Submitted by
Matthias
a Cross Country Rider
from Stuttgart, Germany
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2003
Strengths: VERY FAST!!! great grip on dry streets, lasts long (Speedmax HDK)
Weaknesses: low grip in corners on wet street, difficult to drive off-road at high speeds (corners!!)
Bottom Line:
For streets there's no better tire, also very useful for cross-country on hard tracks; very difficult to drive on loose ground (sand, gravel), beginners shouldn't use it off-road
Submitted by
Klaus Winstel
a Racer
from Stuttgart, Germany
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2001
Strengths: Roll very fast! Lightwight! Good grip on many tracks for a semislick (except gravel and sand).
Weaknesses: Problematic cornering on gravel and sand. Price! Have a high rate of wear.
Bottom Line:
I'm just drive this tire on long distance races (about 50-80 kilometers), because it's lightwight and fast rolling. Mostly you have all conditions on this races (asphalt, stony, mud, roots), and the conditions are more difficult than cross country races (difficult uphills and fast downhills). Normally (out of race) i prefer the IRC Mythos XC Kevlar, because you can drive faster on corners, and have more fun on downhills - but overall the speedmax is faster! I'm surprised by this tire, the grip is much better i think (also in mud). I had Alpha on front and (turn around) on back. If you thing about the weakness of this tire (you have to slow down speed at gravel corners!) you can ride it very well. On the other side there is no response before the tire loses grip - it slips away and you get down! So beginners shoudn't use this tires.
Strengths: Low rolling resistance, pretty smooth and comfortable rolling (WCS version), light-weight enough, little inclination for punctures (at least the WCS version hasn't), good traction even on muddy ground (what's still a wonder to me, even after 2 years of using this tire). Doesn't accumulate dirt.
Weaknesses: Little control and braking power on loose ground like gravel and sand. High priced.
Bottom Line:
My preferred tube used from spring to autumn. Though pretty nervous on loose ground it's the perfect tire for marathons and other races. Positive properties compensate the demand for high driving skills.
Similar Products Used: IRC Mythos Slick Kevlar. Not used that much in heavy conditions, but it seems to roll rougher.
Bike Setup: Stevens 8.1.2 race, so far. Replaced by Stevens M9 pro disc next week.
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Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2001
Strengths: Price, low rolling resistance, fast
Weaknesses: Very specialized tire. Anything other than road or extremely firm hardpack is asking too much of the minimal tread. Front is not suitable for technical descents.
Bottom Line:
Unfortunately, I have to blame the worst crash I've had in a long time on these tires. Going down a steep, technical descent under continuous braking, my front tire washed out faster than I ever thought was possible. I went from being upright and in full control to flat on my side in about 1/8 of a second. I was shocked--and bloody--and I couldn't believe how quickly the front tire washed out on me. All because the front tire was a little more weighted than usual (though I did have my rear-end hanging off the back of the saddle) and there were a few grains of gravelly sand on that spot of the trail. That's all it took. I noticed throughout the ride that on descents of any speed, the front tire tracked terribly and became extremely sketchy.
I have to say I was impressed with how fast the tires were and the lack of rolling resistance, particularly on the road. However, I would advise anyone considering these tires that unless your rides are 100% on road surfaces or extremely firm, road-like hardpack, without a grain of sand or gravel, and with no particularly steep descents, these tires can let you down without a moment's notice.
Similar Products Used: Michelin Wildgripper XLS/Front S
Bike Setup: 2001 Schwinn Moab 1
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Sjoerd Theeuwen
a Cross Country Rider
from Venlo,Netherlands
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2001
Strengths: the slick,very many grip on hard sand-tracks,works very well on streets when it rains.
Weaknesses: Sand stays a long time on it, and the profile isn't very well because when at sharp corners you may fall because the tire "leads his own life" sometimes.
Bottom Line:
I think It's a very good tire for Beginners, because when a well-trainted biker use the tire he can't make all the moves with the tire because at some moments the tire "leads his own life" and that can be catatrophic at some places. And beginners almost don't make very difficult moves.
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Weekend Warrior
from Modesto, CA US of A
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2001
Strengths: Light, Fast, and great for when you're on the road too. They grip hard pack better than what I should expect from my tires.
Weaknesses: Obviously they don't have much bite in the thick stuff, but I try to be smarter than my tires and not ride them where they aren't supposed to be ridden.
Bottom Line:
I ride XC in the foothills and mountains of Northern CA. Mostly dry hardpack and forest floor stuff, I like the uphill climbs, and the downhill technicals.
These tires do more than what they should. I am totally surprised that they hold on to what they hold on to, when they are holding on to it. Mortal tires should have slipped and sent me hurtling through the air long before these decide to continue to hold the line I choose at the speed I choose! Haven't tried them in the wet, and won't. I also like them on the road, they don't make me feel like I'm wasting power on noisy, flexing knobs...I too am going to buy another set for the future.
Honestly folks, these tires have yet to let me know that I'm going too fast and turning too tight. They have expanded my limits as well as my speed and confidence!
Similar Products Used: Ritchey Z-max, Michelin Wildgripper Comp S
Bike Setup: Homegrown Cannondale
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Bay Area MTBGuy
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, Ca
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2001
Strengths: Looks, speed
Weaknesses: None that I've seen, as long as you know what conditions you'll be riding in.
Bottom Line:
There's no question that these are a "dry conditions" tire. Don't even bother to buy them if you live somewhere that it rains often. But you have to remember that Ritchey lives right here in the Bay Area, and we get NO!!! rain from May through November. Just bone-dry hardpack and dust. I've been riding these bad boys for some time now, and they are fast and hook up tight. So if you remember where they're made for, or want a faster tire for race day (and it's NOT supposed to rain! ;)... then these are the tires for you. I'm about to buy a few more sets just in case they stop making them.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Team Master & Control
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Superlight with XTR and Marzocchi Z.2 Atom 80 (my bike is SWEEEET!)
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Submitted by
Haywood Jablowme
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001
Strengths: Roll EXTREMELY FAST!! Corner great, lightweight and look great. Oh yeah, the roll fast too.....
Weaknesses: Not for the novice rider!! Get sketchy on loose gravel (as you would expect with this type of tire!) not good in any type of wet type of conditions. Wear pretty fast. Not made for any real technical downhilling.
Bottom Line:
These tires are amazing when used for they are intended for!! These are NOT FOR THE WEAK!!!! They work fantastic on the hardpack and dry conditions. They hook up great in the turns and climb great. They roll extremely fast and make pedaling on all surfaces much easier. It feels like I am in a lower gear when I ride these tires. Once they start to wear they lose their bite. These tires tend to break loose under braking on the downhills. The back end of the bike will slide if you don't watch what you are doing. I really like the tires but I think that would rather have a tire with a bit more nob on them. Again it is my fault though, these are XC RACING TIRES and not your everyday trail cruisers. NOTE: IF YOU WANT TO BEAT YOUR FRIENDS ON A DRY COURSE....BUY THESE TIRES!! I'll give 'em four flaming turdballs for value and a mighty 5 flaming turdballs overall!!
Similar Products Used: Bontrager Revolt, Specialized Team control/master, Tioga Psycho (ie; Piece of cr@p!!!)
Bike Setup: Manitou Mars1 Fork, Mavic 217 CD Ceramic SUP wheels, LX/XT Drivetrain, 7005 Aluminum Hardtail, straight bars with shorty barends.
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Submitted by
Haywood Jablowme
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001
Strengths: Roll EXTREMELY FAST!! Corner great, lightweight and look great. Oh yeah, the roll fast too.....
Weaknesses: Not for the novice rider!! Get sketchy on loose gravel (as you would expect with this type of tire!) not good in any type of wet type of conditions. Wear pretty fast. Not made for any real technical downhilling.
Bottom Line:
These tires are amazing when used for they are intended for!! These are NOT FOR THE WEAK!!!! They work fantastic on the hardpack and dry conditions. They hook up great in the turns and climb great. They roll extremely fast and make pedaling on all surfaces much easier. It feels like I am in a lower gear when I ride these tires. Once they start to wear they lose their bite. These tires tend to break loose under braking on the downhills. The back end of the bike will slide if you don't watch what you are doing. I really like the tires but I think that would rather have a tire with a bit more nob on them. Again it is my fault though, these are XC RACING TIRES and not your everyday trail cruisers. NOTE: IF YOU WANT TO BEAT YOUR FRIENDS ON A DRY COURSE....BUY THESE TIRES!! I'll give 'em four flaming turdballs for value and a mighty 5 flaming turdballs overall!!
Similar Products Used: Bontrager Revolt, Specialized Team control/master, Tioga Psycho (ie; Piece of cr@p!!!)
Bike Setup: Manitou Mars1 Fork, Mavic 217 CD Ceramic SUP wheels, LX/XT Drivetrain, 7005 Aluminum Hardtail, straight bars with shorty barends.
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Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2001
Strengths: Light, fast rolling, corners like they're on rails and they look pretty cool ;)
Weaknesses: Rarity?
Bottom Line:
Note: This review is for the Ritchey SpeedMax WCS (blue kevlar) Alpha (front) and Omega (rear) 1.9" tires.
Trying to find this specific set of tires was a serious pain in the ass for me. But eventually, I found the last pair at a local shop for $50 each. I'm tempted to buy a few more pairs just in case Ritchey stops making them for some stupid reason ;)
I wanted a very fast rolling hardpack XC tire and I found it with these. I absolutely love these tires. They corner so well, it's almost scary.
I actually put the rear tire on backwards so it would roll faster. Doing it that way pretty much kills its traction on muddy hills, but since I don't ride in mud, who cares? :)
If you want a super-fast rolling, hardpack, great cornering, XC tire and you're smart enough to realize that these tires aren't meant for super messy, slippery nastiness then I highly recommend them. They honestly allow me to ride faster and more efficiently.
Submitted by
Lukasz Szmit
a Cross Country Rider
from Poland
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2001
Strengths: Extremely quiet, perfect grip on wet hardpack even in turns. Light, good looking. Hard to pinch (4 pinches in 2 years).
Weaknesses: Wear on Omega (replaced after 6000km). Hard to take off/put on the rim
Bottom Line:
If you look for a good all-round XC tire: these are the ones. I wouldn't buy them if I were an Really-Extreme-XC-biker - there are better ones for this purpose :-))
Favorite Trail: Any which allows me to get the kick I like :-)
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At: Cyklo2, Gliwice, Poland (set of Alfa/Omega)
Bike Setup: Does not matter.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jan Lorenzen
a Weekend Warrior
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2000
Strengths: Speeed, quiet, looks, control on hardpack
Weaknesses: Wear on reartire, pricey (WCS-model), traction and control on anything else than hardpack
Bottom Line:
I'm running the WCS-version; 2.1 front and 1.9 rear (I'm only 140lb..)
First look is nothing special; they sort of look like anything else, just blue and a little less profile. But they are fast and superquiet. I noticed the difference at once when running on tarmac getting to and back the forest. My speed went up a couple of miles just because of the tires. The same thing is true on hardpack, they just keep on running!
Control/cornering was different for me at first, but a little practice and it worked like charm. One gripe though: You have to stay sharp and in control. They are more unforgiving than normal tires when you decide to take a nap while cornering (a stupid thing to to anyway)
But it's pretty obvious why people are complaining about this tire. It's not an allround-tire. It's pretty bad on anything else than tarmac and hardpack. I have had a couple close encounters on wet/muddy stuff and the trails in Denmark are pretty flat. It wears out pretty fast on the rear and the WCS-model is pricey
As your doctor says: Use 'em as directed and you will be happy!
Similar Products Used: IRC Mythos, Panaracer Smoke/Dart/Spike, ZMax
Bike Setup: RedBull Hardtail w XT, RS JudyXC+Seatpost, Magura HS33
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Submitted by
dave wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from tillamook, oregon, usa
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000
Strengths: looked cool
Weaknesses: wasn't cool
Bottom Line:
I mail ordered this trash from excel sports because they recommended them as an all-conditions on/off road commuter for a size 700 wheel. I got a pinch flat at least once a week and usually every other ride. I tried to economise & not buy the Michelin Cyclecross tires and now I've bought enough tubes & patch kits to have bought the Michelins twice over. Do not buy these for cyclocross. Tom Richey owes me 31.99 plus s&h. Zero flaming cow poopies.
