Submitted by
john
a Racer
from east berlin Date Reviewed: April 28, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$38.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
light weight, durable, grip
Weaknesses:
they stopped making them, buy them while they lasr
Similar Products Used:
panaracer fire xc, maxxis crossmark,
Bike Setup:
ellsworth truth, well dressed
Bottom Line:
I have raced two seasons with these w/o tubes using Stan's sealant. They are a terrific combination of light weight and grip. I have only used these as a front tire. I weigh 160 and run the tire at 26 psi.They are a great all condition race tire for the New England courses I race on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from SoCal Date Reviewed: September 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Aliso Woods
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$47.00
Purchased At:
Rock and Road
Strengths:
Lightwieght and rolls well on the flats. Fairly good tracking climbing in loose stuff.
Weaknesses:
Major washout on the sidewall, scary when on fast down hills.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Stumpy 06 Expert - Stock
Bottom Line:
While I give these tires a thumbs up for a XC race they fail badly for general use. Here is socal the later summer and fall brings lots of silt on the trails. Should this tire go directly over the silt no problem but if you happen to hit the edge of hard pack with the side of the tire it will slip badly. Go tire for rainer inland areas but not for the dry, silty, sandy trails. I would not recommend this tire to anyone other than an XC racer.
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Submitted by
R
a Racer
from Arlington, VA USA Date Reviewed: August 25, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$42.00
Purchased At:
directly from Specialized
Strengths:
This tire hooks up just as the MTB Magazine indicated. Some of the best tires I have ever riden. The front dig in on any turn and the back has great traction and predictability. Also they are very fast.
Weaknesses:
BUT.... and this is a huge but. I have had 5 tires on my bike this season and every one of them fell apart. The side walls split and riped in several places, no fewer than 4 and did this with every tire. I sent two back to Specialized and they sent new ones but they also fell apart after a month of riding. I am so bummed because I loved these tires but will be forced to go else where due to this problem.
Similar Products Used:
every tire under the sun
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur full xtr
Bottom Line:
If you can affoard to replace a tire after about 5 rides get these tires but if you need it to last a bit longer then better move on.
As much as I like these I am giving them a failing grade.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Snoqualmie, WA Date Reviewed: July 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Middle Fork
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$36.00
Purchased At:
Specialized.com
Strengths:
Great traction, fairly light weight
Weaknesses:
Spendy
Similar Products Used:
Mythos, Velociraptor, Z-Max
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic Comp
Bottom Line:
I really like these tires. I was using IRC Mythos for a while. I heard they were designed specifically for the 1996 US Olympic team, and I think we all know how that turned out (too bad). Anyway, they were always washing out on me at low speeds. After the MBA review a couple years ago put these at #2 (after Kenda Navegal) I figured I'd give them a try. Glad I did. Way better traction on lots of different types of terrain: sandy, muddy, dry pack, even decent on damp roots and log steps. Price is comparable to Navegal, but I ride a Specialized and went with factory spec OEM parts.
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