Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Flower Mound, Texas Date Reviewed: November 20, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Specialized Online
Strengths:
Good Roll, Good Corners
Weaknesses:
None Yet
Similar Products Used:
First No Tread
Bike Setup:
Scale 20
Bottom Line:
Very Fast, Quiet
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Owen R.
a Downhiller
from San Francisco Date Reviewed: November 9, 2005
Favorite Trail:
mailbox @Santa Cruz Demo
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Nomad Cyclery, San Francisco
Strengths:
This is an awesome street tire. The sidewalls are steel-stiff and the high PSI capability really knocks down the rolling resistance. I just set up my trusty old '99 Rockhopper for bombing the streets of San Francsico, and these babies roll FAST. I started out with some not so aggressive MTB tires, and when I switched to these--wow, talk about a world of difference. They stick like hell in the corners and they are tough enough for some jumping and romps through Golden Gate Park. They really help flatten out the death-march hills in the City and let me get some serious speed on the way down. I LOVE these tires!
People, these tires rock. They are tough tires and have just enough tread to get you through some light trail action. Since they are 2.2's they won't get you into trouble on the railroad tracks either. (We have tons of them in SF) Sure, you will pay more than $60 for a set, but it is well worth it. These are not your average wussy slicks. Finally, I can keep up with all of the road bikers out here without ditching the mountain bike. If you want some fast, versatile road tires, the Compound Pro ATB is it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dom
a Cross Country Rider
from Burbank, CA USA Date Reviewed: November 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Any Root Fractured Pavement
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Specialized website
Strengths:
Very fast, sticky tire. GREAT for cornering and will handle some dirt
Weaknesses:
Hmmmm? I guess only the price. At $35/tire you could almost put new treads on your car. (Okay I'm exaggerating, but they're still not cheap). With a purposely softer tread it will be interesting to see how much life I get out of them.
Similar Products Used:
There's nothing else on the market like these
Bike Setup:
IBEX Ignition 2; Marzocchi MZ Comp fork; Shimano shifter and drive train (...wait, just check the Igntition 2 reviews for the components!!!)
Bottom Line:
I'd more accurately describe my riding as "Lite Urban Cross Country" in that I spend most of my rides on pavement, steps, occasionally grass and even less often dirt.
The stock Kenda Krushers were good on trails but obviously very slow on pavement. Had the ATB Compound Pros mounted on Alex DP-20 rims and it was like upgrading from a 4 cyclinder to a V6. Just from the standpoint of rolling resistance the bike travels so much quicker than before. Then there is cornering...
Obviously stock MTB tires are meant for trails, etc. Needless to say, even with only mild lean, I always felt tentative riding the Kendas on pavement. With the ATBs cornering is now a delight. They are responsive and laser accurate as to where you point them. They also seem to hold air well.
So far as I can tell they perform well on wet pavement and will get you through short grass on a hard surface if you stay in a low gear. They also negotiate packed dirt fine, but obviously are not intended for loose surfaces. You might train your eye on the Specialized Rhythm which has a slightly more agressive tread if you do want to venture into the dirt from time to time.
I will definitely buy these tires again or possibly the Rhythms which are based on the same design as the ATBs. If you are a urban MTB'r like me you will love these tires!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chuck Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Estero, Florida U.S. Date Reviewed: September 19, 2005
Favorite Trail:
El Yunque
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Naples Cyclery
Strengths:
High Pressure for low rolling resistence; good tread for hard pack and grassy terrain; tread is a good compromise for street use; big beaffy tires for supporting big loads; great look.
Weaknesses:
Not available as an Armadillo unit; Flak Jacket only - but this is still great to have.
These tires are great! I have been riding mostly on Tioga City Slickers since 1990, but I have also had a set of Schwalbe Moto’s. Both of those are low pressure tires. The Compound Pro’s have a very high pressure rating, which is great for reducing rolling resistance on pavement and hard pack. There is a noticeable decrease in pedaling effort on pavement versus my old Tioga’s, despite having some decent tread. Hard pack performance is very respectable because of it. Cornering on pavement is terrific; these things really grab, and I feel more confident leaning in hard. Commuters should like them for the Flak Jacket protection, low rolling resistance, and for having some tread to handle dirt and sand on roads (I commute to work often, and have been looking for these attributes.) Then, on weekends, they are perfect for trails that are not too muddy or loose. (Serious trail riders should opt for tires with real trail tread, though.) These are also great for carrying big loads; both me and my gear for work!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Weber
a Weekend Warrior
from Eastlake, Ohio USA Date Reviewed: June 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
many
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$36.00
Purchased At:
Specialized.com
Strengths:
The Specialized 05 Fast Trak Pro Dual Compound 2.0 is a great tire, high rolling, great cornering, very light weight 550gm. A great performance level tire.
Weaknesses:
None that I can find!
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Team Master @ 731gm & Team Control @ 755gm Both great tires also.
Bike Setup:
'97 Specialized Stumpjumper Pro(M2), XT/XTR, Mavic, Richie, etc.
Bottom Line:
I ride mostly Med-level trails with some steep hills and rough areas. My bike (Stumpjumper Pro) has been such a great performer all these years, I've had other makes but this one is it! It's a hard-tail but with the "New Tires" it just feels like a wonderful ride with Confidence.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin J
a
from Victoria, B.C. , Canada Date Reviewed: December 28, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Anything paved.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Oak Bay Bicycles
Strengths:
Amasing roll speed,grips like nothing else, and the best cornering tire I've ever ridden.
Weaknesses:
None, other than the slightly unpleasant appearance.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda K-Rad, Maxxis Hookworm, DMR Moto, WTB Weirwolf etc.
Bike Setup:
Azonic Stlhd w/ dual 26" Compound pros
Bottom Line:
This tire is a MUST have for any urban rider. Brand new for 05, specialized truely made a revolutionary tire.
It rolls quickly,and quietly, but also corners amasingly, and performs 90% as well when wet/dirty. Also,it's not light and pinch-prone like K-Rads,and it's not big and burly like hookworms, it's the perfect compromise, and so far, the best street tire on the market.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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