New high volume, lightweight, front and rear specific tire
Tubeless Ready technology optimizes the tire for use with sealant, which saves nearly 100 grams per wheel (over tubeless) and provides race proven performance
Gum-Bi dual compound (68a-62a) gives exceptional grip and durability
Submitted by
bgriff01
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM Date Reviewed: July 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Windsor Trail, Santa Fe, NM
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Albuquerque Bicycle
Strengths:
Light-weight, good rolling speed
Weaknesses:
VERY THIN sidewalls, poor traction with higher pressure
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager ACX UST
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel Ex 8 2009, Bontrager ACX on rear wheel
Bottom Line:
I got these tires on the Trek Fuel Ex 8 I bought a couple months ago. I'd been hearing a lot of great things about tubeless and how it nicely complimented the full suspension, so I figured I'd try it out.
The bike came with the Bontrager Jones XR tires, which I would describe as more of a race tire. They're light-weight and they roll fast. The problem with them is that they're Tubeless Ready" (TLR), which I've surmised is basically a comprimise between regular tires and UST tires. These "Tubeless Ready" tires are capable of being installed with sealent as UST tires, but they're also light enough to be used with tubes without a huge weight penalty. Basically what you get is a tire that's too slippery to use with tubes because you can't run a low enough pressure to get good traction without getting pinch flats, and a tire with incredibly thin and easily torn side walls when in the tubeless set up.
It's been 2 months now and I've torn both the front and rear tires, rendering them useless as UST tires. After my back tire went, I hoped it was bad luck, replaced it with a much beafier standard UST tire, and kept using the Jones XR on the front wheel. About 3 weeks later the front tires tore open while I was going over some rocks, and that was it. I have the proper set up, problem is the sidewalls are so thin they tear while going over even minor rocky patches and the tears are too big for the sealant to handle.
The bottom line is that these tires are a lousy compromise, an attempt to give the buyer two options; tubless or tubes. They fail at this and ultimately leave the buyer with a tire that doesn't really work in either set up. The side walls are just too thin, and they don't offer enough traction with tubes at higher pressures (around 40 psi and above). I'd recommend only buying standard UST tires (NOT TUBELESS READY or TLR, be careful) if you're thinking of going tubeless, and a tire like the Kenda Nevegals or the Panaracer Fire XC Pros if you're happy with tubes.
As for me, I'm having luck with the Bontrager ACX UST, tire on the back wheel. The sidewalls are much thicker and sturdier, and the tires have ridden over numerous rock outcrops without complaint. The tread design is very substantial and I'm sure I lose some rolling speed due to that fact, but I can't argue with the traction I get on long climbs of decomposed granite. Next I'm thinking of trying the Kenda Nevegal UST for the front tire, hoping to get a faster rolling tire that still has good cornering traction.
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Submitted by
dogsloweverywhere
a Cross Country Rider
from UK, Watford Date Reviewed: May 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Dalby or Afan
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Longevity over NNicks and if you're on reasonably hard packed trails, watch out, you'll be into corners quicker than you're used to! Would be my choice for Meridas, Sleepless, Mayhem, Clic24 etc until it gets muddy.
Weaknesses:
I haven't really trusted bunging them in without caution, say, into fast berms being 1.8 tyres. Not the best choice for say Glentress!
Similar Products Used:
On the 29er, none yet in 5 months. XDX's up next with a RRalf too.
Bike Setup:
29 and 26 HT and full sus in the 26er too
Bottom Line:
Where I ride it's fairly non-technical & I ride the 1.8 size & they're fast.
If you aren't railing the berms at Glentress and want a fast rolling tyre then look no further.
I find them resistant to pinch flats as I ride them pumped up, they never get punctures which NNicks are dreadful with, and they're lasting far longer too.
I'm going to try the 2.1 XDX Jones too, but as it stands around somewhere like Dalby Forest or Cannock Chase's Red Routes you'll be on-fire!
As can be seen from the tread pattern, these tires aren't the best in muddy conditions, but they are excellent for their intended purpose, which is a fast rolling crosscountry/trail tyre.
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Submitted by
firedawg225
a Cross Country Rider
from Chievres, Belgium Date Reviewed: April 2, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Mer De Sable
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Espace bike
Strengths:
Stick good, sheds mud well, fast roller
Weaknesses:
front slips alittle, not the greatest in deep mud
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer fireXC pro 120tpi, WTB Velociraptor
Bike Setup:
Trek 8500 and a HM custom
Bottom Line:
Love these tires. the negative do nothing to steer me away from the way these tires work. Note these tires are XC/race tires. these are a little weight strong tire. I also have the tubeless version. the small knob clear mud fast and effectively. great tire i'd buy these again in a heart beat!!
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Submitted by
biker2
a Downhiller
from Gainesville Date Reviewed: March 7, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
stock
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
traction, cornering, anything that you need in a tire this doesnt have.
Similar Products Used:
huth pythons, irc mythos, panaracer fire xc
Bike Setup:
trek fuel ex8
Bottom Line:
For a low rolling resistance tire it barely accomplishes this, I have tried all possible range of psi to no avail. Not sure about durability but who cares with a tire this bad. Could be better used cut up as a chainstay protector. Shame on you trek for putting this on an otherwise great bike.
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Submitted by
mfx007
a Weekend Warrior
from Isanti, MN Date Reviewed: December 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hillside
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Work OK on Slickrock
Weaknesses:
Worthless in any type of dirt
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire XC Pro
Bike Setup:
08 Trek EX7
Bottom Line:
I rented a Trek EX7 in Moab with the stock Jones XR tires. They worked fine. Stuck well to slickrock -where it probably is good to have less aggressive knobbies. They also worked well on rocky terraine like the long Porcupine Rim trail (I had them at about 35 PSI and no pinch flats).
Don't grip for anything on dirt. My worse wipeout in Moab was the only dirt I rode on - the top of porcupine. I live in the Midwest and Trek is a midwest company, so I don't know why they put tires on bikes that don't work in midwest dirt. Supposed to run low pressure I guess, but if you try to launch the occasional rock at higher speeds, will get a pinch flat. I generally don't ride in mud, but any moist soil will clog the tread.
Panaracer XC Pros are much better for me (I have not tried that many other tires). Probably too agressive a tread for racing, but an better overall tire.
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Submitted by
kendogz161
a Weekend Warrior
from Connecticut Date Reviewed: September 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Trumbull
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
E-Bay
Strengths:
These babies are light,good grip in corners. Air up easy as tubeless with floor pump. Roll fast.
Weaknesses:
Rear wears quick. Not the best in mud.
Similar Products Used:
Many tires have been use in my quest it find that perfect tire.
Bike Setup:
A few bikes setup to ride at anytime.
Bottom Line:
Tire has not been bad. Been running these tubeless with Stans from new. Mounted and aired easy. I weight 180lbs and run these at 27psi front, 33psi rear with no problem. I ride the trails two to four times a week. and few of those ride are four hours long group rides with no problems. Wish the rear would last longer may get a year from it, front still look like it could go one more round.
For anyone riding in the northeast these tires should be good. Side walls are thinner and the normal ust tire so you have to be carefully of sharp rocks.
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Submitted by
pbayne
a Racer
from annapolis, md Date Reviewed: August 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Patapsco
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Race Pace
Strengths:
Light, Fast, Good Traction
Weaknesses:
Its a racing tire so: not great in lots of mud, duh
Similar Products Used:
Conti Twister Supersonics, IRC Mythos, Panaracer Fire XC Pro
Bike Setup:
Hardtail, XT/XTRish, Front Wheel:Mavic 717 with Stans Rim Strip, Rear Wheel: ZTR 355 with Yellow Tape, V brakes no disc
Bottom Line:
For starters this is a lightweight racing tire. It is meant to be ridden at low pressures to maximize grip and to be used with sealant. I'm 175lbs and ride them on a hardtail at 27psi. I've done 7 races on them this year including all my training. The races have been everything from dry and fast to wet and super rocky (Michaux stuff).
Running these tires at high pressures will not work! They will slide out and the sidewalls will tear more easily LIKE ALL TIRES.
If you want a light race tire for tubeless conversions, these are a good balance of weight, grip, longevity, and toughness. If you want a super tough and high traction tire then buy something else.
4 Chili's all around since there is no perfect tire, just good ones.
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Submitted by
xcmtber
a Weekend Warrior
from MD Date Reviewed: June 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Dirt
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Stock
Strengths:
Low rolling resistance, that's all.
Weaknesses:
Steep technical downs, no grip, will skid and increase speed while doing so. Horrible corning, wash out every time. Damp and wet condition is like riding on ice.
Similar Products Used:
Kendas, Panracers, Hutchinson
Bike Setup:
HiFi
Bottom Line:
Light smooth level trail riding, their okay, anything else, NOT!! After switching tires I found out what my bike was really capable of doing.
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Submitted by
KingOfTheHill
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA USA Date Reviewed: April 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Sweetwater to Rancho SD
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Came with the bike
Strengths:
Well, they came with the bike so I guess that would be a strength. They roll very well on pavement and hard pack, making climbing in this kind of terrain easier.
Weaknesses:
There just isn't anywhere enough grip on these tires. I've read they work best tubeless at low pressure for light riders, but that isn't an option for me at 185 lbs. I just couldn't feel secure enough on these tires doing my usual rides, and constantly felt the front wheel slipping out, a problem I've never had with Fire XC Pros. Off camber trails were hairy, and fast, rutty singletrack had me going considerably slower than on my usual Fire XC's.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire XC Pro.
Bike Setup:
2008 Trek Fuel EX8
Bottom Line:
If you're doing simple XC on predominantly hard pack, you'll probably like them for how well they roll. Anything beyond that, and I think you should consider something else with bigger knobs and more bite on the sides.
Remember, run the pressure as low as you can - high pressure and these tires DO NOT get along.
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Submitted by
Sean Grimmond
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane Australia Date Reviewed: February 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Fire trails from Gap to Mt Nebo
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light, good on dry packed terrains
Weaknesses:
Wears out too quick
Similar Products Used:
Maxis crossmarks
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel Ex8 2007 std spec
Bottom Line:
I was lucky enough to score a fuel EX8 late October last year and it rocks. The bike was bought with both enduro and adventure racing in mind. The down side to these in my book is speed of wear. I rode on these tyres for only 4 months and they were sadly ready for swapping out on the rear and on the way out on the front. Im 170lbs and my last set of tyres were maxxis crossmarks (on a Trek fuel8 06) and they lasted me nearly 12 months. I rode on the Bontrager XRs recently and on a rocky 30 mile XC race and felt damn safe on the bends compared to the skinny xmarks. I copped more pinch flats (n=3) than I have ever had in 3 years of XC and adventure racing using Xmarks... That being said, on the Bontragers took away that gnawing feeling that the front wheel would slide out at any given moment....Finally, I recently swapped the Bontragers for maxxis ignitors before the second round race, on the same track, in order to work out if I could find better combination of grip. These worked great on the downs and copped zero flats, but man they were slow as compared to XRs.
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Submitted by
Michael Keller
a Weekend Warrior
from State College, PA, USA Date Reviewed: September 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Shingletown gap
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
The tires ride fast and smooth over hard pack, rail trails and pavement at mid to max pressure. I have ridden a lot of rocky single track and they have performed quite well and at $20.00 a tire they won’t break your budget. If I didn’t do as much soft riding I would mount a second set.
Weaknesses:
Their drawback is how thin they are, although they are light they are susceptible to pinch flats and the surface between the knobs slice easily.
Similar Products Used:
I am mounting a set of Panaracer Fire XC pros
Bike Setup:
Garry fisher Tass (stock)
Bottom Line:
grate tire for the price if you don't plan on exclusively riding wet single track or deep mud.
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Submitted by
Lance Loehding
a Racer
from Littleton, CO US Date Reviewed: August 4, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
Light, fast. Hook up better than most other lightweight tires
Weaknesses:
Pinch flats! Poor sidewalls will get holes when riding in rock. In 3 races I've had 3 flats with 2 different sets of tires from the poor quality sidewalls.
Similar Products Used:
Hutchinson python lights
Bike Setup:
Yeti ARC (hardtail)
Bottom Line:
If you're racing a hardtail in rock, don't bother with these tires. I'm 170 lb, so a lighter rider with full suspension might have much better luck.
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Submitted by
Charles
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA, USA Date Reviewed: August 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Conyers Horse Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Free-Flite
Strengths:
Extremely lightweight for a tubeless tire. Very fast roll. Looks awesome with the white labeling and hotstrip.
Weaknesses:
Not the best when it gets wet. But then again, Bontrager makes the Jones AC for that. you gotta compromise somewhere.
Similar Products Used:
Fire XC Pro, Bontrager Jones AC, Velociraptors, Mutanoraptors, Weirwolfs
These are awesome for their intended purposes. Key words being INTENDED PURPOSES. I work at a Trek (Bontrager) dealer so I get alot of inside knowledge.
First of all, a Bontrager "Tubeless Ready" tire is not the same as a UST tire. A UST tire is mavic-specific to work on mavic rims without sealant. That is why they are so much heavier than standard tires. Bontrager TLR's are designed to be used WITH sealant, which is why they are so light and comparable to using a stan's kit. In fact, it even says on the sidewall "To be used with tube or sealant only".
Second of all, since these are tubeless tires, theyre are designed to give the best traction at low pressures. A Bontrager tech rep specifically has said that for riders under 150, these tires are designed to be ridden at 25 PSI! So if you ride these at a pressure in the high 30's or 40's, then obviously theyre going to be slick and sucky.
Finally, these tires aren't the best in muddy conditions, but they are excellent in theyre intended purpose, which is a fast rolling crosscountry/trail tire. There is a reason tire manufacturers make such a broad range of tire types. Sure there are tires that grip in rocks better than these, but i gaurantee you its a slower rolling tire in flats.
So in conclusion, as far as Bontrager tires go, if you ride in alot of mud, get the Jones AC's, If you ride crosscountry only with smooth surfaces, get the Revolts. Otherwise, the Jones XR is a happy medium.
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Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from eastern PA Date Reviewed: July 5, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Jim thorpe area
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Good on road, park trails, rail trails, and dirt, durable and good lifespan
Weaknesses:
bad on rocks (and that's what most of eastern PA is like), not good in wet, not the best climbing tire
Similar Products Used:
currently looking for better ones
Bike Setup:
GF Tass, disc brakes, otherwise pretty stock
Bottom Line:
I've used these for a couple years now, since they come stock on GF hardtails. They are great for easy stuff, basically anything dry and beginner. However they are not good at all in dealing with rocks. I feel like I slip right off of them. They're not great for off-camber sections either. At water crossings, sand, or mud I have no confidence in them (after learning the hard way a number of times).
They're durable and lasted me two full seasons. One fell off my car at 70mph (duh!) and they were still just fine. I'm currently looking for better ones.
In short, if you ride on pristene trails or a mix of road and trail, then this is your tire. But if you do anything more advanced you will be looking for something better. Be sure to buy the right ones- they're front and rear specific.
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Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Tustin, CA, USA Date Reviewed: April 16, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
None.
Weaknesses:
Grip
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Smoke/Dart, Bontrager Jones AC (horrible tire came stock on my Trek 4900)
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel EX8
Bottom Line:
These tires came with the bike so I decided I would give them a try. Within a few weeks I got frustrated and went back to my Panaracer Smoke/Dart tires. The front tire couldn't hold a line. If I rode up the side of a slight ditch, the tire wouldn't grip & roll up the ditch, but would slide back down into it. I was all over the place on the downhill. The rear tire seemed OK, but wasn't special. I was running these tires with tubes.
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Submitted by
Andrew Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from Rolla, MO Date Reviewed: March 30, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Strengths:
Light wieght, and fast rolling.
Weaknesses:
Fast wearing, and way to thin of side walls, I was always getting pinch flats (but I do weigh 180) running 50 psi untill I ripped a side wall out.
Similar Products Used:
I am going to go back to panaracer fire with tubes, not worth the weight savings, I guess I have too I ruined one.
Bike Setup:
Specialized rockhopper with modifications
Bottom Line:
Watch out for the thin side walls.
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Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton CO Date Reviewed: November 6, 2006
Favorite Trail:
one that's not crowded
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
light-rolls fast
Weaknesses:
wears quickly
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Salsa Dos Niner
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 29 tires, I put these on in March and just rplaced them. They only lasted me 8 months of riding. They wear very quickly, but for $20.00 what do you expect. Luckily I bought 4 tires when they were on sale for $20.00. If they weren't so cheap I'd be pissed.
This tire is perfect for dry-hard packed surface, they corner well and hook up really well.
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Submitted by
Travis West
a Cross Country Rider
from Music City, USA Date Reviewed: July 5, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Haw Ridge
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
Super fast but Sticky Roll - BEST cornering tire I have ever ridden - about 32 psi for 160lbs
Weaknesses:
Delicate casing - I hear the they are working on a thicker ply casing - But, they hook up great!
Similar Products Used:
None come close - Close you eyes ans throw them in the corner!
Bike Setup:
Fuel EX9 - Reba Team, X.O-X.O-XT, PG990 on Race Lites
Bottom Line:
I think this would be a great tire for any area that doesn't have rock - this is their weekness - other than that, you get a fast rolling tire, with the super sticky rubber on the shoulder know - I had a friend tell me that this was the first tire he rode until it was completely worn out!
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Submitted by
TC
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen,CO,Usa Date Reviewed: June 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Wheat Ridge
Strengths:
Both front and rear:
- Light for UST. - Good tread pattern for loose, rocky or hard pack surfaces. - The front version is a fat 2.25. - Nice looking
Weaknesses:
- Two pin-holes and one gash already in the rear so it's looking like there is a penalty for the light-weight casing. - Rolling resistance seems a little high at low to medium pressures. - Sealant is still necessary.
I am disappointed in Bontrager's tire quality control or honesty in labeling. I bought a Jones XR Tubeless Ready front recently. The weight on the package and their web site says 535g. The actual weight is 584g. That's a ridiculous extra 49 grams or almost 10% error. And this is without the 30g of sealant that I have to use. The main reason I bought this tire and the messy sealant is for the weight savings. I can buy a light UST and not have to use sealant and it will not weigh a huge amount more.
Similar Products Used:
Many different UST tires and tubed tires.
Bike Setup:
carbon Fuel
Bottom Line:
A good start for tubeless ready technology. I am still running them after a month so I am fairly happy with them.
I'm only giving 3 for the value because of the claimed versus real weight issue.
$
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