Bontrager XR1 Tire

4/5

(14 Reviews)

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MSRP : $47.00

Product Description

Designed in collaboration with Bontrager-sponsored pro race team riders, the XR1 is an ultra-fast rolling cross country race tire that's ideally suited for dry and dusty condition. Small, tightly spaced knobs provide plenty of fast-rolling traction, while siping (thin slits) across the middle knobs give even more grip on dusty surfaces. Designed for front or rear use.

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Reviews 1 - 14 (14 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

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Submitted by FLLMTR

Date Reviewed: June 3, 2012

Strengths:    2.4" is 560g
Fast rolling, outstanding resistant to pinch flats
Very well constructed

Weaknesses:    Wish the blocks on the edge was bigger for better cornering

Bottom Line:

I commute on my hardtail bike to work. I also take to the road to ride up to Pompano Beach from Fort Lauderdale. I used to run 1.9" tires under the idea that narrower tires translated to lower rolling resistance. But three pinch flats later, and one dented rim, I decided to try the 2.4" after seeing them on a bike at my local bike shop.

The tires are the widest I have ever ridden. I feel like I am on the Batman Motorcycle when I ride. I run at higher pressures and these tires ride faster and much quieter than the Tomac's I previously ran. I feel less beat-up and have less fatigue on my hands and wrists.

The challenge was inflating these tires. I saw examples where people were able to fill tubeless tires with a floor pump. No such luck. These tires required compressed air. I used 2oz of Stan's on each tire and they sealed up easily without the need of soap and water.

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Submitted by WeakKneedOzzy

Date Reviewed: May 24, 2012

Strengths:    Solid grip, nice feel.

Weaknesses:    Wet trails(muddy).

Bottom Line:

Overall a solid tire. Very strong and digs in well.

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Submitted by dirtdog

Date Reviewed: May 18, 2012

Strengths:    Speed
Cornering traction
Pretty tough
Easy tubeless set up

Weaknesses:    mud

Bottom Line:

I used the 1.9s on a hardtail set up rigid for a gravel road race. They set up tubeless very easily on ENVE rims. I am 145lb and ran 22/24 psi fr/rr. Probably could have gone lower, but I didn't have enough time on the tire to be comfortable with lower pressures. This tire is a great choice for gravel grinders, STXC, or dry XC courses. Very fast rolling and they surprised me with their cornering traction.

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Submitted by Michael Eason

Date Reviewed: May 17, 2012

Strengths:    light weight, easy pedaling on pavement and dry trails

Weaknesses:    probably not the best in a lot of mud

Bottom Line:

I really like these tires. Should probably give them five chilis... They are great here in the southeast. I tend to avoid mud and spend equal time on trails and pavement. I ride a Surly 1x1. Mine need replacing soon. Thinking of trying the Kenda Small Block 8, but may just buy another set of these.

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Submitted by Fruita Girl a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: May 15, 2012

Strengths:    Super fast!

Weaknesses:    Mud

Bottom Line:

These tires have worn really well. They hold on loose corners and in the silt like dirt here in OR, while performing in the rocks. Worked well on a trip to Moab as well. The XR1 feels fast on steep climbs and flies on the decent. Not great in the mud yet are ok in the snow. I would buy them again!

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Price Paid:    $45.00

Purchased At:   LBS

Bike Setup:   Turner Flux XT build

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Submitted by macbugs a Cross Country Rider from Stevens PA

Date Reviewed: August 1, 2010

Strengths:    Scary fast - really fast
Very light

Weaknesses:    Very light

Bottom Line:

Scary fast tire - almost too fast. Strictly race / event tire
Not ridden yet in mud / slop.

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Favorite Trail:   Camp Mack , Blue Marsh

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Purchased At:   Came with new bike

Similar Products Used:   Panaracer Dart / Smoke , Specialized Captain's

Bike Setup:   2010 Trek 8500

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Submitted by rideskake a Cross Country Rider from Chesterfield, Michigan, USA

Date Reviewed: June 24, 2010

Strengths:    Screamiong fast rolling tire

Weaknesses:    No traction on the front unless perfectly dry.

Bottom Line:

Awesome tire for the rear in totally dry conditions but just not versitile enough for Michigan riding. I swapped them out for the new Bontrager XR2 and I'm much happier.

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Favorite Trail:   Stoney Creek/Holdridge

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $60.00

Purchased At:   Came on bike

Similar Products Used:   Bontrager XR2

Bike Setup:   Stock 2010 Trek Top Fuel 9.8

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Submitted by 185gary a Cross Country Rider from Detroit, MI, USA

Date Reviewed: June 21, 2010

Strengths:    Rear wheel dry traction, Low rolling resistance.

Weaknesses:    Front tire traction in moist or loose conditions.

Bottom Line:

Good dry condition rear tire. Tread loads up in moist conditions causing sudden wash outs.

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Duration Product Used:   3 months

Purchased At:   Stock

Similar Products Used:   Bontrager Jones AC, Kenda Nevegal

Bike Setup:   Stock Superfly 100

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Submitted by None a Cross Country Rider from Troy, MI USA

Date Reviewed: June 21, 2010

Strengths:    Low rolling resistance. Good rear wheel dry traction.

Weaknesses:    Front wheel traction in moist or sandy conditions. The tread loads up in moist conditions causing sudden wash outs.

Bottom Line:

Good & fast rear tire for dry conditions

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Duration Product Used:   3 months

Purchased At:   Stock

Similar Products Used:   This is the smallest tread that I have tried. Bontrager Jones AC, Kenda Nevegal.

Bike Setup:   Superfly 100

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Submitted by pktrain a Racer from Boulder, CO

Date Reviewed: May 8, 2010

Strengths:    Very fast, light, responsive, high-volume, and supple tire

Weaknesses:    Durability, price, steering control, mud

Bottom Line:

These are FAAAAAST tires for pavement or hardpack conditions. These tires very closely resemble a low-profile version of Small Block 8's. In fact, I would call these a "Small Block 7" as they have 7 small knobs in each row of the tread. They are light, fast, supple, and responsive. I run the 2.2 and they have good air volume to run low pressures. They grip surprisingly well on the rear in dry conditions. They set up OK with Stan's, maybe taking a little sweet talking and definitely a compressor.

They don't like rocks or mud. I have about 15 rides on mine and they look like Swiss cheese. They simply can't hold up to everyday use on real mountain bike trails. Riding in mud is like riding on ice with these tires. There are also better front tires out there too. While the slide is predictable, the tread pattern is definitely not set-up for side-to-side traction. Watch out!

All-in-all, these are great tires for racing on smooth and dry courses, for pavement, or for really smooth trail riding. When you can keep air in them and ride in a relatively straight line, goodbye, they're fast as hell. Otherwise, flip a coin...I'd say it's a 50/50 shot you'll be tubing or walking to the car if you ride over any sort of fast rough stuff...

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Favorite Trail:   Zippety Do Dah

Duration Product Used:   6 months

Price Paid:    $50.00

Purchased At:   Trek Store

Similar Products Used:   Take your pick...

Bike Setup:   Trek Top Fuel with all the goodies

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Submitted by Brian a Racer from San Bruno, CA

Date Reviewed: May 3, 2010

Strengths:    Very low rolling resistance, lightweight, fast acceleration, supple feel

Weaknesses:    Very little cornering grip

Bottom Line:

The XR1 makes for a good rear tire, be careful when running it on the front. It will corner well on dry, dusty hardpack (not sandy) and tacky soil.

But when you venture on to sandy trails, loose trails, or wet trails, traction quickly goes downhill.

Break down of how the tires perform in dry, hardpack conditions or tacky soil.
Straight line - Outstanding
Accleration - Outstanding
Feel(suppleness) - Outstanding
Corning - Good
Braking - Great
Climbing Traction - Good
Wear - Great (700 miles of trail and road and they still look good)

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Favorite Trail:   Tamarancho Boy Scout Camp

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Purchased At:   Summit Bicycles - ca

Similar Products Used:   Kenda Small Block Eight, Kenda Nevegal, Maxxis High Roller, Continental Speed King, Bontrager Jones XR Team Issue

Bike Setup:   2010 Trek Top Fuel 9.9, Tires - Bontrager wheels with tubeless rimstrip/valve, Bontrager Super Juice inside of the XR1 tires

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Submitted by Bontrager a Racer from Zanesville, OH USA

Date Reviewed: May 1, 2010

Strengths:    Light, low resistance, great stick on dry roots and rocks

Weaknesses:    Not good for cornering in any conditions. Not great for braking. Also useless in wet and muddy conditions, but to be expected as any tire with low tread.

Bottom Line:

The tire is surprisingly sticky and works great when climbing and driving through roots and rocks. It's also very light and has very low roll resistance. Unless you're only riding in a straight line though they do more harm than good. Even in the most ideal conditions they easily wash out with any aggressive cornering. Not very effective braking either causing you to slow too early. My low ratings are based on high speed trail use.

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Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month

Purchased At: Came on new bike

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Submitted by ggnarl a Cross Country Rider from Tucson az

Date Reviewed: March 29, 2010

Strengths:    Very light, low rolling resistance, surprising traction

Rear tire only.

Weaknesses:    Wears out fairly quick. Mud. Do not use on front

Bottom Line:

I was really happy with this tire. It hooks up really well and rolls like a road tire. It has zero nob roll and is very plush. I ran a 2.2 size with zero issues at lower pressure. The sidewalls are fine in sharp rocks.

I only replaced it as the trails got looser due to lack of rain.
I will throw it back on for monsoon season after the trails pack down a little. You loose a little traction on climbs if you saw at the pedals and dont keep weight on the rear tire. On buff packed trails it rails thru turns and really rolls nice. I haven't ridden a faster tire.

Not good in mud at all. 3 chillis for value as it does wear, but it still hooks up even worn, but you can tell its days are numbererd. 5 overall becouse it raises awareness about how little bigger knobs do for traction on buff trails.

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Favorite Trail:   Golden Gate

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $50.00

Bike Setup:   Giant anthem w/ conti mtn king 2.4 @ 25 psi on front, bonty xr1 2.2 on rear @ 35 psi 215 lb rider.

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Submitted by craigrad a Cross Country Rider from San Diego, CA USA

Date Reviewed: March 27, 2010

Strengths:    Fast, grips hard pack

Weaknesses:    Not good for loose dirt or mud

Bottom Line:

Great tire for pavement or hard dirt which is what we have in So Cal. I do not think it will last long. I have the team issue and it's a soft compond.

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Favorite Trail:   PQ

Duration Product Used:   6 months

Price Paid:    $50.00

Purchased At:   Trek Store

Bike Setup:   Gary Fisher Tass

Reviews 1 - 14 (14 Reviews Total)

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Bontrager XR1 Tire

Product Description

User Reviews

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