Just a tiny update guys:
The 2.1 Schwalbe Nobby Nics never got a go on the Reign as I put them straight onto my Scott Scale (I wasn't impressed with them at the dam either, just felt too thin and deflected off rocks too much).
I did however get a 2.1 Nevegal Stick-e for the front and a 2.1 Nevegal DTC for the rear and got to test these out at Loftus last weekend. The weather was poor, there was heaps of mud and the tyres did great! They roll a shitload faster than my previous 2.35 set-up. Those gradual climbs are sooooo much easier on my legs now and as far as cornering grip goes this combo feels even more playful than the last (2.35 DTC front and a Larsen TT 2.35 rear).
I did however score my very first pinch flat (lol yes my very first!). I was doing silly shit though on this big rock (one of the few at Loftus lol).
In other news my just trued for the 1st time chain reaction weenie wheelset coped just fine, not that I was doing anything but XC on them, but at least they're still dead straight. They migfht stay straight but at the moment it's a mental battle. When I park the bike up next to anyone elses it's obvious that my spokes are so thin (you can hardly even see them!) and it's almost like having a mental dissadvange for me at the moment. I've gotten a few quotes to rebuild the wheels: keep the hubs (cause I love the sound!) and just get DT champion spokes + DT 5.1 or Mavic 819 UST rim but at $480 to do the rebuild I could get a whole new set of Hope's + 5.1/819/DT spokes from chain reaction!!!!!!!!
So to cap it up: I'm super happy with the tyres but the flat pisses me off. I hope it wasn't because of the thinner tyre? And I hope it doesn't somehow open the door up to many more (it's got me at least thinking of UST now).
Anyways, some pics.
Front.
Rear.
Nobby Nic 2.1 vs. Nevegal 2.1
Me.
Mud.