Similar Products Used: big kahuna / paddle type tire
Bike Setup: hard tail mtb in central florida.
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Submitted by
Kim Weighous
a Cross Country Rider
from Mena, Arkansas USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2006
Strengths: Good rubber compond, fair cross section shape
Weaknesses: Poor cornering traction, cornering instability, large blocks tend to grab, then let go, tends to shoots rocks, large blocks have lots of rolling resistance.
Bottom Line:
I have always had good luck with Panaracer - until I bought these tires. I wanted to try some large air volume tires, and I chose these over Continental Vertical mostly due to $10 per pair lower price. I don't think they have AS MUCH air volume as the Hutchinson Python Elites 2.0 they replaced, and are certainly not nearly as supple. The large blocks tend to catch on anything and everything on the trail, throwing rocks at squirrels, deer, fellow bikers or anything else that gets in the way with a very annoying "SPROING" about every 20 seconds. The large center blocks tend to squirm on rocks and pull the steering and also feel rough and inefficient under power. Worse yet, the large crosshatched side blocks are very unstable in high speed corners and tend to catch on rocks, then slide off, giving a very unsure cornering feel. I think they might be good on mud, but I don't ride on mud unless I have to. They are almost bad enough to take off and throw away - but I'll hold on at least until they get a few months wear on them. I would definitely spend the $10 and get the Continentals if I had it to do over again - one of the worst, no probably the worst, tires I have ever owned.
Bike Setup: Motobecane Fantom DS, Rock Shox Revelation U-Turn, XT, XTR
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Submitted by
Dustin Leonard
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Cruces, NM, Dona Ana
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2006
Strengths: The traction is great! Its very strong, and didn't chunk knobs at all. I would occasionally "air down" for even more traction, and this tire would take it on the cheek with a smile.
Weaknesses: Lots of rolling resistance. Once I wore it out, I went to a different tire, and could immediatly see the difference in how much drag it has.
Bottom Line:
If you're not into being #1 on race day, but you want more traction than you'll ever need, this is the tire.
Similar Products Used: WTB Nanoraptor, Panaracer Fire XC
Bike Setup: My sweet Gary Fisher Sugar 2+ with an iron strong Manitou Black Comp 120 mm up front while my Fox cleans up a good old 100 mm rear wheel travel
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Submitted by
Bill Haq
a Weekend Warrior
from Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2002
Strengths: Price, straight line traction, widely spaced tread indicates good mud shedding ability.
Weaknesses: Very little lateral traction. The rear end washes out on anything remotely moist, especially wet logs. Sidewall seems very thin.
Bottom Line:
Another "freeride" tire. If you ride in dry conditons, the tire will wash out noticeably in loose stuff. If you can stand that, then it is a good buy for the money. Forget it if you ride in the wet unless you don't mind dismounting to get over logs.
Similar Products Used: Michelin DH Comp16 Soft, Panaracer Smokes
Bike Setup: 2001 Specialized Enduro Sport with a lot of upgrades.
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Submitted by
Joe H.
a Cross Country Rider
from Buckley, Wa usa
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2002
Strengths: The size is perfect for my green meany HT. I can't get a bigger one on the back. Rolls fast anyways(big lugs). Adds suspension to a hardtail. I can take the tire on and off without tools...easily.
Weaknesses: Sidewalls are so very thin. No ripping of sidewall but I could see this happening....anytime.
Bottom Line:
This is a good performing tire. I am suprised it has lasted this long with the thin sidewalls. Until I rip the sides open I am happy with this tire. Good climbing up and over things. Rolls fast enough. Sounds great on pavement...Hum V. Due to the thin sidewalls you are gambling really with a tear happening sometime. So I am giving it a lower score all together. But I do dig this tire so I'm going to raise it back up. Take your own risks. If it doesn't work out don't blame me!
Strengths: Big lugs hook up well on climbs and on brakeing sections. Large volume gives a plush ride, even at hi press ( 40 psi )
Weaknesses: Thin sidewall
Bottom Line:
Very good tire for rear applications. Sheds mud well. fairly good traciton on hardpack. The large volume eases the rough ride of the hardtail. I've scuffed the sidewalls enough that i can see the underlying casing. Luckily, I haven't had the sidewall blowouts that many have written about. Overall, a very good rear tire.
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Sutton, MA. USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2002
Strengths: Good tread design, hooks up well. 2.25 size is ideal in back
Weaknesses: Side wall is way to thin. Got a sidewall blowout on almost every ride with this tire. S-canned the tire after 1 month and a roll of duct tape.
Bottom Line:
Don't waste your money on this tire unless you like fixing flats.
Similar Products Used: WTB V-raptors, these are the way to go.
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Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2002
Strengths: great traction on climbs sheds mud well
Weaknesses: feels squirmy at low pressures
Bottom Line:
Great rear tire for the price. I switched from this from some Wildgrippers, and the performance gain on climbs has been remarkable. Not in terms of weight, mind you, but much better traction. I wouldn't recommend this tire if you like to run really low pressures b/c it feelish a bit squemish. On the other hand, the knobs are so big, that low pressures aren't really necessary.
Submitted by
Alan
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2002
Strengths: Pretty good in snow
Weaknesses: Not too good off camber, sidewall rips easily
Bottom Line:
Three of us have these tires on our bikes and none of us are too happy with them. They seem to really slide in high speed off camber sections, where you least want something like that to happen. My side wall blew out after less than 10 rides- a first. I guess the price is ok but they aren't confidence inspiring at speed and don't dig in like they should.
Similar Products Used: too many to list- there's about 30 old tires in my shed
Bike Setup: Titus Locomoto, z-1 cr, xt/sram, motoraptor 2.4 up also tried it on my Indy Fab just to see - bad idea
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Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Providence, RI
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2002
Strengths: Grip, ride, comfort & stability. I was surprised that these tires, considering their size gave me a decent ride on the black top to the trails. For a 2.25 you can safely run non-downhill specific tubes with these tires high profile.
Weaknesses: ZIPPO
Bottom Line:
Look, these tires are sweet, no phenomenal. I'm a XC rider who likes to hit any crazy ride I can find and from the first hill I hit these tires blew me away. They give a soft ride with incredible grip that allows you to toss mud..They appear to be no larger than a 2.0 after setting them up, but the track left behind looks to be half again the size of my IRC 1.9's...so what I'm saying is, that these tires have an incredible area of contact which = GREATER TRACTION & CONTROL. Unless you race, BUY them!
Similar Products Used: IRC Mythos(not bad tires), Vredestein.
Bike Setup: Marin Nail Trail with Thomson Elite stem & post..Azonic Fusion pedals, Ritchey grips.... other wise all stock.
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Submitted by
ken walters
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver,bc canada
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2001
Strengths: great climing tire works awesome on rocks and roots 2.25 size can be air down 4 traction and comfort
Weaknesses: none!
Bottom Line:
if your a climing free rider get it in 2.25 and put a fire pro dh 2.3 on the front; air the front down to 31 psi, air the back to 38 and injoy the plush ride
Bike Setup: trek 6000zx psylo xc xt derailuirs avid arch rival vbrakes fire pro dh monkey bar ea70 risers pazzaz cnc stem
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Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001
Strengths: great rear tire. I never lost traction! even on slippery climbs it held its own. great allrounder, sheds mud well great tred design, get the 2.25
Weaknesses: well none really after 6 months of hard riding on it I went on a new trail and tore the sidewall on a sharp rock sticking out on the side of the trail.
Bottom Line:
great trail riding tire. I reccommend the 2.25 since it hooks up better. get it.
Similar Products Used: michelins and contis (they dont compare the panaracers)
Bike Setup: fire xc pro 2.1 kevlar up front and pyro 2.25 kevlar on the rear
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Submitted by
Tom Diaz
a Cross Country Rider
from Misawa Air Base, Japan
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2001
Strengths: Fantastic in soft sand, mud, and on rock. Very supple ride. Durable and resistant to destruction (but not puncture, of course)by big, mean thorns.
Weaknesses: None, for my use.
Bottom Line:
Simply the best rear tire I've found for riding across all types of desert terrain. It's taken incredible abuse and bled a lot less than me. It can run at very low pressure for sand crawling, and really grip some bare rock on steep climbs. I can't wait to see how it handles the soft terrain here in Northern Japan!
Similar Products Used: Too many manly-looking ATB tires to list.
Bike Setup: Schwinn S-20 with WTB Terrano-Raptor (excellent in desert)on front, with a geeky desert commuter seatpost rack and many lights.
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Submitted by
Nick Henscheid
a Cross Country Rider
from seattle
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2001
Strengths: Digs into mud & sand like a fat man on thanksgiving. Corners really well and dosen't slip at all on climbs. looks great on your ride.
Weaknesses: Sucks on road, but hey, it's not designed for that.
Bottom Line:
This is a great rolling tire on just about anything you ride. It might slip a little on super hardpack, but if you're riding that kind of terrain get a different tire. It sticks like glue on muddy corners, and climbs like a dream. They're a little weighty, and the sidewalls look like they might bust at any second, but i've not had any problems doing wheelie drops and riding through thorns. This is a great tire and it's not too expensive, either.
do they make this in a 27.2mm version?
All i can find online is 30.0 and the 31mm version. too bad their website is funked up right now.
cheers Read More »
mtbr reviews page for this product seem too one-sided, so just postin' this to see if anybody got any experience.
my plan is to use it on bighit.
and no I can't afford a $250 Read More »
Well, this is my second post, but since I feel like I have to introduce myself to every new community I find myself in, I figured I'd augment the first one a little into a honest " Read More »
