realskiers

I ride in New England, a lot and at a pretty high-level.  I only ride 29ers at present.  I use both Stan's tubeless set ups (all on flow rims) and tubes.  I vastly prefer the ride quality of the tubeless set up.

Maxxis Ardent 2.25 is Great REAR tire, but an awful front tire for all the reasons Bushwacka said.

However, The Maxxis 2.4 ardent performs like a completely different tire than it's skinneir version.  It is far floatier, double the grip, better cornering and very tough.  It's just a great tire. Even as a front tire in tricky terrain.  Both tires can handle lower pressures WITH tubes (good sidewalls).

I'm going to disagree with Bushwacker, and strongly recommend The Kenda Nevegals 2.2 29er tires (they're huge, wider than the maxxis 2.4 ardent!) with a major caveat:  These must be run tubeless.  Kenda's really do suck with tubes, they flat at any pressure under 36psi, sidewall rips are endemic.  But, and  I can't explain why, they work wonderfully with Stan's (once sealed, you need about 1.5x the normal amount of sealant).  I've had a Neve on the front of my bike for a year with no issues.

If you have the money, also consider the Scwalbe Nobby Nic.  The Conti Mountain Kings are a good 29er tire as well.   I hate specialized tires.

All those skinny tires: The Slant Six, Ignitor, Ikon, etc-do not belong on a serious mountain bike unless you are racing at a high level, and even then, they make more sense if you are racing in the Southwest or SoCal than New England.

The whole lower rolling resistance thing is over played for non TOP EXPERT level racers and above.  I always say nothing increases your rolling resistance like falling down!  Get yourself the chubbiest tires you can fit on your frame, mate them up with Stan's flow rims and go tubeless.

I've only used GEAX tires in a 26er, and I liked them.

I've heard raves about the Panaracer Rampage 2.35---but that must be run Tubeless to get the most out of that tire. I have used it on bikes I borrowed and liked the 29er version.  I had one on an old 26er and hated it.