Designed to prowl the backcountry, the WeirWolf is the go-to choice for extreme trail riding. Fast rolling center knobs keep pedaling efficient while the razor-like cornering knobs grab the trail (and shake it up like a fuzzy bunny).
Strengths: Great grabby tire. Put it on my SC heckler. They climb super good and grab corners like no other tire I have tried. Have been loving these definitely helped me get to the top faster.
Weaknesses: None.
Bottom Line:
Great tire. Grippy and awesome. I bought a 2.3 rear and 2.1 front. Just reverse directions for rear for better climbing power. Buy this tire
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Submitted by
redjay999
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2012
Strengths: These tires have great grip on climbs, and a pretty low rolling resistance considering the aggressive tread. I have climbed sections with loose rocks and dirt, hard pack, and stumpy terrain with no issue. I have even climbed up smoother surfaces after going through a creek bed with barely any slippage. Plus, at $32, a pretty good price point.
Weaknesses: Although the package claims for wet and dry conditions, there should be an astrisk next to the wet. If you riding through a creek bed, but the ground is dry, no issue. If the ground itself is damp, and no real mud presents itself, it's not an issue. But if you like slogging through the mud, it's a no go. If you actually go the weirwolf site, it expresses the same there as well (http://www.wtb.com/weirwolf/development.html). The only other issue I do seem to have is, although the tire claims to be able to take turns at almost any angle without washout, I find that not to be the case when going at a higher rate of speed. I'm still pretty new to mountain biking overall though, so it could just be technique (or lack thereof on my part).
Bottom Line:
Other than the slight washout I get when hard corning, and the inability to slog through the mud, I do love these tires. I realize that most live for the descent, but I, on the other hand, actually live for the challenge of the climb, and I have loved every one since I slapped these tires on, and I recommend them to others who enjoy doing the same.
Similar Products Used: None to date. First set of real, current MTB tires. Last set was a 26 x 1.75 which were just aweful! But I think they were for the early 90s, so, there you go.
Bike Setup: Late 80s Jamis Cross Country 2 full ridgid, custom painted, with Deore LX drive train (minus the rear cog), Alex 101 rins (will be replaced soon), and basic Shimano V-brakes with Avid break levers.
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Submitted by
merc13000
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern California
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2012
Strengths: Great Grip. Nice 2.1 size(not bigger or smaller than the stated size), Cool looking, Race version is light
Weaknesses: Good as a front tire, but there might be better choices.
Bottom Line:
These tires climb excellent and descend almost as good too! Great dry conditions tire(which is 90% of SoCal riding). I really really like it as a rear tire. As a front it is good too, but I do feel it slipping once in a while(other tires would probably slip just the same or worse). The good thing about the weirdwolfs, as others have said, is that they lose traction predictably and give you a chance to regain it instead of just washing you out completely. I am going to try another tire on the front when these wear out, but will most likely keep the weirwolf as a rear. I might even go for just a wider WTB brand front tire since I'm so impressed.
My rating:
4 Chilis for value because they aren't cheap tires
5 Chilis for overall performance
Similar Products Used: specialized fast trak, captain etc, Kenda Kinetics
Bike Setup: 26" Rekken Hardtail, Marzocchi 22 RLO fork, bb7 brakes, Weirwolf 2.1 Race front and back
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Submitted by
Muther
a Cross Country Rider
from Liberty, Missouri
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2011
Strengths: Excellent dry conditions tire. Less rounded profile than most other tires, so you don't have to lean it as far to get into the side knobs (cornering knobs). I have the non tubeless race version which is pretty lightweight. It spins up and rolls pretty well. Braking is first class. It holds your chosen line very very well, and tends not to push off the trail like other tires. It wears pretty good, too.
Weaknesses: This is not, I repeat this is not a tire to use if the trails are anything other than dry. It does not clean at all. It will pack up and hold onto mud with a death grip. Mud crossings on an otherwise dry trail cause it pack up, and make it slick.
Bottom Line:
This is one of the very best dry conditions tires out there. Because it is so good in the dry, it is poor to dangerous in the wet. That said, the 2.1 Race version is lightweight, spins up well, rolls really well, enters and climbs out of hyper-steep creek entrances with the best. It has a less roundy profile so you don't have to lean very far to start getting into the corner knobs. IT brakes extremely well. It holds a line very very well. Some tires lose traction and washout on you. Traction is there, and then in an instant it is not there. When this tire loses traction it does so very slowly, and gives you time to react, and correct.
Again, all this applies to dry conditions. If the tire will pick up mud on the ride, make another choice (I use Continental Explorers for that).
Submitted by
sburnett
a Cross Country Rider
from FTW, TX
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2011
Strengths: I have run these Front and Rear -
Rear - This tire grips incredibly, the only time I have had trouble is when taking steep climbs out of saddle in sandy stuff. It grabs and grabs on everything else I have used it on.
Front - The tire has slipped out on me once, during a night ride at a section of trail that was chewed up. I was likely going to fast. I would recommend it. Though a slightly larger tire is better. I recently replaced the front with a WTB Stout 2.3 and the combination of Weirwolf rear and that front is amazing. I will never run a different setup.
Weaknesses: I had the front tire sidewall shred on me one day riding on pavement. I can only assume that something got inbetween it and the rim. The rear tire has given no issue.
Bottom Line:
These tires are awesome at the price I got, I always scoop up tires with good reviews when they hit Chain Love, I would pay up to 30 bucks for one of these, and that is a lot considering I have never paid over 16 bucks for 60+ dollar tires.
They are great, if you see a deal, GET IT.
Similar Products Used: Maxxis Mobster, WTB Stout, WTB velociraptor
Bike Setup: GT Avalanche, Manitou R7 ABS+, X9/X7, Magura Louise
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Submitted by
DJ Feelgood Phil
a Cross Country Rider
from Sherbrooke, QC
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2011
Strengths: Grip and corner well, shed mud well, great looking tire.
Weaknesses: Quite expensive.
Bottom Line:
I have been riding the Bontrager Jones that came stock on my Fuel for 2 years, until realizing that these were uber crap.
So I decided to try the 2011 Weirworlf 2.1 on Front after "shopping" on mtbr.com the best tire that would fit my riding. I use it mostly in humid conidtions during spring and autumn and very dry conditions during summer, and I must say that this tire grips very well even at high speed. It certainly helped boosting my confidence in those turns. It also does not slip too much on wet roots/rocks.
Its only downside is his price here in Canada. I had to pay around 65$ for only one tire.
Overall, it's a very good tire and I would recommand it.
Submitted by
Biscuit Pants
a Cross Country Rider
from Breathing Heavy, GA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2011
Strengths: Low Rolling resitance
Weaknesses: Sidewall blew up
Bottom Line:
This tire was good for about a month riding once or twice a week.On a night ride on smooth trails and POW !! Side lows out and comes apart at the bead. Thank goodness I bought it at REI (return everything inc.) Not impressed
Submitted by
koolshaggy
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2011
Strengths: Grip, Speed, climbing
Weaknesses: Mud
Bottom Line:
Great Tire. Would definitely recommend to anyone riding dirt or rock trails. Not great in wet or muddy conditions, but then again, not many all around tires are.
Submitted by
Kona Green
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2011
Strengths: Grip in the turns, lightweight
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet.
Bottom Line:
Best tires I have ridden thus far. Awesome grip even in loose sandy GA soil. Fast rolling. Adds some confidence leaning in on the corners. Chainlove.com runs them for $14.99, if you see them don't hesitate.
Similar Products Used: Panaracer Fire XC, Continental Vertical, Continental Vapor
Bike Setup: 1998 Kona Lava Dome with disc tabs welded on, Hayes Stroker Carbons 185f 160r, Sram X9 Shifters and Derailleurs, Mavic cross rides, 2004 Manitou Black 120
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Submitted by
Greg01
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, NC
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2011
Strengths: This Review is for the New 2010 WTB Weirwolf XC TCS tire with the terraced side nobs. I ran the same tire in both front and rear, and I must say I have never ridden a tire that feels this amazing. In any trail condition, this tire will help you fly. The terraced side nobs will change the tire industry as we know it. The side nobs allow you to roll over and actually 'feel' the drifting effect depending on how hard you dig into turns- Very similar to holding an edge on a ski/snowboard. It takes a while to get used to, but eventually you will build up enough confidence that you will easily be able to get that two-wheel drift into turns without having to put a foot down. Then, when you finally start to feel your bike slide out from under you, you can really dig the edge in and slingshot out of turns.
Weaknesses: Price point - for the weight of these tires, its hard to pay 120 bucks for a pair.
The learning curve - At first, these tires are very skiddish and squirelly and I washed out numerous times on the simplest high-speed turns. But after a few rides and figuring out how to use them properly, I have absolutely no complaints and would recommend this tire to anyone from recreational to racing.
Bottom Line:
These tires are just pure fun. If you like skiing/snowboarding, then you will absolutely love these tires because they simulate holding an edge in snow. I was always skiddish and sloppy when it came to drifting//high speed turns with other tires, but as soon as I got passed the learning curve on these weirwolves, I have become much, MUCH more confident in turns: 2 wheel drifting, then catching that edge and slingshotting out of turns with ease.
The bottom line is I have never had this much fun on a bike. These tires will make you more confident, faster, make you hit turns harder, and will give you an incredible euphoria on the exit of every turn.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Captain, Panaracer Fire XC
Bike Setup: BMC Trailfox 01, Fox Talas 32 RLC, American Classic AllMountain Disc wheelset
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Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz mountains, California USA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2010
Strengths: They look good and get good reviews
Weaknesses: Squirrely
Bottom Line:
My bike came with Kenda Nevagals on it great XC tire, I ride on the road a fair amount and installed Panaracer Mach SS and SK's great tires much faster and very low rolling resistance. I was anticipating a longer XC ride and having a cut in the tread of my SK I opted for a more agressive tire for the upcoming ride. Installed the Weirwolf tires and hit the road, I got on the binders on the first corner, felt like I was on bristles, no bite on pavement, rolling resistance was high and wieght noticable. Thought I would put up with it if the tires were that much better off road. Hit the trail (hardpack) and the tires were much worse than the SS/SK combo again hitting the brakes in turns as the tire would not hook up and a felt I would just drift out of the corner.
I weigh 200LBS and had the pressure up to near 50 PSI on these, lowering the pressure may help the handling but, will also increase the rolling resistance. Maybe when the knobs are worn down a bit they will start to bite but, for now I am not brave enough to ride these guys fast on or off the road. On the pavement there were corners I could fly through at 40 on the Panaracers or Nevagals that I was uncomfortable in at 30 on the Weirwolf. Mybe I need to wait for a full moon.
These guys are coming off and the Panaracers are going back on.
Similar Products Used: Velocoraptors, Panaracer Smoke, Kenda Nevagal, Panaracer SS/SK
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Blur, ridden by a geezer
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Submitted by
craig
a Weekend Warrior
from St. louis
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2010
Strengths: I have had these tires for over two years and still have a great amount of tread left , I ride on pebble rocky trails to pavement trails and streets. I haven't had one flat or repair..
Weaknesses: At low pressure the sidewalls seem to slip and grooves on the sidewall (similiar to a dragster tire with low pressure,off the line).rolling resistences
Bottom Line:
This are the wire bead version, I would suggest these tires to anyone thats looking for a decent set of tires, yes there little bit on the heavy side but if you get 3-4 summers out of a tire and it still looks like you just bought them tread wise , and no flats or any problems what so ever.. last thing I want to do is be stranded on side of a trail changing tubes or spend my time at the shop buying tube instead of riding, after a day of riding and cleaning up the bike with Pedro's bike lust on frame and tires really makes the tires stand out ..
Similar Products Used: Bontrager jones knob tires- junky tires gripped will at first but once they started wearing down, slip and spinning on trails felt unsafe.
Submitted by
Will the weakling
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne Australia
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2010
Strengths: They just grip, and keep gripping, that is all
Weaknesses: weight, not great in gooey mud...
Bottom Line:
I've used them on and off (more on though) over the last three years, always good value when on sale. Know some folks here have found these nasty, but i don't treat em nice and they have not yet failed me.
Submitted by
BJAMIN
a Weekend Warrior
from TORONTO
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2010
Strengths: GRIPS AROUND TURNS, SPEED, STABILITY
Weaknesses: Maybe weight but well worth it
Bottom Line:
I wanted to switch up my ignitors seeing as they didnt really excell at any one particular factor. I went out and baught some small block eights, super light, but horrible in any mildly wet conditions and i just didnt feel comfortable turning at high speed with them. SO i put my ignitors back on they were much better all around tires. I saw these tires the new VERSION and baught ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW combine the speed of the small blocks with the grip of the high rollers these thing are simply amazing front and back. MY first ride out i was pushing into new boundaries of turning angles. THANK YOU WTB
Similar Products Used: Kenda small block eights, maxis ignitorm, maxis high roller
Bike Setup: @008 Devinci remix sl5, mavic xl rims,
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Submitted by
creoletexan
a Weekend Warrior
from Jefferson, LA USA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2010
Strengths: These tires grip the crap out of the clay/sand soil we have here in Louisiana. Small gravel was no problem. Mud was no problem.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
I'm a noob and I thought my technique was most of my problems with riding. I replaced the stock Bontrager Jones XR after reading the other horrible reviews on here. I bought those bad boys and my riding confidence has been boosted. I can now rip through curves and climb inclines like a billy goat. Also, I love that they shed the mud quickly without covering me in mud. The Bontragers used to cover me. These tires rock!!!
