Low rolling resistance doesn't do much good if you wash out in every corner. So we designed the Notos XC to be fully lugged for maximum traction, but we shortened the knob height so it remained blazing fast. The result is a feathery XC racing tire perfect for any type of cross country course. Features our exceptionally strong yet amazingly light casing, the PRF (read: no DNF) System, and Hybrid Tread Compound.
Submitted by
Z
a Racer
from wild west Date Reviewed: February 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
the long one
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Light, Wire bead for stans conversion. Good traction and good volume for a 2.1...also fast with the ramped center knobs.
Weaknesses:
Weak sidewalls, I've had two pretty good tears in both front and back...nothing an old tube and some gorilla glue couldn't fix. May not be the best for a Stan's conversion based on my luck. Stan's is good but it can't fix a 1/2" hole.
This is a follow up review after 1 year of use. Due to the side wall problems I doubt I could effectively run Stans tubeless. I do however run stans in tubes and it works pretty well here in cactus/goathead country...The sidewalls were weaker than expected...the the final caveat is I'm 6'3" 200lbs and I thrash my stuff. I actually really love riding the tire, I just wish the sidewalls would have stood up longer. Great cheap tire...low durability
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kel
a Weekend Warrior
from Reno Date Reviewed: January 28, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar
Strengths:
Fast rolling tire. Grips on damp surface. Can run fast even on pavement. The round design makes fast cornering easier.
Weaknesses:
Skids on loose gravel/rock. I got the version with gray sidewalls so it looked like an old school tire.
I have been using this tire for approximately 7 months. I tried it first on my 29er rigid SS and it handled well but had the lack of cushion for a 2.1 tire. It's better using tires wider that 2.2 for rigids. This is a good tire if you run in not so technical terrain. I actually like this tire but had to switch to more grippy Rampages. I just wish they had a wide and kevlar version of this tire. I would recommend this tire for those looking for an affordable yet good performing tire(s).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
EPO
a Racer
from K'zoo, MI, USA Date Reviewed: August 8, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Great Sticky/Clay mud performance. Fast roller concidering knob height.
Weaknesses:
Looose over hard/dry Pea Gravel cornering. Deep Sand tracking(a weakness of most tires less than 2.2)
I ran these on my bikes since 2001, back in my 26er days. They get lighting fast as they get normal center wear, I modified the center section to make slicks, very fast. In the unmodified state they are very progressive at cornering adhesion limits, with outside knobs stiff enough to bite in. If you angle the bike in for a course correction these tires respond. Watch out for these on twisty dry gravel trails, the knobs are not tall enough to punch through 3/8" gravel. If you ride in loamy/wet conditions this tire is hard to beat for racing. Sheds mud very well & will not disappoint you on muddy up hills. Better than average on wet rocks. I believe trek factory team used this tread in mud in '00-'05.
In general stay away from this tire if you run dry twisty gravel trails or dry fire roads, otherwise this tire shines.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Des Moines Date Reviewed: March 7, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
A pretty decent all around buff trail tire. Not really a strength, but this is the kind of tire that doesn't really do anything outstanding. Just average.
Weaknesses:
Doesn't do well at high speeds and gets squirmy too soon when pushed.
Similar Products Used:
ACX
Bike Setup:
Sugar, Dos, KM
Bottom Line:
I've used this tire and tried to make it work as well as some of my other tires. However, in the similar type of tire category, I much prefer the performance and ride characteristics of the ACX's, Nanoraptors and XR's. If one was looking for an all around average tire and is not concerned about holding speed and pushing through corners - this tire will be fine.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Z
a Racer
from Black Hills, SD Date Reviewed: February 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Skyline
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$44.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Relatively Light weight for a 29er and Wire Bead. Ramped knobs. Good traction. Wire bead is a must for Stan's tubeless conversion
Weaknesses:
So far so good
Similar Products Used:
26er Tires of all sizes and makes. This is my first 29er tire besides my cross' tires.
Bike Setup:
Voodoo Dambala Rigid SS w/ Kona P2 fork, American Classic hubs / Bontrager Mustang rims, and a little bling bling
Bottom Line:
Like the previous reviewer I was very impressed with this tire. It's fast rolling, has good cornering knobs, good climbing traction. It's only 2.1 but it handles better than my 2.5's on my hucker bike. I don't know if it is the 29er wheel or the tire but I have had better traction with this tire than any of my 26er tire experiences. No kidding, I was blown away. Cornering was awesome! IRC tires are way under-rated!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
grawbass
a Cross Country Rider
from Detroit, MI, America Date Reviewed: December 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Yankee Springs
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Strengths:
Low rolling resistance, good traction, good mud evacuation.
Weaknesses:
None found so far.
Similar Products Used:
Just about every 26" tire known to man and most XC oriented 29er tires.
Bike Setup:
Rigid steel. 1x8. BB7s.
Bottom Line:
This tire performed way above my expectaions. It doesn't seem like much just from looking at it, but don't let the look fool you. This tire just works. Climbing and braking traction are quite good. Cornering grip is very close to that on an Ignitor and just as predictable. Rolling resistance seems as low as an Ignitor or Jones XR. Decent mud performance, clears very well, but the knobs could be taller for mud. Overall very good all-rounder.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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