For DH and dual slalom racing on intermediate to slippery terrain
New tread design, similar to WildGripper Hot S, with multi-shaped knobs across entire tread width to maximize grip at different angles, enhance high speed stability and improve cornering.
Scoop-shaped knobs increase traction.
New special soft rubber grips in extreme conditions.
Reinforced casing & sidewalls.
Specially designed bead wires for secure hold on rim.
Compatible with NAGESTI/Rigida tubeless rim. An effective tire for both downhill and dual slalom.
Submitted by
J.T.
a Weekend Warrior
from Morenci, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2006
Strengths: Good grip, no pinch flats
Weaknesses: A little heavy but that's what prevents the pinch flats. Replaced now in the Michelin line-up with a tire named just the DH Comp, but it's pretty much the same.
Bottom Line:
A great tire for trials riders using old frames with little clearance. I've got the 2.2's front and back and they grip great on rocks, logs, hardpack, etc. In Arizona they don't see much mud. As for the complaint that they are hard to get over the rim, USE TALCUM POWDER. Coat the inside of the tire with it before installation. It has the added benefit of keeping patches from sticking to the inside of the tire and helps prevent mildew in wet climates. Slather it with baby powder and it will go on just fine (don't use cornstarch powders because they can feed mildew).
Strengths: amazing grip and durability - like tank treads for your bike.
Weaknesses: heavy, very slow rollers
Bottom Line:
last much longer than any other sticky rubber i've tried, and grip nearly as well as kenda and maxxis soft rubber. bullet-proof, but very slow rolling. as good as it gets going down, but you pay for it on the way up.
Bike Setup: nitrous 20, with formula DH 200, double track rims ecc..
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Submitted by
Mikey Urdaddy
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, CA USA
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2004
Strengths: Big, tough, bullet proof too?
Weaknesses: Holy hell... These are rocks. Heavy beyond heavy. Roll? No way. Maybe if you were being towed by a car?
Bottom Line:
For mr. Downhill, these are probably awesome. For the XC and weekend downhiller, way too heavy. Put it this way... I use this bike for training, until I can get some tires that are light and roll ;-)
I had never tried a "sticky" compound until now. Holy smokes, I put this 2.5 in back & the thing clings tenaciously up & down & around. Cornering is outstanding & wear does not appear to be nearly as bad as I expected. 5 little flamers overall, 4 for value as these suckers are expensive. I'm running mine tubeless.
Similar Products Used: IRC Trailbears 2.25 & 2.5, IRC Kujo 2.35, WTB Motoraptor all sizes, WTB Mutanoraptor 2.25, Conti Verts, Pythons, Specialized Eviltwin HC, many, many others.
Bike Setup: Kona Coiler DL, Z1fr, 8"Avid mechs.
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Submitted by
David Evans
a Downhiller
from Wenatchee
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2003
Strengths: I don't think I could ever get a flat with these. Amazing tires for going down, down, down.
Weaknesses: Drag, EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bottom Line:
This is an update, I had these tires on my hardtail Hardrock pro. It made it feel like f/s. I got my Gemini and took it out on a sketchy DH trail, tried the Weirwolfs first because of the Great reviews. Then Put on the Mich Mans.....WHOOO, I will be a michelin rider for years to come..I promise, they give you sooo much confidence, great in turns, loose stuff, hardpack...bad in dog poop, but they wash off nice :)
Similar Products Used: Specialized Enduro 2.2, WTB
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Submitted by
Richard Utting
a Downhiller
from Windermere, UK
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2003
Strengths: Carves well on hardpack and loamy soil
Weaknesses: Not good on rocks, loose, grass or mud
Bottom Line:
This is a review for this tyre used on the FRONT, not on the back as is more usual: A good tyre for carving high speed loamy sort of corners but not a tyre for rocks or wet conditions. It doesn't have a very large air volume so stick to medium conditions or it'll rattle your teeth. Truly lethal on grass. A specific tyre for specific uses; not an allrounder at all. Pick it for the right course and it'll be good but be careful.
Strengths: Great tread design for maximum traction , strong sidewalls , I run standard tubes with low preasure & no pinch flats (yet)
Weaknesses: Heavy , but they have to be
Bottom Line:
I use these tires for DH racing & trail riding , when it's wet and muddy these tires hook up on wet rocks and roots , I've learned to trust these tires in the slippery stuff and don't give traction a second thought . They don't shed mud very good , but it doesn't seem to matter , when they get wet the tread feels like it gets stickery . I havn't ridden on the soft compounds of other tire manufacturers , but I've had great success with these and would recommened them . 24.1 comp on the rear & 32 comp up front .
Submitted by
Trev
a Weekend Warrior
from Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2003
Strengths: Stop the rims from hitting the road, make a cool noise riding on the road, will really bulk your legs up
Weaknesses: Lack of grip, weight, rolling resistance
Bottom Line:
These tyres suck. They are as heavy to pedal as the Specialized and Nokian downhill tyres, but have no grip on wet surfaces. The treads clog up with mud straight away and after that you might as well use slicks. No grip going uphill, downhill, or cornering (not that I managed to do any real cornering, the bike just slid around and it made bugger all diference which way I pointed the bars). Maybe these are designed for hardpack or something, but they sure don't suit wet dirt and leaves. I'm changing over to IRCs or WTBs asap. Anyone who wants a free pair of these, nearly new, just look through my garbage.
Strengths: they are very large, very fat, and very nice looking.
Weaknesses: they are extremely hard to get on your rim. I am lucky i didn't break my tire lever, or my rim for that matter. Had to get a friend to lend a hand to get it on. Soap helps a little too.
Bottom Line:
These tires make a cool humming sound as you ride on any flat surface, which I suppose is good for traction on loose stuff. Unfortunately, I have to pedal a lot more after switching from my semi slicks to these fully knobbies (the rolling resistance is pretty noticeable). While they slow you down on asphalt, I bet they are nasty when going DH or just trail riding. They do look nice, and the sidewalls are the thickest i've ever seen. I had some trouble putting them on my tubeless rims, and also some trouble mounting them on the bead. It took a trip to the gas station's air compressor to get the job done. they are advertised and tubeless, and they haven't lost any air yet, but mounting them was a chore. The difficulty of putting them on is overshadowed by the fact that the tire will never, EVER fall off. Great tires, I wish I had them from the start. oh, hella cheap too!
Strengths: They grip everything and anything that I throw at them, they take the abuse like nothing else.
Weaknesses: They wear quick, but the compund is fairly soft.
Bottom Line:
These tires are great, I think that I will buy them agian or I might try out the Hot S tires. Overall the tires have allowed me to do things that I thought I couldn't do like ride over off cambered slippery roots.
Strengths: Durable as hell, decent tread pattern. This tire seems to work quite well in the mud as well as loose dirt, rocks etc. Beefy sidewalls. A LOT better than my old Tioga DH 2.1's.
Weaknesses: Hard as hell to take off the rim, the bead is thick as hell. Broke 2 tire levers in the process.
Bottom Line:
Really nice tire for the price, beefy as all hell. If you get a flat, be prepared, 'cause these tires are hard as hell to get off the rim. But run some beefy tubes, and don't suck and you won't have that problem.
Similar Products Used: WTB Weirwolf 2.5, Tioga DH 2.1
Bike Setup: 2001 Kona Stuff, Hayes 6" Hydraulic disks, WTB Weirwolf 2.5, Michelin 2.5 DH
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Submitted by
michael
a Racer
from West Chester, PA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002
Strengths: Rolls pretty decent, corners nicely as well. When ran as a rear tire, breaking is solid. Decent weight for what they are. it was my tire of choice for most of the year.
Weaknesses: when it broke loose, it would break loose pretty fast.
Bottom Line:
I am running this tire this weekend for the last race of the year b/c i like it that much. I had it on my DH bike at every single DH ride/race this year and most of last year. Cut out the inner row of tread it is sweet in wet stuff. My team (Bean's Bikes) ran this tire for the most part as well. killer tread.
Similar Products Used: Gazzi Jr. 2.6 Maxxis Mobsters and High Rollers, tioga DH 2.3,
Bike Setup: Turner DHR/Dorado/EvilBikes chainguide/Mavic 521 rims/Hayes brakes
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Submitted by
Todd
a Downhiller
from San Francisco, Ca
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2002
Strengths: Smooth Ride Good Pinch-Flat protection Fairly lightwieght Hooks up in most conditions Good treadwear(when ridden on dirt)
Weaknesses: Could have a heavier caseing
Bottom Line:
Great Tire. Works a little better as a rear tire.
This tire rails hard, but, when it breaks loose it breaks hard and fast. Thankfuly it hooks back up so easily that you can be confident pushing the tire well past its limits. Min suggested tire pressure is 25# but I run them between 15-20# with no trouble.
Match a 2.5 in back with a Maxxis Minion F 2.75 Slow Reezy in front and your bike will corner like its on rails in any conditions.
As for the other tires: Maxxis Minion 2.7 -- Best Tires Avail. 10 Flamin Chilis Nokian Gazzy -- Sweet if you are into big drops WTB MotoRaptor 2.4 -- Great Tire if you are a XC Freak IRC Kujo 2.3 -- Killer for the North East or Urban Tioga Factory DH 2.5 -- Nice feeling tire, WEAK SIDEWALLS
