My bike is currently equipped with Panaracer Trailrakers. These are too much like hard work at the moment, so I am looking to change them to something with a bit less of an aggressive tread for summer/dry conditions. I am new to this MTB malarkey and don't have that much money to play with, and after a bit of sleuthing I have narrowed down my options to the follwing, based on budget:

2x Continental Explorer ProTections (can get for ~£31 in total)

or

WTB Weirwolf (Front) and WTB Nanoraptor (Rear) (can get for ~£26 in total)

The Contis have more 'technology', i.e. puncture resistance and light weight, but I have heard people complain of front-end grip. The Weirwolf should give good front end grip, but the Nanoraptor is almost a semi-slick and will probably perform worse than the Conti's in damp conditions. Unfortunately I can only get the Contis for that price as a pair, so can't mix and match...  argh, choices choices...

Anyone have experience with these tyres or got an opinion I might be interested in? Do the prices seem a 'good deal'? I would be interested to hear!

Thanks guys, feels like I post here every other day...

Hmmmm.  Conti Explorers are a bit of a 'jack of all trades - master of none' kind of tyre IMO.  They are prone to letting go at the front without much warning as they have a roundish profile with not much to dig in on the shoulder of the tyre.  If you were looking for something to run year round on a range of conditions then it's not a bad option but as you are after something for the drier months then I'd say no.

Never tried the WTB combo you refer to but have heard good things about them grip-wise.  The Nanoraptor isn't really a semislick, I'd say it's a low profile tyre, similar to a Racing Ralph.  In that respect it will roll quicker and don't be surprised if it grips quite well.

Most of your cornering/braking grip needs to be at the front and almost all of the rolling resistance (that matters) comes from the rear so having specific tyres for each makes sense.  For me, this would be another reason to avoid the Conti's.

Kenda Small Block Eight.

I tried this on the rear for one day in the Alps and i was riding up the hill much easier than i had on previous days on High Roller (XC version not super tacky)

Where do you ride normally? as that will also dictate the 'best' summer tyre

Top summer tyres

Nobby wrote (see)

I could do you a pair of part used Nobby Nic 2.1's for £25 if you're interested? I ran them tubeless for a couple of weeks whilst waiting for me UST ones to arrive so they've loads of life left in 'em.

Thanks for the Kenda suggestion, but AFAIK they are heavier and more expensive than the tyres I was looking at. As for where I ride, well i'm just starting out, riding a HT around trail type stuff in the south. No mountains, big-air or anything like that. I do mess around trying to build up my skills on small drops etc. or riding some rootsy fast trails, but thats just a bit of fun on the side really.

Nobby - I don't mean to look a gift horse in the mouth or anything, but are the Nics wire or folding? I only ask because it's quite a large difference in rotating mass. Cheers!

I have done the "what tyre" thing - I have used - in Swinley - nobby front/ralph rear all year - if I could be bothered - I would change for two NN's when wetter - but just ride a lightish tyre in summer and get out and ride!

Oh - I buy mine from Germany - way cheaper!!