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.
Similar Products Used: Panaracer Dart / Smoke , Specialized Captain's
Bike Setup: 2010 Trek 8500
Overall Rating:
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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.
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...
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)
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.
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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