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Submitted by
flipjhl
a Cross Country Rider
from DenmarkDate Reviewed: March 5, 2009
Strengths: Great overall tire for wet conditions with excellent gribWeaknesses: unsure traction in icy conditionsBottom Line: So far the best autumn/winter tire
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$55.00
Similar Products Used: Maxxis, Scwalbe
Bike Setup: C'dale rush carbon
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
ronoranina
a Cross Country Rider
from nj, usaDate Reviewed: January 20, 2009
Strengths: doesn't loose air very quickly, inspires confidence and piece of mind in almost all conditions, is fast rolling. these tires will break loose at a certain point but what tire won't, does so predictably. is reasonably light for a tubeless tire.Weaknesses: the 2.3 is not really a 2.3. it's a 2.1, but whatever. they're are expensive.Bottom Line: this is a solid tire. i don't worry about it, just go out and ride it confidently. i think this tire compares favorably with the kenda nevengal. it's as grippy as the nevengal but rolls much much better, and is lighter in the tubeless version. overall i'm very happy with it. i use it as a front tire, with a vapor on the rear. these are the best tires i've owned.
Favorite Trail: doesn't matter
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$56.00
Purchased At: speedgoat
Similar Products Used: kendas, panaracers
Bike Setup: Banshee Pyre frame - size large
Magura Thor fork w/ sixty less axle
Formula K 18 disc brakes (F 180 mm, R 160 mm) w/ Oro bianco one finger levers
Cane Creek 110 headset
Race Face Next 31.8 mm handlebars
Thompson X4 100 mm stem
Sram X9 shifters
Thomson Masterpiece seatpost
Selle Italia SLR saddle
Manitou Swinger X3 shock
Mavic 819 rims front & rear
Hadley racing hubs (front 20 mm, rear quick release)
Shimano XT front derailleur
Sram XO rear medium cage deraillleur
Shimano XTR M970 crankset
Time ATAC XS carbon pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
MultiRider
a Cross Country Rider
from Castle Rock, CODate Reviewed: January 10, 2009
Strengths: Protects rim from the trailWeaknesses: TractionBottom Line: No traction on any surface except perhaps asphalt. They don't grip on soft, medium, hard, or rocks. They don't grip regardless of pressure. They pretend to grip until they let go and it is all-at-once, no warning. Horrible on the rear, even worse on the front. Came on the bike when I bought it and I didn't realize how bad they were until I replaced them.
Favorite Trail: Dakota Ridge
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$50.00
Similar Products Used: Lots
Bike Setup: Yeti 575
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave B
a Weekend Warrior
from LeicesterDate Reviewed: October 6, 2008
Strengths: 1. Easy to put on, it took only about 20 minutes for the set and that was without soapy ware and so on.
2. They are very grippy no matter what the surface / weather conditions.
3. Feedback is also very good and predictable.
4. Hold there air very well (only check preasure every 4 or 5 rides and they loose very little)Weaknesses: None so farBottom Line: I bought these on spec as my old tyres had about run there course and were past there sell by date!!!!! These were being sold on Ebay at a cheap price so I thiught 'why not' and took the plunge.
After reading the review's about them in wet and muddy conditions I was dreading going out in the rain however they were put to the test this weekend when I did the 50km Viking Challenge (it had rained all night prior to the event and also thrughout it)
These tyres did not let me down once and held my intended line on all but the sloppy of surfaces.
They also shed mud very well.
Favorite Trail: Anywhere
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At: Ebay
Similar Products Used: Too many to mention
Bike Setup: Intense 6.6 set up for All Mountain / Light Freeride
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Graham Mitchell
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, AustraliaDate Reviewed: July 23, 2008
Strengths: Great grip in dry, loose local conditions. Pretty good in the wet too.Weaknesses: Tall side knobs liable to damage.Bottom Line: This is an update on my review of a year ago. I have been running a Vert UST on the front since the Nev wore out.
I have lost nothing in doing this and highly rate this as an allrounder in Aussie conditions.
I've since discovered that the USTs are made in France as opposed to Asia and this may explain the softer feeling rubber.
I've yet to have a problem with sidewalls despite sharp rocks...
Favorite Trail: All of them
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: Riders Choice
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Torrance, CADate Reviewed: March 4, 2008
Strengths: Good traction, doesn't burp much, easy to installWeaknesses: Weak sidewallsBottom Line: I ripped both the front and rear in about a month after riding in some rocky areas. Sidewalls are paper thin. Tried repairing it, but only lasted 1 ride. Never buying theses or other Conti UST tires again.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: Nevegals, Schwalbe's
Bike Setup: Intense 5.5
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Randall
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale, ArizonaDate Reviewed: December 31, 2007
Strengths: Traction, durability, quality, worry freeWeaknesses: weight??Bottom Line: The perfect tire for harsh desert conditions. Have had no problem with tire despite riding 3-4 times a week on some of the harshest trails in existence (from a tire's point of view).
Favorite Trail: The one I'm on
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Purchased At: Landis Cyclery
Similar Products Used: Conti Vapor, Maxxis Ignitor and Larsen, Bontrager Revolt and ACX
Bike Setup: Specialized Epic Marathon, Crossmax SL, Fox Talas
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Trey
a Cross Country Rider
from DenverDate Reviewed: August 14, 2007
Strengths: These tires are great for dusty trails. With the Verticals inflated to just under 30 PSI, I can charge through corners that used to have me worried about washing out. These tires are perfect for the trails around here. They're pretty grippy on slick rock too. I've found these tires to be predictable and I liked the 2.3 size better than the 2.1's I've been running for years.
Other reviewers have mentioned wear as a weakness. I haven't found that to be the case. I got 400 miles out of my rear tire before it started to skid out. I just replaced the rear and the front is still looking like it could hold up for another 400 miles. I consider that to be pretty good. MUCH better than say the Conti Explorers.Weaknesses: As others have mentioned, they're horrible in the wet and muddy conditions. For me, wet & muddy is the exception rather than the rule, but if I lived somewhere less arrid, I would look for different tires.
The price is pretty steep.Bottom Line: These are my favorite tires of all time. Do they wear out? Yeah, like all tires they've got a limited life span. They're great dry conditions tires. Predictable and grippy.
I'll knock Conti down a few Value flamin' chilis because $50 for a tire hurts the checking account but they perform great for the type of trails I ride.
Favorite Trail: Monarch Crest
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$53.00
Purchased At: Bikeparts.com
Similar Products Used: too many to list
Bike Setup: Yeti 575, XT/XTR
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Graham Mitchell
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, AustraliaDate Reviewed: July 30, 2007
Strengths: Reasonable size. Good grip in most conditions. Softer rubber than the standard tyres? Holds air well.Weaknesses: Expensive.Bottom Line: So far so good in both the dry and the wet. Great grip on the rear when run between 30 and 35 psi. Rubber feels softer than the regular variety. I have had trouble with tall side knobs ripping off on regular Verticals so I'm keeping a close eye on this UST. Side walls seem fine and tyre holds air really well. I am considering a Mountain King 2.4 UST for the front and would appreciate any feedback on this new tyre.
Favorite Trail: All of them.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Purchased At: Riders Choice
Similar Products Used: IRC, WTB, Kenda tyres.
Bike Setup: 575 with Mavic 819 UST rims. Conti on rear only. Nevegal 2.35 Stickee on the front.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
font ninea
a Cross Country Rider
from austinDate Reviewed: June 16, 2007
Strengths: This is a clarification of my last review. I am using a 2.3 Vertical UST up front which seems very good. Full review pending. 3 chilis for value, 4 chilis for performance so far.Weaknesses: naming conventions trip me up.Bottom Line: The Vertical is much more substantial then the 2.1 Explorer. I think they measure the width at the tread, rather than the casing, so your Conti tires are always going to be skinny compared to another brand. I like my Vertical up front. I hate my Explorer in the rear. (And I'm kind of an adventurous guy...)
Check out my review of the Explorer in this forum if you are considering one.
Favorite Trail: The Ribbon *Select Grade*
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At: wrench science
Similar Products Used: Continental Explorer 2.1 Rear
Bike Setup: Maverick Durance
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Font9a Ninea
a Cross Country Rider
from AustinDate Reviewed: June 10, 2007
Strengths: I got a 2.3 Vertical up front and a 2.1 Explorer in back for my new Maverick Durance.
I'm running them dry. No slime of Stan's. I carry a tripple lever kit made in sweden to remove for on-trail maintenance. (it's amazing that very little on the google internets will tell you how to patch a tubless tire. It's very simple: use the old school tube rubber cement and patch protocol -- only on the inside of your tire, and you're good to go. The other thing to mention is using a mildy sudsy soap and water concotion on the bead ... I was able to do this and use a generic floor pump to put 65 PSI in to set the bead with no problems. You don't have to waste as canister or CO2 just to set the bead. The tires haven't burped once.
That said, Continental must measure their tires from knob to knob, rather than from the sidewall. These are skinny tires!
The 2.1 in back is especially skinny and it looks like it shold be on some XC hardtail. I'm having brand new Chris King Hub on 819 Rim built up around 2.3 Verticals as my main wheel -- I will keep this one in the garage as needed.
* That said, Michelin Wildgripper Pros have been my favorite tires since about 1999. Even when they had funky green colors. It just suited my riding.
* These Contis have worn more in 5 weeks than any other tire I have ever used. And the traction isn't all that great. Especially compared to a Michelin. Poor sidehill performance. Seemed to roll off the sidehill rather than track my steered line. Very different from any other tire combo I've used.Weaknesses: wear too quickly. even on buff singletrack. terrible predictabilty -- you never know when you're going to get 2-wheel drift or a rear slide, or a front washout. I've never has a tire set that was this unpredictable.
terrible wet weather manners. Especially over wet limestone.Bottom Line: Hard to say which is worse -- the wear factor, or the fact that these are just plain unpredictable in all conditions.
I've never had a tire combo that didn't set me up for they way they would ride within the first 5 miuntes. I've ridden over 200 miles on these tires on every kind of singletrack you can imagine, and they are disappointing in every way: they don't give good feedback, they slide when the shouldn't, they stick when you expect them to drift... My only upside is that the bead sets in nice and firm with a little soapy water. They are almost impossible to remove from my Mavic 819s without 4 Dutch made levers and a lot of patientience. I do like the fact that I can use a standard tube patch kit to patch punctures and that my regular old floor pump will seat the bead. C02 at $4 a pop is a little much... but what can you do on the trail?
I cannot recommend slime or Stans, as it only adds complexity... Just treat these as innertubes integrated with a tire and you should be good to go. Put a dollar bill and some ductape and a gu wrapper in a bige sidewall rip -- add some superglue and silicon glue when you get home -- the tire will wear out before your patch does.
I've used so many tire sets over the years it's hard to keep a running list. But my faves so far have been the Michelins and the Maxxis. The Contis run NARROW BTW -- my 2.3 up front is like my Maxxis 2.1. I'd choose a little weight for some extra girth any day.
Hopefully Conti will introduce a dual compound or tripple compound tire to add longevity and predictability to an otherwise nicely designed tire -- at least the tread LOOKs nice from the ground.
-- font9a
Favorite Trail: 401-->403-->401; Dr's Park; Psychobilly Freakout
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At: wrence science
Similar Products Used: Michelin Wildgripper (+pros); IRC, Maxxis; CompIIIs, Snakbellies; Slicks.
Bike Setup: Maverick Durance
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kenny G
a Cross Country Rider
from HixsonDate Reviewed: September 6, 2005
Strengths: Good grip. Very durable.Weaknesses: Not super-fast rollers.Bottom Line: These tires are very good full knobbies. Good traction, and they are large enough to have a supple feel over rough terrain - I ran them at about 30lbs. They are not the fastest rolling tires out there due to the full knobs, but traction is more important than rolling speed unless you are riding on hardpack or XC racing.
Favorite Trail: Any technical singletrack
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At: Shop
Similar Products Used: Many.
Bike Setup: If you are reading this, you probably only care about the tires...Duh!
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tomas
a Weekend Warrior
from Gothenburg, SwedenDate Reviewed: July 16, 2005
Strengths: Weight, holds air pressure a long time (for a UST tire)Weaknesses: VERY slippery in wet conditions (dangerous!)
Narrow for a 2.3 tireBottom Line: These tires work reasonably well in dry conditions but add any moisture on the trail and they change quickly to something nasty and unpredictable. The rubber compound is too hard so the grip is non-existent. They will probably last for many miles on dry gravel roads but who is lucky to ride in sunshine all the time?
The tires are quite light and they do keep the air for long time on mavic ust rims, better than many other tubeless tires.
Don't even think about getting these tires if you ride in rain or muddy conditions!
Favorite Trail: Sandsjöbacka, Vättlefjäll
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Purchased At: Came with bike
Similar Products Used: Michelin, Schwalbe
Bike Setup: Trek Fuel 98
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
shayne
a Cross Country Rider
from vail, co usaDate Reviewed: July 13, 2005
Strengths: Rolls great and climbs pretty well in dry conditions.Weaknesses: The tires floats to much when cornering. They do grab but it takes a little long for me.They also wear out pretty quick.Bottom Line: Great tire, but wears out fast and washes out.
Favorite Trail: 2 Elk
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At: mountain peddler
Bike Setup: Yeti 575 with Crossmax XL Tubeless
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder,CO,USADate Reviewed: May 20, 2005
Strengths: Great traction in variety of conditions includding snow and rocks. Light for size. No flats with UST version.Weaknesses: Sidewalls are thin, running very low pressure, mid 20's, in snow and ice caused sidewall wear.Bottom Line: Great all round tire for all mountain trail riders who want great traction without a big weight penality. Very predictable tire that works in wide variety of conditions, dry, wet, or frozen.Couldn't believe how much better the UST version gripped compared to the tubed version.
Favorite Trail: Zippy Da Do Da
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At: Sports Garage
Similar Products Used: WTB Mutano Raptors (2.4), Specialized Enduro 2.1
Bike Setup: 2001 Specialized Enduro w/ Sherman Firefly, Mavic EX823 Rims
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