mine field !!!

I understand most of the terminology used but without trying different ones how do you know which suits you best ??

A while ago i was lucky enough to be given a pair of High Rollers by dirttrackdel who went with schwalbe's but he's found he's not so keen on them as he was the high rollers, so there is something in the rideability stakes of each tire, everyone seems to agree the high rollers are one of the best all rounders which is great so i'm inclined to stay with what i have, but now i can go dual/single ply (i dont think i ride that heavy so single may be fine?) folding or non-folding ? and god know what other options.

i cant be bothered with different tires for different situations, i'd rather just get home and say ooh it was slippy out there today or wow it was really fast out there today and be oblivious to what a different tire may have made

Price is always a factor, when mincing about cross country i couldn't give a monkeys what i'm on, but when i go to places like Danbury i want a little faith in my tire choice

I have some single ply non folding super tacky high rollers and they are my favourite tyres i have used ever.
i have previously ridden non super tacky versions and was also happy with them.
i may switch to my spare set of non tacky's during the dryer months.

i like to know i can rattle over anything without worrying if my tyre will unseat or pinch.

touch wood i have nigh on zero punctures usually.

I was put onto conti mounting kings in 2.4 size to try... Been pretty good in this weather so far... Also have a set of Kenda John tomac that are grippy but I find them rubbish in the mud as they keep hold of two much of it... Also have some Rocket Rons... Great in the dry and dusty but suicide in the wet, so these get about two weeks use a year

Im currently running on single ply foldable MAXXIS Advantages with 70A tread on them.... Are absolutely brilliant except on the real muddy stuff, and run them tubeless with 0 issues.

This is for XC purposes though, although i am a tad aggressive

Continental 2.2 race king protection black chilli compound - Rear
& continental 2.2 rubber queen black chilli compound - Front

Used this combo last weekend in Wales, fast and confidence inspiring grip.
Fully recommend them.

I chose tyres based on what came on the bike when I bought it.

So do you choose the bike for the tyres or just put up with whatever comes with the bike?

I have a 2.4 mountain king on the front and this on the rear
http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/64/tyc00309/continental-baron-26-x-23-wire-tyre.html
very knobbly and super grippy

I went for a long XC slog with 2.5" super-tacky Swampthings on if that answers your question

Good to know im not the only one with questions on this. Currently riding 2.25 maxxis on the rear and a 2.35 kenda on the front on my blender which has done ok but I need some new rubber.

Anyone got any suggestions for some good tyres for dh/freeride use?? Right now im stuck between going 2.25 all round with some nobby nics and racing ralphs or 2.35 hans dampf front and rear but, as stated tyres are well and truly a bloody mine field!

Continental Rubber Queen 2.2 or 2.4 in black chilli compound.

technical reason why ? or just because thats what you have ?

I'm really interested to understand how different tyres make the bike behave differently but itsd an expensive gamble (for me at least) so i may just play it safe and stick with the high rollers as thats what i know and have no issues with, if i change them and the bike rides like crap i'll be devastated, but then i miss the chance of it getting even better ???

i hate this, i'm not a gambler !

One thing I learned recently regarding my Nobby Nic was importance of pressure.

I was trying to make sure I had the right tyres on for our Afan trip so did some reading on tinternet before we went.

The sidewall says min 30 psi so I had pumped it up to this or just over the previous weekend before our ride around Hadleigh. I had noticed though that the front end (where the Nic was fitted) seemed more skittish than usual. I then read that running it a few psi down, say 26-27, changes the tyre's behaviour so I tried this at Afan. Was a different tyre!! Felt so much confidence in the front end as it just seemed to grip all the way.

I've not had a chance to try on our local trails in anger but worth considering and I'll mention is to Del this evening

So that would make it 30psi under riders weight probably ? if you put a pressure guage on it and it says 27 whenyou sit on it the pressure will increase no doubt to 30 ?

just thinking out loud, may be bollox !