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Submitted by
rhythmtech
a Weekend Warrior
from St Louis, MO USADate Reviewed: December 10, 2010
Strengths: Price, mud clearance, not super heavy for being a fat 2.3 tire. Great for fall leaves over dirt.Weaknesses: The rubber compound is kind of bouncy like you would expect from a rubber ball so watching pressure more closely is necessary. loose rock trails with baseball, golf ball, and monkey head sized rocks is less than ideal. Wet rock is scary.Bottom Line: I rode these tires on a recent trip to Chattanooga TN and northern GA (Ellijay). They were quite possibly the best tire to have chosen for the leaf covered smooth quick single track found in both of these areas. The hard knobs poked through the leaves and added a huge margin of confidence to my riding over leaf cover. Back home in St Louis, I found them to be a little disappointing on the mixed crushed rock trails. They were okay with some speed over monkey heads and limestone slabs, but the knobs broke free somewhat less predictably than I would like.
Favorite Trail: Porcupine Rim and Pinhoti 3
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$17.00
Purchased At: CBO
Similar Products Used: Panaracer Fire XC, Bontrager Jones, many others...
Bike Setup: 2011 Trek Fuel EX9
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Submitted by
OKI790
a Weekend Warrior
from CardiffDate Reviewed: September 4, 2009
Strengths: wraps around the small stuff nicely without rebounding, lightweight.Weaknesses: wears down rapidly, slow roling, cant take solid hits without feeling like its gonna pinch flat, squirms and feels like its going to wash out when cornering.Bottom Line: read lots of good stuff about this tyre which is why i bought it, it was rated very well for rolling speed and handling on wet stuff.
after 5-6 months of using it ive never felt comfortable with it.
it drags like hell on the flat stuff and saps the energy out of you even at high psi's, cannot take any hits without feeling like your about to dent your rim.
it does grip fairly well on the v.small slightly loose stuff but doesnt hook up well on anything solid and leaves you railed.
even on the loose stuff you cant turn/lean heavily as it twists on the rim and feels like its about to peel off (even though its seated very tight, it has that squash ball feel, perhaps it would perform better on wide rims).
the little grooves on each block of the tread wear off in next to no time as its soft compound (slow rebound)and the grooves are very shallow.
not sure why it got good reviews, for the price there are a lot nicer tyres out there (dragon on the sidewall looks cool tho).
basicly if your going downhill slowly on a smooth dry course and dont plan on turning or braking heavily it'll be ok,,for anything else theres better tyres for the price.
Favorite Trail: castel coch routes
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At: chain reaction cycle
Similar Products Used: various
Bike Setup: gary fisher cake 3, 31b, 4-5 inches front n back, xtr v-brakes, 9 speed setup with a 34t chainring, tyres currently are a panaracer cinder 2.25 on the rear and a halo choir master up front.
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Submitted by
inkling
a Cross Country Rider
from wellingtonDate Reviewed: May 16, 2009
Strengths: Suprisingly fast rolling speed for a grippy tire. Good in the mudWeaknesses: none as yetBottom Line: Pretty cheap tire, nice grip and suprisingly fast on the road. Good winter tire
Favorite Trail: swigg
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At: penny farthing cycle
Similar Products Used: Hutchison scorpions
Bike Setup: Giant Alias 09
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Submitted by
Brazilian Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from Chapada dos Guimaraes - BrazilDate Reviewed: February 5, 2009
Strengths: light, cheap, rolling, good grip.Weaknesses: not flat resistant.Bottom Line: These tires turn and climb very well, yet they roll fast. They work fine even on wet downhill trails with mud and roots. I like jumps and drops but I like to pedal uphill too, so these tires help to keep my bike not too heavy (I save up to two pounds)yet I can keep up to my friends on their heavier bikes when downhill, and the Blue Dragons corner as well as their mignons! I know some tires (like maxxis mignon) are more resistant, but the blue dragons are light! Never had a pinch flat, even when droping 6 feet with as low as 35 psi, but I had several flats caused by small thorns. This may be because of the wrong tube size (small) I was using.
A lot of the complains you read are from people who ride it in the asfalt... these tires where not made for that.
Favorite Trail: Orgasmic Hill
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: stock on the bike
Bike Setup: kona coiler 2005, marzocchi drop off 6", Tioga Blue Dragon on Sun Rims Single track.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Liam Renaut
a Weekend Warrior
from VictoriaDate Reviewed: July 6, 2007
Strengths: NoneWeaknesses: EverythingBottom Line: do NOT buy these tyres. That is all.
Favorite Trail: Deanswood
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At: Sealy's
Similar Products Used: K-RADS!!!!
Bike Setup: 2 Wheels, Frame, Forks... Pushy!!
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon Faliszewski
a Weekend Warrior
from White Rock, BC, CanadaDate Reviewed: July 3, 2007
Strengths: Decent grip for the first 8 months or so, I've ridden them hard for a year and the front still has plenty of tread leftWeaknesses: Super thin side walls, ridiculous amount of flatsBottom Line: This is a terrible tire no matter what you're doing because they're not great for dirt jumping becuase they have quite a bit of resistance, and they're terrible for downhilling/freeriding because as soon as you drop them down to 35 or 40 psi, they pinch the tube and cause flats. Even when I keep my tires at 60 psi, I still somehow manage to get a stupid amount of flats (7 or 8 in the past year), despite being careful about what I ride through. Overall, I do not suggest buying these tires and if they come stock on a bike you buy, I would suggest changing them unless you're ready for LOTS of flat tires.
Favorite Trail: A-line
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: Maxxis Minions (2.35 front and rear)
Bike Setup: 2006 Kona Stuff, Drop off 4, Hayes 9's, Box Guide
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Submitted by
Hui Chuen Chuang
a Downhiller
from Penang, MalaysiaDate Reviewed: June 19, 2007
Strengths: CheapWeaknesses: Slippery in rock garden, easily punctured, thread finish quite fastBottom Line: Stupid tire. Slippery like a road tire in rock gardens and roots. After ridins in mud, your tire will have a 1cm carpet or mud on top. The tire is so thin and weak. Believe it or not, i get 3 flats in 2 days. just by accidentally riding over shattered glass on the road.
Favorite Trail: Youth Park, Penang Hill, Mt. Erskine
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$10.00
Purchased At: Friend sold to me in new condition.
Similar Products Used: Maxxis mobster, bontrager, minion
Bike Setup: 2003 Kona Stinky Primo frame, Rock shox Domain 318 fork, Truvativ Holzfeller crank, Fox Vanilla R rear shock, Shimano 105 rear derailleur.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jason B
a Weekend Warrior
from Centreville, VA USADate Reviewed: June 12, 2007
Strengths: Tire holds traction on steep climbs and crazy descents and they seem to corner well.Weaknesses: None to date, I haven't tried them in the mud yet.Bottom Line: I use to swear by the WTB tires and when my new bike came with these tires I almost took them off the same day. I'm glad I didn't, on the second trip I took them to Fountainhead which is very technical single track that has some steep climbs and descents and they performed like nothing I've ever used before.
I gave these tires everything I had and they took it and asked for more!
Like I said I haven't been able to test them in the mud but in dry trail use I think they are great.
I hear complaints on the tread life not lasting too long but I haven't noticed any wear yet but I've stayed off road.
Favorite Trail: Fountainhead
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Purchased At: Came on bike
Similar Products Used: WTB VelociRaptors
Bike Setup: 2006 GT i-Drive 3 5.0
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Barnsley, UKDate Reviewed: June 5, 2007
Strengths: Lightweight and tough as old boots - not a single puncture in a year of riding 1-2 times a week!Weaknesses: None so to speak - maybe expensive to replace.Bottom Line: Lightweight and tough as old boots - not a single puncture in a year of riding 1-2 times a week! Only just starting to skid a little too much on uphill climbs but after a year what do you expect. Very fast riding tyre.
Favorite Trail: Grizedale
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: Specialized Enduro
Bike Setup: GT idrive 5 1.0
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
R. Kelley
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Oregon, USADate Reviewed: March 31, 2007
Strengths: Great in the mud, it sheds right off, soft rubber soaks up the bumps, good grip in the corners.Weaknesses: Soft rubber wears down quickly when ridden on the road, a little heavy for an XC tire.Bottom Line: After 18 years of mountain biking I've found this to be the best tire for the riding I do. I ride year round in the rainy Pacific Northwest so performance in mud is the first thing I look for in a tire. I ride a rigid fork so I want a lot of shock absorption in a front tire. I run a 2.3 in the front and a 2.1 in the back.
I would not call this a great all around tire. If you want a tire you can ride to the trailhead or coffeshop or if you mainly ride hardpacked or slickrock or dry and loose trails then this tire is not for you. If you have the luxury of driving to the trailhead and ride a lot of muddy, wet, steep trails and aren't too worried about weight then I would highly recommend it.
Favorite Trail: Mackenzie River
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At: the Ebays
Similar Products Used: Panaracer Fire XC, Panaracer Smoke and Dart, various Continentals, Various Specializeds, Onza Porcupine, Maxxis Larsen TT, etc.
Bike Setup: Independent Fabrications single speed with a Vanilla rigid fork.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Devin
a Downhiller
from Vancouver CanadaDate Reviewed: January 14, 2007
Strengths: Grippy in the dirt and they look pretty good.Weaknesses: tread wears down really quick even if you dont skid. You cant pump them up too much.Bottom Line: I would recomend this tire only if you ride in dirt. IF you ride skate parks and stuff like that dont buy em. THE TREAD WEARS DOWN WAY TO QUICK??????????
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Bike Setup: 06 kona scrap
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
adam phelps
a Downhiller
from calagry alberta canadaDate Reviewed: November 1, 2006
Strengths: there arnt many strengths with this tire.Weaknesses: side walls are really thin and tread doesnt last more then a monthBottom Line: if u ride ur bike ALOT then you may not want to have this tire because it doesnt last long at all.
Favorite Trail: mainline
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Purchased At: came with my bike
Similar Products Used: .
Bike Setup: kona stuff
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
James Thew
a Cross Country Rider
from ManchesterDate Reviewed: July 27, 2006
Strengths: The tyre looks the part, great grip off road and nice handlingWeaknesses: I've had the tyres now for 5 days and ive already ran them down/worn them out (Theres no nobily bits in the middle anymore), to get to were i want to go i have to ride the road and this is what i think has killed these. These were on my new bike so i think i need to get something around the middle, Just looking at the price of these tyres makes me wish that i'ld sold them on ebay and put some cheeper ones on.Bottom Line: Great tyres for offroad, use them on the road and you'ld be lucky if they last you till the end of the weak. Skinted my slef buying the bike ...and now need new tyres :(
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Purchased At: Winstanleys
Similar Products Used: N/A
Bike Setup: GT Avalanche-Exper 2006
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
James Colwell
a Weekend Warrior
from Bowden, Alberta, CanadaDate Reviewed: June 15, 2006
Strengths: good in loose dirt and on dirtjumpsWeaknesses: wears out if used on pavement too muchBottom Line: i would buy this tire again any day
Favorite Trail: none
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: Bowcycle, Calgary
Similar Products Used: specailized, maxxis
Bike Setup: Kona Paskapoo
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Wayne
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, Co, USADate Reviewed: May 11, 2006
Strengths: Large 2.1 and light at 600 Grams. Very nice round profile.
No rocks in your face on fast down hills.
Easy to remove off rim.Weaknesses: Hard to find!Bottom Line: Tioga Blue Dragon – The best tire that I have used on a mountain bike. They wear well! Almost no flats. Very large 2.1 and light at 600 grams. Great flotation over sand and loose stuff. I’m a Colorado Springs front range rider. We have plenty of loose decomposed granite on our trails. The Blue Dragon is becoming hard find and purchase. I don’t know what tire that I can purchase that is better for the riding that I do. This tire is the best mountain bike tire that I have ever used. If you know of a better tire that is 600 grams let me know.
Favorite Trail: Rampart Reservoir
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$33.00
Purchased At: Jensen/Price Point
Similar Products Used: Explorer, Panaracer Trail Blazer, Specialized Tires and others. I can't remember them all.
Bike Setup: Specialized Epic
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