Central lugs: aggressive tread blocks for good penetration into the ground; closely spaced for low rolling resistance; offset in an 'S' pattern to decrease the effect of "sticking" to the ground; alternating diamond and square shapes to bite into the ground at a variety of angles.
Intermediate lugs: L-shaped for traction in acceleration and braking.
Outside lugs: widely spaced for good mud evacuation; multiple edges for constant grip at any angle.
Submitted by
rich
a Cross Country Rider
from cross plains, wi
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2003
Strengths: none
Weaknesses: Rode on them four times before back tire sidewall blew. Two more rides and front tire blew. Both in the same place.
Bottom Line:
These are great tires if you don't ride. I had two sidewall failures in 2 days. I've ridden for about 8 years and never had that happen before. Junk, Junk, Junk. If you are thinking of buying these save your money and just ride on the rim. It will be about as effective.
Submitted by
Peter Crannell
a Cross Country Rider
from Port Byron New York
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2002
Strengths: Traction, mud clearing
Weaknesses: Knobs can be a little squishy. Inside of tire breaks down
Bottom Line:
Bought two of these last year. Both had the inside break down. Cracks inside put holes in tube. If you only use them for a month or so , they are OK. Better to buy Velociraptors.
Submitted by
George Verd
a Cross Country Rider
from Slovenia
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002
Strengths: grip, speed
Weaknesses: technology - design
Bottom Line:
Wildgripper cutted the inner tube / 5 or 6 times before i discovered cause. Obviously defective tire. Imagine all that spoiled rides. Will never buy Michelin again.
Submitted by
Alan
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, Al
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2002
Strengths: Tall knobs, good hookup in loose stuff, rolls pretty fast.
Weaknesses: I don't think they are great for hard pack
Bottom Line:
bottom line is that until this weekend i have been looking for another tire (it is only on rear. It was absolutely pouring and i was hitting some serious (hub/crank deep) soupy mud. i hadn't been in mud like that until now. I was completely stunned. I could just keep on cranking through the mud, and somehow these tires found something to grab. It was amazing. I know other people don't really like these tires, but i will be keeping them around for those mud expeditions. I am probably gonna get a panaracer or hutchinson soon for tight pack, but for the mud-these are my babies!
Bike Setup: specialized hopper, manitou xvert super, avid ti breaks and levers, xt shifter and rder., some other little goodies. but of course the blazin green michelins
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
MrEd
a Cross Country Rider
from Nevada
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2002
Strengths: Excellent traction for hardpack, fast rolling. Not that good on wet, but it rarely rains here.
Weaknesses: lugs fell off really fast, like scary fast, within the first 3 weeks I was missing 4 lugs on left side front tire. also weak sidewalls
Bottom Line:
Well like I said, lugs falling off after three weeks led me to believe I just recieved a bum tire, so I called performance and they made good and sent another.I changed the first tire before it was 2 months old. After about 4 weeks the sidewall blew out of this one and I lost my brand new tube. Get this, I wasnt even riding when it blew, my bike was just sitting there at work, ten feet from me with 50 psi in the tires, ( these go to 80 I believe ),and kablooie! there I was, calling for a ride home after 4 weeks on a new tire. The hair wasnt even gone on either tire. Emailed Michelin twice to tell them what went down, and never got a reply. I will not buy or recommend this to anybody, as you can have the best product in the world, but without customer service you have squat. Thats too bad because I really liked the tread pattern. I only got to ride this tire for barely 3 months total. What a disappointment. A tire that just didnt hold up(although a good tread pattern), and a company that doesnt reply to customers equals one flaming pile of monkey dung all around.
Bike Setup: K2 carbon OZ, next LP's, XTR, Kore, Answer, Cane Creek cronos ti.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from manville, nj usa
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2001
Strengths: look pretty cool on my bike, green rubber goes well with color schem on my bike, good in mud (really soupy stuff)
Weaknesses: many, not good on dry or wet rocks or stumps, the front washes out very easy, not good in corning
Bottom Line:
altho these tires look good on my bike i am having many problems with them...my first and bigges problem is with the tire not seating right...i didnt have a problem until about my 4th tube change...the rear tire just would not seat correctly there for i just couldnt get the damn thing on the rim...luck for me i got in on after messing with it for a couple minutes...since then its gotten worse... i now pray i dont get a flat cause ill have to walk the bike out and change it at home...i have to put lube on the tire bead and it take about an hr to get the thing on...after i get it on if its not excaty correctly on there...it buldges on the side wall...now this is only the rear so my guess is i got a bum tire...i dont have that prob with the front...as for performance there ok the real sloppy mud other than that...the front washes out ina most conditions wheather it be dry, little wet, leaves, sand, mostly everything...the reaar's traction is pretty good...i dont have any confidence when i corner liek i said it washes out so easy...they will soon be replaced ...im gonna give is 2 for looks...but other than that...i would stay away from these tires.
Weaknesses: Weak sidewall Too much stretch at high psi (over 60 psi and rubs my frame) Breaks free at bad moments (ie. wet pavement)
Bottom Line:
I've gone through 2 sets of these. They've never really inspired confidence. When I try to pump them way up for commuting, the rear tire gets big enough to rub my frame. I crashed on the road once on a wet corner. They seem to do well in soft to medium dirt, but on road/rock/hardpack they will slide out without warning. They also don't handle low pressure very well. It's time to try something else.
Submitted by
Alan
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2001
Strengths: This tire rolls well (2.1) and hooks up with the trail like I didn't know was possible. The soft compound does well with roots, rocks and packed dirt. I haven't been able to really give it a hardcore mud bath yet but... I expect them to do well
Weaknesses: These tires do wear quickly with a lot of road use, but if you use them for what they are designed for you will love them. After all, it takes 5 minutes? to change out your tires.
Bottom Line:
This is an absolutely unbelievable tire, and-the price makes it that much more irresistable. It is amazing what you will find yourself attempting when you are confident about how your tires are hooking up. This tire is great for I would say light to medium mud, rocks, roots, ascents, and everything inbetween. And besides, the green just gives the bike a very personalized look.
Bike Setup: Scott Apache - Don't worry look'in for a new bike right now!
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Chad
a Weekend Warrior
from Walled Lake
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000
Strengths: Cost and color
Weaknesses: I'm not experienced enough with different tires to identify specific weaknesses with these tires.
Bottom Line:
For $7 each, I doubt you can do any better. They were certainly a huge leap forward from my stock tires. I think a lot of the poor reviews below may be due to lower inflation pressures. Take 'em up to 50 psi or more. If I understand tire technology correctly, a lighter tire typically has less material to hold it in shape, and therefore relies on tire pressure more so than a tire with more material. Anyway, if you're more of a casual rider like me looking to upgrade your tires, you'll do well with these. Oh, and the green color goes a long way toward making the bike look respectable...
Bike Setup: Old Mongoose, but it works. I'm shopping for something new.
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Submitted by
Adam K.
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2000
Strengths: Supple casing, versatile, good rubber quality.
Weaknesses: Thin and light. Black and Green colors are good for different conditions.
Bottom Line:
This tire deserves a better rating. The rubber quality is superior to most brands. The BLACK tire grips well in most conditions. The GREEN tire is good for mud (it sheds excellently)but wears very quickly. The FRONT tires are less stable than the REAR.
2.1" Black rear is a good all around bet. They are FAR superior to the IRC tires commonly found on new bikes these days.
The rubber is soft and they require a lot of lean to corner properly.
Strengths: Color looks kinda cool. Pretty resistant to pinch flats. Fairly predictable, especially at lower pressure. Good braking and climbing traction.
Weaknesses: Rear is not great in mud. Front and rear could have closer side knobs.
Bottom Line:
Why do they only show the rear in the picture?? Anyway, fairly decent tire, especially since a couple places have them on closeout. They grip well but side knobs that are closer together would improve their cornering grip and traction on uneven roots. Other than that, they are good. For the rear though, you might as well go a little lighter and use the Comp S. It has a little less rolling resistance but still has enough traction for most people.
Strengths: great traction in mud, looses mud very fast (rear tire), light tire
Weaknesses: wears very fast when riding on the road --> compound is too soft
Bottom Line:
Great tire (tested only the rear tire, use a Wildgripper X-sport at the front)if you can afford to replace it. The compound is too soft to make it last. When the center knobs are gone or the pressure is rather low, nothing can stop you kissing wet pavement (even at very low speeds). Very good in muddy conditions though, and light!
