i rode sb8's on the xtc all summer last year. can't say that i love em, can't say that i hate em. i WILL say that the sidewalls are super thin and cut VERY easily. i went through 2 tires in about a month at sylvan later in the year. they completely suck in ANY type of soggy stuff as traction is very limited. i have also pushed them through the corners a few times, once leading to rim bend (which was repairable, so nothing major).

i cannot say what i would go to other than those as i havent ridden many others. hard to "try out" tires, unless you know someone who has many and will let you borrow a few pairs.....