Submitted by
radirpok
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest, Hungary Date Reviewed: July 28, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Best 29er mud tire I've come across
Weaknesses:
Not a specifically lightweight tire (700g). Also noisy on pavement. Hey, are we talking about a road tire or what?
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Smoke comes closest, but that's more of a trekking size, not a real MTB 29-er
Bike Setup:
On-One Inbred 29er
Bottom Line:
I just love these tires, they may not be very fast (especially on hardpack), they may not be lightweight, but they are very predictable, the rear bites while the front keeps the line. I think the weight is OK, reliability and durability is still to be tested (I haven't had them yet long enough to give a verdict).
These tires are the best for muddy conditions, and don't let me down on any other terrain type either.
Only problem is the price (at least here, in the middle of Europe, I can only get these via mail order), hence the 4 chili value rating...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bob
a Cross Country Rider
from somewhere on this earth Date Reviewed: June 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
somewhere on this earth
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
sharpeys cycle
Strengths:
excellent rtaction.. in mud and snow going up hill
Weaknesses:
squirms.... NO TRACTION IN DRY.. NO TREAD LIFE.....loud..
Similar Products Used:
IRC back country
Bike Setup:
as long as its a bike.. its fine
Bottom Line:
good in mud and snow yet sucks crap in dry uphill. i did a burnout on my rear....on my first ride.. 1/2 tread gone... yet managed to last 3 years.... months later... tire blew and got new IRC BACK MOUNTAINTIRE.. LOT BETTER...WENT UP A ROCKY HILL AND NO SLPPAGE AT ALL (for real)AND LOTS MORE TREAD LIFE... V SHAPE READ HELPS SHED MUD AND PREVENT MUD FROM GETTING STUCK IN BETWEEN TREADS.. VERY GOOD
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Little Rock, Ar. Date Reviewed: September 18, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Porta Pottie
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$38.00
Purchased At:
Arkansas Cycling
Strengths:
Light, Use Specific
Weaknesses:
Side walls too thin
Bike Setup:
G F 293
Bottom Line:
I liked the front and rear use specific tires. These tires may work good in mud but are too thin for use in rock gardens. Back tire blew out on 3rd ride. Front tire has lasted for about 8 months now although it's getting pretty worn out. So there you go. Works good on front but not on back where there is a lot of force on them. Front tire 5 chilies for overall, rear tires 1 chili. Go figure.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Des Moines Date Reviewed: March 4, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
This is the gold standard mud tire. Bar none. This is the tool for riding in slop. With the right air pressure, you can climb up stuff that everyone else is walking.
Weaknesses:
Not the greatest volume - if that is a weakness, but the knobs make up for it in spades.
Similar Products Used:
As far as what I've tried in mud for 29"ers: Nevegals. ACX. Notos. XR 1.8's. Nanoraptors.
Bike Setup:
I've used them on my Dos for riding and racing.
Bottom Line:
If I want to stay upright and climb in mud - I reach for these and dial in the air pressure. Until I find something better for mud, I will recommend these to all for the performance factor. I actually raced them in 3 races last year as it seemed rain always surrounding a lot of our state series races. Either the day before, the day of or during the race. I was laughing at how well these hooked up and climbed and one steep and muddy race. I was planning on walking up the steeps, but the Klaws dug in and took me up every climb with good steady tempo while seated. Not my favorite tire for dry conditions, but when mud, leaves and nasty is involved - these get mounted on my bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stefan Griebel
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO, 80303 Date Reviewed: December 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
The Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
University Bikes, Boulder
Strengths:
Knobbilicous! Great in the mud. Perfect for homemade studded tire. Surprisingly lightweight also.
Weaknesses:
Rear tire didn't seem to give me as good of traction on roots and rocks as I was expecting.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Jones, Exiwolves, Nanoraptors, Motoraptors, Conti Vapor Pro
Bike Setup:
Mooto-X YBB with Maverick SC-32
Bottom Line:
The Klaw XT front makes a perfect homemade studded tire for both front and back. Before I studded it, it felt great in corners, but also felt to be a bit of a slow roller.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
GlowBoy
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland OR Date Reviewed: December 20, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Lost in oregon
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat, River City Bicycles (LBS), Kenda direct
Strengths:
THE best mud tire out there, at least until recently. Awesome grip in wet conditions, sheds mud decently, and is a very good all rounder, gripping well no matter what you're riding in. 620-650g weight is pretty good for a tire of this type.
Weaknesses:
Rolls like a full knobby, though better than most dedicated mud tires. Not that big in volume, though noticeably bigger than the Karma 1.9
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager XR, Bontrager ACX, Kenda Karma 1.9, Kenda Klaw, Kenda Khan, Maxxis Ignitor, Panaracer Rampage, Schwalbe Black Jack 1.9, WTB ExiWolf, WTB Nanoraptor, and too many smaller 700c tires to count.
Bike Setup:
- Surly Karate Monkey, currently 3sp hub commuter. - Vulture custom 29" SS EBB hardtail. - Lenz Sport Leviathan 29"x3" full suspension.
Bottom Line:
This is my rear TIRE OF CHOICE for my 29"ers. I ride in wet conditions much of the year, and have yet to ride a comparable tire. Its grip in wet conditions is simply fantastic, and when you do push it to its limit it is very controllable, giving you enough warning to allow you to modulate the power and stay on the bike. In dry conditions it is STILL one of the best rear tires I've used. Very good in rocks and gravel. The front version is also excellent, but I haven't been able to determine that it's any better than the Ignitor. 5 chilis overall, and 5 for value because you it works so well in so many different conditions.
Buy it if: you ride in wet conditions, or just want a good all-rounder, especially if you're a singlespeeder and need to maintain traction in back up loose climbs (wet or dry). Skip it if: you're looking for big volume or a fast racing tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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