Submitted by
Krezyle
a Cross Country Rider
from State College, Pa Date Reviewed: August 26, 2009
Favorite Trail:
The Gap
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Price, Design, Good all around tire, Good grip when used on intermediate terrain, Almost zero rolling Resistance, Solid side walls, Good puncture resistance.
Weaknesses:
Prone to wash outs, Very balloon like shape, Not as big as a 2.3 kenda (more like a 2.1/2.2), Reduction in pressure provides better traction but greatly reduces rolling ability.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Bluegrooves (but there not necessarily all mountain)
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS
Bottom Line:
These are very good all mountain tires... They might be some of the best I've ever used actually. I was pretty surprised on how good they did for the amount of tread. They're essentially almost bald except for some knobs strategically placed on the tires. I used them for single track intermediate stuff and they performed pretty well... some drops, but nothing too intense. Also used in rock gardens around central PA. They hold up well against pretty sharp rocks and still don't show any signs of cuts or tears.
The problem with these tires and the reason for 4 chilis is that they like to wash out on loose pack, sandy stuff and and they slide off rocks pretty easily. This is slightly remedied by a decrease in pressure...(running them at about 35) but then they lose some of there speed. I guess I'm just picky about it, but you do really have to get used to them on some of the above mentioned stuff or you'll end up wiping out. Once I overcame the learning curve I was very pleased with the tires overall. I would recommend them to anyone looking for single track speed and even all mountain stuff. Just make sure you don't run into too much loose gravel or sand...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geerhard
a Weekend Warrior
from Wolvertem Date Reviewed: August 21, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Emrin
Strengths:
Really good allrounder
Weaknesses:
Not the best tire in mud
A bit heavy
Similar Products Used:
schwalbe nobby nic, Schwalbe Jimmy
Bike Setup:
Full-dynamix
Bottom Line:
it is as good as the schwalbe Jimmy but a bit heavy
I recommence it for who's looking for a tire that is fast ant has good grip, it has good performance and durability
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randall XC
a Cross Country Rider
from Carlsbad, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 7, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
bikesomewhere.com
Strengths:
weight, traction ascending and on corners, durability, price
Specialized Epic Marathon, crossmax ssl wheels, fox talus 100-140mm
Bottom Line:
This is for the TNT verson: Rockin tires for general XC racing and riding. I have the 2.3 up front and the 2.1 in the rear. Tires hook up on steep climbs and hold tight on fast corners. Rode with them for about a year in the AZ desert and have been riding with them for about a year in So Cal. They work well in both environments. I think the tires are a little smaller than they say so I will probably just order another 2.3 for the rear. Great all mountain tire or for racing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bingobong
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia Date Reviewed: June 7, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
Light for tubeless (mine weighed in at 680g and 700g for the 2.3). Nice tight fit and tough bead. Rolls quite fast, grip is good allround in dry and slightly damp conditions.
Weaknesses:
Surprisingly blocks up with mud despite the open tread design. Grip significantly compromised in wet and muddy conditions. Bit small for a 2.3 - similar in size to my Kenda Nevegal 2.1
Bottom Line:
I only use it as a rear tyre and grip is pretty good in dry/damp conditions and it rolls quite fast. Muddy conditions are a weakness as the tyre blocks up and grip is significantly compromised, particularly on wet/greasy off camber roots and rocks you have to hit them dead square or else the tyre will slide (although most tyres are the same except for the tyres with the sticky compound 50 durometer rubber but they roll very slow). Another thing to note is that the 2.3 blows up a bit small - it is about the same size as my Kenda Nevegal UST 2.1 and Specialized Enduro Pro 2.2, just slightly bigger than Crossmark LUST 2.1 and slightly smaller than Schwalbe Albert 2.25 UST. You are supposed to use sealant but I managed to air these up with a floor pump on Mavic Crosstrails with just some soapy water and they held air fine without the sealant. I ended up putting in one scoop of Stans just in case I still don't lose any air.
Overall a great allrounder that rolls fast and grips pretty good in 90% of conditions (i.e. except mud and wet off camber roots and rocks).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Oakley
a Cross Country Rider
from Mooresville, NC Date Reviewed: April 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
White Water Center
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
IRideCycles
Strengths:
Light and tubeless
Weaknesses:
Could use a taller shoulder.
Similar Products Used:
Conti Speed King Super Sonic, Hutchinson Air Light, Nevegals.
Bike Setup:
2006 Jamis Team Dragon, Industry Nine wheels
Bottom Line:
I run the 2.3 and love the volume. I ride a hardtail so large volume at low pressure takes the edge off. My full suspension uses Nevegals and the Barro's grip just as well, but roll much easier. The Nevegals corner much better,though. I've also ran Hutchinson Air Lights, but was disappointed in how fast they wear out. The Barro seems to be more durable. For loose over hardpack, the Barro's are great all purpose tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Greenwood, IN Date Reviewed: March 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Brown County Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Strengths:
Light, FAST, TNT version seals well, Stable Cornering, Open Design
Weaknesses:
Hard to mount
Similar Products Used:
WTB Motoraptor, Maxxis Ignitor, Kenda's
Bike Setup:
Kona Kula Supreme, Fox F100 RLC, Sram X.O, Industry Nine Ultralight, Hayes Disc
Bottom Line:
I spent forever reading reviews on tires and just happened to remember that one of my buddies was riding some geax. I checked on their site and I wanted a tire that was good all around and still lightweight. I read some reviews on the Barro Mountain and they looked nice, so I pulled the trigger. I could be be happier. I have the TNT version using Stan's. I mounted them up (pretty tight bead), and the tires held air without the sealant, but I used just a little to prevent flats. They roll like the super light almost smooth MT. Bike tires, but have larger knobs so they hook well on more than just fire roads. If you are looking for a good all around XC tire this is a great choice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
danK
a Cross Country Rider
from USA Date Reviewed: November 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$28.00
Strengths:
Great customer support (bikemine.com), durable, lightweight, superb traction and very good mud shedding. Very predictable when traction finally breaks free. TNT (more on that later).
Weaknesses:
Difficult to find locally so I had to mailorder.
Similar Products Used:
Everything but Schwalbes.
Bike Setup:
The usual
Bottom Line:
I got the TNT (tube no tube) version and these tires were well worth the "hassle" of finding. I got the 2.3 front with its stickier durometer and the 2.1 rear in the normal rubber spec. The tires were purchased for wetter fall/winter riding; I don't do full on mud riding (Geax, owned by Vittoria, makes a 1.7 mud tire).
They clear mud quickly anyway yet adhere to once-hardpack-sand-covered trails with confidence. I have the front at 26psi and the rear at 33 psi (I'm 165 pounds on a 5.5" dualie) and do not use tubes: TNT is made of a butyl inner sidewall to prevent air loss and it makes for a sturdier sidewall for less flex at lower psi. I used my homebrew tubeless of 1 TBSP liquid latex/1 TBSP Slim/2 TBSP Windex, and the tires sealed up with no problem. The folding bead is the toughest tire I've experienced in recent memory but they will not be folding/rolling off the rim in a blow, that's for sure!
Tire weight is around 675 grams for the 2.3 and 610 grams for the 2.1 in the TNT version. The non TNT tire weighs about 80 grams less. Without going into weights of ust vs blah blah, I now have a very durable, stiff and real-world tubeless tire that is lightweight and grabs traction for my riding style and terrain. Works just as good as anything for trailriding and xc racing. They just don't the marketing and hype which is good. I plan to stock up on the Barro Mountain and snag some of their dry tires called the Saguaro in a 2.2 (they are a nice size tire and not undersized like Continentals).
The price is good, too. Expect to pay $28 to $36 each.
Oh, what happens if you use a butyl tube? It makes the already sturdy sidewall even more impressive. I really can't find fault with these tires (and neither can the likes of Dirt Rag who gave it a serious 5 star rating).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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