Submitted by
ousooner98
a Weekend Warrior
from Cortez, CO, USA Date Reviewed: October 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere in the San Juan Mountains
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Fast rolling design well suited for the desert southwest. 1 flat all season which is good for this area. Great in loose over hard pack. These don't easily drift. Climbs surprisingly well. The 2.24 does really well in deep sand.
Weaknesses:
They turn into a pumpkin after one drop of water. To their credit WTB specifies that this tire is designed for dry terrain they were not exaggerating. Wait to put these on after the spring rains and before the fall downpour.
Vintage (Ha!) 1994 GT Ricochet SRAM X-7 all the way around, Mavic wheelset with XT Hubs, Rock Shox Tora, Raceface Evlolve crankset
Bottom Line:
This is a good dry conditions tire. I am a heavy rider 220lb and I rode these all summer with very little wear. They corner well and don't drift as easy as the weirwolfs, or slide like the jones xr (junk). They roll fast and brake well even late braking. They are heavy, but for me its a drop in the bucket with my own weight and a 30+lb bike. Once again. NOT A TIRE FOR ANY PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN! You will ride about 20 feet in wet conditions and then head back because it is miserable. If you get caught out on the trail with these when it rains...even worse. I will give these a five chili rating because I selected them as a "desert specialist" and because WTB says on its website "Dry". Overall they could be lighter and that's worth a chili deduction.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jpine93
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA Date Reviewed: July 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Northstar
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Summit
Strengths:
Slow speed turning and cornering, uphill, little roll resistance, grippy through rock gardens and loose rocks.
Weaknesses:
Terrible cornering if there are no berms and the turn is more than 15 degrees. Anything over 10 mph and the front and back tire both go out.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
07 Stumpy FSR Comp
Bottom Line:
These tires are good when going fairly straight, but on almost all turns, they wash out BIG TIME.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
C. P.
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco CA Date Reviewed: May 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Waterdog
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Fast Smooth roller W/ Good Cornering Grip. Good grip on dry, sand/loose over hardpack trails.
Weaknesses:
Mud. Center Knobs get beat up and torn on rocky decents.
I love my Velociraptors, but the rear tire is real slow, like a tank tread. When things dried out I wanted a smoother / faster tire, and the Mutano is working out great as a rear in dry conditions. Super fast and smooth when straight up and still has gnarly lugs on the sides for good cornering grip. This tire made me a lot faster on my usual climbs. I was a little weary about climbing grip looking at the tread, but I haven't had any issues, even out of the saddle. SLIPPERY WHEN WET. Don't try it in the wet if you don't have to.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eric whiteside
a Cross Country Rider
from could tell you but would have to kill you later Date Reviewed: February 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Anything in Annadale SP or Auburn Rec area
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
low rolling resistance, great cornering/tracking as a front tire, predictable handling
Weaknesses:
sidewalls tend to wear out faster than tread
Similar Products Used:
IRC Mythos, Velociraptor, Panaracer Dart
Bike Setup:
Jekyll 600 "Clydesdale" Spec, Marzocchi Z1 Drop Off, LX/XTR
Bottom Line:
I started riding these tires in 2001 but only for the front. I could tell by looking that these tires would not function well as a rear tire on a trail bike. I use a Panaracer Cinder 2.24 for that and the combination of those two tires works for just about EVERYTHING except sloppy mud and or clay. Neither tire clears mud well, so if you ride in relatively dry conditions you are good to go. The MutanoRaptor is predominantly a dry condition tire. It's okay when it's "damp" out, but if the trail is "wet" be very careful. The Cinder's only downfall in the mud is that it doesn't clear mud quickly. Anyway...bottom line...the MutanoRaptor and Cinder as a combination work flawlessly in dry, medium to hardpack conditions. The two are also not bad when you have to ride asphalt in conjunction with your trail rides as well. They both roll relatively fast for full knobby tires.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jSatch
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA Date Reviewed: January 19, 2007
Favorite Trail:
the one to the taco stand, amigo
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$17.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Low rolling resistance Wear slow Aggressive knobs, within limits Price
Weaknesses:
Sized smaller than I expected Very tight bead- not easy to change tires Wear slow (not sticky) Aggressive knobs, within limits Price
Similar Products Used:
lots
Bike Setup:
Stumpy FRS Pro + stuff
Bottom Line:
I had Kenda Nevegals on the rear in the smaller, faster 2.1 size. I purchased the WTB Mutanos as a replacement for IRC Mibros. I expected them to be a larger sized (than the rear Neves), fast rolling, yet somewhat aggressive front tire for the dry conditions here in SoCal. I thought the nearly continuous centerline combined with aggressive side knobs would be good for a larger front tire. However, the size of the Mutanos was almost the same as the 2.1 Neves. They appear nearly the same in width, and maybe stand a bit taller than the Neves. Bummer!
I now have the Neves on the front (I would have preferred a larger tire there than the 2.1s) and the Mutanos on the rear. They work well as a rear tire. I was surprised as I usually excluded a nearly continuous centerline for consideration for the rear as previous tires slipped out a lot with this configuration. Not the Mutanos. They held ground as well or better than the Neves on the loose uphill stuff we have here. NOTE: I had the Neves in the forward ramped position, I did not try these in reversed direction in the rear, and the knobs were more worn than the new Mutanos when compared. Although there was a limit to these tiny, pokey knobs in the loose stuff, they did better than I expected for a fast rolling, all-mountain tire. We’ll see what happens after some wear.
The low rolling resistance combined with a relatively aggressive tread pattern (within reason) makes this a nice summer tire. Their weight excludes them from racing, but for kickin’ around their rolling resistance more than makes up for the weight. I haven't tried them on the street, but as others mentioned, the fast centerline roll and low wear would make this a good choice on the street between trails.
I would consider this a very nice rear tire (didn’t try as a front) that is condition specific and works well here in the dry southwest. I’m looking to buy another IRC Mibro for the front and going with the Mutanos (dry, loose over hardpack) or Neves (everything else) on the rear. The only problem is, as mentioned previously, these are a serious pain in the butt to swap out, at least on my rims.
I got them for $17 a pair on eBay. These are unbelievable tires at that price. At the MSRP I’d find them harder to recommend, unless you ride primarily dry, loose over hardpack conditions. For that they perform well. I'm only going with 3 hotties in value due to the MSRP, and 4 hotties when used in dry conditions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ATBScott
a Cross Country Rider
from Castro Valley, CA, USA Date Reviewed: November 23, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Can I only have one?
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Wear, low rolling resistance, dry-to-medium condition performance. Seem to work well in sand too.
Weaknesses:
Cornering grip unpredictable in some loose-over-hard. Do not clear mud, and the knobs are too small to penetrate when conditions get wet - "floats" on flat-top casing and feels like a slick! Rear knobs tear on rocks.
Similar Products Used:
You name it. I'm a tire geek.
Bike Setup:
Ransom LTD custom build.
Bottom Line:
Overall I like the tires - over the summer they work well. Roll nicely when you have pavement miles to get to (or to connect) trails. In some conditions the cornering on the large corner knobs can be a bit unpredictable - but that said, the times that these washed out on me, the flat face dug back in and allowed me to recover without hitting the dirt (just about had to clean my shorts a couple of times though...) Knobs seem to tear on the rear, climbing and turning on rockier surfaces, even though they do maintain grip. I have some of the larger side knobs that look like someone took a utility knife to them after rides at Skyline in Napa, or faster runs down Lawndale at Annadel. DTC compound on both tires, and the front shows almost no wear after a total of about 9 month's use. Took these off last Fall when it started to get wet in NorCal, and ANY significant moisture that could be considered "mud" allowed the casing to float on the surface, and the short knobs would not dig in. Ok in loamy soil, but any sort of clay or slick mud and these are worthless. 3 weeks ago I swapped for Trailbears, and they ride nicely in all the conditions I have had them in - don't roll quite as nicely as the 'tanos but they feel more predictable, and seem to work well in the mud - even when packed up! Overall I have to give the Mutanoraptor 2.24 a "4" - for drier conditions. In wet or muddy they should be removed, unless you live where the soil is all DG or Loam - then they are probably fine.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Catts
a Cross Country Rider
from Spring Branch, Tx Date Reviewed: June 5, 2006
Favorite Trail:
It's all goood
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$29.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Corners great, climbs well..
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
IRC Trailbear, WTB Weirwolf..
Bike Setup:
Klein Attitude hardtail, Full Sram XO..Raceface crank..Avid Mech..Disc..Woodman hubs, Bontrager Mustang Rims..Fox Vanilla RL 100mm
Bottom Line:
Bought these last week and tried them out on my favorite technical trail ride..my Klein is set up for Tech. XC riding.. I have the 2.4 on front and 2.24 on rear..the rear tire climbed great on loose rocky Central Texas rocks..rolled over rocks great..cornered great..especially when coming off several 2-3 foot drops it didn't lose traction..good centerline tracking..what else can I say..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CityBike Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA Date Reviewed: June 2, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
SuperGo
Strengths:
Side grip, little rolling resistance
Weaknesses:
Soft sidewalls, not much braking / technical climbing grip
Similar Products Used:
MotoRaptor 2.24
Bike Setup:
2005 Cannondale Jekyll 800, Stan's NoTubes
Bottom Line:
Love it as a rear tire. They roll extremely well, but come up a little short on climbing grip when trying to scale technical terrain.
I'd like to try a version with a thicker sidewall / carcass. Put a rock through the center of the carcass one time, another through the sidewall a second time. Both times, the size of the rupture was large enough that Stan's couldn't stop it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cranky [OMBA]
a Weekend Warrior
from Ocala, Florida Date Reviewed: May 12, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Santos, FL
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Bottom Line:
I agree with the positive reviews here. I use the Mutano as a rear, and surprisingly it's the best climbing tire I've tried (Santos, Florida - short, steep climbs mostly in clay, sand or crumbly limestone). It's a good tire for occasional on-road use, too. I'll try one on the front next.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Jensen
a Weekend Warrior
from Jamestown, ND USA Date Reviewed: May 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Pipestem Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$24.00
Purchased At:
Green Fish
Strengths:
There are 4; Price, center rib re. rolling resistance, size was a perfece replacement for my Specialized Epic Comp Pro tires and very good side lug design.
Weaknesses:
None that I've noticed.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic Comp Disc, 2006, Cateye Micro wireless, bar ends and now good grip tires.
Bottom Line:
I've only ridden the tires (both front and back are the 2.24) and I really like them. I noticed the enhanced rolling resistance reduction immediatelly. I'd say 15 - 20% better than my stock Specialized Pro tires. They have a very good design side grip lug pattern and I rode them on a side hill grass trail and I was very comfortable. Since I used both the 2.24 tires I didn't have the frustration many others have with the 2.4 version. Great tire, low rolling resistance on hard pack, v good side grip, good price, perfect size, climbs quite well. I'm very pleased!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SG
a Downhiller
from Reno Date Reviewed: May 6, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Dirty Harry
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$28.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
2.24: Solid tire. I use as a front tire and it holds and inspires confidence. A little grabby when you first ride it but you begin to work with it. Good roller on pavement because of its good centerline. Good in sand and rock
2.40: I used as a rear tire. I wasn't too impressed, it wore quickly and was fairly heavy. I replaced with a 2.24 and im very happy.
Weaknesses:
2.40 - A little heavy and wore quickly. No other problems.
2.24 - Mud collectors - Can catch small rocks and toss them at you.
Bike Setup:
04 Enduro - Black Super - Fox RL
Bottom Line:
I purchased the 2.24 and the 2.40 as a set. I ended up liking the 2.24 up front. It is a bomber front tire for dirt and rock. Gives lots of confidence. Also is a fast roller for a meaty tire. Good centerline keeps it rolling fast. The 2.40 is not so good. Sold as the larger front tire, but I used it as a rear. No problems with it, but it did wear fairly quickly.
I recommend getting the 2.24 for front and back tires if you are riding on dry rocky sandy areas. Long lasting, beefy, and grippy on the trail.
Enjoy!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
B
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA Date Reviewed: December 16, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Well-rounded, does everything well
Weaknesses:
Stupid sizing system - How is the 2.24 wider and more aggressive than the 2.4?
Similar Products Used:
Old Bontrager Jones, OEM Specialized
Bottom Line:
This might be the best front tire ever! Wide enough to roll over everything. Tread hooks up perfectly braking and cornering. Yet, surprisingly little rolling resistance for a tire this aggressive.
Might not be slick enough for racing, but you can run this year round on all your other rides. Gives you confidence going down, and doesn't rob speed on the flats.
I haven't tried this tire in the back. It doesn't look like it would be that good of a climber. If anybody tries it, let me know.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Irving,Tx. USA Date Reviewed: November 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
All tech.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Price mart
Strengths:
This tire in a 2.24 has many. You have the ability to adjust this tire to the trail and conditions with the PSI level. More volume (60 PSI) gives you better down hill control. The tire will not slip. With 60 PSI the resistance is high as more tire is in contact with the ground. At 45 PSI the center of tire is the part in contact. Very low resistance is straight lines. When going in to corners be ready the bike goes where you want it and reacts very fast. Breaking of course depends on air volume as well. Mounting this tire is not that bad. Only girls and wimps should need tire tools. Do not let this detour you from buying as I almost did.
Weaknesses:
Not being able to find this tire at a local bike shop.
Similar Products Used:
Similar products would mean as good. None compare.
Bike Setup:
Stump Jumper Pro
Bottom Line:
For only $50 front and back. You can have a tire that gives you more control in all situations.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd Shrauner
a Cross Country Rider
from Yuma, Arizona Date Reviewed: August 13, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Memorial hill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$16.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
very good in loose conditions, even with around 45 psi they seldom lose traction. The center strip is great for riding on the road to get to the trail.
Weaknesses:
?none
Similar Products Used:
specialized Enduro Sport
Bike Setup:
Hardrock disc pro, mostly stock
Bottom Line:
These are great all around tires IMO, I can hold a higher speed (1-2 mph) on the road with these on. Confidence inspiring, I feel much more comfortable bombing down loose rocky trails with these on. Look around e-bay for them, you can get them at 1/2 price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jimmy Bagsmasher
a Cross Country Rider
from Central Coast, CA Date Reviewed: July 14, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$14.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Three words: Loose over packed. Absolutely great performance in gravely,sandy over packed coditions in California.
Submitted by
Kovas
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO, USA Date Reviewed: July 11, 2005
Favorite Trail:
APEX
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
2 for $50 at Pricepoint
Strengths:
Higher Volume tire than most. Very strong sidewalls and fairly durable tread. It's showing some wear after 6 months, but that's not bad for the amount of riding I've done. Will last even longer on wooded trails.
Weaknesses:
A bit weighty, but you can't make a tire this fat and not expect a few extra grams. Wish they made a rear-specific model with more bite.
Similar Products Used:
WTB velociraptors, Continental Explorer Pros
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur, old "original" model, with all the sweet goodies: XTR, Crossmax XL, Minute Fork, bunch of RaceFace. It's basicly the best bike you can build. Sure I'm biased, but then again, I'm not gonna diss my baby. Plus, chicks dig it.
Bottom Line:
For those living in dry climates, like here in Front Range Colorado, where your trails are more dusty than squishy, this tire can't be beat. Sure, it's a bit heavier than other tires I've ridden, but the extra volume gives you a little more cushin' for the pushin'. I feel like it's added a quarter inch to my suspension! Personally, I like the center nibs on the tires. Some of us have to ride a little asphalt / duotrack before hitting the off-road. The center tread bits make all the difference. As for spinning out, c'mon folks - that can happen with ANY tire. I'm from the midwest, so I know that wet roots and wet stones can make any tire slip. A little technique will always outweigh a little tech. I've been lucky enough not to have to ride in mud (it's really bad for erosion out here anyway). Hooks up great on slickrock, loose trails, and the extra fat gives it some float over sandy sections.
I've ridden Velociraptors before, and they're a great all-around tire - nice deep knobbies, talon-like traction, but the tread is noisy and it doesn't spin as fast as the Mutanos seem too. I also feel much more stable on the 2.24 size of the Mutanos. I've had Continentals (Explorer Pros), which I loved, but those tires seemed a bit more fragile, wore much faster, and cost an arm and a leg to replace.
BLUR OWNERS - check this: If you have an older Blur (pre 2005 model, before the disc-only Big-Foot rear triangle), careful with this tire. The 2.24 fits fine, but if you ride over some gravel, the tread may grab a piece or two and take it for a ride, stinging your frame with mini-scratches. I don't mind the scratches now, but if my frame were brand new, I'd shed a tear everytime it happened. I hear the 2.4's will fit the rear triangle as well, but it's a very snug fit.
If you've a XC rider, but are looking for more meaty tread without being full-on "FreeRide" give this tire a shot. I don't think I'd race with this tire (extra pounds), but for all-day riding and the ocassional rock garden dance, this tire can't be beat. My current favorite.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from santa cruz, ca, usa Date Reviewed: February 7, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Magic Carpet Ride
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
great tread, value, weight
Weaknesses:
WHAT's UP w/ SIZE??
Bottom Line:
What's up with tire sizes? I've been running a Mutano Raptor 2.24 in the rear for months (many, many miles), and love it to death. I've been shopping for a new front tire for literally 3 months, as I'm a little picky. Like most riders, I prefer a larger footprint up front (whether or not this is purely aesthetics, mental, or an actual advantage, I do not know, but this is my preference)... So, I've gone through two other mail ordered tires, IRC Mythos being one, I forget the other, which CLAIMED a bigger size than 2.24, and BOTH were much smaller (I measured). Feeling thoroughly frustrated, and generally satisfied with the Mutano, I decided to pick up the 2.4 of the same breed for my front, thinking, naturally, they will at least have the same general sense of what 2.24 means... Well, I just got it, pumped it up, and I'll be damned if it isn't .5 cm SMALLER than my rear!! WTB, should really be WTF??!! I give up, I'm switching them up, and running my BIGGER 2.24 up front, and my SMALLER 2.4 in the rear. I just wish these manufacturers could get some kind of uniformity in their measurements, I mean seriously... AGAIN, WTF???!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chad Bratton
a Cross Country Rider
from Alma, Colorado Date Reviewed: January 31, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
25
Strengths:
Fast rolling, sticks to everything that is dry, economical
Weaknesses:
Not a wet weather tire, side wall thickness
Bike Setup:
'02 enduro, mutano raptor 2.4 front, rhino lite rear wheel, shimano XT/race face components, marzocchi bomber front shock, fox float rear
Bottom Line:
This is the perfect tire if you ride predominantly in dry to damp conditions and want something a little beefier than typical XC tires but lighter than a downhill tire. You'll love it even more if you ride a mix of road and trail because this tire rolls like a champ on everything from loose singletrack to hardpack to pavement. I did rip the sidewall out after about two months of riding some pretty gnarly terrain. So, that was my biggest complaint. My only other issue was performance on soggy trails. Know that this tire will NOT shed mud. On any trail that is more than slightly damp, you probably will not enjoy this tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ilan Tevet
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel Date Reviewed: January 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Shoam, Ben-Shemen
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Extreamly fast on mud, and super fast on dry flat roads. floats over the mud as if it was not there.
Weaknesses:
my frame (m60) should take to 2.35 tires. However, the 2.24 Mutano back tire is only 2mm away from my front derailur - when mud buld up - contant in unavidable.
Submitted by
SeenYour Crash
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, OR Date Reviewed: December 12, 2004
Favorite Trail:
The ones I help maintian
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
The one tire I can just leave on my bike and never question if its right for the conditions. Its the perfect size, holds up well on rocks and carves hard.
Weaknesses:
not a tire for gumbo mud
Similar Products Used:
WTB tires: Weirwolves, Motos, Velocos....
Bike Setup:
SC Blur
Bottom Line:
My favorite tire of all time, and I damn picky about tires.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from Salisbury, NC, USA Date Reviewed: September 7, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Catawba Riverfront
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Sun & Ski @ Concord MIlls, NC
Strengths:
Hooks up very well to loose over hard pack. Fast cornering with limited slip. Excellent for climbing. No spin-outs on steep inclines. Feels like the bike has some BIG balls.
Weaknesses:
NSF
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis: Larsen Oriflamme, Kenda: Klaw
Bike Setup:
2002 Bianchi Denali. Lx comp. Marzocchi bomber MXR air fork. Truvativ FireX cranks, Titec Hell-Bent Bars and stem. 2.24 WTB MutanoRaptors on F/B
Bottom Line:
These tires are my favorite so far. I will purchase other WTB products in the future due to the nature of these tires. Someone weighing close to the 200 lb. mark would love these tires. I'm 6'3 190 lbs. They have worked very well for me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Oceanside, CA, USA Date Reviewed: August 7, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Pontiac Lake, MI
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$28.00
Purchased At:
The Path, Tustin CA
Strengths:
Quality, tread pattern, ability to hold a line.
Weaknesses:
Maybe a tad heavy for cross country, but not by much.
Similar Products Used:
Hutchinson Scorpion, IRC Mythos XC, Tioga Psycho
Bike Setup:
'04 Jamis Dakar Comp, Psycho on the rear, Mutano up front
Bottom Line:
Great tire, and a vast improvement over the Hutchinsons that came with my bike. Steering is perfect - point and go fast! Seems to compliment my front suspension nicely as well. A little skeptical about the 2.24" claim though - mounted and inflated it only measures 2 3/32" (~2.1"), but it is a bit taller in the sidewalls than other 2.1" tires.
I can't speak for anything but hardpack and loose trail conditions, but it is great on those. Well worth the few dollars to upgrade.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from Hungington Beach California United States Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Sheep Hills, Fairview Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
great traction anywhere. fast rolling on street or dirt. they have the DNA rubber compound which is hard but will work well in just about any terrain and mine have shown very little tread wear and I ride just about every day!!! I dirt jump with it and i run a WTB Velociraptor rear on the back and they seem to be a great combo. tires grip and wont let go, even when i try to make them!!!
Weaknesses:
i think i over paid for them when i look at the other reviews, but other than that i can't think of any weaknesses
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Ground Controll
Bike Setup:
2000 Trek 4900, 13" frame, Wellgo downhill pedals, Specialized Seat, ODI lockjaw grips, replaced ProMax Brakes with new ones
Bottom Line:
They grip great, roll fast, last long, and not too expensive although i might have overpaid
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johan Brits
a Cross Country Rider
from Cape Town Date Reviewed: April 30, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Mopgat Hills
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$36.00
Purchased At:
Hugenote Cycles Paarl South Africa
Strengths:
Have been riding a few VERY steep hills,These tyres GRIP,also Very good in uphill loose sand.Braking Excellent.Also on Downhills,very impressive grip on corners.Use to ride with Panaracer XC Pro`s,Go for Mutano`s!
Weaknesses:
Mud,but what tyre with good Grip is Good in mud?
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire XC Pro
Bike Setup:
Trek 8900 SL
Bottom Line:
These are Great tyres!Cant make a mistake!Excellent Grip,uphill,Downhill.Very Fast,even on Tar road.Very durable.Very good tyre for a good price!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JP
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: February 2, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Barton Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA.com
Strengths:
Great rolling tire, low resistance. Good grip in corners. Rolls over sand/loose very well. Excellent climbing grip as well as stopping. 25 bucks each for a 2.24 tire.
Weaknesses:
Wouldn't recommend wet roots, but that can be said for a lot of tires. Did grip very well in wet sandy gravely conditions.
Similar Products Used:
WTB Nanaraptors.
Bike Setup:
Trek 8500 with goodies.
Bottom Line:
Good overall tire. I ride mid-hard pack with loosies in between. Tires performs well in these conditions. I don't recommend wet roots or rocks with these tires. I got great grip going up inclines and awesome stopping coming back down. Would recommend if you like low rolling resistance with nobbies for grip and corners. I'm very pleased with the purchase. I went with front and back.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brown Teeth
a Cross Country Rider
from Morro Bay Date Reviewed: January 27, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Strengths:
Fast rolling and hooks up well in the dry, worthless in the mud, fast on hardpack/pavement, lets one know when its time to back off but not a gripper rather a roller for a front tire, better suited as a back tire with its higher knobs less volume
Weaknesses:
Bit too hard on the compound, likes to loose knobbies after a few 100 miles on sharp rocks. Decent weight and thin sidewall but thread keeps it all working. Best for those that that things faster and don't make mistakes
Bike Setup:
Marin trail pro xtr/xt/..
Bottom Line:
Good tire but a bit too hard cause as it ages and drys out a bit fast as it gets too britle and looses knobs on sharp objects. Very ridable if you ride track that needs a tire that tracks (soft or loose). Going Nokian on the rubber compound. I've run the soft mutano coumpound but they don't smell like the Nokians just not as sticky, will be interesting to see the milage/lifespan on the nokians, have fun all!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kurt
a Weekend Warrior
from Reno NV USA Date Reviewed: January 3, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Anything not snowed in
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Great braking traction, good cornering grip as a rear tire. Predictable and recoverable if it lets go. Tough. Good climbing traction. Good price.
Weaknesses:
Skates badly on the front.
Similar Products Used:
Michelins, Contis, Panracer, Motoraptors
Bike Setup:
SC Blur and Superlight
Bottom Line:
Use it as a rear with a Panracer Fire XC Pro on the front for a great all around fast and variable trail tire combo. My rating is as a rear tire. As a front it gets 3 chilis on the comparison basis.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Kalfus
a Cross Country Rider
from Trabuco Cyn, CA Date Reviewed: October 2, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Corners well in packed dirt & loose dirt. Solid climber in rocky technical sections. Feels stable going downhill.
Weaknesses:
Takes 3 tire irons to take off the rim.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer XC fire pro 127 tpi and WTB Velociraptor.
Bike Setup:
2002 Specialized Comp Stump Jumper - XT - Rock Shock Duke SL 100m with IRC Kujo Downhill 2.35.
Bottom Line:
Tire used on the rear with the rotation direction reversed and overall it outperforms the Panaracer XC, which suprised me and blows away the Velociraptor. I do alot of fast downhills with some technical steep uphills and the tire setup makes a world of difference. No rear tire spins on the techical uphills that I experienced with the Panaracer. I tried numerous tire combos and was told to stay away from the bigger tires (Kujo), however its amost like riding a different bike with added suspension, stability and a new confidence. The Stump Jumper is 'not made' for that tire setup. Its worth trying bigger tires rather than buying a whole new bike. It seems the greatest, least expensive upgrade you can make is experimenting with tires. Also I can barely tell the differnce going uphill with the greater tire weight. For $25 you can't go wrong.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brown Teeth
a
from Morro Bay, CA, USA Date Reviewed: August 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All have their fun/pain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Deeper/thicker tread than the 2.4 which I was looking to replace as a back tire on my trail bike, rounder than 2.4's more V profile, which is what I wanted as sand has been getting deep and I need dig/tracking as a back tire, rather than a floater/tracker.
Weaknesses:
Looks like a nice product after 200 miles still looks like new, smaller volume than 2.4 mutano but tread taller and almost as wide 55/54.
Similar Products Used:
Too many but like the 2.4 mutano as a front since I ride sand trails and only 10% rock, no mud on sandy California central coast, sand is sublime when it rains
Bike Setup:
Marin trail pro, z-1, xtr/xt...
Bottom Line:
I have the DNA version and it seems a nice well built tire, best suited for Trail and FR, not an ideal tire for the front, the 2.4 is better at that with more volume to extend your shock travel and better V shape for tracking with smaller knobbies to keep it rolling. But as a rear it works MUCH better than a centerlineless knobby. Tracks good and minimum fishtail in the soft sand. Happy so far so 5's all around, have fun!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Camarillo Date Reviewed: August 4, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Kanan
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Light, good all around tire.
Weaknesses:
Sidewall flex
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire Pro XC, Hutchinson Pythons, Motoraptors and Weirwolf.
Bike Setup:
Weyless SP Fox Float Rear, 2003 Duke SL U Front. SantaCruz Superlight Copy.
Bottom Line:
The center tread flexs as do the sidewalls. This is really noticable on hardpack at slow speed. If the center blocks were a little wider or V shaped it might have helped.
I was really impressed with the fast downhill grip of these tires. I have the motoraptor in the rear and mutanoraptor in the front. I'm 6ft, 190lbs and maybe for my weight this tire is too light.
For lighter riders this might be a great tire for the front end at DH speeds.
I'm trying the 2.4 Motoraptor in the rear with a 2.5 Weirwolf in the front. This might be a better setup for heavier riders in SoCal conditions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scottster
a Cross Country Rider
from KC Missouri USA Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Horse Thief's Bench, Fruita
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Bike store in Flagstaff
Strengths:
Very cushy. Nice traction in sandy conditions.
Weaknesses:
Wanders in hardpack. Slips on rocky sections. Braking is not that great.
Similar Products Used:
Everything. Currently on a quest to find tires I like.
Bike Setup:
Sycip hartail, Fox, Avid mechs. Mavic 321s (tube)
Bottom Line:
I run the 2.4 on front and the 2.24 on the rear and haven't liked the performance at all on hardpack and over rocky sections. I know WTB tires are, for the most part, good. But in the midwest, especially this time of year, our trails are very hard and these just don't want to dig in at all. I push corners pretty hard and these have a tendency to begin slipping the minute you add any angle to your turn. Too, I have been climbing over rocky sections that I've cleared many times before only to find my rear wheel spinning out with these tires. The nanos seem to have better hardpack/rocky grip but are so tender I tore one within the first two weeks of riding.
I bought them when I tore a Roll X Pro in Flagstaff and they worked pretty well on the crushed rock there..and they float over anything, providing a nice cushy ride. But I'm much slower in the corners now and all the air volume adjustments I've made hasn't helped.
I'm not sure who should buy these because they seem so tenuous in so many situations.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mambo
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Barbara, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Not LittlePine Mtn
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
VeloPro
Strengths:
Doesn't flat much Climbs pretty well
Weaknesses:
Vague feeling in front, imprecise, no good on wet rocks & roots.
Similar Products Used:
All accross the board since '92, none over 2.4 though (clearance issues)
Bike Setup:
03&98 Hecklers, 02&96 StumpJ's, etc.
Bottom Line:
Kinda on the fence with these, maybe they just don't suit my cornering style, they feel vague & I find it hard to hold a line with them up front. Put it on the back & mated it with an older Missile up front & that seems to work pretty well, but while it's still vague out back, it doesn't feel life or death & I'm not nervous.
It does climb well with good traction, & I haven't flatted yet with em, so that's good. They don't wear particularly fast but I am seeing some degredation of the center knobs now that it's out back.
I guess they're OK but not great. I ran an EnduroRaptor years ago that was close to the same pattern & much more stable...I think the width combined with the tall narrow sideknobs is what makes it feel strange. I will probably will try something else next.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan R
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island NY Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Pandora & Greenbelt
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$27.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Excellent DRY traction, Very good wear time about three months on em and they still look brand new, Very aggresive tread design, Great at protecting against pinch flats due to high volume and punctures do to tightly spaced knobs.
Weaknesses:
DO NOT USE THESE TIRES IN ANY WET CONDITIONS AT ALL! If you live in a very wet part of the country look else where these things plug fast! Also they are a pain to get off your rims BRING TIRE LEVERS WITH YOU! I recomend the park heavy plastic levers they work really well and since they are plastic they can't burr your rims or puncture the tire easily.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Team Control, Team Master, Rockster Pro, Panaracer Fire XC Pro, WTB MutanoRaptor, Velicoraptors, PrimalRaptors, WeirWolf, Hutchinson Scorpion Airlights
Bike Setup:
02 Specialized StumpJumper FSR XC With all Knds of Goodies
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up to my earlier review on these tires. At first I said they weren't too bad in mud, man was I wrong let me tell you if you use this tire or are considering this tire DO NOT USE IT IN WET SOIL OR MUD OF ANY KIND. This tire hates water due to the closly spaced knobs WTB warns you of this in there catalog and web site heed this warning. You will have on really bad ride if you don't. I myself am a loyal WTB fanatic and I mainly use only their tires I strongly recomend the WTB Weirwolf as a bad condition tire if you like mud or wet soil rides. I use my Weirwolf 2.1 only for bad conditions as soon as it drys up though these go back on. On dry loose rocky terrian I have yet to see their equal. These things hook up and inspire you to take turns at very high speed I trust these tires in Dry loose conditions and so far they have not let me down. I love em for dry but don't get em wet. Please people all tires have their place know where they belong. These are dry condition only tire and if you don't belive me check WTB's web site and read it for yourself. If your looking for a tire that will excel in dry conditions of any type and are looking for good puncture protection and a little extra tire to keep your rim from bending check these out I really recomend them! I also recommend if you are using this tire get yourself a wet condition tire such as the Wierwolf the knobs are not that closly spaced and will allow for good mud ejection, if you ride primarly in mud check out the Maxxis Swampthings these are a total mud tire. PEACE!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Iceaxe
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor, MI Date Reviewed: May 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Pontiac lake
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Universalcycles.com
Strengths:
Large volume, light weight (for size). Very fast rolling and very responsive to any steering imputs. Adds another ~20mm of suspension.
Weaknesses:
Doesn't seem to corner as well as other tires in this size/ weight category
Similar Products Used:
Conti Vetical pro 2.3, Panaracer Fire XC 2.1, Trail blaster 2.1, IRC mythos.
Bike Setup:
Jekyll w/fatty. XT discs with hubs. Thomson seatpost. Notubes. Mutano in front, mythos xc in the rear
Bottom Line:
Maybe it was the notubes, but these tires don't corner like the Conti's or the Fire XC's. They are very fast rolling and are ultra precise on hardpack. They float well in sand. These tires feel like a much smaller tire with the added benefit of a softer ride. If you're looking for serious cornering traction, look elsewhere (like @ a conti vert pro 2.3). Overall a good tire, but just not for me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Fatman
a Cross Country Rider
from Feldumpfing Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Radsport Starnberg
Strengths:
Solid, grippy, smooth on hard surface
Weaknesses:
perhaps: weight, rolling resistance
Similar Products Used:
all used were >=2,1, all with reasoable knobs (Ritchey, Conti, Michelin, IRC, Speicialized, Bontrager)
Bike Setup:
Hot Chili Zymotic Alu Hardtail, Manitou X-Vert Super 2001, Shimi XT, Thompson seat post, ...
Bottom Line:
I use the Muntanoes on my second bike, which I intended to be a hardcore hardtail, and which it is, in fact (and a welcome contrast to my TREK OCLV Race hardtail). I do mostly xc, and for this purpose the tyre might be considered somewhat extreme,obviously designed for freeride. Well, self being somewhat extreme with respect to weight, I have never had any use for those slim, bald race tyres. These WTB Mutanoes really give me a lot of confidence providing a tremendous grip on all sorts of soils. The profile, surprisingly, also runs very smoothly on hard pack and even tarmac. Rolling resistance and weight are higher, though, than the Ritchey Z-Max WCS 2.1, which I've put on my TREK, but not prohibetively so. That should only matter in competition races or very long tours such as a transalp, i.e. So I would higly, very highly recommend these WTB Mutanoes for xc, if you want optimal grip without paying to much penalty with respect to weight and smoothness. Especially suited for people without anorexia.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a
from US of A Date Reviewed: May 2, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Lots of grip. A fast rolling tire. Side knobs strong enough to pull you out of ruts. Carves corners well. Strong tire takes the rocks well, no cuts yet.
Weaknesses:
Looses traction on slick rocks, because of the center ridge.
Similar Products Used:
Velocaraptors, Specialized Roll X
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper FSR, 177 pound 2 stroke powerplant.
Bottom Line:
Way better than the stock Roll X tires that lasted only 200 miles (100% dirt/rock). These tires roll fast on the hard packed trails but on the downhills you'll need to lower the psi for best braking performance. They carve the corners better then the Roll x tires I've used on this bike, you have to trust the stiff knobbies to hold you as they tear into the soil. I will try the Weirwolfs when they come out with the 2.30s. The 2.1s lack in the size of the 2.5s side knobbies. These are the 2.24 lazors which are somewhat heavy but they are meaty. Got em front and rear. Try em ,they ROCK on the rocks...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan R
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island NY Date Reviewed: April 30, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Pandora
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$29.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Amazing grip these tires just eat up the terrian here. No flats yet thank god, jacket seems to be built very well. They do just what WTB said they do they grip so many types of conditins I have yet to trow something they sketch on. I like the aggresive tread design they sport this a Mt. Bike tire not some sissy semislick other company's try to pawn off on you.
Weaknesses:
none yet only time will tell. Will be posting a follow up review in a few months.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Team Control, Team Master, Rockster Pro's, Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1, WTB Velicoraptors, Primalraptors and these.
Bike Setup:
02 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR
Bottom Line:
I have had the worst luck with tires recently. I use to use a pair of Panaracer Fire XC Pro's but they go flat if you look at em wrong. I got these as a replacement to them, and so far so good. These destroy anything in their path. Love the grip I have yet to find anything they can't get through including MUD just rained here yesterday and I was out just after it to see how these would do. I know some of the reviewers said they can't handle mud but most of them live on the west coast and they have clay mud there. You know clay if you want to experience it without a plane ride try this (go to a baseball diamond after it rains hard and ride through the infield and you get just a taste of what they go through) I tried it and man and do these things plug up! On the east coast however you don't have this kind of mud and they will handle the mud here very well. If you live out west check out WTB's site they just released the Northern Cali edition and you can get em from supergo.com. I know they are a little wide for XC but have you seen some of the tire's they are trying to hand us for XC riding. Come'on if I wanted semislick 1.8s I'd ride a roadbike. I saw the 2.5 Weirwolves and let me tell you that's a serious tire. Just heard from WTB next year they are putting out a 2.3 edition of it for 2004 will be checking out those when they come out. as for these I like em haven't rode for very long and I hope these handle thorns and other crap better than Fire's did. If I change one more tube i'm gonna kill someone. I have yet to have a bad experience with WTB and I hope these will do the job my Panaracers could not only time will tell. My review scores are tenative.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay
a Downhiller
from Rocklin, CA, USA Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Stiks & Stones
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Rolls fast, lightweight for a big tire, good traction
Weaknesses:
Impossible to remove from a WTB Laser Beam Rim... :-(
I borrowed a Mutano 2.24 from a buddy to try out. Overall, I really liked the tire. At first it lacked braking power on super steep descents, but once I got the pressure right that was not a problem. They hook up well in most conditions, and rail corners good too. My only complaint, and this is big enough that I'll NEVER use them again, is that they are next to impossible to remove from my WTB Laser Beam rims. You'd think WTB Rims with WTB Tires would be a good combo? Well, not in this case. When I got my first pinch flat, I broke 2 tire levers and bashed up my knuckles pretty bad trying to get this tire off the rim. It took 2 of us and about 4 tire levers to finally get it off. The next time I didn't mess around and used some Intense DH metal tire levers to get this thing off. I got 2 pinch flats in 2 rides with this tire. Finally went back to the trusty Tiogas and not a single flat lately. So if you're looking for a big(er) XC/Freeride type tire that isn't too heavy AND you DON'T have WTB Laser Beam rims - these would be a great choice. My next set of tires will be Specialized Enduro Pro 2.2's
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim N,
a Weekend Warrior
from Pomona Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Chino State Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Works in most conditions (except mud), rolls smoothly, low PSI means better traction
Weaknesses:
mud (I live in SoCal so i dont worry about mud in the summer)
I have had these tires for about a month and they've been working fine. I run the PSI at 35 and no pinch flats yet. However during the winter I went through some mud and I had to hose the tires down to get the mud off. They roll more smoothly than my last tires. Overall these are great all-around tires. They're perfect for most conditions... and have great traction.
High volume. Can ride @low PSI without pinch flatting. Sticky. Aggressive outside knobs.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy for XC. You really feel the inertia of the rear wheel on longer rides.
Similar Products Used:
WTB Velociraptor, Panaracer
Bike Setup:
Giant 2001 AC1
Bottom Line:
The Mutano 2.24 is damn near bulletproof. I ride Eldridge Grade quite a bit and with Velociraptors I would go through a tube on just about every trip through the rock gardens. The Mutano OTOH can take insane abuse and still stay afloat. I've riden in mud several times, once after two weeks of solid rain, and did not encounter the mud affinity as did other reviewers. But take this with a grain of salt. The Headlands do not have the kind of clay mud you get in the South Bay or other parts of the country. The Mutano does really well in corners and on reverse camber berms (my personal nemesis). It's not a perfect tire for every condition but it's the best I've found so far. 4-1/2 Chillis.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SeenYour Crash
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend,OR Date Reviewed: December 14, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Best damn all around tire! This tire rails corners in all types of soil, terrain. The ultimate setup is to run one front and rear. Don't get suckered in by the 2.4, the 2.24 is way better.
Weaknesses:
Now I have no use for a garage full of condition specific tires.
Similar Products Used:
Everything
Bottom Line:
Tire kicks butt
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MoonDawg
a Cross Country Rider
from Bay Area, CA Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002
Favorite Trail:
ECcM
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$36.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Fast
Weaknesses:
Little twitchy around corners
Bike Setup:
Klein Adept with all the goodies.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2.24 race.I mainly use it as a front tire and Michelin Hot S on the rear. This combo seems to work great. It took a little getting used to at first. The side knobs are very aggressive so you do have to commit when hitting corners otherwise it will not respond. I have ridden the tire in wet and dry conditions and liked its performance overall. As a note, I would not personally use it as a rear tire though, I'll stick with the Hot S.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ivanman
a Downhiller
from Kona, Hawaii Date Reviewed: November 17, 2002
super low pressure excellent for my hardtail i have bounced my rim off many a roots and many stairs with much rim damage and no tire damage or flats. i feel more confident on this tire (in its size range) than any others i have ridden great for urban assault if your cornering is too sketchy lower your tire pressure
Weaknesses:
they last too long my shop loses money when selling these
Submitted by
Brent Haeseker
a
from Crystal River, FL USA Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Very fast.
Weaknesses:
Does not corner as good as I expected. Dangerous in wet conditions.
Bike Setup:
2000 Diamondback X2 with many upgrades.
Bottom Line:
Very fast tire. Decent traction. Prior to this tire I used GEAX Sadonas with weren't as fast but had superior traction and cornering. Since I switched to these tires I can't carve corners like I used to. Also, once when it was wet I made a simple corner and the bike came out from under me and I bounced my head off the solid ground - not fun, but helmet did it's job, although suffered some whiplash.
I like these tires, man they're fast, and they do work great on aggressive trails, I'm just cautious in the corner and when it's wet.
After 6 months the rear trend is starting to break apart.
Thanks
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a
from Lafayette, NY, USA Date Reviewed: October 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
speedgoat
Bottom Line:
Bought this for a rear and a weirwolf for the front after reading these reviews and not being as happy with my fast/light summer setup in the wetter fall weather. This tire does not like water/mud as some others have said here. I ignored those and listened to the guy who said they worked so well in the his mud. Well half way through 10 miles of woody wet single track I begged my riding partner to try them to see if I was having an off day and creamed the rest of the course with his panaracer fire xc pros. He also said they were terrible for at least a dry mile after even touching mud. The wolf is the bomb and when this is dry it hooked up good but man I hate sliding practice before the snow. I'm rating it good because it is when it's dry but I'll be ordering a fire xc pro for the rear now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Samson Trivetti
a
from Nevada Co. California Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002
Kona Bear, Hayes Discs, WTB Wheels/Tires/Saddle, Marzocchi Z.1 fork and Fox Vanilla Float RC rear
Bottom Line:
The Mutano Rapor 2.24 tire is one of the best tires I've used as a back tire. The big side knobs get through the loose stuff and provide razor sharp handling. Climbing traction is excellent and they roll well to! Not light enough for pro XC racers, but I would suggest it for use by any rider who likes to ride their bike on trails in their spare time. You will not be sorry...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alyssa
a Weekend Warrior
from San Anselmo Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Mikes Bikes
Strengths:
Really fun tire. Stable, lite, gives me a lot of confidence in Downieville!
Weaknesses:
None
Bike Setup:
Heckler
Bottom Line:
The best I've tried so far. I'm an agressive rider who doesn;t have extra money to spend on tires that don't work. If I gamble, I gamble with WTB, the odds are with me.
I'll buy these again, they made me faster and more confident! I'm a girl, so girls should buy it too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kenneth
a
from Boise, ID, USA Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
I weigh 200lbs and needa big but fast XC tire that can handle aggressive riding,... this is it. It wears slowly, rolls quickly, and handles really really good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joe
a
from lafayette, ca, usa Date Reviewed: September 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
great in dry dusty trail conditions and tight corners. very nice on large slick rocks, and rock gardens.
Weaknesses:
haven not yet found a weakness
Similar Products Used:
other memebers of the raptor family
Bike Setup:
moots ybb, hayes disc brakes, fox fork in front, xtr,& wtb tires, pedals
Bottom Line:
a well designed tire for a variety of uses, i highly recommend it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pat Watson
a Cross Country Rider
from Salinas Date Reviewed: September 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Beaner
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Great in the tight sandy singletrack by the beach. Side knobs really dig in hard.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
maxxis
Bike Setup:
Aeon joker. Full XTR. Dorado SC
Bottom Line:
For all around trail riding this is the tire. It really hooks up well in all conditions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Crazy Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
This tire handles great in dry, rock and roots like i live in here. No other tire works so well.
Chris
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ralph
a Cross Country Rider
from Black Diamond, WA, USA Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
$35.00
Strengths:
Cornering, low rolling resistance.
Weaknesses:
Traction in wet, slippery conditions.
Bike Setup:
Marin Team Titanium.
Bottom Line:
Good all around tire, but I have to disagree with some of the earlier posters about traction on wet roots. I found I was sliding all over the place and had no forward traction on the root covered section of some local Washington trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Weekend Warrior
from Thibodaux, LA Date Reviewed: August 1, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
sticky in all conditions softens out my hardtail for more tech riding
Weaknesses:
not overly fast
Similar Products Used:
fire XC,
Bike Setup:
Brodie Kinetic, XT Deore, Time, RF
Bottom Line:
Buy these tires if you are not a XC racer/weight weenie. They kick ass in Moab, in Louisiana Mud, Climbing grip and decending hold in Colorado, in all places I've had them so far. If you want to have a nicer ride with better control than your 2.1's try these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mitch
a Cross Country Rider
from MI Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Poto, Island Lake, Tornshirt, Highland
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Local bike shop
Strengths:
Very light weight for a tire this size. Has awsome cornering capability. Sticks to the trail like glue.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Velociraptors
Bike Setup:
2003 Trek 8000 full XT rear and LX front. Blue salsa flip-offs stainless. WTB Mutano raptors 2.24, ect. time atac carbon
Bottom Line:
This tire rocks and would recommend it to any cc rider. Works awsome in muddy conditions. traction is awsome. Have taken some pretty wicked corners I thought were never going to end and the tires stuck right with it. Good on all types of pack
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Submitted by
Matt Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Haverford PA USA Date Reviewed: June 19, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Valley Green, Philly, Jim Thorpe Deer Path
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$39.00
Purchased At:
Performance Paoli PA
Strengths:
Stability, great cornering tire, very light weight for a tire this size (I have the 2.4)
Weaknesses:
Brutal to get on and off rim...especially off. Don't forget to pack your tire levers when riding on these. Pricey.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized S-Works Team Control
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR Pro XTR Front/Rear Easton Monkee Light c.f. riser bar. Rock Shox SID 80mm fork. Fox Float RC rear susp.
Bottom Line:
A lot of the reviews I've read stresed the fact that these tires have have poor mud shedding capability. I did a 14 mile ride on extremely wet and muddy terrain (lots of rain in the poconos the past couple weeks) last weekend and I had NO problems with mud. In fact, it shed mud better than my Specialized S-Works Team Control I replaced with this tire. Great cornering and wet rock/root grip too. I bought this tire because I wanted a wider tire to improve my control over rocks, roots, etc. and it did the job!
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Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Golden, CO, USA Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Walker Ranch
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Very good predictable grip on Colorado's decomposed granite.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1, Panaracer Trail Blaster 2.1, Maxxis Hard drive 2.1
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Element
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2.4's. I just have not found a better tire for the local conditions on the Colorado Front Range. If you are overly concerned about weight they probably are not for you. I think mine are 570 grams. For the technical riding I do these are perfect, I weigh 180 lbs and I have run them as low as 25 PSI with performance Lunar Lite tubes - after 200 miles - no pinch flats. They are VERY predictable, which is probably the best feature, they give you plenty of warning. As a rear tire it's pretty average, it'll climb well with the right technique and pressure - I like them about 35 PSI. As a front tire, I have found nothing better, as it sticks well in the corners, rolls well for a big tire, and floats well over the loose stuff. I almost never see mud, especially in this dry year, so I can't comment on that.
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Submitted by
Erik
a
from IL Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
CBO
Strengths:
Hooks up in the tight stuff. Excelent flat protection.
Weaknesses:
Heavy (I have the inner peace version) doesn't mix well with watter.
Similar Products Used:
nano raptor, V raptor, Geax Hubi
Bike Setup:
Yeti, xtr, cc, easton
Bottom Line:
I bought this tire for the all day ride and to see if there was anything to riding with lower pressure, I am also a fan of the nano raptor and thought this might be an improvement. I am 6'2" 190 and have been riding with 25-30 psi. I have yet to have a flat. This tire is telepathic on tight, roots rocky, smooth, and sandy single track. These tires have improved my technical riding alowing me to keep up with my groups jack rabbit. However, when you mix with watter they break loose and triple in weight. As for roll, what roll? They don't shed even in moderate moisture. They would be perfect if you live in Cali or some where in the south west. Still if you don't mind swaping speed on the flats and long climbs for more control on the technical trails these tires are for you.
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Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK Date Reviewed: June 15, 2002
Favorite Trail:
108 at Chadwick in MO
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
A wide, high volume tire with a very cushy ride. Great traction in almost every condition.
Weaknesses:
The sidewalls are very thin, no problems yet, but I'm a little worried. Very tight to mount on WTB rims.
Similar Products Used:
Every tire I've seen come through the bike shop where I work.
I am very happy with these tires. I run the 2.4 in front and the 2.24 in the rear. I weigh about 180 and I can run these tires at 20-22 psi with no pinch flats. There are LOTS of rocks where I ride, most are sharp and pointy as well. I have no real complaints about this tire. I'm about to try the homebrew liquid latex tubeless setup, and I think they will just get better.
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Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK Date Reviewed: May 21, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Hi-Chi
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
BOT
Strengths:
Cornering, Rolls Well For its size (I have the 2.4s), weight is pretty good
Weaknesses:
Climbing grip, breaks loose easily in even light mud especially when cornering. Wish knobs were taller & slightly more spaced out.
Similar Products Used:
Fire XC, Explorer Pro, Enduro S-Works, Tioga Factory DH, Specialized Team Comp (rear), Jones AC, Geax Sedona, and more
Bike Setup:
AC Air slightly modified
Bottom Line:
I really like this tire for cornering or decending anything dry. Great on slick rock surfaces, hardpack, and slightly loose surfaces. The tires performance degrades a lot if mud is introduced however. Even light mud makes this tire break loose.
Its a great front tire for everything except mud (like I said) but WTB really needs to make a true rear specific match for this tire. Its climbing grip on anything other than hard or slightly loose surfaces is pretty bad.
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Submitted by
chris b.
a
from EHT Date Reviewed: May 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
the one i haven't ridden yet.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
got from a friend who didn't like them
Strengths:
Sand, Smooth and Rocky terrain.
Weaknesses:
Really thin.....not good with Briars or Thorns.....bring a spare tube!
Similar Products Used:
WTB Valasaraptor's
Bike Setup:
Surly 1X1, Race Face cranks and low riser bar....rest is standard quo.
Bottom Line:
So far, Great Tire.....will see how they hold up over the long run. Don't use in area with lots of thorns and briars. Other than that.....these tires Kick @ss!
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Submitted by
Karkus
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
Wide, high volume tire (this is for the 2.4 version), Very light weight for it's size - 550 g ! (yes, the 2.4 actually weighs less than the 2.24 ! ) Full knobby but with relatively low rolling resistance Inspires confidence on rocky, technical terrain
Weaknesses:
Mislabeled as a 2.4 when it's really more like a 2.2
Similar Products Used:
IRC Mythos, WTB Velociraptor, Tyrannoraptor
Bike Setup:
Jamis Daker, Z-2, Cane Creek AD-10, Speedplays, Valiant rims
Bottom Line:
This tire rules, especially if you like rocky, sandy technical riding and like to go downhill fast while still keeping the weight to a minimum. Don't know about sidewall durability yet since I've only had them for 3 months, but they must be pretty thin to get the weight of a fat tire this low.
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Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Vallejo, CA, USA Date Reviewed: April 15, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Beyondbikes.com
Strengths:
Good grip and cornering. Rolls fast. Light. Sick lookin' thread pattern.
Weaknesses:
None. If anything, rolls sort of slow on pavement... but who cares.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized xc tires.
Bike Setup:
FSR Elite with MS link and Stratos shock. Marzocchi Z1 MCR.
Bottom Line:
Great freakin' tire. Rolls fast on hardpack. Grabs good on the loose stuff. Corners like a mo' fo'. haven't had a pinch flat yet. Not too heavy for 2.3 size tires.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bikebrain
a Weekend Warrior
from Corona,CA Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
San Juan Trail, S.A.R.T.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$38.00
Purchased At:
TheBikeCompany
Strengths:
Great traction, fast rolling, thick side walls w/laser casing.
Weaknesses:
Just a little heavy, but so am I. I wish it was a little less expensive.
Similar Products Used:
Michelin 2.1 Hot S (Weak sidewalls), IRC 2.25 Kujos(Nice, but damn heavy), Kenda 2.35 Kinetics(Ok, not great in the corners)
Bike Setup:
2001 Giant AC1 Frame, XT, Hayes Discs, 130mm Z1 Marzocchi QR20, Ryno Lites, Azonic double wall risers, Raceface Stem & Post, ODI Intense Grips, WTB 2.24 Mutano Rear, and WTB 2.5 Weirwolf Front.
Bottom Line:
I emailed WTB and asked them for a good set up using the Weirwolf in front and they said the 2.24 mutano was what they recommend saying it is better suited to the rear than the 2.4 Motoraptor. The set up works great. I was really suprised how the tread pattern and soft compound put down excellent grip when climbing rough rocky trails. The setup also corners well, even when leaned over at speed; the side lugs grip well. I think its a good setup for the agressive and/or heavy Southern California all around trail rider; not a good xc setup if weight& rolling resistance is an issue.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Uncle-aLz
a
from Irvine, CA, USA Date Reviewed: March 21, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
The Path Bike Shop
Strengths:
GREAT TIRE!
Weaknesses:
NONE SO FAR!
Similar Products Used:
Michelin WildGripper XLS
Bike Setup:
2000 GT XCR with all XT Components, NiteRider Digital Pro lighting system, XT Hydralic Disk Brakes...
Bottom Line:
It's a great tire all around. I have the 2.24 on the front and rear. I weigh 200-pounds and it's worked out great. I definitely recommend this tire!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doc Yeti
a Cross Country Rider
from Bryn Mawr Date Reviewed: February 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
cashier at the local Wawa
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Lightweight, high volume, solid casing, minimal rolling resistance, sticky compound in most conditions
Weaknesses:
none so far, not great for mud but no tire does everything
Similar Products Used:
u name it, I work at a bike shop.
Bike Setup:
'97 Schwinn Straight 6 set up for freeride.
Bottom Line:
Its a great fast tire, rocks on hardpack, airs down well, grips great in corners, untested in wet, it has its place in my collection.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
j
a Cross Country Rider
from ma Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
great front tire, very good in soft dirt, harpack, rocks ect
Weaknesses:
average at best as rear tire, heavy(laser version), not pariculary good as rear tire in mud
Similar Products Used:
specialized team control f, vraptor rear are tires of choice on other bike, have tried numerous tires over the years
Bottom Line:
This is my first impressions of the tire, will post followup in a couple of months. I have 12+ hours on the tires over a variety of conditions. My first impression is that this is the killer front tire that WTB has been lacking in its lineup. on the front of the bike it seems to hook up in almost any surface. bite in hard corners is fantastic and it hasn't felt like its going to let go yet. As a rear tire its just average. It lacks the bite of the classic vraptor in soft dirt and mud, and is a little more prone to spinning out on wet rocks. It seems to function well in most conditions and is actually one of the best non studded tires I have ever used in icy conditions thanks to a tacky rubber compound. I have found it to be kind of heavy for all around XC, but i have the laser version wich is pretty hefty and intended for light freeride use. the tires strength definatly lies in the corners. At this point I would definatly recommend this tire for front use for xc and light free riding/technical trails. if it wears well it could become my front tire of choice. As a rear tire, I am most likely going to switch back to my old standby for new england trails(vraptor) but I will put some more time in on this tire first. My first impression is: front 5 chilis rear 3 chilis for a combined score of 4 chilis
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mark
a
from Flagstaff, Az Date Reviewed: February 8, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light for a 2.24 tire.
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
Ritchey, WTB velociraptor, Specialized
Bike Setup:
M4 Pro stumpjumper
Bottom Line:
great tire so far only ridden on dry soft trails in Sedona, and Patagonia AZ, have not ridden on wet muddy trails or in snow yet but so far the traction is above average.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
someguy1
a Cross Country Rider
from CA Date Reviewed: January 24, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
direct
Strengths:
lightweight high volume for a 2.4 tire works very well in pseudo-hardpack (trail is a little loose) and damp trails with a little mud no pinch flats @35psi little rolling resistance
Weaknesses:
poor in extreme mud limited availability right now
Similar Products Used:
enduro-, veloci-, nano-, and motoraptor; michelin hot s; intense ___2.4; specialized mud tires;
Bike Setup:
mutano 2.4 up front, intense 2.4 in back
Bottom Line:
I have been using this tire for a little over 3 months as per special deal with WTB. I can honestly say that this tire has improved my control and traction on the bike. It is not a full knobby tire, but it is not a semi-slick; shall we say low profile knobs. I run about 35psi in my tires and have yet to pinch flat, I suspect 30-35psi would still be fine. For dry hardpack xc rides/trails, I still prefer the nanoraptor, but the mutano would do just fine. Due to the consistent center tread, the tire has very relatively little rolling resistance. The larger knobs on the side due a good job of traction during cornering, but I feel as though they could be a little larger. What has surprised me the most about the tire has been the traction in loose(r) hardpack. I have experienced great traction when the trail gets slightly loose or damp. Outstanding!! If you have any questions about the tire, please feel free to email me, I highly suggest the 2.4 for most riders (WTB also has the 2.4 in a freeride version with thicker sidewalls).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug
a Weekend Warrior
from Utah Date Reviewed: January 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Gooseberry Mesa
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
All around great tire, light, sticky.
Weaknesses:
Maybe not the best for gravel, loose stuff.
Similar Products Used:
To many to count. Wtb, Michelin, Hutchinson, Maxis,etc...
Bike Setup:
Giant AC Air Lite 2002
Bottom Line:
I found it interesting that the previous rider and myself had such a different experience, even on the same trail; Gooseberry Mesa. I have tried many tires out on that slickrock, it is a course sandstone, actually a refered to as a conglomerate (Shinarump member of the Chinley formation) There is a lot of it around here, Gooseberry, Little Creek, Rockville bench, etc. all are on this same formation. These tires stuck like glue for me, I was so impressed that I kept commenting on it. Many of the climbs out there, like rattlesnake, or the one out to the point, I have never been able to do because of loosing traction. These tires stuck and griped and kept going, I felt they were great in sand, but have to agree that mud sticks in them, but not to bad. I only had them at 35# and I ride hard, no pinch flats. So, bottom line I am going to look for a set of these for another bike of mine, and my wife's. I give am 5 and 5!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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