I'm currently running a Racing Ralph rear and a OE Tough Tom on the front which is gash.
I use the bike mainly for Canal Towpaths and a bit of road in winter. So mainly hard gravel or tarmac.
Bike is a 29er. Looking for a suitable front to compliment the Ralph.
Another Ralph?
Rocket Ron?
New Racing Ray?
I highly recommend the Vittoria Barzo, fast-rolling, plenty of grip and lightweight. I rate them so much I wrote a long-term review of them on my blog here: https://outbiking.co.uk/best-mtb-tyre/
What do you dislike about the tough Tom? For the sort of riding you mention I have used smart Sam in the past and they did well enough, had a decent balance of grip/rolling resistance on hard surfaces.
Just don’t find it rolls very well no matter what pressure I run it at. Find all factory fitted tyres crap.
I run a 2.25 WTB Nine Line on my towpath blaster. At the fast end of the spectrum.
For that sort of riding what ever is cheap and probably suitable and just crack on.
For that sort of riding what ever is cheap and probably suitable and just crack on.
This.
I've now the paper round bike and the CX/commuter/tourer on £5 Halfords special Small block 8's.
Before that they both had Uber cheap Schwalbe tourer things. They've been mainly on tracks and back roads, some snow, and for giggles around trail centres they are fine. Not Strava winning. But fine.
Seen a Rocket Ron performance for £19.99 on Merlin. Any good?
The schwalbe 'performance' tyres (no suffix for addix , or colours or evo in the name) are their most basic and often fitted as standard on new bikes. This may not bother you too much for the riding you describe but don't expect much of an improvement.