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Reviews 1 - 8 (8 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
ben
a All Mountain RiderDate Reviewed: April 15, 2013
Strengths: Great rolling speed, and wetter conition.... That's it!Weaknesses: All of the above!
Zero traction on dry, sandy condition. Southern Californian's stay away.
Tread life is pathetic, rode them for 3 months and they are nearly destroyed.
Bottom Line: These came stock on my 2013 Fuel Ex 8 and lets just say the main purpose must be to protect the wheels for shipping. They sure weren't meant to keep the bike on the trail. I live in so-cal so primarily ride dry/sandy technical trails.
I have washed out more times than I can imagine because there is absolutely zero side rail grip. With that said there is no chance of being able to predict the slide like most good tires. The slide with these tires will put you on the floor trust me. Any sprinkle of sand on a turn and expect to loose it. I did happen to take the same trail that I was slipping and sliding on after a sprinkle, and it did grip well. Positive note it does roll better than i thought.
Favorite Trail: Mathis or Rock-It Alliso
Duration Product Used: 3 Months
Bike Setup: Trek Fuel Ex8 2013
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Submitted by
XC loverDate Reviewed: March 9, 2013
Strengths: Low price with side track. Better rolling in the center especially hard dirt track not so well for wet trackWeaknesses: Not so well with wet track. The compound of tires not durable easy peel offBottom Line: Fair to good performance. But good price
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Submitted by
BridgerDate Reviewed: January 17, 2013
Strengths: NoneWeaknesses: No tracking at all
Washes out when cornering
Bottom Line: These came stock on my Trek Fuel Ex 7. They suck, replaced them almost immediately.
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Submitted by
DresdenlockDate Reviewed: November 12, 2012
Strengths: Light..Rolled wellWeaknesses: GripBottom Line: these came stock on my Trek EX5..and I liked how light and how well they rolled..but the grip is something lacking..going up hills and cornering would sometimes be a new adventure in fear..there was a few times where these skidded (more than usual) and I was off the trail where normally this would never happen..I think they are ok for greenways things like that..but a real trail that has some tech to it...no.
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Submitted by
Raj
a Cross Country RiderDate Reviewed: June 1, 2012
Strengths: None for Southern California riding, unless you like wasting all your energy climbing and being scared out of your mind descending.Weaknesses: Would slide out all over the place when going downhill. Absolutely no grip when climbing in or out of the saddle.Bottom Line: I ride hardpack and loose rocks/sand here in So Cal. After 3 rides I gave up on these tires and ordered some Bontrager XR1's. My fantastic Trek Fuel EX frame was completely ruined by giving it these stock tires. I had more confidence on my hardtail with CST's than on my Trek Fuel with XR3's. Even my friend riding behind me noticed how much my tail was skidding out. NO GRIP.
Similar Products Used: CST Caballero, Bontrager XR1
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Submitted by
g-hedDate Reviewed: May 25, 2012
Strengths: Good traction and cornering grip on dry hardpack and in moist conditions.Weaknesses: Amazingly sluggish.Bottom Line: Got these on my Trek Elite 9.7. I noticed a big increase in traction and grip over my old Vredestein Tiger Claws but man they are slow in comparison. I haven't had them wash out or lose grip unpredictably as yet but as expected they do lose some grip in the wet. Without trying too hard I have more confidence around corners resulting in faster times down the hill, but definitely not overall faster around the whole course. I might not be pushing the tyres as hard as I should because I don't want to crash my nice new bike. Keep in mind though that I am a lightweight aggressive XC rider.
I can't comment on durability as I have only done 30km or so.
I might keep these tyres for wetter conditions that my WTB Wolverines can't handle. If they don't perform I'll shell out for some faster wet weather tyres.
4 Stars for grip and traction
2 Stars for rolling resistance
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Submitted by
micmorri
a Weekend WarriorDate Reviewed: May 24, 2012
Strengths: Roll fastWeaknesses: Slide out from under you in dry dusty conditions. Slides and gets sideways while rolling over small-large diagonal roots.Bottom Line: Today was the first and only time I have ridden these tires, and the only reason is because they were on my new bike. I was going to swap them with my Kenda SB8's, but I just wanted to get out there and rip it. I also kinda wanted to see how these tires performed before I swapped them. Let me just say I have never been as terrified riding a bike as I was with these under me. Initially dropping into the trail I knew something was off. I felt the tire skidding out from under me in a banked flowy slalom section. My fears were realized in a technical section when the tire suddenly slipped out from under me in an area Ive ridden hundreds of times with Kenda SB8's without issue, sending me into a tree at full speed. After that you could say I rode a little timid for the rest of the day. Never again will I touch these tires. By the looks of them they could be decent on more of a muddy to tacky trail, but I will never know because I have Nevegals for that. Suffice it to say these weren't the best tires Ive ever encountered, and unless your living in Washington, where its always wet, I wouldn't touch them.
Favorite Trail: Leverich Canyon Bozeman, MT
Purchased At: Richardson Bike Mart
Similar Products Used: Kenda Nevegals
Kenda Small Block 8's
Bike Setup: Brand new 2012 Trek Fuel EX8
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Submitted by
ChewynMe
a Weekend WarriorDate Reviewed: May 17, 2012
Strengths: Very good handling in moderately sandy conditions.
Good control/handling on dry packed & wet tracks.
Works well at lower pressures 35-40psi.
Good control/handling at normal and higher pressures 45-55.Weaknesses: Lack of speed overall through the trails.
Lacks grip (rear) in wet/soft conditions.
Bottom Line: This tire's review is it's grade for overall use as a pair on your ride (front and rear). Also, when considering value Bontragers price of $60 was the reference point.
As a front tire for use in a multitude of situations this is a great option for many riders. Though it was not ridden in the moutainous trails of NC, it was put to a tough test here in FL. My trail riding includes muddy conditions, wet (non-muddy) conditions, hard packed clay trails, hard packed/occasionally sandy trails, and all of them have 15-20ft drops and inclines. This tire will get into the corner, stick, and bring you out precisely on the line you chose with no room for worry.
As a rear tire the tread pattern leaves a lot to be desired. This tire clearly failed miserably in slighty/moderately muddy conditions. When the trails were dry and packed there was an increase in dig/grip, but overall was sluggish/slow through all conditions.
My plans are to remove this tire from the rear and keep it as a front spare, or maybe unload it to someone else who needs a decent front. My next step will be replacing the rear, and after looking through just how many options are out there at the many different price points, I am certain I will be able to purchase a much better substitute at a much better price than the XR3 from Bontrager.
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Reviews 1 - 8 (8 Reviews Total)
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