How good is the Saracen Mantra 1 mountain bike?

Mountain Bike Tyre Decision Help?

• My 18th is coming up on the 21st, there's nothing I desperately want/need so was thinking about asking for mountain bike tyres amongst other things (depending on price of suggested tyres) due to my current tyres being rather warn and have not been changed in the years that I have owned my bike. I've applied for an adventure sports degree at uni so would like to get into more serious off road and XC. So I'm looking at having grippy/knobbly tyres on one wheel and a slicker tyre on the other that still has decent grip off road. My reason for this is that I will still be riding my bike to college when I get up too late to walk to college, this journey is all concrete/tarmac bar a few metres. I'm wondering whether this it would be better to have the grippier tyre on the front or back? I'm also looking for suggestions on how slick to make the slicker tyre (suggestions for specifics/links are greatly appreciated) If it helps I own a Saracen Trace 1 2008, it's on Mountain King 26x2.2 tyres at the moment. Thanks for your time and help :)

• Answer:

  I use a very aggressive one on the back for good traction on soft ground and a slick one on the front that provides better grip when turning at sharp angles even in hard surfaces. You don't want knobs in the front at hard cornering. If you don't believe me try both ways.