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Tioga Factory DH 2.10

MSRP $ 35.00
# of Reviews 86
Average Rating 3.63/5
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Submitted by cobrian a Weekend Warrior from Colorado
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2009
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $20.00
Strengths:Great in loose rock, tough tread, thick sidewalls
Weaknesses:A bit heavy
Similar Products Used:Highroller, Swamp Thing, Hutchinson Scorpion
Bike Setup:Azonic Steelhead
Bottom Line:I bought these tires lightly used, I've had them for 2 years and they're still going strong. I ride mostly rocky Colorado trails, from XC to resort DH, and these handle it all. They're heavy for XC, but I have a big steel hardtail so a few extra ounces of tire don't make much difference.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jeffro a Weekend Warrior from Trophy Club
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:North Shore, Irvay, Rockledge, Knob Hill
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $40.00
Purchased At:cycle speed
Strengths:For being a big, square knob, heavy monster I have been really happy with this tire. It's lasted over 1k miles, never had a flat (well thanks to slime & 2 tire liners) it's got great grip in rocks, dry & wet sand, hard pack clay and even muddy times surprisingly. Does well on pavement too with some road vibration but very very little.
Weaknesses:Cracks after 4 years (yes I know time for new rubber) and knobs break/tear off on sides with heavy rock riding
Similar Products Used:Kenda, Hutchinson, Geax, Michelin, Maxis
Bike Setup:Basic build, Giant 21 XTC1 frame, Rock Shox SID Fork, avid dual disc's, cheap shimano components, Mongoose rims, XTC hubs. 23 lbs. with 2 bottles of slime ;)
Bottom Line:These were the most pricy tires I have ever used but well worth the coin, my front has miniscule crack but will make it another 2 yrs or as a spare. I will definately buy these again as they are tuff as nails for big square block tread. If you ride on pavement to get to the trails you will not be disappointed.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jesmond a Cross Country Rider from China
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2008
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $20.00
Purchased At:Malaysia
Strengths:Great grip off-road; any off-road: mud, loose, hard, gravel, anything.
Weaknesses:Rolling resistance, smoothness on-road; but is not intended anyway.
Similar Products Used:Hutchison Bulldog
Bike Setup:Decathlon 9.1
Bottom Line:Great on any off-road. Very bad on tarmac. I have to cycle for 20km before I hit my trails. Guess what; I'm out-cycled by female riders on tarmac. But once hitting the trail, is monster like grip and speed. Fantastic for beginners like me..
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Willie a Downhiller from Rapid City, SD, USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:South Of Heaven
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $15.00
Purchased At:Price Point
Strengths:Good in the grass. Brake OK when going down a hill fast.
Weaknesses:dry rock, wet rock, dry dirt, wet dirt, pavement, mud. Looks like they should grab great in all the dirt and mud. But they slip and they don't grab when pedaling hard.
Similar Products Used:none
Bike Setup:Stock 05' Hardrock
Bottom Line:Not worth the money. I should have spent 5 or 10$ more for something better branded.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:1

Submitted by chuck walters a Cross Country Rider from lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:John's ranch
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $15.00
Purchased At:cambria bikes
Strengths:Super value, hard to wear out on the dirt where they belong. These things get full of nasty cuts that never go completely through the casing.
Weaknesses:Heavy, but thats what makes them last so long and eat up anything thrown their way.
Similar Products Used:lots of popular light weight tires that wear fast and cut and blow out to easy on sharp rocks.
Bike Setup:spec. stumpjumper pro and s-works, both light hardtails with heavy tires= mean machine that climbs and decends excellent.
Bottom Line:This tire will last longer than anything out there for next to nothing. The control is outstanding in all conditions...I bought cambria bikes last 6 tioga dh's 2 yrs. ago, ride them hard every day up and down a steep mountain with lots of sharp chert/rock and haven't had a flat yet.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Andrew a Weekend Warrior from Prospect ns Canada
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2006
Favorite Trail:muddy, rough ones
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $20.00
Purchased At:ideal bikes
Strengths:soft, likes allmountan, freeride, looks big
Weaknesses:thin for a dh tire
Similar Products Used:k rad, kinitics, maxxis mobster...
Bike Setup:khs dj 50
Bottom Line:great, i skid on the road, roks, anything and theese are the best
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by MUDHUT a Cross Country Rider from EN-GUR_LAND
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:every single one of them
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Purchased At:old bike swap overs
Strengths:eats mud goin up, trustworthy coming down, plus they are .....VALUE FOR MONEY.....
Weaknesses:only petty little things. they are a bit scarey over wet smooth rock but i like MUD,MUD,MUD
Similar Products Used:hutchinson cantremembers,???? and ...eeeerr...... its been a while
Bike Setup:DAWG , skimmed the spec tyres for the old faithfulls, as they just didnt feel right.
Bottom Line:ive NEVER had any puntures/ rips or nobs falling off and these tyres are off my old hoss 2 yrs old, theyre a bit worn but still work ok for now,,,,, i'll get a winter out of them. Although i favour agro-XC these tyres suit me fine.
Agree with the lads on here moaning about wet tarmac, but who gives a F?, i didnt buy the bike to use on the road. Ive had diff' tyres over the years but (has been mentioned by another) i just seemed to prefere the tiogs for what i ride.
think theirs to many 'spec snobs' when it comes to mtb gear and that these people are falling for the mtb magazine brain wash (£££) and, regarding the weight comments.......DONT BE SO SOFT. .....over and out.....
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Damian a from Notts
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2006
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Strengths:Cheap , Good for learners ,
Weaknesses:2 of these tires have blown out when riding DH trials I broke my Ankle 1 of these times very unrelieable.

you can find the limits on these in a couple of days and the limits dont go far,Not good in the wet,DH riders do not buy this tire they hate wet muddy DH fast conditions,cant get much speed around muddy DH corners at speed.
Similar Products Used:Nokian Gazza,Maxxis Swampthings,Continental Gravity,
Bike Setup:Kona Stinky Deluxe,XTR,Raceface,FSA,MR T,Fox,Mavic,Hope setup
Bottom Line:If you buy this tire then be very carefull.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:2

Submitted by nima jafari a Cross Country Rider from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2005
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $14.00
Purchased At:pushi
Strengths:grips well in muddy conditions, takes time to lose tread, got it for cheap, thick
Weaknesses:has some cracks
Similar Products Used:irc tamashi 2.35"
Bike Setup:Malvern star rocktrail, doube walls, tektro discs
Bottom Line:good tire for any surface
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by B a Weekend Warrior from Chevy Chase, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:Deadman's Trail, ID
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $20.00
Purchased At:Pricepoint, Poison Spider (Moab)
Strengths:Cost efficient, durable, WIDE
Weaknesses:Wire bead version is really heavy, poor rolling resistance on hardpack...but its a dh tire so who cares?
Bottom Line:I first bought a set of these tires to squeeze on to my Stumpjumper Comp hardtail as I was getting beat up pretty badly riding in Moab, UT. They definitely softened up the ride and provided decent, predictable traction in many conditions. Had a few pinch flats over the years but I can't make any complaints as I often ran them at 30psi (no, I don't weigh much). Overall, they are worth the $20 most retailers are charging but make sure you don't mind the weight.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Ez Az a Weekend Warrior from UHC
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:Dwnhill
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $35.00
Purchased At:cycle center
Strengths:good as use to have maori racing sliks (bald tyres) but are good fo money paid and good at skate park 4 the bowl.
Weaknesses:Muddy dwnhill turned too hard and went over handles but prob wanting too much 4 how much cost is
Similar Products Used:maxiss mobster cts2.1
Bike Setup:haro 8.2
Bottom Line:over all they are great
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Danny a from orange ca
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:im cunfused now
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:everthing,no flats,no slipping(even in out of the saddle climbs)I have rode this tire in the wet and i have not had it slip anymore than any other tire.This seems to be one of the major complaints.
Weaknesses:None as of yet
Similar Products Used:Kenda,maxiss,panaracer
Bike Setup:99 ironhorse g spot.blahhh blahhh were talking about the tire
Bottom Line:I recommend this tire,try it out,but as with everthing i only speak for myself and you make the final decision! You will love me or hate me for my review.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Wilson a Downhiller from Vancouver,B.C.,Canada
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2005
Duration Product Used:3 months
Purchased At:The Cove( came stock on my bike)
Strengths:Its great in dry conditons, corners pretty well when dry and makes a cool buzzing noice on pavement.
Weaknesses:It sucks in wet conditons, especialy on hard packed dirt. It even slides when i was pedaling up a small inclinded path that wasnt even 50ft long. Tends to slide when stopping hard on pavement. Slides like a slippery salmon when cornering in wet conditons.
Similar Products Used:None?
Bike Setup:Stock 05 Kona Shred.
Bottom Line:These tires are great in dry conditions but in wet conditions they kinda suck.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by paul keeley a Weekend Warrior from RAMSGATE,KENT,UK
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2005
Favorite Trail:ANY
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Purchased At:STOCK ON KONA COILER
Strengths:THEY ARE BIG
Weaknesses:THEY ARE CRAP,THEY LOOSE TRACTION QUICKLY AND WEIGH THE SAME AS A SMALL CAR
Similar Products Used:TOO MANY
Bike Setup:STOCK 04 COILER
Bottom Line:DAMN, I WOULDN'T USE THEM IF YOU PAID ME!
VERY DODGY ON TARMAC, POSSISLE TO KILL YOURSELF ON WET TARMAC AND NOT GRIPPY OFF ROAD
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by roberto a Weekend Warrior from itaky
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2004
Favorite Trail:downhill, singletrak
Duration Product Used:3 months
Purchased At:with the bike
Strengths:pretty good grip on dry conditions
Weaknesses:knobs aren't strong, bad directional control on fron tire
Similar Products Used:none
Bottom Line:for me a not good tire: the front one tend to slip too
often turning the bar quickly; the rear one looses the knobs
on a normal light use! on the other hand they have a good
grip.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Fraser a Weekend Warrior from Scotland
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2004
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $25.00
Purchased At:Merlin Cycles
Strengths:The Factory DH 2.10 is a great value tyre, which grips well in loose packed dirt and light mud.
Weaknesses:Weak sidewalls, prone to pinch-flat at low pressures (just run a higher pressure, its a compromise).
Terrible on tarmac, almost dangerous on wet tarmac... be careful.
Bike Setup:Merlin Malt1 Freeride, basically stock.
Bottom Line:You get what you pay for, this is basically a disposable tyre... dont expect it to last long, but when it works it works extremely well for the amount you pay.

Theres a lot of wrong information about this here, the Factory DH 2.10 and 2.30 come in Front and Rear variants, both have distinctly different tread patterns... the rear has large central paddles and knobs for grip on acceleration, while the front is more MX in that its more rounded and features lone square knobs. Running the wrong tyre would hurt their performance considerably, they rely on the different F/R variant to work well and I suspect some of you don't realise this.

Be warned, Tioga seem to have broken tape measures because the 2.1 is more like a 2.3 and the 2.3 is more like a 2.5 - dont get caught out... imo the 2.1 is more than wide enough for most riders, the 2.3 is considerably heavier and has an even higher rolling resistance.


Dont even think about buying these for a road going bike and then having the cheek to complain about it.

Value Rating:5Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Jared a Weekend Warrior from Australia
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2004
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $30.00
Strengths:Great tyre that sticks well in most conditions n on most surfaces..
Weaknesses:really weak n thin sidewalls...tyre was great until sidewall got cut open on a rock, leaving my tube bloating out...which REALLT P*SS*D me off..
Similar Products Used:Maxxis mobster, michelin wildgripper...
Bike Setup:does it really matter??
Bottom Line:great tyre, works heaps good on almost any track..dont buy it tho, go for something with a little strength that wont get torn apart...
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Green a Weekend Warrior from Australia
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2004
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:square blocks give good grip in mud and loose dirt, cheap, big air volume.
Weaknesses:3 pinch flats in 6 weeks, really thin side walls, hard to remove from rim.
Bike Setup:Kona Scrap, basically stock
Bottom Line:Don't get them. I only weigh 65kg but I need to run these tyres at 50psi to stop flats. When repairing a puncture after its numerous flats the tyre is nearly impossible to remove. I have to ride long distances on road to get to the trails and they hum like crazy and have a lot of rolling resistance. Only buy them if you need grip and ride exclusively off-road.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:2

Submitted by pritch a Weekend Warrior from Bristol, UK
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2004
Favorite Trail:The next one
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $20.00
Purchased At:Wiggle, chainreaction
Strengths:Fat square-blockers give great traction in mud or loosely-packed terrain. Not bad even on wet roots. Plenty of lateral grip.
Weaknesses:Wet pavements, especially paving-slabs, are a nightmare. The sidewalls are a bit too thin for running less than 40-45psi.
Similar Products Used:IRC, Kenda etc.
Bike Setup:Saracen Havoc 01 modded. LX, DMR, better Truvativ stuff etc.
Bottom Line:These are not the best 'fat' tyres out there but they do represent good value for money. I would say they are suitable for 90% of off-road riders, as a massive generalisation. In the muddy and messy stuff they perform very well, so well that I guess you'd have to be a real pro to tell the difference between these and 'better' tyres.

Traction is very good in loose conditions as well. There's no real front and rear difference here, you've just got a big dumb square-blocker doing it's job, and it does it pretty darned well for £10 a tyre.

On-road performance is OK in the dry. Yes, they are noisy but square-block tread always is on pavement or tarmac. If you accelerate hard on this surface, or brake hard for that matter, you'll wear the tyres out pretty fast. They are, of course, not designed primarily for this surface.

That said, performance on wet pavement is disturbing, even for on off-road tyre. With my set-up, even the most gentle turn will result in the front end sliding forward. I had one spill due to this (at low speed, thankfully but unexpectedly) and now tread very carefully. Tarmac isn't so bad but beware worn surfaces.

I've seen people using these for street trials, but at the tyre pressures needed for that I'm not sure that's a good idea; not if you have to pay for rims anyway. I think I had a picture of some Pashleys landing on these from a routine drop-down and the sidewalls crumpled like paper. They ARE weak in comparison with other fat tires but again I'd point to the price. I haven't had any problems when running at 45psi or a little more. This isn't for everyone, but if it's not for you you're probably good enough where you'd want a better tire anyway. For my purpose with this bike, it's practical.

Finally, I'd not recommend these for XC, unless you're an aggresive rider or conditions are very wet and muddy on your trails. Personally I prefer thinner, lighter tyres for the purpose. Remember, weight of tyres really makes a difference. Think of holding a small hammer at the end of its handle compared with a large hammer. Not a great analogy but that's basically the effort you're having to put in with each pedal. Lighter tyres really are that much easier to shift.

All in all, a perfectly good enough basic tyre for most intense off-road applications, for which it is designed.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Paul a from Somerset
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2004
Duration Product Used:3 months
Bottom Line:I have no clue why people gave these tires a bad review. i have used them for a couple months in all kinds of conditions. i ride at 40 psi and i have never gotten a pinch flat even though i have launched some pretty big drops. they feel good and grippy on the trail in all conditions. and as for the weight?!?! they feel good to me. i think people need to stop complaining about how the tires arent doing all the work for them and go ride. i recomend these tires, they are as good as any and are super wide which i like.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by bostonkiwi a from boston
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2004
Favorite Trail:all
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $19.00
Purchased At:pricepoint.com
Strengths:Cheap, fat, BIG air volume, thick side walls.
Weaknesses:Heavy
Similar Products Used:Lot's
Bike Setup:Ti Hardtail
Bottom Line:These are big volume trail riding tires, I weigh 160lbs and race XC. I use these tires for general riding and training. In the last couple of years I have only hads a couple of flats (due to thorns). Tires hook up well, and provide a very comfy ride at 35psi rear and 32 psi front.

Note: These tires are WIDE!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Derek a Cross Country Rider from Alpharetta, GA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2004
Favorite Trail:Any XC
Duration Product Used:6 months
Purchased At:Reality Bikes, Cumming GA
Strengths:Wide tire, gets good grip in wet conditions. Tire is durable.
Weaknesses:Too many pinch flats, I weigh 215 and I had 6 pinch flats in 6 months. I inflated to 50 psi and still got flats. A buddy of mine got the same bike, same problem pinch flats... Plus the tires are impossible to get on and off the rim (that could be partially the rims problem).
Similar Products Used:None, first MTB.
Bike Setup:Changed from Tioga's to Panaracer Fire XC Pro. Knoa Hoss, mostly factory setup.
Bottom Line:I recommend against from my experience. However, this is a XC bike with DH tires, but that is what Kona put on it. Anyway I think this is the first year for the Clydesdale bike, and if the tires are the only problem, Kona did great.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:2

Submitted by bikeme a Weekend Warrior from los angeles
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:3 months
Purchased At:came with bike
Strengths:Big volume for a 2.1.
Weaknesses:Thin sidewalls, thin between knobs, sidewalls squirmy and centers puncture-prone. Knobs too tall, too skinny and spaced wide, no grip, for the first 200 miles they grabbed and tossed half-inch diameter pebbles, amusing riding buddies and causing chips all over inside of chainstays and seatstays, and raising a few welts. With wear and loss of 10% of knobs this ceased to be an issue. At 40psi, multiple snakebites on the rear, had never been a problem before. At high pressure they still fold over and already sketchy traction disappears. Never had goathead issues either before using these tires. Weight high despite otherwise weenie-ish performance. Buzzy on pavement but if this is important get a different kind of bike.

Tioga makes great BMX tires but apparently that competency didn't transfer, or Kona tweaked the oem spec for these pups poorly.
Similar Products Used:Ritchey z-max, wtb mutanoraptor race.
Bike Setup:Mostly stock 02 Roast with wtb saddle, 636s, mutanoraptor race.
Bottom Line:Wouldn't buy them, ever. Kona has cojones putting these on all their "out of bounds" bikes from $600-$1200.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Creamy a from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Purchased At:Came with Kona
Strengths:None.
Weaknesses:These tires are so thin that any sudden movement can pop'em. The side walls are thinner than any I have ever seen.
Similar Products Used:Many tires on many bikes
Bike Setup:02 Kona Stinky Frame, 02 Boxxer, and a pile of goodies.
Bottom Line:Please do not buy these tires. If you have these tires and you actually ride your bike please replace them. I used these tires for the first summer as I was learning to FreeRide. I must have had 20 flats that summer but thought it was my inexperience that was producing the flats. I upgraded to a set of sweet Michelins and I became a better rider instantly. My wheels were sticking to the roots, rocks and corners. Make the switch ASAP.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Josh tavenor a Weekend Warrior from corner brook
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2003
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Purchased At:TnT bicycles
Strengths:they do the job, have a fair bit of grip,
Weaknesses:treads wear out fast, hell to get off the rims to replace tubes (took me 10 minutes to get these off using normal tire levers), slide a fair bit on pavement, heavy.
Similar Products Used:some crappy tires i bought at canadian tire
Bike Setup:03 kona roast stock, very good,
Bottom Line:a good tire if you dont require supperior grip and dont mind the weight, run DH tubes in these things because they eat through regular ones like nothin plus they take a LONG time to get off to replace tubes
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by david land a Cross Country Rider from atlanta, ga
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2003
Favorite Trail:ga int'l horsepark
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Purchased At:atlanta cycling
Strengths:spongy and fat, great grip on rough terrain
Weaknesses:tires slip out from under you on smooth concrete
Similar Products Used:veliciraptors, hans rey maxxis
Bike Setup:kona hoss 04 - stock w/eggbeaters
Bottom Line:I have taken a sharp turn on concrete and a slalom turn on smooth concrete-the first was road rash on my right forearm, the second was a slightly banged up knee. These are great for rough terrain-tons of grip, but if you find a slick surface -inclip and use your foot to assist in turns.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:4

Submitted by MasterBlaster a Downhiller from Cobham, Surrey, England
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:Wisley Woods
Duration Product Used:6 months
Strengths:Looks Good Front not too fat so control is good
Weaknesses:Back slips
Bike Setup:Saracen Havoc Downhill 2003
Bottom Line:Does the job of a tire 2x the price
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Alex Lee a from Singapore
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:Singapore
Duration Product Used:6 months
Purchased At:Came with Kona Roast from Tay Cycles
Strengths:Well at least it lasted me 6 months before I got new tires...handles quite well in muddy conditions but then again it's a aggressive mud tire.
Weaknesses:Threads wear out very fast, knobs get torn off when I cycle technical trails and there's a hell lot of tears in the tire. Totally washes out when there's any water on your riding surface. Can't go riding when it's raining... My rear tyre is practically bald now after 3 months of riding everyday
Similar Products Used:First tire used
Bike Setup:Stock Kona Roast with Marzocchi Z1 FR 2002
Bottom Line:These tires are only good for one kind of terrain: MUD and nothing else, not even urban. You can ride them on technical trail but you'll just be trashing the hell out of them. Buy it if you have no other alternative and need a tyre for just a few weeks, because that's just how long they'll last if you ride everyday.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by tyler pompu a from castlegar
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:graveyard
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Purchased At:gericks cycles came wit bike kona stuff
Strengths:none
Weaknesses:i kant get the frigen things off my sun ditch witch my dads evin tried and he pretty strong and he kant get it off wtf pissin me off i need 2 put a new tube in in
Similar Products Used:shiy
Bike Setup:kona stuff 03
Bottom Line:i hate them really thin than usual tyres
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by John a Cross Country Rider from UK
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $20.00
Strengths:Great cheaper tyres that do the job just as well as tyres 3x the price. Look and feel good too.
Weaknesses:For the price, ummmm none
Similar Products Used:Most expensive names (no free advertising) as they don't pay me.
Bike Setup:Just as a mechanic like me would set a proper bike up for 1/4 of the price of an advert type one.
Bottom Line:Great tyres that stick to what they're supposed to..."the ground" Who knows if they stick to mud,concrete,grass and wood any better than the costly ones. Its all personal preference and who likes what.
Everything will fail if its pushed too hard.

I will buy'em again.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by alex a Cross Country Rider from Hampshire
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:bracken hill!
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $20.00
Strengths:Fantastic grip, tough sidewalls, great cornering.
Weaknesses:Stick slightly on tarmac when new although after a good few hard rides they get better. Just pump them up a but harder and you'll be fine.
Similar Products Used:Specialized enduro.
Bike Setup:Specialized hardrock frame, aleximus rims, alivio groupset. Marzocchi mx comp shocks.
Bottom Line:amazing tyres, get no other!!!!!!!
the front tyre offers good cornering whilst the back gives superior grip for those steep trails.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by aj a Weekend Warrior from moama
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:the twisties or secrets
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Purchased At:they came on my bike
Strengths:it is very fat and grippy on hard sufaces
Weaknesses:when urngin a corner at fast speeds, the tires is very slippery and cannot take corners very well at all, especially in loose conditions
Similar Products Used:panaracer, continental
Bike Setup:dmr trailstar, white brothers, xtr drivetrain, dmr chainguide, xt brakes and levers
Bottom Line:these tyres arent that bad, but they are pretty crapping in turning, and thats mainly what tyres are used for.
even though i can the crap out of them, they are the only tyre i buy, i just like them and have a connection with them and i never want to use any other tyre, dont ask y, its just how it is
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Ben Mullard a Cross Country Rider from England (UK)
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2003
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $17.00
Purchased At:NEC Bike Show
Strengths:The knobbly tyres look great and they could also be used not just for a downhill tyre but also as a all round tyre.
Weaknesses:They weigh a bit and check the size for your frame because the 2.1's are more like 2.3's!!!
Similar Products Used:Specialized Rockhopper Pros
Bike Setup:Specialized Rockhopper A1 Comp FS Disc
Bottom Line:These tyre are brilliant for bombing down hills and are also just as goodfor going in the forest on uphills and downs. They are very good at jumping also which I like alot. Definetly one worth buying and at a cheap price are unbeatable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by skidmark a from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:urban, B&S
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Strengths:they're grippy, that's about it
Weaknesses:These tires pinch flat like you wouldn't beleive, and off of little stairgaps and 6 foot jumps
Similar Products Used:Kenda Kinetics 2.35, hutchinson cameleon 1.95
Bottom Line:crappiest tires out there. if you are going to put team dh on the side of your tires they'd better be a tire that you can use for extreme and urban riding. they might be good for xc but considering i don't they suck.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Syzes a Weekend Warrior from BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:Easy to take on and off a rim, you get lots of experience doing this with this tire.
Weaknesses:Poor grip on rock and dirt, doesent grab while climbing, sidwalls and tread is thin, tires promote pinch flats, really bad tires.
Similar Products Used:Maxxis Highroller and MOFOs
Bike Setup:Kona Roast
Bottom Line:If you use your bike as a grocery getter, this tire is great. But be warned; this tire is NOT a down hill or mountain tire. If you buy this one, carry lots of innertubes and patch kits, you will need them. This tire fails on every surface, especially when it is damp out side. Sorry no good things to say...
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Brown Teeth a Cross Country Rider from Morro Bay, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $15.00
Strengths:1000 mile review, bet many others only make it half as far at best and I ride rocks and nasty crap that tore panaracerjapo crapo tires in just 50 miles. If weight is an issue don't buy it but if you want something to last, well its 15$ and hard to beat that with a stick.
Weaknesses:Will not fail on the trail, damn what a concept
Similar Products Used:too many to list
Bike Setup:Idrive in for a new frame (6 months still waitig) and marin trail pro I can't use up.. bla bla bla good stuff, I ride 60+ miles steep ST/week every week.
Bottom Line:We all ride on tires and I found this one lasts, yes its crap on mud on any cross hill and a bit too grabby as a front but as a rear in dry and rock this tire can't be beat. Just takes knive edge rocks and keeps on ticking, hmm wonder if that's bad. I have riden this tire on some of the most unforgiving crap around granite split to sharp blade edges and I'm still waiting to loose a knobbie. Very durable and works better used cause once the crown is knocked off this beast (takes about 500 miles) really starts to hook up on the trails. Never a pinch flat and sidewalls can just about take razor salad for lunch. Fine back tire but in the front a bit too grabby and wanting to hunt through the turns. Running at 40 psi in the rear on a FS trail bikes, works well, have fun
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Tanner a Downhiller from Kamloops, B.C, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:Rose Hill
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Purchased At:Came stock on my Bike
Strengths:They roll. None, zero, zilch, nada no damn strengths.
Weaknesses:Everything. Weak sidewalls. Loss of tread in 2 weeks. This tire is the worst ive ever ridden. The stock tires on a CCM or Supercycle are better! If you buy one of these tires your simply out of your mind. DONT GET ONE. period!
Similar Products Used:Definetly not anything from Tioga
Bike Setup:2002 Kona Stinky, Vanill R, Maxxis Mofo DH(rear), .243 Racing DH/SHORE 2.6(front). 2002 Super T 7"
Bottom Line:Dont get this tire!!! PERIOD
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by krate a Weekend Warrior from oakland
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2003
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Strengths:uhhhhh....they roll?
Weaknesses:no grip on everything but damp ground. these tires have zero traction on steep and loose downhills. don't entrust your ass with them.
Bike Setup:kona stinky
Bottom Line:get something else. replace asap if it came with your bike if you're riding steep dhs. trust me, these tires made me faceplant and sprain my wrists pretty bad. i waslucky i landed on pine needles and old leaves.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Greg a from Grand Forks ND
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:6 months
Strengths:Good grip in the dry and on the street
Weaknesses:Not that great in the wet. Pretty sad sidewalls, especially for something with Factory DH written on them.
Wears pretty fast
Similar Products Used:IRC Kujos, Wild Grippers
Bike Setup:Kona Scrap Stock for now, had some upgrades in mind but I'll be buying tires first.
Bottom Line:First the good. In dry conditions I never felt like I was laking grip. Tread is good for the street too, as long as you're jumping off things not laying down miles.
And now the bad. I've seen quite significant wear in just a few rides. And in these few rides I've had more pinchflats and cut sidewalls than in all my other years of riding. I've only cut sidewalls a few times, and it was because of ugly situations. I have three cuts in these in the short time I've been riding them, not small cuts either. One cut is a few inches. Talk to your shop about swapping these from the get go, or swap them immediatly(your not going to have a choice). They have pretty good grip so they get a few Chilis for that, but nuthin for value. If you can manage to not pinchflat or cut your sidewalls, the tread is going to wear out quickly.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:2

Submitted by jon tingle a Cross Country Rider from england
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:anywhere
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $30.00
Purchased At:eBay uk
Strengths:the grip is great when doin long journeys through thick mud because of the large teeth that eat up the ground the size is also good because its quite big and fits on practically any forks also it will take ages to burn away at the masses of rubber
Weaknesses:if your buying this tyre figger out what your going to use it for it isnt called a dh2.10 for anything if your planning on this as a road tyre think again put it on wet tarmic and you'll be slipping and sliding all over the place also in my view its quite expensive for tyre
Similar Products Used:continental michelin wilgriper(amazing) tioga dh2.30(tooo fat)
Bike Setup:fort x-country frame truvativ firex deore mechs dmr v8s sram levers
Bottom Line:good downhill tyre but definately not for road use recommended for x-country riders
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Brandon Saliba a Downhiller from Milton,Ontario,Canada
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:My own homemade trail
Duration Product Used:6 months
Purchased At:Came with the bike.
Strengths:Good on harpacked dirt.Good for DH and dirt jumping.
Weaknesses:Not too good in wet weather or mud. They wear really fast.In six months they have warn half (back only).
Similar Products Used:Tioga Factory DH 2.3
Bike Setup:Saracen raw pro with mozo rm120ad (76mm), rear shock dnm (120mm ),mechanical discF/R.Baught it in the U.K.
Bottom Line:I am 13 years old and have my own trail. These tires get good grip on wet wooden drops. Great DH tire.Awsome on hard pack. I weigh 82lbs and these tires get great traction for my weight.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by J a Downhiller from Victoria, B.C.
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2003
Duration Product Used:6 months
Purchased At:Stock on Kona
Strengths:Great traction for dry trail riding
Awesome price
Weaknesses:Pinches real easy unless you run at really high pressure
Unpredictable on wet pavement and rock
Bike Setup:02' Kona Stuff w/ Deore discs
Bottom Line:Its not bad for all-around dry trail riding and trials, but as soon as it gets wet it starts to become unpredictable and squirmy. Also, unless a really high pressure is run, you pinch all the time.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Nik H a Downhiller from Lancs, England
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:Innerleithen
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $10.00
Purchased At:Wherever
Strengths:Cheap
Weaknesses:Only grip in intermediate conditions (slightly damp), crap on: Mud, hardpack, tarmac, grass, rocks, roots etc. Pinch puncture easier than any other DH tyre I have ever ridden - good DH tyres should be run at about 25 psi max - you cannot do this with a Tioga and still ride hard, you will puncture and frequently. Compound is too hard to grip and provide stability on any hard surfaces at all, especially if it's wet.
Similar Products Used:All sorts of DH tyres.
Bike Setup:Orange Patriot with Boxxers.
Bottom Line:Anybody who likes these tyres should ride their bike harder or just try a proper DH tyre like a michelin, intense, maxxis or hutchinson. All these make the tioga feel like crap. XC boys like em cos they run their tyres at higher pressures (quite rightly)so consequently they don't pinch as easy and don't hit stuff as hard anyway but if you are a proper DH rider you should never ever say this tyre is good. Get some Michelins, drop the pressure to about 15-20 psi and feel the difference.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Erin Rogers a from Tucson, AZ, US
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:extreme ones
Duration Product Used:6 months
Purchased At:A.B.E.
Strengths:great traction and cornering
Weaknesses:wears out to quick
Bike Setup:kona stuff
Bottom Line:I like these tires a lot but they wore out real quick. I am trying out some motoraptors now in hope of longer life for my tires, but the tioga tires have much better traction.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Leo a Weekend Warrior from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:Oxford Falls
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $45.00
Purchased At:LBS
Strengths:Low weight for big width. Price - about A$45
Weaknesses:Weak sidewalls, wear, lack of cornering grip
Similar Products Used:Tioga DH 2.3, conti vertical 2.3, velociraptors
Bike Setup:Kona Stinky
Bottom Line:Great tyre for the price, but as I learnt to ride better and faster, I outgrew them. I found they wash out on the front quite often and the rear finds its own way down. I've done 4 rides with them and just had to replace the rear because the tube is coming out a hole in the sidewall. Pressure was at 35psi. They have plenty of grip on the climbs so I reckon they should rename them Comp UH. Good tyre for a roadie who has just started riding off road and wants a big bag.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:4

Submitted by malcolm cleland a Downhiller from palmy, NZ
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:Rotorua Dh Nats track
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $30.00
Purchased At:lbs
Strengths:none really except they r cheap

on hard pack they r okish
Weaknesses:sidewalls rip really easy
knob wear/break off
in the wet or even moist conditions they r like a slick tire
cant run low preeeures for grip, only down to about 25 psi otherwise the sidewalls fold
Similar Products Used:highroller, soon to be minion
Bike Setup:rm6, foes f1 wet ones, 321 wheelset, hayes mech disc's
Bottom Line:if ur on a budget and u dont ride in the wet to much then this tire will be fine, if u want to get up to sum speed on sketcy rocky/rooty trails then leave this tire at home.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Syzes Sideways a Weekend Warrior from Terrace, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2002
Favorite Trail:Terrace Mountain
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Strengths:Good on packed dirt.
Weaknesses:Wet condition performance, weak sidewalls.
Bike Setup:Kona Roast
Bottom Line:I have 2 rips in my rear sidewall after 2 runs. I'm not a 'hardcore' biker or anything like that but still managed to ruin this tire after a few weeks of owning them. Keep them off anything wet and keep the sidewalls off rocks and your probably good.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Adam Sphinx a Downhiller from Gdañsk, Poland
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2002
Favorite Trail:downhill
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $18.00
Strengths:Very good but not kevlar only steel I've got rear(Tioga Factory DH 2.1 R for 2 weeks and Tioga Factory DH 2.1 F for one month and i haven,t got any better TIRES!!!!!!11
Weaknesses:Some problems with speed
Bike Setup:Author Traction SX
Bottom Line:I LOVE TIOGA FACTORY DH 2.1 F&R
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by T-Bone a Cross Country Rider from Morron Bay, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $15.00
Strengths:Great grip on soft stuff, durable sidewalls and knobbies stay on not like some lighterweight tires
Weaknesses:Bit heavy but its a DH tire that I use on M-521 DH rims doing XC cause I'm more into durability than changing tires and the extra weight makes my race set of wheels feel like a feather.
Similar Products Used:Panaracers, Tioga XC various WTB tires...
Bike Setup:I drive 3 with additional goodies
Bottom Line:This tire is not for pavement or slick rock but on dust, junk or grabby broken boulders with cracks and fractures its the bomb. Have over 350 miles in almost 3 months and for a couple diced knobbies dure to hairball stops on razor rocks these tires hold up very well. Seems the Tioga XC has a bit softer compund but these which I run around 30-32 psi work great. Only problem is weight but more than worth the price as a great training tire if you ride soft/broken rocks, since I'm in CA no idea if its good in the wet, otherwise for dry stuuf got to give it max flaming turds and an extra couple for value, ride on!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by John a Weekend Warrior from Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2002
Favorite Trail:Whiteshell area
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $28.00
Strengths:- reasonably priced
- good for loose dirt, sand
- reasonable price
- not a bad weight for a downhill tire
Weaknesses:- a bit squirmy while cornering on asphalt or hardpack (really noticeable during hot days)
- not superb on wet rock, etc
Similar Products Used:- WTB MotoRaptor 2.0
- low end Kenda tires
Bike Setup:-Warp DS 2, SID 100, Weinmann Zac 19 rims
Bottom Line:These tires have superb grip in loose dirt and sand. I have climbed hills that have defeated me when riding on other tires.

I've only had two pinch flats, and that was more my doing than anything else.

If I were to ride only in loose stuff, and rarely on rock or pavement, I would buy these tires again.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Nick a Cross Country Rider from Bristol, UK
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2002
Duration Product Used:6 months
Purchased At:Chainreactioncycles
Strengths:I've got 2.1s and they look super tough! Great traction in soft conditions, especialy gloopy mud. I've found they grip well on hard packed hill climbs, not that I do many of them! I like the low key look, coloured tyres are a bit naff in my book. I haven't had problem with premature wear that some coplain of, but that is probably a bike/tyre pressure issue, and I've probably done 200 plus miles on asphalt.
Weaknesses:Feel a bit squirmy on rock especialy in situation where you're riding on rocks and hard pack mud. Fell a bit uneasy on tarmac, especially when conering at speed.
Similar Products Used:Not yet, although I've bought some 2.5 Megablasters to try out
Bike Setup:Kona chute, Wedge fork, mainly LX/XT groupset with Mavic 519 rims
Bottom Line:Great looking tyre, good value, light for what they are.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Christopher Van Hulsentop a Downhiller from Townsville, QLD, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:Oceania
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $17.00
Purchased At:Tonys Bikes
Strengths:Looks, Grip, Performance on all terrain
Weaknesses:Not much, you people that say weak sidewalls are correct that is why the 2.3 is alot thicker
Similar Products Used:2.3's specalized tyres
Bike Setup:A specalized hardrock fs, everything has been modified, even the frame cause i cracked it twice
Bottom Line:I am writing as an addon as a previous post, all you people that say these wear quick are full of SH*T. I race these down rocky trails and they grip very well, and They lasted almost a year. I now own the 2.3 which is a big emprovemnt because the actual tire is alot thicker. As for the guy that said they lasted a week on asphault well he is full of SH*T as well, I ride to everywhere i go and they last but furthermore who cares about on asphault they are a DH tyre, use it for that and you will have no problems
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Andy a Weekend Warrior from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Purchased At:came on bike
Strengths:good on dirt and concrete
Weaknesses:horrible on wet aspahult, wear very easy,
Bike Setup:2002 Kona Stuff
Bottom Line:Do not get these tires unless they come on your bike or unless you are never going to be riding on aspahult. My front tire's knobs are half gone and I got my bike 5 days ago, although I have been riding mainly on ashphault. Can't wait to wear them almost right threw so I can new tires. I have no idea how much these tires cost separately so my value rating I'm just going to put at 3
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:5

Submitted by SPANNERHEAD a Downhiller from UK
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Strengths:Good in grassy/dirt stuff. Super when fresh. A fair all rounder.
Weaknesses:Lethal in wet rocky stuff, anywhere that could dump you quick. Soon wears/loses grip.
Similar Products Used:Maxims, Panaracers
Bike Setup:Stinky
Bottom Line:Poor choice unless you really can't be bothered changing them. (they seem to come stock with all bikes!)
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Matt a Weekend Warrior from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2002
Favorite Trail:RedWoods
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Purchased At:Bike Barn
Strengths:Good in loose/medium packed surfaces, supple & flexable carcase, Progressive sliding when on the limits
Weaknesses:knobs tend to break up on hard surfaces
Similar Products Used:Continential (orange one directional one)Panaracer Onza Pork
Bike Setup:Kona Stinky 2002 , White Bro ti bars
Bottom Line:Unfortunatly one of the tyres that came with the Stinky was a stinky. It had a deformation in the rubber on one half that caused runout and for it to run out of round but the guys at the bike shop have sorted me out with a replacment.(Check for quality this became more obvious when inflated above showroom 30psi)

Good tyre for full off road use but its not going to last on any tar or metal transport sections.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:4

Submitted by plopo a Downhiller from Finland
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Purchased At:came with bike
Strengths:it looks good and grips well too. they are light, too light for downhill...
Weaknesses:...the sidewalls are definately TOO THIN!!! good tires but don´t use them for downhill! they pinchflat wery easy even with high pressure.
Bike Setup:Orange 222 2002, stock except 2.3 Nokian Gazzaloddis.
Bottom Line:not for downhill, for dirtjumping and dual these would be great. pinchflats way too easy!
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Ed a Weekend Warrior from Melbourne
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2002
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $10.00
Purchased At:off a friend
Strengths:Grips on loose ground, better than stock tire...
Weaknesses:only just better than stock 'cheng' cr@p
No sidewalls
knobs rip off if used on road
slippery on wet metal (But what isn't?)
Similar Products Used:
Bottom Line:This tire is alright for a temporary thing, but don't buy it unless you get it for $10.
The sidwalls are paper thin and the knobs rip off.
mine has like half a tread left
Save your money and buy a highroller or something
i dunno the retail, so it is good value for me
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:2

Submitted by clump a Downhiller from Windsor, Ont.
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2002
Favorite Trail:Morton Terminal
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $39.00
Purchased At:Tri-sport's
Strengths:These tires grip exceptionally well in dry and sandy conditions, the tread is great and they make youre bike look ten times meaner.
Weaknesses:These tires are horrible in wet conditions and on the road
Similar Products Used:Maxis mobster/Kenda
Bike Setup:Kona stuff/Rockshox Psylos/Truative Dh cranks
Bottom Line:These are great tires but only in certain conditions I would prefer another pair preferbaly the Maxxis mobster
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Dipper a Weekend Warrior from Ballarat
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2002
Favorite Trail:Lots
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $40.00
Purchased At:navajo
Strengths:good grip in all conditions except asphalt and concrete doesn't pinch flat
Weaknesses:none
Similar Products Used:maxxis kraken and calibos
Bike Setup:NX7.1 Psylo XC F519 Profile FR Bar
Bottom Line:nice cheap good grippy tyres
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jared a bike rider a from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:Canberra somewhere
Duration Product Used:3 months
Purchased At:stock on bike
Strengths:they roll around and around on my bike
Weaknesses:they dont grip if you turn a corner
Similar Products Used:maxxis 1.95
Bike Setup:Stock Kona Stinky 2002 with some new tires when i get the $$
Bottom Line:These tires are no good. They dont grip if you try to take a corner fast. the big knobbly design just doesnt work, the knobs are too far apart. They Wash out and you end up with gravel rash. stupid tyre
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Matt a Downhiller from Spokane, WA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:Beacon rocks!
Duration Product Used:6 months
Purchased At:With bike
Strengths:All black sidewalls are cool
Weaknesses:Roll over way to easy in the tight and fast corners, knobs tend to wear faster than shiznit. Horrible, horrible traction on any sort of pavement...
Similar Products Used:Lots of tires
Bike Setup:01' Kona stinky. z1 qr20, hayes hydros, FSA pig dh, azonic shorty, thomoson post, raceface cranks, bash guard, big meats and so on...
Bottom Line:I wish these tires on no one...they came factory on my bike and they were changed very quickly because they suck, get some IRC's, these tires are not worth there weight in $hit.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Chris Turner a Cross Country Rider from England
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2002
Favorite Trail:Mud/Dirt
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $30.00
Purchased At:Gift
Strengths:Strong/tough
Great controll
nice to look at (writing on the side)
Weaknesses:none but a bit slippy on the wet roads
Similar Products Used:other 2.1 dirt tryes.
Bike Setup:For the dirt and off road
Bottom Line:A good allround tyre. Good on all surfaces but a bit iffy on the road when it is wet but these tyres are for the dirt so that is expected. A good tyre for any age. It will last long and is just great. You can tell the difference using dirt tyres to on and off road. i reccomend these.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Chris a from UK
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2002
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Purchased At:Chain Reaction Cycles
Strengths:Very strong, hardwearing and grippy on mud, snow, rocks, roots. Good at high speeds.
Weaknesses:lethal on wet tarmac
Similar Products Used:Continental Traction/Explorer/Cross Country, Panaracer Smoke/Dart
Bike Setup:'93 GT Timberline, full XT, Marzocchi MXC fork, Titec bits
Bottom Line:Great tyres that grip everything (except wet tarmac)
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Phil a Downhiller from Oswestry, Shropshire, England
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:The Quarry DH at the bottom of my field.
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $20.00
Purchased At:Stuart Barkley Cycles
Strengths:This Grips Everything. I was ridin' on ice and with some care this thing got me up some quite steep hills! I own the 2.30 version, but all my mates use the 2.10 and say its pretty similar.
Weaknesses:None, unless you like slipping in mud/snow/sand.
Similar Products Used:Panracer Dart/Dust (ain't that bad)
Bike Setup:Duel Slalom rig. Sun Mammouth rims.
Bottom Line:These tyres rock. If you want grip and you can get them cheeply then don't hesitate to buy them. I got mine for £15 for each end but you can get them much cheeper than that! You will not get a puncture ever again if you use these, unless you case a jump really hard.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Christopher Van Hulsentop a Weekend Warrior from Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:Mt Louisa
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $17.00
Purchased At:TONYS bikes
Strengths:Motorbike style tread, massive grip, awesome lookin
Weaknesses:too soft for road riding
Similar Products Used:none
Bike Setup:Specialized Hardrock FS, Amoeba HB, X221 rims
Bottom Line:Awesome tires, very chunky go very well when i go downhill and cross country actually pretty much good for everything except road riding they just vanish however why by a DH tyre if you are gonna ride on the road
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Bez a Weekend Warrior from UK
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2001
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $15.00
Purchased At:Wessex Cycle World
Strengths:Grippy, fairly light
Weaknesses:Squirmy
Similar Products Used:Feckin loads
Bike Setup:'01 iDrive 3.0 w/ SID XC, Avid discs; '93 Kona Kilauea
Bottom Line:Bought at under half price to replace the stock WTB Moto Raptor (crap tyre) on my GT. Instantly twice as much grip - most noticable for climbing traction. For the money, a complete bargain.

Only problem is that the sidewalls are a bit too flexible, and unless you pump 'em right up it can feel a bit squirmy on the rear (note the 2.1 is a rear tyre, the 2.3 is for the front - you could interchange them but the tread is a little bit different, eg wider central blocks on the 2.1).

Not perfect but pretty good - if you can find 'em cheap, worth grabbing some.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Philip Onslow a Downhiller from Edinburgh, UK
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:Glentress Forest, Peebles, UK
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $30.00
Purchased At:supercycles.co.uk
Strengths:Grippy, good tread design, great looks, cheap!
Weaknesses:Not the best in the wet (ie most of the time in Scotland), but nothing you can't live with
Similar Products Used:Michelin X-Sport 2.1, Kona Mr Dirt, Panaracer Spike, WTB Velociraptor
Bike Setup:BMB DH Special, custom-built through my own business (cougarcustoms.4mg.com), 7 inch travel f&r, inverted forks, cable discs (soon to be Hopes!)
Bottom Line:I specialise in finding and selling cheap but good bike parts, and I can tell you now that these are probably the best budget DH tyres (English spelling!) in the world! I run 2.3 wire versions - they are fairly heavy but they work VERY well and at £20 ($30) a pair they are the best! HUGE tread means excellent grip and almost total puncture protection - I regularly run them at sub-25psi and have only punctured once! Mud shedding is good - so good it's like being cought in a landslide! Only downside is the slight lack of grip in the wet, on a 44lb bike like mine it is all too easy to slide out. having said that I have only crashed once as a result - it is easy to regain control with these tyres. A must-have for DHers - don't waste you money on big-brand sh*t!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by MonkeyBarf a Weekend Warrior from Vancouver, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:urban assualts
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $25.00
Purchased At:The Bike Shop
Strengths:Awesome knobby tires, perfect for urban riding and trials -- grips everything I need to get up on or off of or whatever else i need to challenge.
Weaknesses:uhhhh... none? kinda heavy 900g's i think even w/ kevlar -- pretty damn close to a pound! OOF!! so heavy
Similar Products Used:irc mythos, kujo DH, el gato,
Bike Setup:Stock trials bike -- 16" specialized swroks m2 pro w/ magure HS33, rhyno-lites, raceface air alloy riser, raceface stem, raceface northshore XS cranks
Bottom Line:These tires are the sh*t! Awesome for urban trials or even for riding those sections you never thought possible. Work just as well on the DH/FR trail as long as its dry anything else and they're worthless. Pinches are pretty uncommon unless ur a huge ass motherf*cker (for me I only weigh about 140 so i dont hav a problem!).
I can't complain too too much, while other think it's sh*t, they were cheap enough even on a student's budget!
Oh by the way -- those dont' really look like chilis -- they sorta look like piles of burning poo!
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by kyle a Downhiller from kitchener, on, canada
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001
Favorite Trail:TE
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $30.00
Purchased At:used, from McPhails
Strengths:very very durable! fat66 casing keeps treads from breaking down. grips great in mud and wet stuff, and can plow through sand etc. at speed. Also has stiff sidewalls that make pinchflatting difficult to do.
Weaknesses:none that i know of
Similar Products Used:intense 50 2.35
Bike Setup:kona hahanna with some random upgrades, ie sun mammoth rear wheel, bontrager crowbar, radical ingot stem, other shiz
Bottom Line:wonderful. for my uses (learning to freeride in urban and woodsy areas), this tire has been great. the fat66 casing has kept my grips on and solid for the year that ive used them, and consistantly impresses. a good investment.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Rossetta David a Downhiller from San Jose
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:Hollister
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $39.00
Purchased At:TRAIL HEAD
Strengths:Grips like suction cups on glass
Weaknesses:wears down hella qucik
Similar Products Used:none really
Bike Setup:FSR
Bottom Line:Good tire, great grip, and no all expensive. Just don't ride em' on the road too much.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Chris a Weekend Warrior from Dimmer, Castle Cary, England
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $45.00
Purchased At:The bike shop
Strengths:excellent grip, clears mud quickly, thick walls, deep grip
Weaknesses:rather easily worn on gravel and tarmac surfaces
Similar Products Used:Panzar fire DH
Bike Setup:hard arse duel rig
Bottom Line:Good tire, best girp is achived after some tire wear occours
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Erik a Downhiller from Sunnyvale
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:McKenzie River
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $22.00
Purchased At:universalcycles.com
Strengths:Awsome in mud and wet conditions
thick sidewalls on fat 66
NEVER gotten a flat with these tires
Weaknesses:really heavy, but in mud, who cares!?
terrible on pavement, but that's not why you get these tires anyway
Similar Products Used:Panaracer XC fire pros
Bike Setup:00 Kona Roast, Z1, Race Face cranks, Rhino lites, discs
Bottom Line:These tires are great in the northern california mud, but now that I live in the bay area and its summer, its time for something lighter and with less rolling resistance. Will definitely consider putting the fat 66's back on for winter riding! It also dosen't hurt that they look relatively burly, if that's your thing. Never had any problems with pinch flats or punctures.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Pete a Downhiller from Australia
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2001
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $666.00
Purchased At:Vic Mtb?
Strengths:Good grip in a wide variety of conditions. Dirt, mud, gravel, wet dry, grass. Good nobbie style tyre.
Weaknesses:Watch for pinch flats. Obviously restricted to dirt style riding, but if you have to verture onto sealed roads or smooth rocks with flat faces be very very very careful!
Bottom Line:Excellent tyres with a specific purpose.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by joe a from Notingham,England
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2001
Duration Product Used:6 months
Purchased At:mcc cycles
Strengths:good value (£20 pair)
quite thick (no punctures yet!)
Weaknesses:takes up a lot of mud between tread
Similar Products Used:specialized dirt control
Bike Setup:kona hahanna
Bottom Line:for the money,these tires are very good value,as they never slip from under yo
buy some now
these are not rip off tyres
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by ds1 a Downhiller from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2001
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $43.00
Purchased At:lbs
Strengths:Comes with a Bag! Grips good
Weaknesses:$10 too much!!!!
Similar Products Used:Panaracer 2.3 DH{great} -Intense2.3 DH{heavy & soft} >Richey ZED2.1{oh yeah}
Bike Setup:18">00Azonic ds1 /Sun Rhino rear:Rhino-lite front>2.1 Zed rear >1.5" Azonic riser/70mm stem/platforms/38t Truvativ dh ring/A-C upper guide>deore v-brakes{boosters}..
Bottom Line:$43 is really expensive -dam.But it weighs 800 grams & that's what i want !So now i need a rear to replace the 625 gram ZED{pinchflatted}to the fat 66 2.1 800 gram rear....Grips really well & i like it !only if it was cheaper !!!i use these tires for dh & dual...i give it a 4 star because of $$$$
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Michael Reagan a Weekend Warrior from Burbank
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:The Old Wagon Trail (W.Valley)
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Purchased At:Dick Heads Bike Store (GONE)
Strengths:FAT66. These things will hold like nothing else.
The good Ole Knobby!
I can run them hard. 50psi in back and 40psi up front. And they rock.
Weaknesses:Very slow up hill. Like riding through mud. But Hey! Its a wide tire.
Similar Products Used:Z-MAX and other odd patern tires
Bike Setup:Nishiki Ariel Hard Ass With Judy XC long, Shimano DX Old.
Getting New Santa Cruz Superlight w/Mana X-Vert and with the same tires.:-)
Bottom Line:If you like to be sure about tire to trail contact, this is it. I've tride those odd pattern tires in the past and always went back to a knobby. They will always give you a good feel.
Tioga makes a thinner one for XC. Less resistance.
I'm Sure it kicks butt too.
As long as you don't lock up your tires when you brake. These will last a long lime. They take you to hell and back.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Mike a Downhiller from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:Hmmm....
Duration Product Used:3 months
Purchased At:Velo Swap-Denver w/ wheels and brakes
Strengths:I ride the Fat 66, and I don't usually have pinch problems, but when I do, they're beastly holes. Love these tires, great grip on snow, rock, sand, mud ect. Rode Conti. Vertical pro for a while, and had a bazillion pinches
Weaknesses:Ice, but what tire really grips Ice well?
Similar Products Used:Conti. Vertical Pro 2.3, Maxxis 2.6
Bike Setup:'00 Santa Cruz Bullit w/ Marzocchi Jr.T and cool stuf like that
Bottom Line:Love these tires, but they won't save you, you have to save yourself......ALWAYS WEAR A HELMEY!!!!!!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Ian Campsall a Cross Country Rider from Canada
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:Mount DOug
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $35.00
Purchased At:Bike Barn
Strengths:EXCELLENT GRIP
WEARS VERY WELL
ROCKS, ROOTS, MUD, SAND--IT DON'T MATTER YOU'VE GOT CONTROL AND NOTHING BUT
EXCELLENT KNOBBY PLACEMENT
Weaknesses:??????
Bike Setup:Kona Lava Dome with all kinds of neat toys.
Bottom Line:I don't know what Phil is whining about this tire rocks! Before I got it I was slipping and sliding like a sumo wrestler on wet ice but no longer! I have never had a pinch flat and I have taken three and four foot drops onto rocks and roots.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Sam a from Essex, England
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2000
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $30.00
Purchased At:MCC cycles, England
Strengths:Good for cornering and good in wet conditions. Good grip. Near impossible to get a normal puncture. Cheap.
Weaknesses:Very soft sidewalls, pinch flats easily unless at a very high pressure.
Similar Products Used:Michellin, Maxxis
Bike Setup:Saracen X-ess, Marzocchi Z4's, Maguras, Mavic etc
Bottom Line:Very good tyres if you ride in a lot of mud, but pump them up to a high pressure. Good tyres if your on a budget, only £20 or $30 for a pair of steel beaded and £25 or $40 for a pair of kevlar. Beats £60 Michellins if you haven't got the money!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by CHUCK a Weekend Warrior from VANCOUVER
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2000
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $50.00
Purchased At:COVE BIKE SHOP
Strengths:wide, looks killer
Weaknesses:cost for fat 66
Similar Products Used:Kenda Kinetics 2.35
Bike Setup:Marin Alpine Trail FRS, Manitou X-vert R's, Tioga 2.1's, Mavic D521 rims, Magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes
Bottom Line:These are an awesome pair of tires, they're even wider than they say, plus they look great and have excellent knob placement, I would also recommend putting a 2.3 in front and a 2.1 in the back. The regular tires are inexspensive, but the fat 66's are a rip, but i guess its worth the extra strength for a big rider.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Elliot Tanner a Downhiller from England
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2000
Favorite Trail:nantmawr qaurry
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:Exellent grip even in the wet. cool logo
Weaknesses:weight,sometimes pinches
Bike Setup:cannondale super-v 700 with RS judy xlc's and xt groupset.
Bottom Line:This tire is one of the best i have ever used. It will grip on anything and looks seriosly good on any bike. As most of the time it rains in England, i had to by a tire that works well in all conditions. I can still take the corners as fast as like with these tires and not even worry if they are going to grip. Only use these tires if you are doing downhill or daul.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Phil McIntosh a Weekend Warrior from Northern Ireland
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:The Chute - NI
Duration Product Used:6 months
Strengths:Reasonable Grip.
Weaknesses:Condoms have thicker sidewalls.
Similar Products Used:Kujo DH
Bike Setup:2000 Kons Stab Dee Lux with the usual sexy shiny bits.
Bottom Line:If you're riding trails with lots of rocky sections don't buy these tyres. I've never tried the fat66 version, but the fact that they introduced a fat wall version kinda suggests there was a weakness in the standard ones. When i was running these tyres I would have to make sure I had at least three spare tubes with me, they pinch flat at every opportunity, by the time I changed them the side walls were ripped open, and no.....my pressures were'nt too low, I'd tried DH specific tubes, MX tubes, all to no avail.
If you love getting pinch flats or your mate owns an innertube company go ahead and buy them, if not, go for something with a substancial side wall.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:2

Submitted by David Molony a Downhiller from Canterbury Kent England
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2000
Favorite Trail:something at porc, penshurst
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:superglue tread; indestructable, fair wearing, rolls fast, nice logo, Y'no the score.
Weaknesses:possibly a little heavy, but if you live to go down , who gives an arse.
Similar Products Used:kendas.
Bike Setup:Identiti Mr Hyde, Judy race D521's
Bottom Line:This tyre is great, I mean great man. I got the ceramic fat66 version, and I can't fault it. I only weigh 45kg, but it gets one hell of a lot af abuse, and I ride 3 miles to school each day.
If your a downhiller, buy it. If your an Xc'er get the 1.95 version.
You will not regret spending the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Scott a Downhiller from Nothern California
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2000
Duration Product Used:6 months
Strengths:Grips Hard on any kind of pavement.
Weaknesses:MSRP is too high. A little heavy.
Similar Products Used:Panaracer, GEAX, Ritchey, Specialized.
Bike Setup:Specialized FSR with Z1 BAM
Bottom Line:These tires grips hard for sure. They are a little too heavy for cross country riding. For downhilling, nothing else I've tried can compare. I will continue using them for my next set of tires.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by David a Downhiller from Worcester, MA USA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2000
Duration Product Used:6 months
Strengths:I love the stiff ceramic reinforced sidewalls, good knobbiness, hold the road and the trail as if it were superglued to it. kevlar bead makes for very easy install
Weaknesses:none
Bike Setup:'93 trek 930 tioga factorydh 2.1 rear, trek z-phyr front, loads of lights, pump, the usual stuff, great hardtail
Bottom Line:AWESOME.... BUY ONE TODAY... puncture resistant makeup, sticks to the trail, due to stiffness, inertia, and a few other factors, I go faster on this than on my semi-slick tire or my old specialized ultra fat tire (I forget the model off the top of my head)
I found mine for 50-60% off wow!!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Danno a cross-country rider from Glendale, AZ
Date Reviewed: July 1, 1998
Bottom Line:
I run this front tire with a Tioga Factory XC in the back and it's just plain awesome. My previous favorite combo was the IRC Missle in front with a Mythos XC in back. The Missle was pretty nice but this new Tioga corners better and the casing gives a real nice ride. This is a very big tire though and won't give much clearance for people with Rock Shox forks. I run a Bomber Z2 and it's fine. Bonus points for the all black tire thing and the cool big white letters on the sidewalls.
Overall Rating:5






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