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Trek Big Kahuna Tires

MSRP $
# of Reviews 32
Average Rating 2.72/5
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Submitted by bikingceasarscreek a Cross Country Rider from Springboro, OH
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:United States
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Purchased At:Came with the bike..
Strengths:Undeniably the best off road tire there is. Grips like a mad man and has a beefy look.
Weaknesses:Wears out quicker if you ride on paved trails or roads...keep it in the dirt or get a separate bike for the paved trails.
Similar Products Used:Rear tire so worn had to pick up a "regular" tire from a local super store and it is no comparison. Definitely ordering more Big Kahuna's from Trek!
Bike Setup:Trek 820, front suspension, hard tail.
Bottom Line:I am going to buy a load of these tires so when they are no longer out there, I'll still be gripping trails like a mad man!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Crazy Q a Cross Country Rider from Augusta
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:Collar Bone Hill
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $10.00
Purchased At:Auclairs
Strengths:Hooks up like a mo fo. Best tire for the money... This thing digs like a dog with fleas on his nuts. Now I can lean my bike in the corners until the pedals drag and this rubber keeps me screamin.
Weaknesses:No longer made.
Similar Products Used:All stock. Nothing I remember like the Big K.
Bike Setup:Specialized M4 Comp with Judy's.
Bottom Line:If there was only one tire made for the trail this is the critter. Excellent on the rear. Super cornering at high speeds and super hill climbing abilities (not for "hungry man.") To all you "tread wears fast" people, try riding in the trail instead of to the corner-store for twinkies.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Zach a Cross Country Rider from mims, FL, U.S.A
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2002
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Strengths:Excellent self cleaning characteristics in mud, good flotation in sand, great traction, and little road noise. You can go through over 12 inches of mud, run the dunes, go rockcrawling, and road race all in one day.
Weaknesses:What weaknesses!?
Bottom Line:These are the best tires for off-road use you can buy. Everyone who rides in severe off-road conditions should buy them.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:3

Submitted by CadBoy a Weekend Warrior from Badass, MN
Date Reviewed: November 8, 1999
Favorite Trail:
the one I'm on
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
this tire makes alot of noise on pavement which is cool on pathways to get people out of the way, it's a loud whirring sound.
Weaknesses:
Rolling resistance requires a 30+mph back wind.
Similar Products Used:
wrapping rags around the rim
Bike Setup:
electric shock, bike with 2 wheels
Bottom Line:Found this tire at a shop for $15 a pair, I bought it for the bad ass tread pattern and name. I'm sure they work great on some conditions, I just haven't found it. I give it 4 flamin dead jack asses on price and the noise they make.
Overall Rating:4

Submitted by pifpo a Weekend Warrior from Phila., PA
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
the one I'm riding
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Front tire-grips better than the stock tires on my G. Fisher(s)
Weaknesses:
like the person before me said-they're not made anymore
Similar Products Used:
Velociraptor, and whatever the white stock front tire on my '97 Big Sur was.
Bike Setup:
'99 Paragon, Judy XC
Bottom Line:I don't believe that any problems I've had on the trail can be attributed to this tire.
Overall Rating:4

Submitted by X a Weekend Warrior from Phila., PA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
wherever
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
MUCH better than the whateverRAPTOR that came on the front of my bike.
Weaknesses:
Not made anymore.
Similar Products Used:
The piece o' CRAPTOR that WAS on front.
Bike Setup:
97 Big Sur
Bottom Line:Has held up well over a year and I dread the time when it finally goes.
Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Kevin a Racer from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: August 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
galbraith
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Strengths:
CHEAP! CHEAP! Kevlar bead. Decent weight.
Weaknesses:
Wasn't free
Similar Products Used:
Z-max, Mythos, Dart
Bike Setup:
Norco Pro Issue, XTR, blah blah blah
Bottom Line:So, when I finally wore thru my trusty ole Z-max, I needed a replacement.... At the time I was working in a shop and was able to get it for $10!! And it was Kevlar beaded to boot. Now I am used to wet mud, and root riding, so no wimpy @ss slick will ever do on the front. I have been riding this baby since 1994, and racing it since 1996. It grips great... little slow rolling, but fitness can always overcome that. I give it 5 big ones because of the price, and tenacity.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Bird a Cross-Country Rider from North Branch
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Bottom Line:These were on my sis's trek 830, but they were too knobby for pavement driving.,,I decided they might be good for general dirt riding on my Diamond back. These things wore like a pencil eraser in 2 weeks. They're a rough ride, and with all these knobs you'd think they'd provide traction, I guess they're just supposed to look good. Avoid these hoops
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by dytjhk a racer from ca
Date Reviewed: January 3, 1999
Bottom Line:

these blow chunks. they are bad tires. Road tires work better then these. they are CRAP on the grass,pavement, dirt, gravel, water, rocks, ruts, roots, mud ,sand , carpet, pebles, etc!
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Xavery Mulinski a cross-country rider from PL
Date Reviewed: September 12, 1998
Bottom Line:

Came in stock with my last bike - Trek 850 '95.
They got big rolling resistances and are overly heavy. The rear has nice grip
for some time - but after that -> CRAP ! Not too solid - the rear didn't last more than 1500 km, next there were only flats - up to one a trip.Could be better but they're probably very cheap now so let's give 'em
2,5 flamin' shit => say 3
Overall Rating:3

Submitted by JayCee a cross-country rider from SF,CA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 1998
Bottom Line:

Who makes this tire list? Some of these tires no one has ever heard of. Like this one- except me. Was cheap in the clearance bin at Trek dealer. Bought the front one- It is grippy and big and has a square carcass, but has very high rolling resistance. Noisiest front tire I've ever had- design is early 1990's for suspension forks Mag20/21 early Manitou's. Does anyone even have this tire? Dammit, I have one- Absorbs everything, huge.
Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Josh a cross-country rider from ontario
Date Reviewed: May 30, 1998
Bottom Line:

My bike came with these pieces of crap on it. They are to big and heavy. They wear very quickly. I put michelin wildgrippers lites on my bike and lost a little more than half a pound on each tire! WARNING: DO NOT BUY THESE TIRES, THEY SUCK! IF YOU HAVE THEM ON YOUR BIKE NOW THEN TAKE THEM OFF AND BURN THEM!
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Scott a cross-country rider from Virginia
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1998
Bottom Line:


These tires came stock on my 97 Trek 830. Overall, they have done their job. The back tire almost lasted a full year, but came up short. The front tire barely has a pulse with 2 months to go. What do you expect though? $50 tires on a $300 bike? Not even sure they make these anymore. I think they are officially dead. The patterns were decent, but the wear was soft. They also feel a little heavy.
Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Charlie V a from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: January 7, 1998
Bottom Line:

Hmmm. I spent several minutes thumbing through a dictionary and a thesauras in an attempt to find the perfect words to describe these tires and I found them, THEY F%$#(*& SUCK! My kobbies were only knobby for a month of dirt riding. they climb like an anvil, the grip is slicker than a minnows dick and they stayed flatter than My grannies titties.
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Tim Large a weekend warrior from Kettering, Ohio
Date Reviewed: November 6, 1997
Bottom Line:

I have to agree with everyone else. After riding with these for two years, the front tire has held up great, but the back tire wears down easily. I recently replaced the back tire in August with the same brand. After three months of riding it has already begin to wear. I guess you get what you pay for! Overall, they're not a bad tire for the price. They seem to perform best in rough and/or wet conditions.
Overall Rating:3

Submitted by J. Wright a cross-country rider from Kyushu, JAPAN
Date Reviewed: September 3, 1997
Bottom Line:

These came with my trek so I can not really complain. The front tire is quite nice, and has held up. I like the grip. The rear tire is a piece of crap and seems to disintegrate. Two stars, but hey, not too bad. If you buy a Trek, use them till they die, otherwise don't go out of your way to get them.
Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Lee a weekend warrior from Sudbury, Ma
Date Reviewed: August 14, 1997
Bottom Line:

They're ok. They are good at first, but wear rather quickly, and when that
happens, you lose climbing traction very quickly. Look somewhere else
if you want replacement tires.
Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Bill a weekend warrior from MO
Date Reviewed: August 8, 1997
Bottom Line:

The rear tire literally rips apart. The front is OK. They are cheap though.
Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Bill a racer from York, PA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 1997
Bottom Line:

Good, well very good except the back tire's knobs started to wear! Great for loose dirt/sand! The front tire is one of the very best out!
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Rafael a cross-country rider from El Salvador
Date Reviewed: July 4, 1997
Bottom Line:

I tried a Kahuna for my rear tire and it sucked. After a couple hours of riding half the knobs were gone.
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Chris a cross-country rider from VA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 1997
Bottom Line:

You can't do anything on these tire in compatison to a good pair of IRC Mythos or somthing like that. Your all over the place and thay weigh way to much for my needs.
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Jerry a weekend warrior from NY
Date Reviewed: June 20, 1997
Bottom Line:

These tires are super scrawney, and spin like a windmill on uphill climbs. ditch these suckers and go get yourself a pair of ritchey alpha\omegas.
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by dave a cross-country rider from ca
Date Reviewed: June 15, 1997
Bottom Line:

These tires are the worst I have ever riden. They wash out easy and how about durability? after the first day out I could see them begining to disolve. They reminded me of my incredible disapearing Shimano cantilever pads I just to have.
I would like to thank the really HONEST and HELPFUL sales creatures at PASADENA CYCLERY for turning me on to these pieces of #@$^%*&. (not to mention taking my 21 bucks for a supposed sale on these tires. Thanks a lot guys!!!
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Jason Sperry a cross-country rider from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1997
Bottom Line:

These tires are absolutely horrible. They pierce, wear, and slip easily in all but the softest conditions. I am borrowing my friends Trek 850 that had these put on as stock. I have ridden it for only two weeks and have already shredded the sidewall on the rear, and the tread is ripped up on the front and back. BTW these are the worst climbing tires ever. Buy them if you don't ride more than once a year and only in firm mud. I wish I could give them a negative rating but I'll have to settle with one.
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by dave mudd a cross-country rider from BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 23, 1997
Bottom Line:

I picked up my rear Big Kahunas at a local Caps store on sale for $19.00,
In Canada that's a good deal for a tire.I bought them on the assumption that their simular appearance to an original
Smoke for $20.00 less might make them a good bet. I lucked out, they are
great here in BC as an all round tire. We ride mostly mud in the coastal
rain forest but its' a lot drier in the Carbiou region.The tires hook up better than I could have hoped at 30 to 35 psi for my
160 lbs. I run only the rear as per the directional arrows on a Norco
Team Issue.Tires are subjective however, I posted this to give the tire the credit
I think it deserves. I'll buy more and some the BMBC guys may too considering
I've been hooking up where they break loose. th'mudd
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Charlie Deeks a cross-country rider from Toronto
Date Reviewed: May 8, 1997
Bottom Line:

I had these on my old bike and they suck big time. The rear washes quickly, not to mention that it wore otu after 1 month. My new bike has WTB Velociraptor 44/50 and they are AWESOME! Save up some money and go for these. They corner and dig great.
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Ted Northrop a cross-country rider from Philly, PA.
Date Reviewed: December 7, 1996
Bottom Line:

The rear specific is good only in soft, muddy conditions. Very slow
on hardpack, and treads chip easily on rocky conditions. Not a good
climber in any conditions, slips alot seems to be the paddle tread is
too far apart. Tire wears fast on hard surface.
The front specific is good on soft muddy conditions. Climbs o.k.
better than the rear (but that ain't sayin' much) rolls better than
the rear on hardpack surfaces and grips better on rocks.
Overall cheap tire in price and you get what you pay for. Spend the
extra cash and get a better tire it will last longer and give better
performance.
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Greg Taylor a cross-country rider from Alexandria, Virginia
Date Reviewed: November 27, 1996
Bottom Line:

These things are kinda big and heavy, but they hook up really well and are CHEAP! I pick up a set for my bike for about $15 a pop (on sale) which beats the snot out of shelling out $45 - 50 for a high-end tire when most of us (well, mainly me) are not good enough riders to have a spendy wonder-tire make a big difference......
Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Robert a weekend warrior from High Desert, California
Date Reviewed: October 30, 1996
Bottom Line:

Great tire for the low bucks! They're a bit heavy compared to kevlar bead tires, but they provide a massive amount of traction in slippery, sandy situations. I suggest them over the Panaracer Smokes and Richey Z-Max tires if your not considering a kevlar bead tire.
Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Rob a cross-country rider from Mississippi
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1996
Bottom Line:

Econ-o-raptors! The rear really does hook up and it clears mud well, while the
front is good enough to keep you from killing yourself in most situations that
the rear can propel you into. Yeah, there are better tires out there, but these
work almost as well for 1/3 the money -- the ultimate beater bike tire. Put a
set on a cruiser and go scare the hell out of Aunt Millie.
Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Ryan Bell a racer from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1996
Bottom Line:

This is my very first knobby tire. I look back at it since I got my Continentals and noticed that the steel beading on the sides was coming apart, and this was after only three months of very light use. The crappiest tire I have ever used.
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by chris marino a downhiller from tulsa, ok
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1996
Bottom Line:

These tires are great and are firm and i
think are better than the tioga pyscos. Handle
great.
Overall Rating:4






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