Submitted by
T_woot
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, CA
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2009
Strengths: it rolls
Weaknesses: Tire sucks, doesn't grip in the mud, or of rocks, not impressed with climbing ability wet and dry. Doesn't corner worth crap at high speeds and washes out easily, skidding is unpredictable and stopping power lacks
Bottom Line:
Get something else and invest your 20 on a different tire
Bike Setup: 07 stumpjumper fsr set up for all mountain, ridden on everything, in every environment
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
orange030
a Cross Country Rider
from Argyll
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2008
Strengths: Decent grip and rolls pretty well. Ridden for 600 miles and not much tread wear. Okay if you want a cheap tyre you are happy replacing before tread wears out.
Weaknesses: Just blew out the side wall on rear tyre with no warning. On closer inspection much of tyre wall is perished on seam connecting it to steel bead. Would not trust another gravity tyre to be reliable..
Bottom Line:
Decent performance when tyre worked but not long lasting enough and there seems to be quality/reliability problem.
Similar Products Used: kenda blue groove, hutchison python, maxxis crossmark
Bike Setup: fuji thrill w rkshox rvlation 351 dual air fork, xt cass, crnb fsa seatpost, aliante gamma seat, vuelta team sl wheels, juicy 3, x9 der...
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Submitted by
tuanscott
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2008
Strengths: Good grip, good cornering, relatively light, durable
Weaknesses: Doesn't shed mud, relatively heavy, not actually a true 2.3"
Bottom Line:
I have the wire bead version. I saw them on sale and they were just two cheap to pass up. A year later, I'm still running them and they've got plenty of life left. I have yet to get a flat of any kind, despite running them at 30psi.
These work very well in dry conditions; they corner well, they grip on a variety of terrain whether climbing or descending. In the wet they do not shed mud, so be warned. As long as you stick to dry conditions they ride well. I run them at about 30psi and they're nice and cushy. I'm something of a lightweight (150lbs), though, so they may not work for you.
They're light for their size, but still fairly heavy if you're going to be racing XC (which I do, albeit not very well). They're not a true 2.3"; more like a 2.15-2.2". That works for and against them, in my opinion.
Five chili's for value since I got them for dirt cheap; five chili's overall because they're very good. If they shed 150g they'd be amazing, but then they probably wouldn't be so durable.
Submitted by
Matthew
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2007
Strengths: This tire provides great climbing grip. I have almost 500 miles on it and grips almost as well as it did when it was new. This tire also has performed well on sandy and loose trails. It also delivers good control under heavy breaking conditions.
Weaknesses: I haven't found any.
Bottom Line:
I do all of my riding in SOCAL which is some rocks, lots of loose dirt, sand and an occasional section of hard pack. This tire has really hung in. I expected to get 300 miles out of it and now I am at 500 and I think I can squeeze a few more hundred out it. It still delivers consistent grip when climbing. For a cheap tire this one can't be beat.
Submitted by
Jon BonJovie
a Racer
from Marin, California
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2007
Strengths: Well, not a lot of strengths. It climbs ok, does like to slip out when you don't want it to. Gets clogged really easily with mud so it will want to dump you in the muddy turns going down twisty singletracks.
Weaknesses: Flats out if i drop it under 40psi. Side walls seem kinda iffy, doesn't like to corner at all. Wants to drift all over the place. Lots and lots of flats at 35 psi, even with dh latex tubes.
Bottom Line:
Dont buy this tire. It really sucks. Flats out all the time, wants to drift every where. When you hit the brakes hard it just slides out. Don't buy it.
Favorite Trail: windy ridge, eldridge, old springs
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Purchased At: Hmmm. Christmas present
Similar Products Used: Wtb, kenda, Panaracer,
Bike Setup: Trance 2 with Raceface evolve cranks, thomson 70mm stem, answer protaper bars, Reba Sl, Fox Rp3, Hayes 9xc with 7inch rotors and hope stainless steel lines. Time Carbon rxs atac pedals, xt front deraileur and rear cassette. mavic hand made rims with dt swiss hubs. Rampage front tire, nobby nic rear tire.
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Submitted by
drew
a Weekend Warrior
from camp lejeune nc
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2006
Strengths: grips like majic. seals up fine w/ stans for tubeless use..don't know what others were complaining about. Fairly light all in all for a general trail bike.
Weaknesses: Not even Close to 2.3- , more like a 2.1 if that. I have a 2.3 IRC Mibro UST on the front and it dwarfs the Gravity.
Bottom Line:
Good tire that grips in like none other I have used. The size was a disappointment as it is much smaller than it's claimed size but it does what a tire should.
I wanted to get a tire w/ some volume because I weigh over 240, this is not that tire- but at 35-40psi it grips like a claw on all the surfaces I have run it on so far. I am really happy with it using the Stan's conversion- it sealed right up and is holding perfectly. I have not been off any drops yet, so I don't know if it will burp or the lack of volume will allow me to smack rim...we will see!
three turds for the misleading advertising on size---
Similar Products Used: a whole bunch fellas...these work out well as any, and should at least retard my search for a perfect tire for a while.
Bike Setup: AM Heckler
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
X-1
a Cross Country Rider
from East Bay, CA
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2006
Strengths: Awesome, predictable, consistent GRIP on almost any surface; hardpack, rocks, powder, loam, gravel, name it. On pavement they don't get sketchy or squirmy either. Treadwear! Durability!
Weaknesses: Weight (USTs are anchors) All the traction confidence on 95% of surfaces will get you into trouble the first time you hit clay mud.
Bottom Line:
I've beat on these tires for nearly 2yrs with no flats, burps, tears, nada. The only time they spooked me was on peanut-butter-clay mud (does anything grip in that?). Otherwise they've been phenomenal. Next tires will be Vertical or Gravity non USTs with Stans to save some redundant weight.
Strengths: Good in most dry Conditions,Dry grass Mud etc,
Weaknesses: sucks in the wet,the last week ive been using it in the woods with loads of tree stumps and also on some wobbly rocky terrain in dry and wet conditions,the tread is getting ripped of like its being ground against metal sand paper.
Well ive only been using a Continental Gravity on the front cause i got it for free new,its nice in dry mud dry grass etc,and yes i knew before i used it,it sucks in the wet,but the last week ive been using it in the woods with loads of tree stumps and also on some wobbly rocky terrain in dry and wet conditions,the tread is getting ripped of like its being ground against metal sand paper.
For a so called FR tyre im not impressed.
Do not buy if your going to be riding on rocky terrain or in the woods with lots of tree stumps and defanitly not in th wet.
Similar Products Used: Swampthings,Highrollers,Nokian Gazza's,Michelin DH Comp 32.
Bike Setup: Imperial.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Adam Hunter
a Weekend Warrior
from Liverpool
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2006
Strengths: Huge amount of grip over 99% of surfaces, wear rate is fantastic-I've done over a years riding on this tyre now both on and off trails and its not really worn that much compared to others I've used.
Weaknesses: Clogs up with thick mud easily
Bottom Line:
Great tyre, sticks to almost everything and gives lots of confidence when cornering fast and braking. Definatly worth the money I paid for it.
Great tire ran them this weekend at the Watermelon classic MTB race and they performed flawlessly. Have used Conti Vertical's and these tires are just as good. The Gravity has stronger knobs. All in all Conti makes some of the best tires around. The price of $20 for the wire beads is a real steal. You will really like these tires for the desert southwest conditions dry dusty hardpack and rocks. If you live where there is mud then you might look for another tire.
Similar Products Used: WTB Velociraptors, Michelin Wild grippers
Bike Setup: GT Avalanche Marzochi Fork
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jorgex
a Weekend Warrior
from Almada, Portugal
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2006
Strengths: -a SUPERB REAR TIRE design for enduro (Gravity protec) -Diesel is a light tire for 2.5 (772 g) -no squirl lives when you drive-by
Weaknesses: -expensive (€35 each one, Diesel and Gravity) -Diesel it's not 2.5, more like 2.3 (62-559) -Gravity, not 2.3 but 2.1 (57-559) -total disaster on thick mud
Bottom Line:
This review is for Diesel Protection and Gravity Protection.
A big surprise from Continental!!! Finally, a versatile round tire for heavy XC and enduro.
-Gravity, front: It does the job. It's confortable, normal roller, good braking power. Not very stable on fast/aggressive corners. Nothing special really. I give it 3 chilis.
-Diesel, front: This one excels grav. in everything. Light (for a 2.5) and extremely confortable. Cuts throu corners and gives a great brake control. Great on sand. Good price and it fits on small forks like Manitou Axel. 5 chilis.
-Gravity, rear: This is where the tire shines. Fits well on the rims (goodbye tire levers). Normal rolling ability, great on downhill but too much grip during uphill sections, perhaps Vapor is better for this job. About the corner ability, lets just say that i'm shocked how fast i go through corners. In case of skidding don't worry, it is predictable as any other Continental tire like Escape/CrossCountry or Ritchey Z-Max. If for some reason you to go through medium/thick mud, think twice. This is a fat tire so make a new trail in the middle of trees and rocks. Not a cheap tire. This is an amazing rear tire. 5 chilis.
-Both: Best used with FR/DH tubes. My weight is over 100Kg and i use Diesel @30psi or less and Grav. @40psi.
If you want to prepare your bike for an unknown trail with unknown weather conditions, look no further.
Similar Products Used: Nokian, Maxxis, Ritchey, Huchinson, Continental...
Bike Setup: Giant escaper'92 (hardtail), Manitou Axel 100mm(om),Hayes disc brake, Mavic mx 321(f) and Mavic D521(r)
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Submitted by
jason
a Cross Country Rider
from dallas
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2006
Strengths: Rolls well, corners predictably in most conditions due to the rounded nature of the tread, wears well, reasonably light even for the wire version.
Weaknesses: a little small for 2.3
Bottom Line:
I have the wire versions on my single speed, which is my ratted commuter bike that gets no love and only old parts. However I love these tires and are looking to switch to the kevlar version for my other bike.
Similar Products Used: mutano raptors, mythos, smoke, dart, etc...
Bike Setup: single speed
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Submitted by
Matthew
a Weekend Warrior
from Westminster, CO USA
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2006
Strengths: Long-wearing tire that tracks great in dry conditions.
Weaknesses: Narrow for a 2.3 tire.
Bottom Line:
These are great tires for both front and rear use in dry conditions. I've had a lot of problems with premature tire damage (knobs ripping off) in the rocky conditions here in CO and UT. But these tires have been the welcome exception and, although expensive, have been a great investment.
Bike Setup: 2003 Giant AC2 w/Cloud Nine rear/Z1 FR3 front shocks.
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Submitted by
Alec Pym
a Weekend Warrior
from Axminster
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2006
Strengths: Great hardpack,loom ,good on roots, hooks up and corners well. Light. Great down the hill but also digs in and climbs well.
Weaknesses: Mud. a little thin for a 2.3
Bottom Line:
Great year round tire as long as you dont ride clay type mud as they pack out in these conditions..
I have loads of tires but these ones are on the bike and stay on the bike, run em at 35/40 psi no pinch flats no trouble, and they give me confidence in the narley rooty down hill bits when my ass is to a point.
All in all over 4 years of trying loads of rubber these are my favourite all montain tyre.
In general I think this sort of topic has been brought up a few times here but I still can't find the info I need so here it goes.
We have a new collegiate MTB team and I am in Read More »
Well been looking to get a new bike and settled in on the 29ers. I've seen bike's direct site and really like the prices and components. I like the treks mamba but for the same pri Read More »
Just released today:
[url=http://www.usacycling.org/location-for-2013-2014-mtb-gravity-nationals-announced.htm]Location for 2013 & 2014 MTB Gravity Nationals announced - USA Cyc Read More »
This should be one helluva party...
copied & pasted from USA Cycling website:
[I]The location for the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Gravity National Championships in 2013 and 2 Read More »
