Strengths: Nice strong sidewalls Doesn't weigh too much Aggressive tread for the loose stuff Very grippy on (dry) pavement
Weaknesses: Hard to get on to the rim Might not be able to corner hard on hardpack due to tall square side knobs
Bottom Line:
I needed a cheap front tire to replace my (AWFUL) Maxxis Harddrive 2.1's that came stock on my freeride fs. These fit the bill, and they're very popular here in Vancouver. So far I'm happy, I haven't had a flat although I've bottemed on the rim a few times.
It's been unusually dry here, so I can't comment on performance in the wet yet. I have noticed that these bounce around in the fast fist sized rocks more than I'd like, although so far it's the best I've seen.
There have been two times I almost washed it out, and on a front tire that is a scary thing. Once was on a very steep, very loose, very dry, very rocky downhill, where I was getting tossed all over the place. Second time happened today going down a very steep hardpack chute where you need to keep all your speed, and you have to kind of turn into it. Both times I was fine.
Weaknesses: dunno, still has the little hairs on it.
Bottom Line:
Only 2 rides, was travelling train tracks at night with headlight and didn't see the bottle. Front tire bounced over it, then the rokko ceramic hit it. Boom! The bottle exploded and almost cut that tire in half. I miss that tire.
Strengths: Strong sidewall. Wear very very well. Squishy. Pretty good grip
Weaknesses: Tend to wash in corners at 40+ km/h, even at 15 PSI. Not a good front tire.
Bottom Line:
Good tire. Super strong sidewalls allow you to run tire at extremely low pressures (sub-8 PSI) without pinch flatting. I prefer 15-25 PSI though. Grips well on roots, rocks, what have you.
Looses a lot of grip at speed. Doesn't fold, but tends to wash out on you when cornering at high speeds on most stuff.
Best used for a rear tire. Could be used front and rear on an URBAN ONLY bike. Handles casing very well, and if you like to ride up those stair sets now and then instead of going down them, these tires aren't going to pinch flat on you.
Similar Products Used: Tioga, IRC, WTB(Crap), Vee Rubber.
Bike Setup: .243 Racing 4130, shore/do-all set-up. Axiom cro-mo cranks, Avid discs front and back, Bontrager XXX DH Crowbar, Axiom flats, Alex Supra Sigma rear rim, yadda yadda yadda... a 38 lb do-it-all hardass.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
dan tree
a Downhiller
from victoria bc canada
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2002
Strengths: Sidewalls are extremely stiff. Rides well.
Weaknesses: Sidewalls are too stiff! Hard to get the tire off/on. But hey, I guess that's not really a weakness.
Bottom Line:
These tires are a 2.35, by the way. They fit in the back of my bike beautifully.. with the Tioga's I got tire rub on the seatstays because they're just a little over 2.4 in reality. The sidewalls are too stiff in these tires, doubtfull that I will ever pinch flat again.
Make sure you get the ceramic version sidewalls, they're stiffer than you would ever believe.
One problem: They need to come in bigger sizes. I wouldn't mind getting one of these in 2.8 for the front of my bike, but I'll have to settle with a Kujo or the likes.. maybe.
Way better than tioga's! they actually grip, unlike tioga tires.
These tire rock. I got the ceramic ones with the bomb proof sidewalls. I ran them hard with about 25 pounds pressure over slick rocks, jagged rocks, mud, logs and everything else I ecountered on the weekend. They performed great and held on on the nasty corners when I was riding entirely too fast for conditions and my ability. I highly recomend these tires.
Strengths: Nice and big, not heavy, takes edge off hard hits on my rigid fork....
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
This tire is great. I luv it. I went from a Panaracer Smoke 2.1 to this tire, and noticed a huge difference in weight. The Panaracer was pretty heavy, but this tire is really light for a "DH" tire. I own a rigid bike, and run this tire up front, so it takes the edge off of some hard hits. I luv it. All the better that I got it for free. 5 cayennes.
Strengths: -Semi-round profile -Good weight for the size -Excellent grip as a front tire
Weaknesses: -No need for a Kevlar bead for DH -Paper thin side-walls that aren't very stiff -Not really 2.4 inches wide
Bottom Line:
This is a good tire for the money. It works very well as a front tire. It grips well on tight leans and doesn't want to break away. I have a few problems with it though. First this has a very flimsy side wall and only time will tell of how well it will hold up. This also isn't 2.4 inches wide. It's probably closer to 2.3 or 2.25 inches. I don't have the ceramic version which might explain a little on why the side walls a so thin, but why can't Rokko add a little more rubber? The product is exceptional and it really is a good deal, but reliability is going to be a major issue. So lets say 4 flamin' chilies for value and 3 for overall.
P.S. - To all you Canadians. I'm not a hater of Canadian products. Maybe you guys own the Ceramic versions which I guess are tougher. I'm just rating the product based on my experience. If another couple months go by and I don't have any problems then I'll give it another rating.
Strengths: Good stiffness,awesome tracking traction is good in the berms as well as the steeps.price is right at kelowna cycle.,they look good too.
Weaknesses: I pinched with them once and blew out a 20 dollar downhilll tube,but overall they are pretty dope.
Bottom Line:
They are awesome in all conditions I've been in,a little snaky in the wet but the rider makes the tire not the tire makes the rider RIGHT!.They are good for high speed bermin and I like them in the steeps,super stiff,which is just what I need cause I am so frikkin fat and worthless,get this tire and go win the kamakaze.Lata skatas.
Strengths: Like the Big Tire feeling, overall good traction
Weaknesses: 3rd ride of the year, standing off the bike looking for a trail head, I dragged the front end across some rocks...... Bad move.......side walls are like paper thin, cut the tire in half.......I couldn't believe it!!
Bottom Line:
Had a great experience with the tire, until it blew up. Side walls are surprisingly paper thin.
