Submitted by
mtnbiker72
a Weekend Warrior
from Republic of Cascadia Date Reviewed: June 22, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Stella
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$13.00
Purchased At:
Cambria Bike
Strengths:
Cheap, good all around tire, reasonable weight, tread durability, fast rolling for a full tread tire
Weaknesses:
The tire wasn't designed for this, but it weeps quite a bit when running ghetto tubeless. Compound is a little hard for wet roots
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Nevegal, Stans NoTubes Raven
Bike Setup:
Access XCL 9er
Bottom Line:
These are a great value tire for 29ers. Most 29er tires are pretty expensive so these are a nice value. They work well in everything from mud to hardpack. While the harder compound is not ideal for roots, when running tubeless at 30 psi they still did a decent job. They weigh a respectable 720 grams in wire bead format and roll pretty good for a full knob tire. If you need a set of 29er tires without spending a fortune, these are a good option.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond, VA Date Reviewed: June 1, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Pisgah
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Classic Fire XC pro grippy lugs - but fewer than the 26er
Thick sidewalls don't cut easily. sheds mud well
Weaknesses:
A little heavy. Not as grippy as the 26er (fewer lugs, space farther apart)
Similar Products Used:
Ignitors
Bike Setup:
Niner RIP 9 FS
Bottom Line:
This is a good tire - way better grip than Maxxis ignitors in east coast loam, wet rocks, roots and mud, but it's heavier. Overall, a near miss for fans of the 120 tpi 26er tire. Hey Panaracer! Please make a 29er version of the 26er!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G-Live
a Cross Country Rider
from Cedarburg, WI Date Reviewed: December 4, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Second Ascent
Strengths:
Fast rolling, good traction. Enough volume to run fairly low pressures
Weaknesses:
A little narrow on the front for some trail conditions, mostly deep sand where some float from a wider tire is better.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager XR, WTB Nano, IRC Notos
Bike Setup:
GF Supercaliber 29 FS (27#) and GF XCal 29 HT (25#), set up with Sram drivetrains. Front Mythos XC on both ends
Bottom Line:
I used the Bonty XR 2.25 fronts for the full summer season of 07 but felt they were a bit slow in the back and they did not shed mud at all unless it was soupy. The Nano is faster but packed up pretty good in the mud as well.
For a time in the late 90's, I used IRC Mythos fronts on both ends of my GF Joshua based on a picture in an add for Turner bikes. They worked OK in general and worked pretty well in the wet but were surpassed by Conti Explorers and then 2.4 Racing Ralphs for most conditions in WI.
With bad experiences in a couple of wetter races this past summer, I decided to look for a better mud shedding tire without any loss in speed from the XR's. Looking back on my previous Mythos experience I decided to give the 29er version of them a try. Ordered up 2 fronts and put them on my main wheelset.
Immediately I could feel a difference in firmness of the sidewalls, much less squishy feeling even at a little lower pressure. They are quite a bit faster rolling and traction on the rear was not compromised. They shed mud a bit better as well. Traction on the front was similar as well. Maybe a bit better on loose over hardpack and wet, not quite as good in an extreme lean. The outer knobs are spaced out pretty far.
Overall for the price, they exceeded my expectations and a Mythos front will be my main rear tire for 08. Fronts will be a mix of Mythos/XR's/ACX or FireXC's depending on conditions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sal
a Cross Country Rider
from Idaho Date Reviewed: June 11, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
I came off of Bontrager Jones XR's onto these IRC's and the first thing I noticed was a big reduction in rolling resistance; the Mythos roll pretty quick for a full on knobby. The tire excels in moist conditions: mud, wet rocks, roots, snow, moist soil. I find their width to be adequate in most situations, although it feels a bit narrow in rockier terrain. Also, fairly light I'd say, weigh in around 620g front and back.
Weaknesses:
None really with the exception of a bit nervous on dry hardpack.
Similar Products Used:
Jones XR is the only other 29'er I've used.
Bike Setup:
XC 80mm travel hardtail
Bottom Line:
A good tire for its intended use, particularly useful in wetter conditions. Can be found relatively cheap too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
miles todd
a Cross Country Rider
from san diego, ca Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Well, they're round. That's about it.
Weaknesses:
I find these tires extremely untrustworthy here in Southern California's loose-over-hard conditions. Sketchy describes them pretty well.
Bottom Line:
I gave them away, and my friend is now complaining about them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
edouble
a Cross Country Rider
from LI,NY Date Reviewed: January 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
the one I am on
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
bike junkie
Strengths:
good grip in all conditions,decent volume, very resistant to punctures, works great with Stan's.
Weaknesses:
Wish it were a little higher volume with a little softer compound.
a very good all around tire that performs well no matter what the conditions. I have yet to flat this tire. @ 250 lbs w/o gear riding east coast roots and rocks thats quite an accomplishment.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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