predominantly dry use though not wanting out and out slicks, for longer rides including road on largely non tech terrain (but must be able to cope with the odd rock and bit of mud), no less than 1.8 wide, folding and poss run tubeless (with stans or similar).
i'm quite liking the look of kenda small block 8, any views?
Don't know about those, but I'm most impressed with Specialized Fast Track. They've ended up being used in Peaks, Wales, and on road, cos I was too lazy to change em, and am very surprised how they've coped.
Bonty Revolt Super X. Not a new design but very fast and surprisingly grippy on rock, root, mud.
Maxxis Larsen TT 2.0.
Small Block 8s are great for the sort of riding you describe.
How wide do the small block 8's come up? are big or small for there stated size.
Very happy with my SB8s (though I've got the 2.35 version) - even used them at a race last year since they roll so well though I wasn't taking to too seriously and wanted to be able to rip it down the rocky/rooty descent more than worrying about pace up the climb. They grip really well on hard packed dirt and in the size I have, really smooth out rocks/etc.
They're absolutely rubbish in any kind of mud though.
Richc - my SB8s in 2.35 aren't loads bigger than Conti verticals on the same rim - maybe 0.5 to 1cm wider?
Small block 8s
I've got Maxxis Tommahawks 1.9s on my Malt 2 and they fit this purpose wonderfully.
I might get a set for the Dyfi/summer then and doom everyone to a shitty muddy summer 🙂
Just another suggestion - vertical up front with a conti flow at the back - both the same size but verts are low drag anyway, especially up front and the flow is just a low profile knobbly which I've found good in the dry (though it does skid more easily under braking than a vert)
Maxxis crossmarks look fast, but dont have first hand knowledge of them.
I use the specialised fastracks at the moment, and like stevthebarbarian think they are very good, but might try Crossmarks when these are worn out..
You can buy a pair of Fastracks for the price of one small block 8, and its a similar type of tread pattern.