Submitted by
wilki
a Cross Country Rider
from Canmore Date Reviewed: September 9, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Jumpingpound
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
with bike
Strengths:
Hardpack-ran fast and provided decent traction on hardpack both descending and climbing
Weaknesses:
Anything loose- Frankly I found this tire dangerous. I went down three times during a ride I have done a number of times before on different tires. As soon as the trail got loose the tire became skittish and on corners it slide like it was greased. I had to walk sections of trail because the tire felt too unpredictable. Even on straight loose sections I was super tense because the tire felt like it wasn't gripping. Even slipped more than other tires I've used going uphill on slightly loose trails.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Smoke, IRC Mythos, WTB Motoraptor, Panaracer Fire XC Pro
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel EX 9.8
Bottom Line:
This is potentially the worst tire I have ridden when trail conditions are even a little loose. I've ridden it at varied pressures and still same result. There is no way I can trust gthat this tire won't skid out on me at speed in corners. So its gone, will replace it with Motoraptors, Fire XC Pros or Nevegels.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Salem Biker
a Weekend Warrior
from Salem, Mass Date Reviewed: June 9, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Lynn Woods
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Came With G.F. Cobia
Strengths:
Free With Bike, sure it is great on some conditions... Don't care to find out what they are.
Weaknesses:
Maiden Voyage, took a header, on a corner I have ridden 100 Times, high speed on my 26'er. I have no confidence at all in corrners. In the North East, the trails are the most difficult from all trails I have ridden in 15 years and all over the country. The loose stones, and gravel on berms is all you need to send you sailing without your bike.
I have no desire to use them again, or to try and play with Tire pressure.
Bottom Line:
When I find a 29er front tire that works as good as my 26er in the corners, then I will let you folks know.
The WTB Weirwolf looks like it will work, but I will wait till they come out with a 2.2 inch version. I do not want to carry 2 different size spare tues in my back pack, plus you can't pump up a 2.5 inch 29 on the trails with a hand pump.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CyclingDanimal
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt lake city UT Date Reviewed: April 3, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
http://slcbike.com/
Strengths:
Great grip in dry conditions, sheds mud very well, rolls super smooth. 1.9 size is quite light @ 490 grams.
Weaknesses:
2.1 and 2.4 size are a little on the heavy side @ 610 and 700 grams. A bit pricey.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager revolt SS, Specialized roll X pro, WTB mutano raptor.
Bike Setup:
2002 Specailized Stumpjumper hardtail.
Bottom Line:
This tire grips extremly well when climbing(way better than the tread pattern would suggest). It corners well even though the front end does'nt feel totally planted, but I've never had a slideout. The vauge feeling while cornering may be due to the lack of agressive cornering knobs and the fact that I had the 1.9 size on the front until I bought a Mutano Raptor. I find that the tires work best for Me at 25ish psi in the rear and 27ish in the front under my 135 lb body. I currently use a 2.1 Bontrager XDX in the rear and a 2.4 WTB mutano raptor race in the front and I love this combonation. I have'nt used these tubeless yet, but I plan to very soon. I might like them even more when I do.
If these were $5 - $10 cheaper, had slightly larger cornering knobs and the bigger sizes(2.1 & 2.4)were about 90 grams lighter they would get 5 Flamin' chilis all around.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nebulus911
a Cross Country Rider
from Newark, DE Date Reviewed: March 20, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$45.00
Strengths:
Good all-around tread for mid-atlantic riding. Hooks up well in most conditions. Slightly thicker sidewall makes this tire feel pretty puncture resistant. It also installs really well into Stans Arch rims.
Weaknesses:
Thicker sidewall makes this tire a bit on the heavy side for weight weenies and xc racers. I'm about 200 lbs, and race, but I like a little more bulk in my tires to feel like they'll hold up under all the pounding. On the expensive side
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis Ignitors, Bontrager Jones.
Bike Setup:
Moots Mooto-X YBB
Bottom Line:
Great all around-tire and good for racing as well. Probably best for a masher like me who's not as graceful as the rest of the riders. If you can get these on sale, they're a great choice for 29ers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ZombieFood
a Weekend Warrior
from Margate, Fl Date Reviewed: December 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Markham
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
Durable, grips and corners well. Good traction. Rolls very nice. Work well in most conditions. Dry and hardpack. sugar sand, wet hardpack, dust over hard.
Weaknesses:
none yet. May not like thick pudding like mud but it sheds light mud off rather quickly.
Similar Products Used:
WTB Mutano, Maxxis, Kenda, Bontrager Jones
Bike Setup:
09 Gary Fisher Cobia stock except for Oury grips and WTB Pure Race saddle. Thudbuster on its way though.
Bottom Line:
Surprisingly nice tires. I was planning on swapping them out right away as I never liked other Bontrager tires very much. I have been running these with tubes @ 30lbs and no problems at all. I take rock gardens and crazy roots no problems. Climbing is great and it sticks to the trail very well especially in turns. It does not look like it will as the side knobs are not aggressive looking but looks sure fool. It performed very well on corners. I also have not slid out on dust over crust instances.
Going tubeless with them soon and will run at 25lbs to pull me over the wet roots.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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