2 more cents from me... My bike came with Bontrager Jones tires on it and I hated them. If the trail was moist at all, my front tire kept sliding out and coming up out of a creek crossing they were slick as snot. I ended up buying some big knobby tires, Michellin Mounaint AT expert, and they did really well for me, although I found it's the opposite of what more experienced riders are going for. I don't care, I like 'em and that's what matters. As stated above, there is no one right tire. With that said, the Kenda Nevegal is listed as the #1 tire 4 years running by Mountain Bike Action Magazine. With all the different reviews above, I guess I'm going to rethink the small blocks.