Similar Products Used: Arrow 26" 3.0<--biggest tire I've used 909 Fro
Bike Setup: cortina, banshee, norco
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Submitted by
Grant
a Weekend Warrior
from La Crescenta, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2005
Strengths: Lots of grip, it feels like it is on rails. Very thick casing, i doubt anything short of a nail will puncture it.
Weaknesses: Tire is much smaller than advertised, the widest width that i could measure on it was 2.5 inches wide at the casing.
Bottom Line:
So far this tire is kicking ass. I was hoping that it would be a little bigger than it is, its not quite as wide as a 2.7 maxxis highroller. The grip really is incredible, this tire goes through loose corners like it is on rails, very confidence inspiring. I don't really have an idea what the braking traction is like because i haven't had to slow down as much while running this beast. It is not a cheap tire, and it is not light, but if you want max. grip, this is the tire for you.
Weaknesses: It is heavy, and, compared to the Nokian Jr. 2.6 it is really hard to pedal, but that is more than offset by the GRIP.
Bottom Line:
Grip! Grip to the maximum. I've been running the Nokians for about 2 yrs on my hardtail Banshee Morphine (and MC San Andreas before that), and I really love 'em for every day tires to commute/drop/urban - they're not too heavy, can run low pressure, and they last for freakin' ever. Plattekill, however, demands that you come as well equipped as you can be, and even then sometimes it does not permit you to descend unbroken. So, given that I'm riding a 5/5 inch bike, I decided to get the very best dh tires for my 8-10 trips a year. I tried the Nokians, and, at the time, they were the best. Then I tried Intense 909/Intruder combo, at the suggestion of James at Go-Ride, and, though they are sticky, they are also the heaviest tires I've ever ridden by far (I think the 2.7 was like 1800 grams or something like that!), and they wore like butter. On the recommendation of the posters here, I tried the Michelins (won't fit on the rear of the Heckler without rubbing, so I've gone back to the Nokians for dry, and the Intense for wet weather there - when I took the Michelin off the back because it rubbed, I put on a new Nokian Jr. I'd brought, and the next run down in some sloppy stuff was like a night & day difference in control and handling from the Michelin). All I can say is that these are by far the best dh tires for steep, rocky, rooty, steep riding. By far. I guess this is kind of overkill for a stinkin' tire, and I try not to rave, but these are the very best in their class. They're expensive, but not much more than the Nokians (like $8.00 more), and they're priced similarly to the Intense. Like the ad says, "not sliding off the trail and running into trees . . . priceless".
Similar Products Used: Nokian Jr. 2.6, Intense Intruder, Intense 909.
Bike Setup: SC Heckler/5th coil, Z1FRSL up front, Azonic Outlaw wheels, bashguard, XT 8 speed, bars, etc. (kind of a schizo - can be run xc w/light wheels& tires, or to Plattekill with these tires & strong, wide wheels).
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Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Fort Collins Co
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2004
Strengths: Incredible grip on nearly any surface! Does well in wet or dry and is great for that little bit of extra confidence. Has lasted longer than my old maxxis highroller and does not pedal much harder. I use my bike for a little of everything including pedalling up hill to get to the downhill spots. in all reality though it weighs a little more than a 2.7 Highroller it is not all that difficult to climb with it. Thick sidewalls!
Weaknesses: So far none.
Bottom Line:
Bolltom line is for the cash, there is not a more solid tire that I have put on any of my bikes. It steers light, wicked braking grip, and after about 20runs, not including the 7 mile xc route that has been ridden atleast 25 times, the tread has no chunking, no loss of feel, or anything negative that I have experienced with other tires. While it is a little heavy for everyday use, for its intended purpose it is worth every penny.
Bike Setup: 03 Yeti asx, monster t, mallet pedals, thomson post, dee max rims
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Submitted by
Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Sparwood, BC
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2004
Strengths: Tons of traction for braking and cornering. Works really well as a front tire on my Big Hit. It is the biggest tire that fits on my Jr T fork! No noticeable wear after 6 months of riding. I've never got a pinch flat with this tire and downhill tubes. Extremely durable! The 2.8 width really helps me on long soft steep chutes because the tire won't dig in as easily as a smaller tire.
Weaknesses: None. I recommend this product.
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome tire. It did slow me down on the up hills though. I have no problems recommending this tire for a free rider or downhill racer.
Strengths: grip for days, can run super low pressure without risk of pinch flat, huge!
Weaknesses: who gives a frick about the weight
Bottom Line:
stiffest sidewall I have ever felt. incredible grip, this is a downhill only tire, you've got to have some nads if you want to climb with this pig. over 3 lbs.! 10 flamin' poops all around!
Submitted by
Richard Utting
a Downhiller
from Windermere, UK
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2003
Strengths: Incredible over rocks and rough stuff, whatever the weather. Best rock tyre I've ever used.
Weaknesses: i love it
Bottom Line:
I ride rocks, rocks and rocks. Sometimes dry and hard but generally wet and slippery and horrible. Tyres like the old IRC Kujo are fantastic WRT pattern, sidewall strength and air volume but are outclassed these days by softer compound grippier tyres. Well this tyre combines the two. It has an amazingly effective MX-inspired pattern, a big volume, burly sidewall AND soft compound. I've ridden all the top-flight tyres but this is the real deal for me. Over rocks you'll not find a better tyre, front or rear: It carves, it brakes, it grips, it doesn't want to flat, the sidewall is not too hard nor too soft - it's just great. They are on the heavy side but they could be worse; I think the penalty is worthwhile for sure. If you liked tyres like the Kujo but want softer compound then this is for you.
Strengths: as far as I can remember these tires offered the better grip over semi wet rocks and roots. I dont ride them anymore but I'm just about to buy a new set. In between I've rode mobster, highroller, kujo, tioga DH and gazza.
Weaknesses: they very heavy and large, I switched to highroller and comp 24.1 for racing because these are lighter and pedal faster but i'll get back to them now for their grip.
Bottom Line:
I'm going all michelin, I just bought a set of MUD 3 they awesome. For everyday tire I'll try a comp32 in front and comp 24.1 at back. I like michelin tires a lot, highroller just doesnt grip enough for slow technical stuff. Comp 32 is best so far but expensive and heavy so i'll give : 4.5/5 for overall 4/5 for value
Similar Products Used: mobster, highroller, kujo, tioga DH and gazza jr.
Bike Setup: kona stab primo 2001. mrp 36, easton stem and bar, 321, xtr...
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Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2003
Strengths: Wide, tons of grip, can convert rim to tubeless.
Weaknesses: Too wide for some forks/frames.
Bottom Line:
Remember this is a SOFT compound DH tubeless tire so it is heavier and rolls slower than others in it's class but will reward you with tons of grip and high speed stability. Not as sticky as a Maxxis super tacky but wears slower and rolls faster. Just converted my rim to tubeless and it is much better.
Strengths: incredible grip, can run low air without pinchflats, works great in all weather conditions
Weaknesses: front tire picking up rocks and flinging them at my face on gravel roads ? ;p
Bottom Line:
this tire is great, has tremendous grip, i haven't had a flat since i've owned this tire for about 6 months and i run it pretty low air pressure. My riding friend uses the 3.0 Gazzi and it has nothing on this tire, buy it if you want one of the best DH Tires out there.
Similar Products Used: Gazzoladi, Arrow, Maxxis, kenda etc
Bike Setup: 2002 KHS Fetish 24"trailpimp/arrow rear, 26"bombshell/Michilen2.8 front.
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Submitted by
Steve
a Downhiller
from North Vancouver
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2002
Strengths: Can run at very low pressures without worrying about pinch flats. Good rolling resistance. Awesome grip. Very good in muddy conditions.
Weaknesses: Not a XC tire because of weight.
Bottom Line:
I last had a 2.7 Mobster on my bike, and it sucked in non-dry conditions (as well as didn't like running low pressure). Even in dry conditions it wasn't that great. Bought the Michelin, and was I ever blown away. The grip is amazing! I can run with less air. I track skinnies, log rides, rock faces, a-frames, whatever, with way more control. Braking on steep decents is also much more controlled. The weight and tread design is not for XC or fast DH (the Maxxis High Roller is very good in that category), but the rolling resistance is still quite good and I don't find uphill rides any harder than with a tire like the Mobster.
A couple of colleagues who do some serious NS riding swear by this tire and their comments influenced me to try it out. I'm super happy, and will be buying this tire for years to come. This tire deserves a 6 chilly rating.
Bike Setup: marzocchi z1 mcr michlen wildgripper 2.8 inch up front specialized 2.4 evil twin hc in the rear
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Submitted by
Lester
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2002
Strengths: Super soft and grippy, big nobs wear well and don't deflect much. Flat resistant, super strong construction(tubeless)and they're black, like tires should be.
Weaknesses: Relatively heavy. Not an issue for me, my bike already wieghs 45lbs. and I still peddle this pig up hills too.
Bottom Line:
I'll be buying another set. These tires grip to anything, especially near vertical rock faces and wet slippery log rides. If you value traction over wieght these bad boys are for you. They grip best with 10-15psi max. It's like adding an extra inch of travel.
