Inspired byThe cornering prowess ofThe iconicTioga Psycho line ofTires and infused with an innovative approachTo knob functionality.The Psycho Genius isThe intelligent choice forTechnicalTrails. Mag60 Casing = 60Thread count casing incorporating unique rubberTexture on its sidewalls for added strength and cut resistance while retaining its suppleness Compound rubber Synergy dual-tread, matchedTo maximize strengths ofThe specific rubber compound with intended knob functionality
Submitted by
snowboy76
a Weekend Warrior
from Pine River, MN
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2012
Strengths: Grip
Durable
Cost
Weaknesses: Not for weight weenies
Bottom Line:
Got these to replace thy Bonty XDX's that came with my bike. Where I ride (Cuyuna) grip and durability trump over weight. Based on the reviews here and elsewhere, these seemed to be the ticket. Also, I find the trend toward $80-$90 "normal" (non-race) mountain bike tires to be ridiculous, so the price of $40 a tire was good.
So far, the Tioga PsyGen has delivered in spaces. The grip is great through the Cuyuna Gold, which is to be expected. (Please note: the Cuyuna Gold hardpack is, even dry, especially grippy. Its in its slightly damp "hero dirt" phase, so pretty much anything this side of slick would be grippy.) When the trail turns to scree, rock slabs, or sand these tires seem to still grip fine. Even at speed on long downhills they seem to hold on far past the point you would expect. Since we do not ride wet trails in Minnesota, I can not comment on the wet grip abilities of these tires.
They appear to be very durable as well. No slashes or even nicks from sharp iron ore rocks. Many a far more expensive have lost to the shards that litter the trails. To have a "value" tire that holds up this well is encouraging.
About the only thing I have against them is that for weight weenies they might be a bit portly. But just don't have that second cupcake before the ride and you make up the difference.
In conclusion, I'm finding that the Psycho Genius' are doing everything I expected them to do and more. They may not have the marketing that some other tires from a larger manufacturer have, but they put their effort where it counts: where the tire meets the trail.
I think the value is 5 Chilies and I'm giving them a 4 Chili overall rating for now. As I ride more and conditions change that might change.
Submitted by
Tzvia
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodland Hills CA
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2012
Strengths: So far, it's been a durable tire. I think I've been riding close to a year on the 2.1 in front and it still looks in good shape. Rolling resistance is really low and it feels lighter than its weight. I plan on getting another for the back once my Captain tire is done so I can only comment on its use up front. I've ridden it in the rocky, sandy and slightly damp soil of Bend and our dry lose over hardpack and bottomless sand of So Cal and it works just fine in both. Easy to steer and pick a line, it almost seems to read my mind. It replaced a very stable (but slow) Eskar 2.3 and I don't feel that I've lost much cornering ability or traction but it rolls so much smoother. I'm running it converted to tubeless with the Gorilla tape method and it setup without an issue and has not burped once. It's just about everything I am looking for in an all around trail tire.
Weaknesses: Yea, no direction indicator. I actually rode it for about a month backwards (wasn't bad). Would prefer having a 2.0 size for the rear and a 2.2 up front instead of the 2.1 or 2.3 size choice for general trail riding.
Bottom Line:
Good tires. Reasonable weight, so far durable. Light feeling flickable tire that fits my riding style. Does well in lose over hard, hardpack, deep sand, rocky and damp but not muddy conditions. Converts to tubeless without an issue. Can be had for a reasonable cost. As long as I keep my ears open for that scratching sound of the tire at it's limit and adjust accordingly there are no surprises; cornering grip is good but not the same as the 2.3 Eskar it replaced. But I knew that going in- I was looking for a more agile tire. I've spent much more on tires that were no better and some that were worse. An excellent value that would get 5 chilis if they came in 2.0 and 2.2 size instead of 2.1 or 2.3 as my trail riding needs lean more towards general trails and flowy singletrack and not the more aggressive all mountain type riding.
Similar Products Used: Kenda Nevegals, Spec Eskar, Captain Control and SWorks, WTB Werewolf Race, Wolverine.
Bike Setup: Two bikes, Giant Anthem xt/xtr and Easton XC-1 wheels, and Spec SWorks Safire XO/XTR w/Pure-XCR Scandium wheelset. Both 2x9.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mevadus
a All Mountain Rider
from Florida
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2012
Strengths: I haven't flatted on them yet.
Weaknesses: I thought this tire was going to be great due to all the good reviews it has received. It might be the the type of riding I am doing, but after only a few months of riding in Balm Boyette, this tire is pretty much shredded. The knobbies have worn off, there are deep gouges in the tire, and I don't expect it to last much longer.
Submitted by
rockerc
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ., USA
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2011
Strengths: Ease of fitting, grip, fairly lightweight, confidence-inspiring.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
I got the tubeless version after slicing 2 Bonty XR4s very quickly here in the Tucson chunk. (2 other riders I know here have done the same to 2 each of their XR4s in quick succession). I was looking for a tire with similar characteristics to the XR4s, but more sidewall strength. So far, the Tiogas are every bit as fast and grippy as the XR4s, and in the loose-over-hard sandy sections they are awesome. Very confidence-inspiring. On the rocks they are also very nice. I have only tried them for a short time, and will update as I get on further, but so far they are a worthy replacement for the not-fit-for-rocky-chunk XR4s.
Similar Products Used: Bontrager XR4, many other tubeless tires
Bike Setup: Salsa El Kaboing, XTR group mainly.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ub Bikin
a Weekend Warrior
from San Mateo, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2011
Strengths: There is absolutely no doubt about it. This Tire is the most efficient and grippy rear tire I have ever mounted on a rim. I used to run Kenda Nevegal - Tomac editions front and rear, but now, this Tioga has surpassed all the previous tires I have ever used for rear traction, stability, cornering, dependability and, hands down, this tire is the best at keeping and maintaining its traction from a dead start. This tire will get you moving from a dead start on any trail, trail condition, and trail steepness. My Kendas were fine, or at least I thought they were fine in the area of traction and when I was having difficulty with lack of traction I blamed my riding and balance. That was not the case and the Tioga Psycho Genius proved me wrong. They dig in, grip, bite, call it what you will, but mostly you'll call it confidence. These tires are difficult to locate for a reasonable price but I found them out of state @ Ridethis.com and then price smashed @ Cambria for a great deal. I ride an Intense Spyder and my only issue was the 2.3 circumference size which with this high volume tire rubbed slightly. I sanded the side knobs down by a couple of millimeters and the fit was right on after that. I'm running WTB Weirwolf LT on the front and combined with the Tioga Psycho on the rear I'm so tuned in to the trails I ride that getting out on The Saratoga Gap, Skeggs, Water Dog, all trails I can't even name.......ROCK!!! Buy this tire on Ridethis.com, Cambria, Treefort.com and you won't be disappointed.
Weaknesses: None found
Bottom Line:
The Bottom Line is simply, get this tire on your rim and get to riding and having the most rear control you can imagine. So far with the rains in Northern California I have had no issues whatsoever getting my riding in and having the traction to maneuver through the mud, rocks, branches, grasses, whatever.
I'd like to thank the Genius who thought up this Psycho idea to design this tire.
Similar Products Used: Kenda Nevegal - Tomac, WTB Motoraptors, Panaracer - Japanese manufactured not Taiwanese
Bike Setup: Fox Terralogic 100 MM, 5th Element Rear, Full Shimano XT, Time Atac Carbon, WTB SST 98 Saddle - Never a better saddle ever manufactured, Thomsen Elite seat post, Monkey Lite bar, Chris King No Threadset, Thomsen stem, Odi Grips, Ti Skewers.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
StrengthLab
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2010
Strengths: Low rolling resistance, good control, durability and good price point for the tire.
Weaknesses: None - tire does exactly what is intended!
Bottom Line:
Not all tires are good for all riding styles or environmental conditions; with that said, this tire model is great for my riding style and for my environmental conditions - thus the 5 out of 5 stars. These tires shine brightly out here on South Mountain (the largest city park in the United States found in Phoenix, Arizona). I ride aggressive cross country trails with lots of rocks - nearly every other day (I ride a Pivot Mach 4 and take my equipment seriously). These tires grip well, roll very fast and wear well with puncture resistance that's top notch (I use Stan's) - side wall tears from rocks out here have not been an issue at all to date. Not a super light tire, but light enough not to be an issue (could be used for racing with no problem). The 2.30 tire size is balloon fat making cornering and rolling a breeze. I run them tubeless and the Stan's product sealed them up with no problems. Even mounting the tires on my 2011 Mavic ST wheels were easy... no tools required - I just used my fingers for quick installation. The tread design is outstanding for rocks and loose debris and they float over sand instead of getting bogged down in it. Certainly buy these tires if your situation or riding style fit mine, you won't be sorry. Even the price is good on these guys. P.S. many of the tire products on the market today are outdated and over priced, but this is a current and cutting edge design, priced right with a ton of strong qualities!
Bike Setup: 2008 Pivot Mach 4 with Mavic ST wheels
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
J-Lab
a Cross Country Rider
from StrengthLab@earthlink.net
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2010
Strengths: Rolling resistance is very low, with good control and durability - all at a good price point.
Weaknesses: None. It does what it's intended to do!
Bottom Line:
Not all tires are good for all riding styles or environmental conditions; with that said, this tire model is great for my riding style and for my environmental conditions - thus the 5 out of 5 stars. These tires shine brightly out here on South Mountain (the largest city park in the United States found in Phoenix, Arizona). I ride aggressive cross country trails with lots of rocks - nearly every other day (I ride a Pivot Mach 4 and take my equipment seriously). These tires grip well, roll very fast and wear well with puncture resistance that's top notch (I use Stan's) - side wall tears from rocks out here have not been an issue at all to date. Not a super light tire, but light enough not to be an issue (could be used for racing with no problem). The 2.30 tire size is balloon fat making cornering and rolling a breeze. I run them tubeless and the Stan's product sealed them up with no problems. Even mounting the tires on my 2011 Mavic ST wheels were easy... no tools required - I just used my fingers for quick installation. The tread design is outstanding for rocks and loose debris and they float over sand instead of getting bogged down in it. Certainly buy these tires if your situation or riding style fit mine, you won't be sorry. Even the price is good on these guys. P.S. many of the tire products on the market today are outdated and over priced, but this is a current and cutting edge design, priced right with a ton of strong qualities!
Bike Setup: 2008 Pivot Mach 4 with 2011 Mavic ST wheels
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
knotyetdead
a Weekend Warrior
from WA
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2010
Strengths: Light weight; low rolling resistance; excellent traction in all conditions.
Weaknesses: Cornering, once it loses lateral grip it does not regain it. 2.3 is smallish - wish it came in a 2.35-2.4.
Bottom Line:
I have the 2.3 foldng bead Psycho Genius run at 28-30 psi. Surprisingly good traction even in the typically wet sloppy PacNW conditions. Much lower rolling resistance and better traction than the Nevegals. Their only weakness in comparison to the Nevegals is that when leaned into a corner, the Nevegal may drift and then regain lateral grip whereas the PG's once they lose lateral grip they just continue to slide out. My new favorite tire. I've only ridden them in wet conditions - I expect they'll be even better in the damp or dry.
Submitted by
mimi1885
a Weekend Warrior
from Pasadena CA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2010
Strengths: Attention to details,
strong no flex side wall,
AI knob just work seemlessly,
Huge volume at reasonable weight
Weaknesses: No tire running direction arrow, may seems like common sense but center thread are mainly consist of AI knobs, can be confusing.
Wish they offer in 2.5 or big tall knob.
Bottom Line:
I love this tire, Fish scale sidewall not only provide addition texture and reinforcement, but show great attention to detail.
Converting to Tubeless by Stan's is a snap. Once the tire beads it's sealed. I did go thru the patting and shaking and pancake flipping, but it just proved unnecessary. Just awesome tires.
Tire are quite soft outer compound. AI knob simply works, especially well at slow speed offer great grip over rocks and logs. No noticeable drag on the long climb, unlike other big tires I've tried.
Cornering is great round profile provide seamless cornering traction. Aggressive lean is encourage as it grips and grips. Drifting provide predictable grip and slip ratio, unlike square profile tires.
It's a huge volume tires that can be run at lower psi, my best result comes at 28 f/r. I recon that I can go a few psi lower and still not flex the side wall through corners and rough stuffs.
PG is about med knob, so over loose gravel it does not dig in as deep, but the fat/tall volume keep it afloat nicely.
It rolls better than Excavators and Nev, less drag. It grips just as well in most conditions, except for loose gravels, which very few tires can perform well.
I'm quite impressed with these tires, and recommend to most AM riding, even XC for the smaller version. Not many tires can make claim and delivers. PG surely did.
