Endless Edge tread design with five-sided lugs oriented to ensure predictable steering and responsive braking under a full range of conditions
Extremely low weight
Rounded profile for consistent traction on roots, rocks and off-camber terrain.
Available in three 2.1 versions including: Kevlar® beaded folding, ProTection with DuraSkin sidewall reinforcement, and tubeless certified for the Mavic UST system
Patterned after the Pro tire, the Explorer is an economic version for the recreational rider
Explorer Supersonic: ultra-light version, recommended for racing with main requirements on acceleration and high speed
Explorer: 3 carcass plies; 84 tpi
ExplorerPro, ExplorerPro UST, ExplorerPro Tection, Exploer Supersonic: 3 carcass plies, 170 tpi
Kevlar® is a registeres trademark by Dupont.
Submitted by
spencerfrater1
a Cross Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: June 7, 2009
Favorite Trail:
White's Level
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$38.00
Purchased At:
Merlin Cycles
Strengths:
Ability to air-up in a ghetto tubeless set-up without tubeless rims. Grippiness in the dry and semi-dry.
Weaknesses:
Cuts easily, especially on the rear. Once cut, the cut opens up unless you stitch and glue it. Gathers clay-type mud without shedding well.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracers, Schwalbes, Specialized The Captains, S-Works Captains, plus others
Bike Setup:
Reynolds 853 steel frame hardtail - XT Groupset - Mavic XC717 and CrossRide rims (non-tubeless, using ghetto and Stans milk) - Rockshox Reba Team
Bottom Line:
I have only used the UST version of the Conti Explorer 2.1". I like these tyres mainly because they air-up so easily with only a track pump on my non-tubeless rims (Crossrides and XC717) in a ghetto tubeless set-up. Other tyres (like S-Works The Captain 2-bliss) have taken me days of frustrating effort to try to air-up, often without success.
Apart from airing up, my front tyre hardly looks worn after 900 miles, but my rear tyre is badly cut (same distance), punctured with screws twice, and well worn. I have just patched the inside of this tyre yet again, and sewed up the cuts from the screws using some puncture repair glue in the cuts. Now I am swapping these tyres around, back to front and vice-versa. I would expect to get another 500 miles or so out of them which I will consider good value for money (tempting fate...).
Riding style is aggresive, fast cross country, rough singletrack with drop-offs/jumps up to 30 inches.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Garrett
a Cross Country Rider
from Hanson, MA Date Reviewed: September 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Wompatuck, Hingham, MA
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Bike Barn, Whitman
Strengths:
Great traction! No leaks yet. Good cornering traction.
I love these tires! With the tubeless I feel they give me more traction than the Nevagals with tubes. I run these tires around 32psi where I used to the run my tubed tires between 25-30psi (I weigh 140) and yet the new Continentals give me better traction.
I ride on rocky New England trails, mostly in Wompatuck Park, MA. I have yet to loosen the bead or spring a leak of any kind even when getting the tire jammed between rocks. I used to get leaks almost every trip with the tubed tires. I love them!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
font ninea
a Cross Country Rider
from austin, tx Date Reviewed: June 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Mckinney Falls Double Green Circle
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
wrench science
Strengths:
none. Ok, lightweight. prone to punctures. Sidewalls are destroyed after less than 300 miles.
Weaknesses:
bead seats poorly on a mavic 819. totally unpredictable in corners and techincal climbing. width is a totally made up number. My 2.1s are little 1.75 pizza cutters. I think some Conti engineer got his units wrong on his CAD program before sending to manufacturing.
maverick durance. brooks Ti swallow tail saddle. grips. chain. custom made chainstay chainguards made of zip ties.
Bottom Line:
these tires are the worst I have ridden in all my years of mountain biking. They drift. They're skinny for the advertised width. They wear fast. Traction is totally unpredictable.
these tires are unnacceptable and dangerous.
0 chilis for value 0 chilis for performance
-- PLEASE NOTE I rated the Verticals previously and got them confused with the Explorers. Totally different tires and totally different review. I recommend the UST Verticals.
Stay away from the Explorers.
-- font9a
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Hill
a Cross Country Rider
from harrison,Ohio United States Date Reviewed: December 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
versailes
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$62.00
Purchased At:
jensonusa.com
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
frontend wash outs even when trail is dry, poor tred pattern design
Similar Products Used:
nothing similar
Bike Setup:
2004 jamis dakar xc pro
Bottom Line:
tires not good at all, for $62 dollars you can find alot better of a tire
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Piedmont, NC USA Date Reviewed: April 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Uwharrie Mtn area
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Lightweight, fast rolling
Weaknesses:
Sidewall strength suspect
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Roll X tubeless
Bottom Line:
A blowout on a rocky descent that could have been plenty bad (if the landing had been on a rock) has given me second thoughts about selecting this tire over my new Specialized Roll X tubeless tires. The Conti is fast and light, but its sidewalls may be a little suspect in rocky terrain. Otherwise, it's a pretty good tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rauol
a Cross Country Rider
from Connecticut Date Reviewed: November 9, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Local shop
Strengths:
Good all around performance, reasonably light for UST, pretty durable
I switched to the Contis after having problems with sidewall wear on Michelin USTs. Not as light and fast as the Michelins, but pretty close. Works reasonable well in New England conditions; roots, rocks, wet, dry. I run them at 35-40 psi ( I weigh in at 200 lbs). I ride cross-country and do the occasional race.
I have been very happy with these tires over the past two seasons. They have been very dependable (and I am pretty hard on tires). Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find them for under the list price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clyde
a
from Irvine, CA, USA Date Reviewed: August 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
This month its Telonics
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
The Path
Strengths:
Light weight. Rolls reasonable well and climbs better than one would think given the paucity of center knobs. Excellent all around performance except as noted below.
Weaknesses:
Short knobs wear quickly; late, straight line braking into a turn on loose over cement-like hardpack this tire will break loose until it gets over onto the sidewall knobs. The center knobs are few and too far apart. However, once you get the bike over (and apply some opposite lock steering to catch the bike as the rear breaks away)the tire hooks up again. For this reason I would NOT use this as a front tire.
Similar Products Used:
In a 2.1: Specialized Roll-X 2.0; IRC Mythos; Panaracer Smoke; WTB Weirwolf, and probably a few others.
Bike Setup:
Turner 5 Spot
Bottom Line:
I purchased this tire because it resembled the larger 2.3 Conti Vert Pro and I thought it might be a good match for it. I read the reviews here AFTER I purchased the tire and thought I would regret my purchase. I don't. I've ridden this through rock gardens, down rock faces, through sand, hardpack, gravel streams beds, loose chutes, etc. The only consistent weakness is the one noted above. I'm frankly puzzled at the number of bad reviews. Maybe there have been some quality control issues in the past or this tire is just well suited to what and how I ride in Southern California, but I would pick this tire again over the WTB Weirwolf 2.1 it just replaced. The quick wear, sparse center knobs, and the quirky behavior noted above keep it from receiving better ratings. In all other conditions its an excellent tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Casey
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix Date Reviewed: February 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Trail 100 Central Phoenix
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Strengths:
Easy to find.
Weaknesses:
If you ride in phoenix or other desert expect your tires to wear out quick! Unstable feel. Poor on turns as grip erodes really quick.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Jones / Most Excellent!
Bike Setup:
Giant VT
Bottom Line:
Took me two sets to realize it wasn't me. Be very careful of this tire if you live in rough desert. There are much better choices. For desert single track really like the Jones!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeffrey Puzas
a Cross Country Rider
from Bowie, MD, USA Date Reviewed: November 26, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Patapsco State Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
College Park Bikes
Strengths:
Climbs well, light, very low rolling resistance
Weaknesses:
Durability (many flats, blew out two beads) Does not corner well (front end washes out a lot)
Tires climb well but do not corner well at all. Front end washes out frequently. Durability is a major issue as I seem to have had a blow out every time out. Twice the bead blew out, and twice I got holes in the tires. I also had issues with the tire rolling off the bead and burping air. Don't know if this is the rim or the tire. With more than 50psi this was no longer an issue. I am 210lbs and ride hard. I went to specialized Roll-X with Stan's No Tube on the advice of a friend and this set up is working really well. Climbing not as good as the Continentals, rolling resistance is much higher, cornering is a large improvement, and no flats or blowouts. I have to keep the rear tire at 50psi or above or I will burp air at the bead. The fronts can go to 40psi with no problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from Ann Arbor, MI Date Reviewed: September 4, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Potowatomi
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Dexter Bike and Sport
Strengths:
Spin up quickly, Very low rolling resistance
Weaknesses:
Lack of grip in turns. Poor performance in sandy conditions.
Similar Products Used:
IRC Mythos
Bike Setup:
2004 C'Dale Scalpel 3000. Mavic Crossmax tubelss.
Bottom Line:
I can't believe how poorly this tires performs! I've had more front-end-washout crashes in the past 3 months than in the previous 10 years. I have absolutely no confidence in this tire in turns or on rough rock-strewn descents.
In sand it is essentially worthless. It's supposed to be a 2.1 but seems much narrower to me. The result is the tire burrows down into the sand instead of floating like a true 2.1
Yes, it spools up quickly and rolls almost like a slick, but anything I gain on the smooth flats is lost in the way I have to baby it around turns and on descents.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas Date Reviewed: June 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Landahl Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Good traction. Roll and wear well. Good all around tire for most conditions.
Weaknesses:
I have had two tires in the past two weeks blow at the bead. Front on my Scalpel and rear on my SS. As a tubeless tire it is now useless. You can put a tube in it and it will be fine. Just sucks when you ruin expensive tubeless tires. My tire sealant had no affect on either puncture. I think I'm done with this tire.
Similar Products Used:
Pythons, Wildgrippers.
Bike Setup:
Scalpel 1000 and a Kona SS. Both with Crossmax tubeless wheels.
Bottom Line:
Just like the previous review, my trust in these tires is gone. I'm gonna try the Kenda Kharma or Hutch Scorpion. Currently I'm really liking the Wildgrippers so I don't see a need for the Explorer considering the problems they have caused me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kev J
a Weekend Warrior
from Queanbeyan Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Kowen Forest
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Shop
Strengths:
Light for a UST. Goos grip. Roll fast. Very progressive slide - no nast surprises.
Weaknesses:
Puncture easily. Major problem with sidewall where it contacts the rim.
Similar Products Used:
Hutcinson Python
Bike Setup:
Gian NRS1
Bottom Line:
Like these tyre a lot. BUT this is my second set that ha had the same problem. The bead section immediately next to the rim wears away causing a major blowout. The tyre is not repairable. Happened to me on a bike tour...... I just can't trust this tyre. First one was replaced under warranty but I don't want to use this tyre as I have lost confidence.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Franklin, TN Date Reviewed: September 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$39.00
Purchased At:
Beyond Bikes
Strengths:
Climbs well, light, good traction on hard pack.
Weaknesses:
As a front tire these tires give no warning before they break loose.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire XC Pro UST
Bike Setup:
Gunnar Rock Hound with XTR and Rock Shox Pyslo SL.
Bottom Line:
These tires work well when it's dry, not quite as good when things get muddy. I have had these tires for 2 weeks and I have already had a puncture, odd considering I have only ridden modest XC terrain and kept the tires inflated to 40 psi. I like the Explorers as a rear tire, but I have found the front tires break loose in an alarming manner with no warning. For the price (a bit high) I would prefer the slightly heavier Panaracer Fire XC Pro.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Seredyns
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ Date Reviewed: August 18, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Low rolling resistance and reasonable wieght for UST
Weaknesses:
A little tough to mount
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire XC UST and Huchinson Mosquito
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Scalpel
Bottom Line:
These tires perform well in a variety of conditions. I have used them in both wet and dry conditions on rock and root infested trails and have no issues with traction. The rear will spin just a bit earlier than the Panaracers would on a steep wet climb but on the flip side they are noticably lighter than the Panaracers. Time will tell if durability is up there but overall I am very happy with these tires.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Philipp
a Cross Country Rider
from Hannover Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
KEHA Sport
Strengths:
Great traction in dry conditions; very resistant against punctures; light (in view of the fact that it is an tubeless tire); slow wear and tear
Weaknesses:
hard compound: slippery in muddy conditions; looses pressure faster than other tires
Similar Products Used:
WTB Velociraptor, Hutchinson Mosquito UST, Schwalbe Little Albert UST
Bike Setup:
Customized Cannondale Jekyll 4000SL
Bottom Line:
During the two years of riding the Explorer I never experienced any considerable problems on the trail. The hard compound makes the Explorer wear slowly (one pair per summer), at the expense of traction in muddy conditions. Another issue is that the Explorer looses air faster than other tubeless tires; spraying some silicone on the bead will solve that problem. The Explorer is very resistant against punctures or pinch flats. Riding the tire with too low pressure (<2.0 bar) may cause damage to the side wall.
The Explorer is a great XC-tire for summer or dry conditions; in wet conditions the Explorer is average, tires with softer compound will probably perform better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mtbmon
a Racer
from NE Ohio Date Reviewed: May 20, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Reasonably light, great lugs, ease to install
Weaknesses:
I got mine cheap, but these are pricey at retail prices.
Similar Products Used:
You name it but mainly Michelin Comp S UST's and Python's
Bike Setup:
RM Blizzard, Zoke Marathon, SRAM/RaceFace mix. CrossRoc wheels, Hayes discs
Bottom Line:
I got a steal on these from Ebay. Paid $55 for two! As a front tire, I love this this rubber. Went on easier than any other tire I have used and so far, very durable. I am running them at 35-40 psi depending on trail conditions and feel these hook up and are more predictable than just about anything I have ridden. As a rear tire, they are ok but I think front works better. Can't understand the bad press below but I guess we all have our own experiences to draw from. 5 chilis for performance, 3 for value (at retail).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Frisco CO Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
hmmmm...
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
web shop
Strengths:
Good all-around tire. Roll fast, absorbent UST ride, good cornering
Weaknesses:
Loses about 3-5psi overnight, doesn't seem to be a problem on trail. Very sensitive to air pressure, and optimum psi varies according to conditions. UST weight.
Similar Products Used:
Michelin Comp S UST & tubed, Jet S UST, countless tube tires
Bike Setup:
02 Devinci Moonracer, Mavic CrossRoc UST wheels
Bottom Line:
Again, I can't believe all the negative reviews here. I can understand punctures, they will happen even with UST tires. Otherwise I think maybe riders are thinking UST allows you to run 25psi. Here's my advice, for what it's worth- UST allows you to run 5 to 7 psi less than the equivalent tubed tire. Any less is asking for sidewall problems, and poor cornering. The Explorer is a good all-around performance/race tire. It is very sensitive to air pressure. I initially ran about 30 psi in mine (front tire), and it would wash out on loose/sandy off-camber turns. Upping the pressure to 35-40 psi made it an entirely different tire. It rails and rips on anything except clay mud, but still rolls way fast. Conti knows how to make a MTB tire. UST tires still conform to the ground better than tubed tires at higher pressures, they just roll faster. And pinch flats are not a concern. I've ridden UST for the last year without a flat. Check UST out if you are a trail rider, non-weight weenie, or heavier than average bike riders. 4 flamers for value, 5 for performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian McGraw
a Cross Country Rider
from Adelaide South Australia Date Reviewed: April 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
the next one
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Japan
Strengths:
Decent rubber compund in terms of grip. Reasonable traction, I like the tread pattern as a good gripper that still rolls well but it worked much better as a non UTS tyre. Tyre seals well on rin with minimum fuss.
Weaknesses:
Punctures very easily. not just from thorns but also rocks and pinch-flats itself. What is the point of a tubeless tyre that repeatedly pinchflats itself?
Similar Products Used:
Huchinson Mosquitoes, Scorpions and Michelin Jets (all UTS)
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS One, mostly stock with a few upgrades.
Bottom Line:
Very disappointed in this tyre. Have always considered Continental tyres to be the best on the market but they have not done well with their entry into UTS. I got my first puncture using this tyre only a few days into using it whilst racing in the Transalp in Europe 2002. the flat was caused (as were many more to come) by sharp rocks cutting straight through the tyre itself. I weigh only 65kg and run 30 psi which I feel is apropriate when running tubeles yet the tyre has actually pinch-flatted on me at least three times too. I have taken the tyres off the bike and am about the throw them in the bin. I've counted nine patches on one tyre with more holes still needing repairs. Continental UTS tyres use materials far too easy to cut right through which is not acceptable, especially when thats all you have to keep the air in. If the tubeless system is to succeed, all manufactures and especially Continental are going to neeed to make their tyres tougher. Why not use a fine woven cloth material like on quality conventional tyres which could be designed to make the tyre much harder to penetrate and cut. For the price we pay for tubeless tyres the consumer deserves that. Just vulcanising some inner rubber to the existing outer tread rubber is no way strong enough. very disappointed Mr Continental ps anyone with a UTS tyre to recommend please email
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Flash Mofo
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, wa. Date Reviewed: December 27, 2002
Titus switchblade, MX pro eta 100mm fork, XT w/ disc brakes and king hubs&headset
Bottom Line:
I'm running this tire on the back using a mavic x317, latex, and a cut-down 24" tube for a rimstrip. Works great! SO far I've had no problems with burping or leaks on technical wet muddy trails. In the summer I might want something bigger but there are plnty of good summer UST tires out, just not many good mud tires. I like this one. bought cheap on ebay so I give it:
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Trelz
a Racer
from St. Louis Date Reviewed: December 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Castelwood
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Internet
Strengths:
Easy to install; hold air well
Weaknesses:
High rolling resistance. Not much traction. Given to slip in rocky climbs.
Similar Products Used:
Pythons, Kenda
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS
Bottom Line:
There are much better tubeless tires on the market for the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, Australia Date Reviewed: December 19, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Mt Stromlo
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Phantom Cycles
Strengths:
Lots of grip. No loss of air over two weeks. Comparable weight to other UST. Nice progressive slide as grip reduces - no nasty surprises!
Weaknesses:
None except maybe the price (generally) of UST tyres.
Similar Products Used:
Hutchison Python UST
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS1 2002
Bottom Line:
A nice tyre! Perhaps not for muddy conditions but great on hard pack. No problems with this tyre! My Pythons lost air continually and I had so many flats I reverted to using a tube!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete
a Racer
from Waldorf, MD U.S. Date Reviewed: October 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
michaux
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
nice handling..light..
Weaknesses:
weak tire..
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Scalpel
Bottom Line:
I rode these tires twice. The first ride was a training ride. But the second ride was a race in Penn. About 5 miles into the race i get a flat. There was two pen holes in the top. I guess it might not be manufacture fault but it was no fun walking those five miles back. I wish they were more durable. I'm now running Specialized UST tires. They have held up very well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian
a Racer
from Seattle Date Reviewed: September 23, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
jensonusa.com
Strengths:
quick rolling, fairly narrow tire
Weaknesses:
scary cornering in most conditions
Similar Products Used:
Hutchinson Pythons
Bottom Line:
This tire is great...if you only ride on hard pack soil or damp NW singletrack, otherwise it's scary. Loose rock, dirtroad or sandy terrain, it's terrible. Will look elsewhere before getting another pair
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
good handling, held air for good amount of time. (I do use stan's sealer in them)
Weaknesses:
poor tread life, rear tire wore out the tread in 3 months. not durable. two cuts, sizeable from impacts
Similar Products Used:
did not have two cuts like this on any of my non ust tires in years of use including old conti's cross country's. trying the Mich XL S now
Bike Setup:
Truth etc etc
Bottom Line:
I would try others before going back to these
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jose Henriques
a Cross Country Rider
from Lisbon, Portugal Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Sintra Mountains
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
HMR Import
Strengths:
They last long (the opposite from non-ust version), puncture resistance and traction
Weaknesses:
Weight compared with other ust alternatives (hutchinson, schwalbe....)
Similar Products Used:
Continental explorer, vertical and twister, all in the non-ust version
Bike Setup:
Scott-usa (however not available in the us market, silly, ;-))comp racing with xt, mavic crossmax, and ritchey wcs parts.
Bottom Line:
I like these tires because: - they last - they grip - they give me the security to ride alone in the mountains - they have a good and agressive look but: - they should be improved towards to be lighter. If you are a weightweeny, You can get a better compromise if you use explorer pro (non-ust) with a latex tube
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: September 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
City Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
hammerheadbikes.com
Strengths:
Excellent handling and reliability. I perceive less rolling resistance
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
First try at tubeless - I am a retro grouch.
Bike Setup:
UST Vertical Pro front and UST Explorer Pro rear on CrossRock UST Disc - Titus RacerX and I weigh 170#, 6'0".
Bottom Line:
I must be doing something wrong. I have no issues with these tires. For years I went to bed with my Leader Pro front and Competition Pro 2 rear tires under my pillow but as they became additionally difficult to find I knew I had to find a replacement. A few members of the Leader Pro/Comp. Pro 2 addicts anonymous club suggested the Vertical/Explorer UST combination. The combination is so good I am off the antidepressants and I have even considered selling my stockpile of non-UST tires!
As far as durability goes these tires have seen rocks from baby heads to pea gravel in size as well as dirt, mud, limestone, roots, cow pies and pavement. I have had no flats and minimal pressure loss between rides. I did not even try the dish-soap mounting method - hell I had them both on in 5 minutes but I did let them sit for 3 days @ 55 p.s.i. before the first ride.
In turns the tires hook up well on all but hard surfaced dirt and the loss of traction is never surprising. As I hate a squirmy handling bike I never run less than 37# of pressure. Twenty-five or thirty pounds of pressure? Sure, on a set of Mud-Terrains.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Racer
from Morgantown, WV Date Reviewed: September 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Scott's Run
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
Wamsley's
Strengths:
?
Weaknesses:
Punctured the sidewall 2 miles into my first ride.
Bike Setup:
Trek 8500
Bottom Line:
I should have paid attention to the previous reviews! I was riding 40psi. I'm 180# and ride hard.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RIck
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenixville, PA Date Reviewed: September 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
French Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Bean's bikes
Strengths:
I thought the Continental name would be a strength, but it turned out not to be. Good cornering traction.
Weaknesses:
HORRIBLE durability, BEYOND lousy customer service, and a company that WILL NOT stand behind its products. Two failures after two rides, on the same trails that have caused no failures with other brands.
Despite repeated attempts to contact Continental, I received a very weak "oh well, sounds like a trail hazard" response. Didn't even make an attempt to look at the freakin' tire to see what happened. As a result, I'll never ride or recommend Conti MTB tires again - UST or otherwise. Conti, if you're listening, your US agent isn't looking out for your long term interests!
Too bad there isn't a value rating of zero...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenixville, PA Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
French Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Bean's Bikes
Strengths:
Good traction in dry conditions. Easy to mount.
Weaknesses:
Durability! Two rides = two flats. What crap. One puncture, one cut. VERY disappointed in Continental, as I loved their non-tubeless tires. Also, a dicey proposition on wet roots/rocks.
Similar Products Used:
Hutchinson Python, Panaracer Trailblaster, Michelin Wildgripper and XLS.
Bike Setup:
Turner XCE with lots of cool stuff.
Bottom Line:
Very disappointing tires. Cost me $50 a ride. I could patch them, but I have ZERO confidence in them now. No way to get ahold of Continental customer support that I can find from their web site. If they monitor these reviews, please contact me ASAP.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TK
a Cross Country Rider
from London Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Belfast bike store
Strengths:
Weight and straight line speed in dry
Weaknesses:
Poor traction in wet (even in hard-packed condition)
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Trailblaster.
Bike Setup:
Giant MCM team frame, Sid Race, Mavic Crossmax, XT groupset
Bottom Line:
Lost confidence in this tyre. Will be seeking UST version of Panaracer tyre.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dave pelman
a Racer
from los angeles Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
in regards to the review concerning punctures, I would like to mention how incredibly helpful and concerned Conti has been. After having some correspodance with them we are going to give it another shot. Since there hasn't been any other reports of this nature we figure maybe it was just coincidence, a fluke or just bad luck. Still, they are going to examine the explorers i will return to see if there were flaws or whatever. I will still use Conti because i beleive in them and trust them. It's a great thing and reassuring to know that there is a company like Conti who are genuinely concerned about their products and the people that use them. Fantastic support guys. thanx.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dave pelman
a
from los angeles Date Reviewed: July 28, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
helens cycles
Strengths:
good all around traction, exactly the same as the non- UST
Weaknesses:
constantly flatting. knobs seem to detach from the tire. sidewall punctures. weak tire material.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
caad 5, mavic crossmax, hayes.
Bottom Line:
PUNCTURES! PUNCTURES!! PUNCTURES!!! RAPID DETERIORATION!!!! like the non-UST version these tires wear fast. Unforunatly, the tire compound quality has been compromised to keep them light. Two major flaws i have found are that the knobs detach and blow open exposing the innner fibres of the tire. The other, the sidewalls blow. both of which have given me grief at my last two races causing me to loose top placings.
and in all fairness, this has happened both on the original purchased set and the warranty set
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adriano Nunes
a Racer
from Setubal Portugal Date Reviewed: June 16, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Serra de SºLuis / Arrabida
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
r raposo setubal
Strengths:
very smoth ride , a lot of grip in all conditons , very resistance tho flats and it rools faster and brake as well
Weaknesses:
it burn out very fast the rear tire it make 650km no more tham this , but it fits the goob very well
Similar Products Used:
hutchicson tyres ust scorpion
Bike Setup:
my bike American Eagle Durango 760 SLi , crossmax , xt and xtr components , Marzochi marathon s 80mm 10kg of pure racing bike
Bottom Line:
very good tyre it gives me the thrust i need in all kind of terrain , very high grip in the hills and when its time tho brake it respondes so whell , there is the excellente tire for all
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from santa monica, CA Date Reviewed: June 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
zion
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
helens cycles
Strengths:
Holds air very well. easy to mount. rolls well. Very well made and hold up well.
Weaknesses:
washes out in loose gravel, sandy conditions.
Similar Products Used:
Tubed- explorer pro, xc fire, veloceraptors, ritchey speedmax, irc backcountry. Tubless- Rocksters (scary), python (very smooth ride, ok grip), comp s (very good for the tire size), misquitos (very smooth but better for mud).
Bike Setup:
turner xce, 100mm fox forx, crossmax
Bottom Line:
I liked my tubed explorers so thought I should give these a try. As a front tire they work about the same as the tubed version. Although it does seem to want to wash out much easier in loose conditions. Also the tire does not like to be run at really low pressures (22-28 lbs). I have run many other tubeless tires at these pressures without many problems. These will "burp" under very hard conditions. Switched to an Intense 2.3 and using Stan's so we'll see. As a racing cross country tire it is great if you want to do hard trail riding may want to look elsewhere.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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