Submitted by
Garner
a Cross Country Rider
from College Station
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2002
Strengths: Grip ONLY in the right conditions.... WICKED in sloppy, watery mud $19 for BOTH at local store-closeout
Weaknesses: Grip in the WRONG conditions.... Had these puppies on my bike after a weekend trip (little slippery out there that time) and rode to campus on them........... the 1.5 mile trek to campus (hardly any hard turns) torn them up, i lost 5 knobs on front with 3 partially lost and 2 on the rear, and i treated them kind that day-----ALSO VERY VERY VERY SLOW!!!!!! and heavy
Bottom Line:
You should see the trail after you get finished with it in the mud, they are rad... its very TORN UP.. but, if its not extremely muddy, don't use because the trail will tear them up due to very hard compound....
Bike Setup: 1999 KONA (rocks!) Caldera, xt drivetrain, z5 marzoch
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Adam Cook
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2001
Strengths: -Awsome Grip on Grass and Mud -Look Cool as Hell -Warnings on Edge are a good read!
Weaknesses: -Lethal on Tarmac -Exciting!?! on Rock and Wook
Bottom Line:
Unless only riding on Mud or Grass, DONT put on front and back.
If using just as a rear tyre, then these are excellent combined with a dedicated front (ie Dart)
Yes they slip around on hard stuff, but it is controlable, and my God do they make up for it when you need to climb a grass bank or plough through the mud.
They do wear very quick, hence the low value rating!
Can be used on road and stuff, but only to get too and from trails sensibly!!!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Cannibal; Ritchey Megabite; Panaracer Smoke
Bike Setup: Alpinestars Aluminum Hardtail
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Han
a Weekend Warrior
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000
Strengths: Off-road traction
Weaknesses: Quick wear
Bottom Line:
I've been using this rear tire for about 2 months and one knob has already come off completely, exposing a small part of the carcass. Others are starting to peel. Made a lot of noise when I first put it on and cycled home from the bike shop on road. Seems to have got a lot quieter now. Seriously. I can't really compare the Panaracer with other rear specific tires. It did spin a bit when I stood to hammer up a rocky steep slope. But I still moved. Didn't dig me into the hill that I had to fall while still clipped. I always avoid skidding the rear.
Submitted by
Ozzie
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 20, 1999
Strengths: Fairly good in mud and sand. Durable Long lasting (Hard Compound) Good overall traction
Weaknesses: Can't corner.
Bottom Line:
Pretty good tire. But no cornering ability whatsoever. I'm only rating the Spike front 26x1.95 dimensions. Good in sand and mud, but I find I'm still washing out in sand, but not much. Have to give it 3 chillis coz' it's only good in certain conditions.
Similar Products Used: Panaracer Smoke Dart Classic Front.
Bike Setup: 98' Joshua XO, Rock Shox Judy T2 Front, Rock Shox Deluxe Rear, Spinergy Rev-X-Roks, Shimano STX/LX/XT Grouppo.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross-Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have owned a pair of these since they came out 4 or 5 years ago. Like most other reviews say, they are VERRY terrain specific (mud, sand, snow) but in the right conditions, they are da BOMB! I expect them to last forever beacause 1) they are sooo burly and 2) they see limited use from me. For a great demonstration, sneak on to a golf course after hours with these pupies on and throw a roost like a 2-Stroke! Seriously though, these will hook up where no other tire has a prayer. 4 stars only cause they weigh a ton.
Submitted by
MCA
a weekend warrior
from Clarkton,MI
Date Reviewed: February 22, 1999
Bottom Line:
Bought a set Of the Spike's on closeout from Nashbar. These tires can't be beat in the mud or snow. The traction is unbeatable. No side knobs for cornering, but who really corners at high speed in the deep mud or snow anyway. Heard a rumor about these tires being discontinued, called panaracer, and found out it was true. The knobs are nearly a 1/2 tall, so they ought to last a while. One thing though these tires, due to their nature, are slow, slow...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Agent Orange
a racer
from Calgary, Alberta, CANADA
Date Reviewed: February 10, 1999
Bottom Line:
The Spike is a very, VERY terrain-specific tyre. Never in a million years would I ride this beast on hardpack, rock, concrete, or anything more solid than a sand dune. HOWEVER, in the slop, snow, sand, and mud, this tyre is THE COMPLETE BOMB. I rode this puppy up front in a snow biker-cross (with a Kujo DH rear) and it bit perfectly. The course was hacked after a couple runs, but the Spike just kept diggin'. If you live in a place where you frequent muddy or very loose terrain, buy one of these bad boys.On the hardpack, this thing gets a pretty weak review. However, for the loose and sloppy, this momma gets 5 big fat flamin' peppers!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ant
a weekend warrior
from Kent, England
Date Reviewed: January 1, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have tried five different pairs of tyres of my bike in the last year. This has been expensive, so I hope that this comparative review of my experience with these tyres helps you make a better choice first time.Some Taiwanese no name dual purpose tires: Heavy, not good on any terrain, a sod to get on and off the rims, couldn’t get shot of them quick enough.
Specialized Fear Master/Control: (kevlar 127tpi 1.95”) Light. good traction on the rear. Good control on the front. Predicable in everything from mud to tarmac. If you don’t know what the terrain is going to be like, these are a good safe bet. Lasted for 1200 miles. The only reason I will never ( and I mean never ) buy them again is that they were unbalanced weight wise. Enough to cause the forks and frame to vibrate violently at high speed. The shop said that this must have been badly pressed in the factory. Who needs that when your racing against some psycho out there in the back of beyond!Panaracer Spike: ( kevlar 1.9” ) A very terrain specific tire. Truly fantastic control and traction in anything from swampland to soft mud. That said, there not safe on hard ground, and are positively lethal on tarmac. This is one time when you should heed the warning printed on the tire: Not For Road Use. No-shit-sherlock! So much so, I can’t use these tire, no matter how hard it’s been raining the night before, as the trails I ride all have some sections of tarmac. Going to keep them though, for when it snows hard.WTB VelociRaptor: ( 2.1” ) The rear has great traction in the mud; although when the mud is like clay, the wide width of this tire cause the mud to build up in the frame around the brakes and the wheel drags to a complete lockup. This is when I realised that 1.9” tires are definitely better than 2.1” in the mud. Piss poor control from the front tire. Predicable on any terrain only in the sense that I know it’s going to washout. I expected more from WTB. Michelin Wildgripper: (1.9” any colour, there all the same compound, so the guys in the bike shop say ) This is now my chosen knobbly tire for wet off road terrain. Safe enough on tarmac, predictable in soft or loose conditions; and it’s balanced! I didn’t think that the stud pattern on the rear was going to give good traction, but it does. This is the tire performance that I was expecting from the Specialized Fear Master/Control tires.Bontrager revolt SS: (2.1 front, 1.9 rear) Light. Extremely low rolling resistance. Fantastic cornering ability on hard and dry ground of any type, including grass. Allowing you to really lean into those corners until your knees touch the ground, and you power out the bend with an elated scream of relief. These will stay on my bike from May to October. These tires are only made in 2.1” for front, 1.9” for rear. This sounds stupid at first, but don’t let it put you off, it really does work well.Summery: Use Michelin Wildgripper: 1.9” for soft or loose conditions. Use Bontrager revolt SS: for any terrain in dry conditions.4 stars for the spike, ( not 5, because it's to tarrain specific )If you would like to see some MTB photos, you are welcome to visit my home Smeg Site at www.antx.freeserve.co.uk
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob C.
a weekend warrior
from Sultan, WA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 1998
Bottom Line:
Getting ready for the big witner storms everybody is predicting and looking for some aggresive mud tires. Went snooping around at the local shops and found a set of Spike F/R's. These are the toughest looking skins I have ever seen. Put them on last night and went for a quick ride on a local trail. These babys rip!! Be really careful if you have to ride on the rode at all cause they shure are supe loose on pavement. Leaves behind a trail like a rototiller so not to nice in sensitive areas.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Big Dave
a cross-country rider
from Waterdown, Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: May 12, 1998
Bottom Line:
The Panaracer Spike front and rear tires are designed specifically for extreme condition riding. Living in Canada and riding year round these tire are a must. They get put on my bike in late October and stay on until April when things start to dry up. The traction of these tires in deep mud and snow is second to none. I've ripped up and down hills while riders using regular tires are just spinning out and slidding out of control.These tires will not do well in any other conditions, they are not intended to be used for long periods on the road or dry hard trails.If you ride year round in snow and mud then do yourself a favour and get some Spikes.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AARON WILLIAMS
a cross-country rider
from PACIFIC MO USA
Date Reviewed: December 23, 1997
Bottom Line:
IT'S MISSOURI, IT RAINS A LOT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER CAUSE IT'S TOO LAME TO SNOW...I'VE GOT A STOCK PILE OF SPIKE FRONT KEVLAR FROM NASHBARS EIGHT DOLLAR SALE...MUD IS GOOD! THESE TIRES EAT IT UP! CORNERS LIKE MAD, GRABS UP THE SOUP AND SPITS IT OUT PUSHING YOU EVER FUTHUR! TOO BAD THEY STOPPED MAKING THESE! PROBABLY THE MOST MEATY TIRE EVER!
Just did a race in the mud! It rained all day. I put my spike front tire on the rear and dart up front. Wish I had 2 spike fronts to go all around. I was so impressed with the climbing capabilities of this tire. Now if we can only solve chainsuck hhmmm! If we keep raving about this tire, the price may go up! It's a classic.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Rahrer
a weekend warrior
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 28, 1997
Bottom Line:
I just bought a front Spike on closeout from Nashbar. Put it on the BACK, with a Pana Dart SC up front. Went for a ride in the slime and loved it. I was able to climb steep hills that are difficult during dry season. The Spike actually threw dirt and slime all over my back side. It only packed up a bit in clay, but cleared quickly. This ride was on open mountain bike trails at a ski resort. I wouldn't take this tire out on environmentally sensitive trails if they were wet and/or muddy. One point to all those who complain about sliding out when turning with ANY tire in slick or soft conditions: the secret is to keep your bike upright when turning.
