Raven. Using the same ultra fast rolling tread pattern and dual durometer rubber as the Crow, but with taller side knobs and wide tire casing for even better traction in all riding conditions.
Designed to be used at low pressures
Can be used with tubes or tubeless with Stan’s tire sealant
Low rolling resistance design features dual compound rubber
29” tire features extra strong folding bead design
120 TPI casing has several improvements over standard tires for easier sealing
Non-directional tread pattern, not front or rear specific
Larger side knobs than the Crow for increased traction when cornering
Submitted by
TreeFarmer
a Cross Country Rider
from Novi, Michigan
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2011
Strengths: Low Rolling resistance, seals up easily for tubeless, great race tire
Weaknesses: -Straight line braking, accelerating out of turns (see below)
-Spontaneous sidewall holes if inflated to 40 psi?
Bottom Line:
I'm a rider who constantly pushes the limits of my equipment, especially tires. I've ridden this tire as a front tire only for almost an entire year now across a wide range of conditions and I'm really happy with it. It's light, fast, and seems to be fairly durable. I've only had one puncture and the sealant took care of that pretty well.
The good:
This thing accelerates like nobody's business. It rolls so smoothly and fast I find myself pedaling less and braking more on my single speed. When I'm on smooth hardpack this tire rips. I've never had an issue with it sliding uncontrollably or losing confidence in good conditions. I can definitely see why people like it as a race tire for certain courses.
The not so good:
This tire is not designed or meant for sloppy or loose conditions. So, if you are cornering in mud, you better have a foot unclipped because it can drop you on your ear before you know it. The lack of aggressive knobs also means that if the trail is loose over hard or sandy, you'll experience quite a bit of wheel drift that while predictable still is unnerving.
I don't consider those to be drawbacks since the tire isn't designed for those situations. However, I do have some small issues with the straight line braking performance and accelerating out of corners. This may not be an issue for a suspension fork, but with a rigid fork there is no forgiveness and I feel every little slip and slide.
Simply put, if you are coming hot into a situation that requires really hard braking, the short center knobs will let you down. They just don't grab enough and wind up skidding. Also, as a front tire, when I'm accelerating out of the apex of a turn, I'll notice the tire becomes loose. For some reason it doesn't handle a dynamic change in loading real well.
Strengths: Light and have held up great. Roll very fast and climb fantastic!!!
Weaknesses: I little sketchy on fast loose decents. Not first choice for a front for these reasons but I've been using it both F and R and have gotten used to it.
Bottom Line:
Have used these a year and they are still decent although they need to be replced now do to wear. Using them tubless with a Flow on the back and the stock Bontrager that came on the bike on the front. Not a single issue...will def. buy again. Only wish is that they were a bit less $$$, but having not a single prolem in a year it's worth it.
Strengths: This review is for the Raven 2.2 which I have run front and rear on a JET 9, RIP 9 and a Dos Niner for XC racing in the Midwest (Iowa, Minnesota, WORS). Super fast roller thanks to what feels like zero rolling resistance, light weight and surprising grip for dry and tacky conditions.
Weaknesses: Wet conditions. Minimal tread will wear fast if you take them on pavement to and from trails.
Bottom Line:
I call these the Big Velcro tires when run tubeless - and especially on the wider profile XC rims like Flows or Blunts. The slightly taller side knobs over the Crow is enough for XC racing and the extra volume of the 2.2 provides enough of a contact patch to really give good traction front and rear. I had no issues with traction on the races where I have used them (Bone Bender, Scott County Park, Sugar Bottom, Chippewa Falls Firecracker, Border Battle, Mankato, etc...). On courses with more loose over hardpack, using a front tire with taller knobs while keeping the Raven 2.2 on the rear has been an excellent combination as well.
Fun tire that is surprising for the traction when set up tubeless and you dial in a good air pressure front and rear.
Strengths: Fast rolling tire. Works very well with low psi. Excellent all around traction. My new race tire of choice.
Weaknesses: Could be loose on loose (gravel like) terrain, but then what tire isn't.
Bottom Line:
I gambled taking this tire to Syllamo's Revenge last weekend due to the race being wet and only have had raced on dry dusty single track prior. Anyone who has raced this venue knows that when wet its not the dirt (mud) that's the problem but the limestone that gets dangerously slick, and there is lots of it. I set pressures low, about 20-22psi risking rim strikes and hoped for the best. What a surprise, they stuck like glue, although the rock was still treacherous, the overall wet performance was outstanding. I have always thought that no tire works great in mud, and excessive knob's only reduce surface area (these aren't dirt bikes with a throttle) and clog up. The last loop of the race was dry and there was slippage on the loose stuff, but nothing that could not be managed with a change in riding style. No rim strikes, no flats or burps. Excellent race tire.
Similar Products Used: Hutch Pythons last years race tire - not a bad tire but definitely not as fast as the Ravens
Bike Setup: Niner SIR 9 SS. AC wheels.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mtnbiker72
a Weekend Warrior
from Republic of Cascadia
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2009
Strengths: Very fast rolling, lightweight, works tubeless perfectly, surprising traction
Weaknesses: If I purchased them new $57 a tire is absurd, braking traction
Bottom Line:
For the 29"x2.2" tire these are actually a good trail tire for hardpack to loamy trails. I am constantly amazed at how much cornering traction these have. I'm 220lbs and run them at 27psi with zero issues. They provide a nice ride and have so far proven to be quite durable.
They lack a little in braking traction, but since I use my front brake way more it hasn't been that much of an issue.
As far as value...any bicycle tire over $50 is absurd so their current asking price is a bit over the top
Submitted by
ExigeS
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, Maryland
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2009
Strengths: Low weight, corner well, fast rolling, hold up well in rock gardens.
Weaknesses: grip while breaking, price
Bottom Line:
I ride Raven 2.0 front and back on my 29 ZTR RACE rims. I have 2 sets of wheels and these are my race wheels. My impressions are these are a very fast race tire/rim combination with good traction in dry and tacky conditions. I have to admit that I am often surprised at how well these tires corner. I find myself thinking “oh no” I am going too fast for this turn but am able to hammer through it with no problems. The only issue I have with these tires is when fast breaking while turning sharp corners and while at high speeds in a straight line. In these situations I feel the rear tire break loose quite often and slide more than other nobbiers tires that I use for most of my riding. BUT, this is to be expected as I feel you need to give something up to have such a fast light tire. For the record I am 150 lbs and run 27psi rear and 24 psi front in my Ravens. And tubeless.
Two weeks ago I ran was my first race on my Stans Raven 2.0 tires with the Stans 29er Race rims and I was very impressed. I was skeptical on how the Raven would holdup in the rock gardens but they did an awesome job! They tracked well, cornered well, no flats, etc. When I first saw all the mud on of the descents I though oh sh!t my tires aren't going to do well in this section BUT they tracked very well, so well I passed someone on each lap during this decent! Now that could also be because of my full suspension Jet but I like to think the tires had a lot to do with it also.
I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the NoTubes Raven 29er tire, and what your opinion on it was? I'm going to need to invest in a new set of tires soon, and they loo Read More »
[B][COLOR="Blue"]Hello,
I am looking at using the Stan's Notubes 29" Raven as a front tire on my rigid 69er for an upcoming race. I am interested to hear everyone's thoughts an Read More »
Just back from my first ride on these, and I have to say that they far exceeded my expectations. They replaced a set of The Captain Control 2.2s (both Ravens and Captains are bein Read More »
29er Frame only plus some parts
Frame, headset, seat collar, stem, handlebar, seat post, saddel $750 plus shipping
Frame and the above parts plus Fox f29 fork tapered 15qr $1150 Read More »
