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Submitted by
tony_tiger_35
a Weekend Warrior
from Castaic, CA
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Pinos | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Rbikes.com | | Strengths: | Great strength, fantastic traction, fast rolling, very puncture resistant | | Weaknesses: | Grip is a little shallow so would be too great in mud | | Bike Setup: | Turner Sultan XL | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic tire for the money. Never have any problems with this tire losing air with the Stans flow rims. Never had a puncture or any damage. Ran the pressure from 25psi to 50 depending on the riding and was pleased every time. These tires roll fast and I rarely have issues with grip. The tread is shallow but a lot of it which is great for traction and trails in S. California riding... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dzol
a Cross Country Rider
from Kitchener, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Hydrocut | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$47.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike shop | | Strengths: | -Durability - I have used my bike for on-road cycling only for 5000kms and still have the original Hutchenson python on the front! The rear had to be replaced once. The front tire is still ok, but I am replacing both now.
Reiability - I have only ever had 5 punctures and they were mostly my fault from running over glass or dead animals :)
Low Rolling resistance - Their tread pattern is really neat rolls easily and is great for hard-packed trails.
Quailty - Have you ever had a tire last 5000kms? and the walls are still in great condition, I have abused them and my bike riding during the winter, rain, mud, rocks, roots, dust and the sidewalls have barely any cracks | | Weaknesses: | Traction - They are ok for Hard packed trails, but I would be nervous to take them on anything too technical (a recent bad wipeout has convinced me to invest in something more grippy). | | Bike Setup: | NRS1
Rock Shox pilot SL air fork
Rock Shox SID rear shock
Mavick 317 rims
Race face crank
Avid BB9 disks | | Bottom Line: | Great Tires if you are looking for something fast, durable, and still gives decent grip on moderate trails. (Mind you I checked recently at a retialer and the price has gone up substantially somethign around $75 CAD ($64USD)) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tincho1979
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucuman, Argentina
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Philip N.Y.C. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized M4 2000 | | Bottom Line: | Muy buena para terreno seco, la utilice varios años para competencias, y me dio muy buenos resultados. Totalmente recomendable, pero no la usen en barro. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scooter24
a Cross Country Rider
from manchester,ct.
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | fern trail to green monster | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | greenfish | | Strengths: | fast rolling,light tire that grips good. | | Weaknesses: | to thin of wall they cut very easy on rocks,they dont hold air unless you use sealant. | | Similar Products Used: | panaracer fire,michelin | | Bike Setup: | chumba xcl with xt group,geax tnt tires | | Bottom Line: | if you want a tire that holds air dont buy these without installing sealant.very weak casing cuts easily.good tire if you do a light xc ride on flat terrain. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
greenmtnrdr
a Cross Country Rider
from Poulsbo, WA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | PRICEPOINT | | Strengths: | They look fast - low rolling resistance. | | Weaknesses: | Cornering. Install was the hardest/worst of any tire ever -- you'll be screwed with a flat out in the field | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer 2.4, OEM Maxxis Ignitor 2.35 | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Prophet 1 | | Bottom Line: | I bought two and just installed the rear -- what a pain! I compared the rear intalled tire with front mounted Maxxis Ignitor -- Python 2.35 is MUCH smaller with little or no side knobs. This tire will obviously go fast in a straight line. The tire is coming OFF (I'm not even going to bother riding on it)! They are going on ebay/craigslist. AVOID this tire unless you drive in a straight line and appreciate cursing while changing bike tires. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bman3333
a Cross Country Rider
from New Berlin, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$39.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | Lighter version, nice tread pattern for dry, XC trails | | Weaknesses: | Leak air (10 psi/week) right out of the box. Tread wears quickly. Poor customer service. | | Similar Products Used: | Kenda Klimax Lite UST | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS Air stock | | Bottom Line: | First two sets of Python UST tires held air and worked fine. Third set was the New Gen Python Lite UST and they do not hold air right out of the box. Basically a tubeless-ready tire now. Hutchinson said you must use sealant - which was never the case with first two sets. Would not replace or fix problem. Do not recommend supporting this company. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
maleonardphi
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Given to me for free | | Strengths: | Light, tons of grip. | | Weaknesses: | Tread wears quickly, maybe only lasted for 20 rides. Don't dare ride it on the pavement. | | Similar Products Used: | Various WTB, Kenda, and Maxxis tires | | Bike Setup: | Intense Spider XVP | | Bottom Line: | I really love this tire on the rear. For a 2.0, it has a ton of grip, with the benefit of being really light. However, it wears really quickly. It worked well in dry conditions, rocky, loose, pretty much anything. I never had a chance to try it in the mud though. I would highly recommend it if you can get a deal. But maybe get two, since they wear so fast | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from El Paso, TX
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | All are good | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$28.00 | | Purchased At: | Don't recall, probably CBO | | Strengths: | Light I suppose. The tread worked for me on local terrain conditions. | | Weaknesses: | Sidewall | | Similar Products Used: | Python (Tube version), Panaracer Fire XCs and XC pros | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Mavic wheels, mix of XTR, SRAM 9.0 and Thomson stuff | | Bottom Line: | Well I guess fool me once shame on you Hutchinson, fool me twice, shame on me. After a year of LIGHT xc use (I weigh 145 and have been out perhaps a dozen times) this tire did what the tube version did to me a few years ago--let go of a sidewall; split from rim to center of the tread. Perhaps not surprising, unless it's happended twice on Hutchinson products. No fun walking back to the car. Yes, shame on me, but no more $$ for you Hutch. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from idaho
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | empty ones | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | fast! | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | ibex hardtail and 2006 heckler both with mavic crosslands, stans sealant and UST valves with removable cores. | | Bottom Line: | tire performance is so subjective!this tire is one of my favorites, the non-UST version is weak at cornering if not used with a tubeless conversion kit, a fast rolling tire with above average cornering ability,run at 35b psi rear and 30 front at my weight of 190lbs.All UST tire seem to perform better than there tube counterparts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Costa Mesa, California USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Whiting/Truck Trail/Luge Combo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | PP where price is the point! | | Strengths: | To specify, this review is for the Hutchinson New Gen Python Tubeless tires. At approximately $25 a pop from PP, it was affordable. After getting the tires, they were easy to get on my Mavic Crosslands. A scoop of Stans and off I went. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe a bit heavy, but I dont mind the tradeoff for durability. Messy putting this tire on especially if your using Stans and dont have a stand or an extra hand helping you. Soaping the bead well makes the bead pop into the rim much easier but gets very slippery when putting them on. Dont forget a compressor! | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson Bulldog Tubeless Light (w/ Stans), Panaracer Fire XC Pros, and Kenda Nevegals. | | Bike Setup: | Spec Stumpjumper SS HT. Love the SS! | | Bottom Line: | Hey the tire holds air well, doesn't leak, and can grip like a thirsty mosquito on a hot summer day. This tire has a really low rolling resistance, felt like I was riding on slicks. It really feels that good, especially compared to the Bulldogs, Fire XC's, and Nevegals that I have tried before. Going uphill, the tires do not slip much and provide confidence when pounding downhill looking for grip around the corners. Thus far, I am happy with these tires and would not hesitate to buy another set. Value got 4/5 only b/c I am cheap and dont like spending money. Overall rating got 4/5 b/c once again, I am cheap and dont like spending money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | An all-around great tire for dry conditions. I've "experimented" with similar brands but keep coming back to the Pythons for the type of terrain we have around here. They hook up well on hardpack and are relatively lightweight. I run them with Stan's and have only had ONE flat (which was my fault because my Stan's had dried up!) D'OH!
I recommend playing with different pressures on different terrains as you can dial them in for maximum performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christopher Davis
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Centennial Cone | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Canyon Cycles | | Strengths: | Light, low rolling resistance. | | Weaknesses: | Not great in loose conditions, | | Similar Products Used: | Maxis, Kenda, WTB | | Bike Setup: | Ibis Silk Ti w/ disc. Stan355/DT, XTR, Fox100RLT, Easton | | Bottom Line: | A great general use tire that is light enough to race and tough enough for all mountain riding. Despite other reviews about torn sidewall I have a had no problems. Yet, I alway ran 45psi with stan's sealant. I worn the rear tire down to nothing, until the stan's sealant oozed out of the casing and it still holds air. Being completely objective I think this tire is the best balance between climbing effeciency and descending traction. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from boise
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$28.00 | | Strengths: | light, roll fast,price,reliability,long wear. | | Weaknesses: | cornering is average. | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Ibex hard tail,2006 Heckler, both with mavic crosslands | | Bottom Line: | I am somewhat baffled with tire reviews in general...there is a learning curve obviously in regards to mounting, tire pressure, poor riding skills.I keep on returning to this tire as it does perform quite well, the NG's are easier to mount, these tires have low rolling resistance yet still corner reasonably well, I run stans sealant and have gone thousands of miles with no flats, do NOT pull out thorns the tire will seal and the thorn will break off externally and migrate into the tire where it floats around harmlessly.The Scorpion corners better at the expense of rolling resistance I run these on my spare wheels.Mounting is easy if you follow instructions I have never had a failure off road, on road I have, twice in six years repaired with a spare inner tube do not waste your time with hand pump away from home the tube is much quicker, just pop out the ust valve. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a Racer
from ellijay
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | pinhoti | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | fast, light, ride quality, cornering | | Weaknesses: | probably don't last as long as some others | | Similar Products Used: | maxxis, continental, michelin, panaracer | | Bike Setup: | scott scale limited, xtr, crossmax | | Bottom Line: | Excellent performing tire. Lasts as long I would expect for a lightweight race tire. if you want the tire to last, get the heavier version. the heavier version is as durable as any tire on the market. i personally choose the light weight version. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gnagman
a
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Nice and smoooth ride. | | Weaknesses: | Two flats in one week!!! | | Bike Setup: | Specializes, Mavic Crossland UST. | | Bottom Line: | Rides very nice (in dry weather) and has good looks but I've had too many problems with leaking air and flats. Next time I'll try something else! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Landahl,Minor,Chubb,Castlewood,Lawerence River Trails,Lake Perry | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Strengths: | Soft rubber & low profile tread provide excellent traction (especially on technical rock gardens)- the soft tread is very sweet when new, hold air great w/a little Stan's | | Weaknesses: | Crack and puncture VERY easily (crack a UST tire and you now have a UST tire w/a tube in it), flip side of soft rubber - tread wears quickly, EXTREMELY difficult to get tire on rim the first several times (I have Mavics), awful value to cost ratio | | Bike Setup: | Epic,Mavics,avid mechanical,DJIII,XT | | Bottom Line: | Not worth the price, not worth the effort to get on the rim, crack very easily (I went through several sets in a couple of years & almost always ended up riding w/a tube due to cracks)
I love the tread profile & soft rubber, but I'm tired of messing w/these all the time & will never buy them again. I'm filling out a review because i was a little surprised at the high rating & having gone trough multiple sets as I really wanted them to work, I can't imagine anyone who actually rides XC seriously would give these tires a positive rating.
Buy something else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
deep
a Cross Country Rider
from venice, ca
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | bike attack, santa monica | | Strengths: | Looks Cool | | Weaknesses: | expensive and short life span | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS 1 | | Bottom Line: | Im only posting because I stumbled on this website searching Goggle for a better product. I will never buy another product from this company. I cannot belive how weak these tires are (especailly since they cost almost as much as tires for a car!)
I do around 50 miles a week, mostly on a nicely paved bike bath.... this is my second rear-tire blowout for NO REASON, within 3 years.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Encinitas, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light weight. Great taction on climbs. No punctures or lose of tire pressure as if this date. An excellent combination with the Mavic Crossmax SL wheel set. Can't over emphasize the use of good old Stan's Tire Sealent | | Weaknesses: | Tread durablity. I'll take a little blame on this one. I tend to ride on the road a lot to get where I need to go for my trail riding. Doesn't perform well in loose dirt, but that's not what their advertised to do. | | Similar Products Used: | Maxxis Larsen TT UST's | | Bike Setup: | '05 Cannondale Scapel 3000 | | Bottom Line: | When I put down the coin to purchase a XC competition bike, which these tire came equipped on, I knew what I was getting into as to durability. These bikes are the prima donnas of the MTB market. Every component is selected with one thing in mind .... weight. The frame and components are not designed to withstand the repeated abuse of rougher more technical terrain. These tires are no exception. If you are riding on a prepared race course, which most XC races are on, the Hutchinson Pythons UST's are the tires for you. If not, a more durable tire made for aggressive riding is probably what you will need. Most would say if you own XC racing bike you not looking for path of most resistence, you're looking for path which won't break that thin walled frame, 19 to 23 lbs., egg shell of a bike with those light weight racing tires you're riding on. Happy Trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JT
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Landaul & Minor Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Strengths: | Love the low profile tread, great traction, work as well as anything else in the mud (nothing works well in mud and we shouldn't ride in it anyway) | | Weaknesses: | the durability is horrible. you have to use Stan's or similar to hold your air pressure or be ready to pump every time. | | Bike Setup: | epic soft-tail,avid mechanical,100mm Marzocchi DJ,tubeless | | Bottom Line: | These tires are pretty sweet, but if you are really riding hard and often you need to be prepared to go through a few. When conditions are ideal these tires are at their best - great traction on dirt, wood, rock - they're sticky. If you are tight on funding might want to go with something else. They puncture, rip, and split easily and in strange situations. You may totally clobber something and they are fine but hit something just right and they split a hole too large to seal w/any sealant. Anyone else carry a tube when they ride tubeless – ironic. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a
from WA
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came w/ wheels | | Strengths: | The feel is great. I can't really compare to other tubeless as this is my first ust tire. | | Weaknesses: | WON'T HOLD AIR. This seems to be a common theme with these tires. One of my tires does ok and the other would have to be pumped up every third day. I tried everything (thinking I screwed up the install) but I too (see previous reports) have lots of leakage around the sidewalls. | | Similar Products Used: | First tubeless tires. | | Bike Setup: | Klien palomino - warranty frame | | Bottom Line: | Look at something else unless you can return 'em really easily. They do feel pretty good when they have air in them which isn't often. I hate wrenching on my bike and I hate pumping tires every darn ride even more. I guess the French are still trying to screw us. I can't give anything this worthless more then 1 flaming butt nugget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Apex, NC ,USA
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | ALLSTAR BIKE SHOP, Cary NC | | Strengths: | This Tire is made for speed and the traction to go along with it. 2000 miles says it all. | | Weaknesses: | Some air leakage at first. Stan's sealant eliminated that problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Tire came stock with the bike. | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS1 | | Bottom Line: | This was the first tubeless tire I have used since it came with the bike. I was a little disappointed at first because the Front tire kept losing air after 3-400 miles of riding. Allstar Bike Shop checked it out for me and added some Stan's sealant and I have had NO air leakage since. Just crossed the 2000 mile mark on my odometer. I felt it is time to replace my tires due to obvious wear. Add a 210lb. rider to the mix and these tires held up real well. I knew that since this tire is made for speed and less rolling resistance that it would give up some traction to an aggressive knobby tire. No different than trying to use a summer tire in snow. Common sense applies as to what you intend to use the tire for. I decided the next tire I get will have a more aggressive Knobs for more traction, control and safety. I ride as hard as conditions will permit me too. I can't blast this tire one bit because I used it the way it was intended to be ridden. Enough said. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shiny_car
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | light; good seal on my wheelset; great for dry hardpacked trails, rocks | | Weaknesses: | not so great for mud and really slippery conditions | | Bike Setup: | Specialized HT custom build-up; Mavic Crossmax SL disc UST | | Bottom Line: | on my Mavic Crossmax SL wheelset these fit and seal really well; I use the 'tubed' version on another HT and happily persisted for this wheelset with the UST Lite version; local conditions for my style of riding are mostly hardpacked trails, rocks and roots, but mostly dry where I've found these tyres are great; I don't race, nor ride too hard, so they work within my limits well; looking at other options for muddy/slick conditions though | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob o"brien
a Cross Country Rider
from Hobart Tasmania Australia
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | meehan ranges | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | melbourne | | Strengths: | low rolling resistance and great on hard pack | | Weaknesses: | will not hold air,holds air now i put a tube in it so much for ust tubless not worth the hassle, don't bother taking them out if the tracks wet. And front tyre deformed after about 10 hours use. told by the bike shop guy that he's seen a few that have stuffed up in shape for no apparent reason. | | Similar Products Used: | maxxis ranchero | | Bike Setup: | xc jamis dakota, the only thing i have changed are the hutchinson python tyres because there no good. | | Bottom Line: | in Australia getting any feed back from the rep is immpossiable and its just easier to go with a chaeper and tougher brand | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin Mitchell
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyler, Waco, Smithville, Hochi | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn | | Strengths: | Good all around XC tire in dry - sandy - damp conditions.
Good also to ride on the street when the trails are to wet | | Weaknesses: | damp climbing and braking grip, damp or muddy conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson Scorpion | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Epic Marithon, XTR Groupo, Fox front and rear, Mavic CrossMax SL Disc | | Bottom Line: | I think this is a solid tire for the right conditions and very effective on some of the trails I ride. Sandy bottom with some hard on top. Most people dont use their driver for putting so some thought needs to go into your tire selection. If you buy this tire and you think it sucks,,,, I bet you didn't research it much. If you do some street and trails this is even a better tire for it handles well on the pavement. If you ride in damp or wet areas, roots/rocks with lots of climbing, consider getting the Scorpion or Spyder because they have bigger teeth for grip.
All in all its a solid tire, never had a flat in 1 year and never, I never use a sealant. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from va beach, va, usa
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | douthat | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | no snake-bites when my bud has gotten a few
low pressure smoothes rocks and roots, improves traction | | Weaknesses: | will not hold air | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | schwinn s-10 | | Bottom Line: | I got some used bontrager ust wheels and tried the ust thing. The strengths are there. Recently at Sherando lake, lowering my pressure allowed me to speed up alot through rocky terrain. I thought the bead was not sealing, causing pressure loss. Dipping the wheel in my kitchen sink revealed over a dozen pin hole leaks in the sidewall. That is bs for 35-40 dollar tires. I guess I like France even less now.(tires are made in France) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a Cross Country Rider
from Cle Elum, Wa
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$24.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Its light, fast, wears well and is affordable. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockster Pro
Specialized Rockster Pro, Panaracer Fire XC, IRC Mythos
| | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper HT | | Bottom Line: | I bought these tires to go with a set of tubeless rims. I put some Specialized Airlock in during mounting and had no problem with losing air. It is helpful to have a compressor and really inflate the tires to get them seated. I am not sure what complaints others have about the tires. These are "race tires" and I am willing to give a little traction for some speed. One tire had a side puncture. The other tire I just replaced after about a 1000 miles of hard riding. Not a great mud tire, but I raced them in mud and road them in all conditions. These were great tires and if you look around you can find them at a great price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from PA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Fast Roller | | Weaknesses: | Leaks alot. Sent me to hospital. See below. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale scaple factory set up | | Bottom Line: | These tires bleed alot of air. This was my first exposure to tubless tires and it has sent me to the hospital. It appears that along the course of a two and half hour ride the tire developed enough small leaks to loose about 15 lbs of air. I did not take notice to this during the ride, but I was aware that it had slow leaks. At the end of the ride there is a small jump and hard turn into my yard. While turning the tire rolled on the rim breaking the bead allowing all the air to escape at once. This sent me to the ground and the E.R.. I don't know if this is common for tubless, but you can bet that in 6 weeks I will be putting tubes in the tires. I guess in the end I should have over inflated by 10 lbs instead of 5. Or maybe slim is the answer? Or perhaps a tube is the way to go. I never had one of thoose loose all its air at once. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | This review relates to the UST Light version. Perceptibly lighter. I have regular Python UST on front and Light on my rear and can feel acceleration difference. Hooks up well in dry terrain and rolling resistance actually decent for road riding.... BUT (see below) | | Weaknesses: | Sidewall cracks began developing only after 10 months, then turned into small leaks 2 months later - can't feel or hear the air escaping until you put under water and observe the air bubbles forming out of these cracks. Sorry, Ray from Centennial, CO, watch out... it will happen! And believe me, there are no other punctures! All I have done since I moved to London from the US is to use it for commuting 15min each way (waste of nice bike but too busy, lazy, and hopefully that will change this summer). The tire bleeds slowly enough to last the 15min ride, but having to pump up just before each ride is a real pain in the arse, as they say here. | | Similar Products Used: | Python UST | | Bike Setup: | Specialized M4 FSR-XC, Mavic Crossmax UST | | Bottom Line: | My front regular Python UST have been on my bike now for about 15 months with no problems, though like Pablo from Phoenix, they seem to leak faster than my rear until the rear developed the abovementioned problem. The Light version I feel are a real scam! Charging the same for a tire that is less durable and then not disclosing the trade-off in marketing materials... that's not how you win customers. I wrote to Hutchinson by email directly and they have yet to respond. All I am looking for is a response, not begging them to send me replacements (though that would be nice). I have 2 spare unused Lights but I hesitate to mount them (auction them on Ebay?). I'd rather get more reliable ones. I'd even think about going back to the regular Pythons but the lack of response from Hutchinson leads me to believe that 1) they don't care and/or 2) they know about the problem but don't have the integrity to admit that the design is faulty and pull it from the market. I'm going to have to vote with my pocketbook and look for a different brand. Any suggestions out there? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Howard Kaiser
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | anything without asphalt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Light...low rolling resistance...easy to mount...decent price. | | Weaknesses: | Punctures easily...duh..it's thin. (Stan's keeps the air in but you lose your weight advantage.)
Wears quickly in the hard arizona desert.
Decent grip for climbs and decents...but corners poorly...twitchy! | | Similar Products Used: | Maxis Larsen TT | | Bike Setup: | 04 Ironhorse HP Expert w/Crossmax Rims | | Bottom Line: | This review is of the first generation Python Airlites. I'm ready to jump to the second generation because these guys don't corner well...and when the tread on the front starts getting low...LOOK OUT! They wash out!
My ridin' buddy runs the 2nd generation tube types on his HP Expert (same bike) and he corners like a cat! I'll re-post after trying out the 2nd gen tubeless. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ray
a Racer
from centennial, Colorado, usa
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Sovern Trail Moab UT | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Treads Bicycle Outfitters | | Strengths: | I have been riding and racing bikes for about 15 years. I'm a 37-year-old teacher who likes to rack up the miles and take on some pretty serious rides. I have spent a number of my earlier years as a mechanic so maybe the ease of installing these tires comes from a bit more practice than the regular guy but with a little patience and some work even brand new Pythons are doable by hand only. I mention the previous few statements so you the reader knows I'm not some first timer punk ass kid who just likes to whine about leaking tires and worn out tread blah blah blah. No I don't have a lot of money to spend on tires so what I get needs to work or I replace it when it's time is up. I like these tires a lot. I have had two sets and one replaced torn sidewall that was my fault, in the past four years and the ones I am currently getting ready to replace still have a fair amount of tread. So when someone says, "I rode on them three times and now they don't have any tread." Who's fooing who? Any tire, even a K-Mart tire, will keeps its tread unless you’re having skidding contest in front of your house with all the other fifth graders. I raced and trained for two years on my first set and one of those races was the freaking Leadville 100. They work man. They hook up well on most conditions but like some of the other reviews they cake up fast in mud. I like that they roll nearly as fast as a semi slick and can still climb and corner incredibly well. I was skeptical when I purchased my first set because they kind of have a center ridge and not much beef in the knobby area. However I became quickly sold on them when cornering at high speeds. They hook up well. The rubber feels very soft on the dirt but with no lagging feeling. This makes them climb incredibly well. Even with about 700 dirt miles they corner and climb like it's no big deal. When they do wash a little it's very predictable. I just bought the light version so I will be anxious to get some miles on those. | | Weaknesses: | Some sidewall cracking, however it had no effect on the ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Only tubeless used in last four years. | | Bike Setup: | Merlin w/xtr, sid team, cross max and a few carbon bits and pieces. | | Bottom Line: | Buy them if you can afford too. I used stans for the last year and I will add half the recomended amount to the new lights I just purchased. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pablo
a Racer
from Phoenix, AZ EEUU
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Nice looking, NEVER a flat tire, very good traction. | | Weaknesses: | Tires waste too damn fast, lose air. | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer fire pro | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Comp, xtr rims. | | Bottom Line: | I'm not sure if it's the way I put on the rim or what a %#^%^*? but the front tire always is loosing air, the rear don't. Defenitely has excelent traction on DRY conditions. I don't think it's to big deal to put on some air every day, how long that it takes, two minutes? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CLINT CARTER
a Racer
from MIDVALE, UTAH USA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Wasatch Crest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | internet | | Strengths: | Great traction, lightweight | | Weaknesses: | EASILY DAMAGED, PINCH FLAT WORSE THAN TIRES WITH TUBES. | | Similar Products Used: | Maxxis Larsen TT | | Bike Setup: | Kona 'The King', XT UST wheels, Thomson elite, easton carbon, shimano XTR | | Bottom Line: | I will never buy these tires again. They perform great when they are holding air but that is not very often. I ran 35-40 psi all the time and whenever you hit a rock, the tire pinches against the rim and flats. Hutchinson actually knows of this structural defect and has a cheesy fix for it on their website, SUPERGLUE IT! This does not work. I tried it. I am actually on my second set of Pythons because the first pair kept getting flats. I thought it was a fluke and I liked the tires, so I bought another pair. Nothing changed, they still suck. I have a lot of experience with mountain bikes and these are the worst high end tires I've ever used. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Win
a Cross Country Rider
from Saratoga CA
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | Great all around XC tire, light, comfortable (150 lbs -30 to 35psi), good traction (without being a tractor tire), good wear (used 30% on pavement also) | | Weaknesses: | Python Lights UST - casing leaks.
Original Python UST - relatively minor leakage | | Similar Products Used: | I've worn out two sets of the original (heavy 725gm+) Python UST with no serious leakage problems. Then switch to the new 100 gram lighter "lights". | | Bike Setup: | Mavic crossmax wheels | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line the "lights" developed numerous small casing leaks after a few months use. Had to use Stan's to stop the leakage - so much for half of the weight savings!
But still like the tire's performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Colorado
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | White Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Nice looking | | Weaknesses: | Bleed air, Don't hook up well | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson Spider | | Bike Setup: | Superlight, CrossMax, XTR | | Bottom Line: | I'm not a fan of these tires. These were my first set of tubeless tires and they did not inspire confidence. When I started riding these tires I seriously thought my mountain biking skills were diminishing. I could never get traction. I could not clean anything. The tires just did not hook up for me. My friend rides these and he loves them. He is also an incredible rider so maybe it's just me. Anyway they felt heavy. Also, I felt quite a bit of rolling resistance with these. The front tire would wash easily leaving me feeling out of control. I was really afriad to take a corner too fast for fear of crashing. Lastly, they bled air too fast. Colorado is mostly dry and sandy. Maybe these would work better in other conditions. I was hoping to review the Hutchinson Spider tires I just bought but apparently they aren't on here yet. In all fairness to Hutchinson, these tires rock! Absolutely the opposite of the Pythons. Hook up incredibly well and hold air for days. I would highly recommend the Spiders. The Pythons I would not. I'm not telling my friend how good the Spiders are, I'll let him ride the Pythons since he's already kicking my butt. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivan
a Cross Country Rider
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Tubeless light version, Very fast rolling, good grip on hardpack, light weight,
good cornering | | Weaknesses: | light version lose air easily than normal version, get flat easier, sidewall too thin! | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson Scorpion UST , Python air light | | Bike Setup: | 2004 NRS team. fullset XTR, SID world cup, crank brother, Crossmax SL, Thomson seatpost and stem. | | Bottom Line: | Light version roll faster than normal one and save you about 100 grams, but it get flat and lose air easily. Not recommand for racing on XC, on raod riding will be the style of the tires. Get it if you ride on road mostly, otherwise normal version will be better for XC. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leonard Levine
a Racer
from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Birch (Roseisle,mb) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Olympia | | Strengths: | Reviewing the new python air lights 2". I've ridden & raced tubeless 2.0 pythons for five years now. However, 2004 is my first year on the air lights. Good in almost all riding conditions except for tacky mud situations. Super fast rolling on dry hardpack. Excellent grip on rock faces dry or wet. I'd reccomend lowering pressure a touch in slippery conditions. If you're riding in thick mud that builds up on tires they can really get plugged up. The new air lights are significantly lighter than the standard pythons. I rode & raced the standard pythons for three years with no flats. Flatted one for the first time due to a piece of metal shrapnal. I replace the rear tire once a year and the front every two years. I notice the new air lights leak air a little more than the originals. Nothing to be concerned about, simply readjust pressure every couple of rides. This may sound weird but I ride the front tire reversed. Yes, the wrong rolling direction from what the arrow on the tire states. I find it just rides and feels better the wrong way. There's lower resistance and better handeling characteristics with the front tire backwards. Forwards I find the front grabs and pulls my front end. Not grips, grabs and pulls. Give it a try I'm serious the front tire feels better backwards! | | Weaknesses: | Loses air a bit more than original pythons.
I have to be different and run the front tire with directional arrow backwards for proper ride quality.
Slow in tacky and thick sticky mud. | | Similar Products Used: | Non tubeless python air lights. | | Bike Setup: | Stock y2k Cannondale F-3000SL With python air lights. | | Bottom Line: | Great tire for a variety of terrains. The new air lights are better than originals just due to the fact that they're about 100 grams lighter per tire. Give them a whirl They're great! And try the front tire reverse trick it might just serve you as well as it has me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevo
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas, BFE
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | One that flows | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Freewheelin Bikes, VA Beach | | Strengths: | These tires are great right out of the box. You get the confidence to just lay the bike down in the corners. Look sweet especially if you get the two-tone ones. | | Weaknesses: | After 5 rides the tires cease to be mtb tires anymore. All of the center knobs are gone, and I'm not joking when I say gone. I don't ride on the rode but a mile here and there to get to a trail. Now the tires remind you of those low rolling resistence tires you can buy that have the cornering knobs on the side. | | Similar Products Used: | Scorpions | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS1 | | Bottom Line: | If your not rich like me, I don't suggest buying these tires because you will be buying another set soon after. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Tromans
a Racer
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | They wear like steel. light. | | Weaknesses: | No grip, weak sidewalls, suck in wet, rocky, sandy, gravel, roots, wet grass...pretty much everything except moab-like conditions. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Specialized FSR XC, MRP link, Manitou Black up front. 160Lb rider, 35psi | | Bottom Line: | For you guys lucky to live out west, this is probably a great tire. Here in the midwest...they suck. If you like that cool buzzing motocross sound a tire makes when it's losing traction, you'd love these.
The fronts wash out in anything but a bermed turn, the rears won't hook up on anything but dry, dustless terrain. I'm sure they're great on the sidewalk. If it's even slightly wet...be ready to walk the climbs.
They get three value chilis because they wear like those toughskins your mom used to make you wear. I wish these things would wear out... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AVC
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairfax, VA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Lighter | | Weaknesses: | Low nubs, I can see them replaced more often. Loss of air pressure overnight | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 95 Stumpy, original drive train, easton monkeylight riser bar, kore stem, chris king head set, hutchinson tubeless light python tires, Xtr brakes, thompson seat post. | | Bottom Line: | I purchased the tubeless light version of the Pythons. They were marked incorrectly at the bike shop. I purchased a set of crosslands and my current tires did not seat right so I saw these and went tubeless. I don't know the weight difference because my bike feels heavier due to the new wheelset. So, I really don't know if the light version is actually lighter besides what is claimed by the manufacturer. They roll fast and feel good over rough single track. I have only ridden dry conditions with these tires. For the price I paid, I'm not complaining!!!! I loose about 5-8 psi overnight. I just need to make sure to just put air into it prior to riding daily. 3 chilis for the original price and not sure the longevity of these tires though. However, for performance I give it 4 chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rj laskin
a Racer
from New Jersey, New Mexico
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | cannonballtrail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | empties your wallet quickly and leaves you laughing at yourself for buying this tire | | Weaknesses: | I fail to see the humour in this tire | | Similar Products Used: | every known tire | | Bike Setup: | 2 wheels, brakes, pedals, and the rest... really fast!! | | Bottom Line: | bottom line? Yes indeed these tires are bottom line.
They made me lightening fast before they punctured on their very first race day... an unpatchable hole at that in the rear and a nice slow leak in the front. Never again tubeless!! I'd rather change an innertube and be lighter too.
If you have $$$$$ buy these tires, they're fast, expensive, and can give you an edge in some races on smooth hard pack. Otherwise keep your money and your traction.. go with contis, specialized, wtb, panaracer.. just don't go french! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
François Tiberghien
a Cross Country Rider
from Logroño - Spain
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | The tire have good performance. | | Weaknesses: | Don´t purchase the light tubeless version. They aren't mtb tires. Only after 37 km I've got a flat. | | Similar Products Used: | Python tubeless normal version, IRC Mythos Tubeless, Michelin Wildgripper tubeless | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur, 5th Element, Fox Talas RLC | | Bottom Line: | It's very easy to pinch flat these tires
I tried the Python ligth version and after 37 Km of a easy ride I got my first snake in front wheell and after 10 Km later I got another pinch flat in rear wheell.
The supossed advantage of No snakes in UST is it NOT true in Python UST tires | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Antonio
a Weekend Warrior
from Bilbao
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | coast | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Fast, very good in dry terrain, ligth for a UST (ligth version), good control at 2kg at any speed, very good in long climb sections | | Weaknesses: | Very ease to get snake bikes, mainly in ligth version, and a friend of pinch flats. Horrible in muddy sections. | | Similar Products Used: | Maxxis Hugh Roller, Shalwe , Michelin Hot, Spec Team, Eclipse system | | Bike Setup: | Ventana Saltamontes, Talas RLC, Hope+X3.1 wheels, Hope hidraulic brakes | | Bottom Line: | I tried this wheels after use the stan no tubes system (with eclipse kit), in rocky terrain standar tires are very ligth and in fast downhill sections is easy to pinch flat o even to get a snakebite due to soft sides of standars tires.
I tried Python for this summer knowing that with low presion is a fast tire, first I tried ligth version and after 10Km of a easy ride I got my first snake, after repair with a tube and 0.5 Km later I got another pinch flat,
The repair of a snake is harder due to the hole close to rim has a lot of problems, I got leakage throught this hole even using latex sealant and in long ride sections I have to reinflate
The tire have good performance so I tried the NO ligth version and I got exactly the same problems with 100gr more and 30€ less in mu pocket.
The supossed advantage of No snakes in UST is it NOT true in Python UST tires | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin Osborn
a Racer
from Carbondale CO USofA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fugate's MOM | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson,Ajax., Performance, Price Point | | Strengths: | Work pretty well in every condition. Pretty light, hook really well on hardpack and especially slick rock. except what a minute? Everything hooks up there. | | Weaknesses: | There is definatly some adjusting when changing over from a bigger, gripper tire to this one. | | Similar Products Used: | Continental Vertical Pro 2.1 & 2.3, WTB Mutanoraptor 2.4(sick on a rigid single speed) and some otherstuff. | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS 1, pretty much stock, also where on my Rocky Mountain Carve and even had them on the sinlgespeed for a while, but needed something that will take the impacts a little better. Just a little. | | Bottom Line: | This is a pretty good tire. Especially when tubeless since then you don't have the problem of pinchflats. Got this tire for racing and was skeptical how there wher going to hook up all over the state (The Mountain States Cup goes all over) and was especially surprised that they worked perfect for me every race. Im no finese rider either, so getting off your line to pass or to try and just ride they will work. HOWEVER, it takes some time to get used. Don't slap these on your two wheeled friend and expect them to handle like 2.3's or something cause then you will go down.It seems that they also don't wear very fast. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | Free Flite | | Strengths: | These tires are great tires at what they are designed to do. They are meant to go fast, and they do. They have low rolling resistance, and they really come into their own on dry hardpack. | | Weaknesses: | These tires are not very forgiving. In order to roll as fast as they do, they give up some traction. If you take a fast corner improperly, you had better be ready for a little sliding. | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 90, mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | It took me a while to get used to these tires, but now that I am used to them I really love riding on them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
culturesponge
a Cross Country Rider
from santa monica
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | southern california - so many - can't choose just one | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$28.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | I'm using the new Python Air Light UST inflated to 40psi. These Pythons are (yes) light, very fast rolling, perfect for dry/summer season conditions. The make your mtn bike roll like a roadbike on tarmac, butcome into their own here in dry terrain, & provide masses of traction to climb sun baked mountains like a nothing else i've used before. Downhill they handle well - but if cannonballing is your thing - maybe you should invest in a set of downhill tires. Pythons perform well at speed downhill - if you finesse around corners, feather brakes& keep your centre of gravity low & fluid, even off the line they keep gripping till you can get back onto it or stop. If the tires are Installed & inflated correctly - ie: lot's of soapy water & clean surfaces - they will hold the same pressure fro months. They wear well too - in 3 month use i have clocked over 500 miles, the tires have plenty of life left in them. The kevlar in the tires help - but if you catch a flat (none yet), you can instantly fix it on the trail with glue, or use slime tubeless. The Hutchinson website is good too, lot's of useful info & advice. | | Weaknesses: | hmmm, can't think of anything that profound | | Similar Products Used: | first UST tires used | | Bike Setup: | 04 Specialized S-Works Epic (Silver Annodised) frame, 04 XTR Disc componants, SRAM PC99 hollowpin chain, Mavic Crossmax SL, Python Air LightUST tires, Use Alien carbon seatpost, Selle Italia SLR Gelflowsaddle, Candy SL pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I really can't imagine a better UST mtn bike tire for dry conditons: they are light, fast rolling, provide a sure grip on a variety of conditions, wear well & easy to maintain.
I was so happy with them my wife now rides them too & she's the last person i want to see fall off a mountain! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Ipp
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryland, USA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Black Hills Regional Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with NRS | | Strengths: | Bites the trail. Great for dry good for wet and muddy. Center tread rides smooth and external nubs back you up on the corners. | | Weaknesses: | None in two years! | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson Scorpion- Actually had problems with leaks and flat ... did not seem to work well with one of two rims i was using and i decided to go back to the Pythons. | | Bike Setup: | NRS- used to be stock ... upgrades when I can ... Mavic XL rims on order. | | Bottom Line: | weight, traction and price seem to keep this tire in the favorable market with the rest. I'm satisfied that in 2-years i have never had a flat or leaks (with Mavic UST rims). I have had this tire in the mud, snow , ice and hard pack with nothing but good to say about it! There maybe a better one out there but i believe you will be satisfied with this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Irvine
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | This is a very fast race tire for dry, hard pack or rocky conditions that exist in the Southern California region. The round profile corners fast and secure. Easy to install if you follow instructions. I run my tires at 40 psi for reduced rolling resistance rather than the lower pressures used by some reviewers. | | Weaknesses: | One sidewall split, but that was after a full season of racing and training, otherwise no problems whatsoever. | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin Wild Gripper UST | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 100, XTR with Rolf Propel wheelset. | | Bottom Line: | I just bought my fourth UST Python, this time new light version. I get about one season of racing, ride them through the winter and buy new tires every spring. There is a lot of comments about not working in soft, wet or mud- as pointed out by others, the tires are designed for dry hardpack.
Also, some people seem to thing you need big knobs for cornering, Pythons corner great even in loose conditions, but if you want them to hold, you have to exert force laterally on the sidewall by torqueing the handlebars (pull up on the inside, down on the outside). Also, dropping your outside shoulder and weighting the outside pedal int he 6 o'clock position improves cornering.
Some riders are putting Stan's latex in their UST tubeless setups, while I have not done this, I have been their when a puncture occured and the hissing air leak was sealed by the latex. I will try Stan's when I install my new Python light. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a Racer
from Gulf Coast USA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | East Ridge w/ Bike | | Strengths: | Tubeless | | Weaknesses: | Slippery with very little grip, leaks, flats with easy punctures. | | Similar Products Used: | Onza, Tioga, Intense, Maxxis | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS1 | | Bottom Line: | These tires suck! They do not grip at all. I've had numerous flats and one of the tires has a tear for no apparent reason. These were my first tubeless tires, though I've ridden others, and I was very displeased. Out of all the tires I've ridden the traction was the worst. If you ride on a paved trail you may have better luck. But off-road in dirt, sand, rocks, straw or your basic trail they simply do not perform. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mister Eki
a Racer
from San Francisco, Califas
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | technical | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | All around superior race tire for generally dry conditions.
Very predictable glide/slip, point and shoot for hardpack.
VERY durable at 33-40lbs, as long as you are riding on the tread. | | Weaknesses: | mud magnets
Silver/gray tires wear faster than original compound. | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos, Python(tube), Mosquitos, Panaracer, TIoga(DON'T!) | | Bike Setup: | TREK STPw/Manitou, LiteSpeed Unicoi w/RockShox(wifey), both with CrossMax, RaceFace sealed BB/cranks | | Bottom Line: | These tire have performed flawlessly, from training to NORBA tracks(and yes, we did the _entire_ US circuits)(and yes, they sucked-ass in West Virginia mud), to Leadville's 100 miler. They have held up remarkably well through some seriously nasty Rocky Mt. granite, sharp-edged baby-heads, pounding through the crap at race speed.
We did not experience a single blowout, either of us, in two years of racing. At the most a 5lb loss after maniacal pounding/crashing. I weigh 180lbs, and she 130lbs.
My tires lose about 2lbs in a _week_, My wife's about 5lbs.
Maybe it's the superior seal of the Mavic's, don't know.
I'm actually just curious as to anyone out there trying the new PYTHON UST LIGHTWEIGHTS?
Anyone?
The tire will be compromised if they lessen sidewall strength.
On the old ones and the "silver" gray ones the sidewalls would get sliced up, but the threads would keep it together and inflated.
I don't want to imagine a lower thread count . . .
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
roc coh
a Cross Country Rider
from virginia
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | citybikes.com | | Strengths: | light. fast. sidewall wears better then other models tested. good in wet and rocky terrain. not for deep snow. not for pavement. not for downhillin. | | Weaknesses: | there are 2 UST types. the grey wall and the black wall. i had nothing but good times on the greys, but the blacks gave me trouble. i flatted one after a few rides on rockie trail. rocky i say. do you have rocks where you live? not smooth sand stone, but evil pointy rocks. so, other thatn that instance it has been good times. | | Similar Products Used: | python clinch.
mosqwuito ust
mich wildgripper ust | | Bike Setup: | hardtail
crossmax wheels | | Bottom Line: | been riding em for years. they are good. and when ya are not fat and can run em at 30psi or so, then great. at that pressure you could be running anything and it would grip. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Balula bob
a Racer
from Rhode Island
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Jenson (came with Wheelset) | | Strengths: | rolls fairly fast...ust...easy on & off rim...holds air well...they last | | Weaknesses: | they last...suck on anything that is not flat, straight, dry, and hardpack | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos - great rear tire. Frnt sucks
Panaracers Fire XC pro: the bite you have been looking for! | | Bottom Line: | I have a total somewhat like/totally hate relationship with these tires. Most of the positive reviews below came from folks in CA (nice state). I on the other hand live in New England, and can only ride these about 1/2 month out of the year (around end of July -early Aug) when we have had a dry spell.
These tires do well (as everyone says) on dry flat hard pack, which is nice if that is all you ride. There is another positive about these tires, which is that when you are ridding that dry flat hard pack, they teach you not to use your brakes unless you are going straight. Try to hit the brakes in a corner and get ready to become one with whatever is on the side of the trail. All in all that is not a bad as you really should not use your brakes while cornering. What sucks though is these tires will never bail you out if you should need it...
On wet terrain or anything that is loose forget it! Roots are the worse. These tires will wash out from underneath you, should you apply the slightest pressure on the cranks, faster than you say "holy crap these tires suck!"
All in all, I think these tires are for folks who finesse through stuff and who ride their bikes real light (neither of which I do).
If you want a great tire, get some Fire XC pros 2.0 at 560 grams, mount them to a ust rim with a little stan's and you can ride anything anytime... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Tracy, CA
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Skaggs | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | *Rolls fast
*Long tred life
*No Flats! I run through everything! I always go off trails
~1.4yrs on Front and still going strong!
Just replace rear but lasted 1.4yrs Grips good on dry and somewhat dusty stuff | | Weaknesses: | This is a follow up review:
Front tire does not grip at high speed turns unless pure hard pack! Makes you slow down for the turn due to confidence issue.
Rear tire will spin over wet rocks, so must go over wet rocks and roots with momentum, don't try to peddle through.Also, standing up hills with loose dirt not so good! | | Similar Products Used: | Serac
Panaracer | | Bike Setup: | Y02 NRS1. 177lb rider
Python front 33psi, ICR Serac Rear 37psi,
14mm front sag, 2mm rear sag(A must!)
LP Carbon 1" riser bars
Race Face (Good/Evil) grips
LP Braids Jr Bar End
Time Carbon peddles
Stans latex for tubeless tires
Alian Carbon seat post
2003 Selle Italia Pro Link Trans AM Seat | | Bottom Line: | For the front this is a great tire only on trails that do not have fast turning decents! On flats, its a great tire. ======================================
Some people complain that it needs more side knobbies, but this is a race tire not a down hill tire. If you want to go down hill fast and turn, then weight the front tire with your body just like you would do motocycle riding.
I have been using the above technique for 2yrs now and have had the front end wash out 3 times, and I ussually slow down a little for the turns. Well the 3rd time I really got hurt- fell off the side of a cliff because the front end washed out on pine needles. I have to make a decision, fast rolling tire and possible injuries or get a new front tire with more bite so I can take turns faster and not worrie about falling off a cliff and getting hurt. Well I decided that a fast rolling tire is not as important than my safety. So I am replacing the front tire with a tire that has more side wall knobs. I know I will be giving up some rolling speed but at least I wont be falling off side of a cliff again. I got hurt so bad that now I have a fear of going down hill with the tire. I decided to try the Panaracer on the front. I know it has way too much knobbies but it will guarantee no washout. I do not dare put two of these tires on, because I know it will make the bike feel like it has an anchor. So I will jut put on the front only. I think its wide flat profile with lots of side knobbies will grip real good on fast turning decents.
I read the review and main issues is flats, but I use Stans sealant and it really works. So I am not worry about flats.
I would use the IRC Serac on front since it works so well as a back tire, but my fear is so great now of washing out that I am going to the extreme with the grip so selected the panaracer xc fire pro.
For the rear though, something with a little bit more bitewill do you better unless you ride hard pack all the time =========================================================I just put the IRC SERAC on the rear now for over 3 months and there is definitely more grip! The knobbies are bigger and dig in deeper so less slip, more grip and will grab over wet rocks and roots. And it rolls quick, slightly slower than the Python, put worth the gip. I read the reviews on the IRC SERAC and all the reviews on performace were good, better than any other tubeless tire. The only complaint was difficulty to put on. I let the tire sit in the sun for 1hr and put grease on 1/4 of the bead on one side that would be put onto the rim last so that it would slip on easily. With 2 plastic tire irons it went on. So my setup is the Panaracer Fire Pro on front for grip on fast decent turns and more confidence! and the IRC SERAC on the rear for better traction and fast roll.
After I ride the panaracer for a while on the front, if it grips way too much, I might switch with the IRC in front as well. I was about to try the continental in front but many reviews mentioned front end wash out issues. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darrin
a Cross Country Rider
from Fresno, CA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Squaw Leap, Sky Harbor, 007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came on Bike | | Strengths: | Roll really well. Seem to work better as a rear tire. Relatively light for UST. Great for hardpack and road riding. | | Weaknesses: | Nees a little more meat up front on loose or technical climbs. A little shaky on downhill. Never flet like they were going to hold. With 2 or 3 days will lose nearly all of the air volume. | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin Comp S Lite UST, Panaracer XC UST | | Bike Setup: | NRS-1. | | Bottom Line: | Came on the bike. Rode them for about 3 months. Still will put throw them back on when I'm going to do a fireroad ride or a road ride. Check your air every day. Probably would be a great tire on a smooth, hardpacked race course. liked the tires, just didn't make me feel very confident like my panaracers do. THOSE tires practically glue you to the trail. Overall for their intended purpose I'll rate them as good all around | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | fast-rolling, decent grip on hardpack, very durable, cushy, holds air well | | Weaknesses: | not best for every trail condition | | Bike Setup: | steel hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I've now tried four different types of tubeless tires (three for extended periods of time), and the Pythons are clearly the longevity winners. In my experience, tubeless tires seem to wear faster than standard, but not the Pythons. Even on the rear, these tires can take a beating and stick around for the next one. They are fast rolling and handle well enough on hardpack and fire roads, but more extreme trail conditions probably want something a little knobbier. Still, these will do fine if you must have an all-conditions tire. Plenty of air volume. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a
from Arizona
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | large volume
dry hardpack grip
run at low pressures
ease of installation and inflation-FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS! | | Weaknesses: | can get sidewall cuts
weight
condition specific
tubeless tires are still way too expensive | | Similar Products Used: | kenda kharisma, michelin comp s, maxxis highroller, conti explorer | | Bottom Line: | some of the knuckleheads reviewing these tires dont seem to understand that these are really a condition specific race tire. They are meant for rocky hardpack conditions. You can race them in loose conditions if you are carefull. I had good luck with these for 2 seasons of racing, running 30psi in rocky, cactus infested Arizona racing. I had only one flat, due to a sharp rock tearing oen the sidewall, but almost everyone else in the top 10 had at least one flat.
Race tires are a compromise between rolling resistance and grip, racing is all about speed, with technical ability coming seconds. These tires are not meant for mud or extreme conditions.
I would suggest getting some Stans and putting a scoop inside, adds almost no weight, and seals almost all holes.
I dont use these tires for non racing, preferring Highroller DH with stans-but they weight nearly 3/4 pound more per tire.
I am rating these tires for their intended purpose-racing on hardpack. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Yo Mamma | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUsa.com | | Strengths: | Haven't blown on me yet - I used to blow at least a tube a week via pinchflats. | | Weaknesses: | (lack of) Traction | | Similar Products Used: | No other UST's. MANY other tubed tires. (alligators, Fire XC's, mosquitos, Mythos XC's) | | Bike Setup: | They are on CrossRocs | | Bottom Line: | Good on dry packed and dry loose. Probably good on slickrock (we'll find out in September). They blow nutz on anything even remotely wet. No mud traction and death on wet roots. I am starting to think all Hutchinson tires are overrated, except the Mosquitos. Those are some supercool tires. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Felix
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Roll well. Great on hardpack and road. Pretty resistant to flats and are easy to patch. Last a long time. | | Weaknesses: | Bad on anything muddy, wet, or loose. Not great for hard cornering either. | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin Comp S (light, but wear fast and are prone to thorn flats), Panaracer FireXC Pro (heavy, crappy in mud, but better handling). | | Bike Setup: | SC Blur | | Bottom Line: | I've used UST Pythons for a few years. They are probably the best rolling tire out there and are fantastic on hardpack and road. However, in the loose stuff or wet conditions, they don't have enough traction. They are durable though. The sidewalls hold up to abuse, and the rubber is slow to wear. In summary, I'd say they are a good specific use tire (i.e., hardpack). For other conditions, there are better choices out there.
4 value chilis for the long-lasting tread. 3 overall chilis for its hardpack performance but lack of versatility. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erin
a Cross Country Rider
from Bothell, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | I dunno | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$99999999999.00 | | Purchased At: | came stock with new bike | | Strengths: | I guess they're fast on a flat, paved road. Or really hard packed dirt... | | Weaknesses: | I have a road bike, so if I want to ride on a road, I'll use that. These tires are junk if you're not on a hard, flat surface. Do you want to climb that steep hill with loose pebbles, maybe some logs, some bigger rocks? You MIGHT do OK with these tires, but you may also end up pushing your bike. And forget about it on tricky descents where it gets a little loose on the corners. They grab the ground a little better than my 120 psi road bike tires, but not much. You'd be nuts to purchase these. I think they came on my new XC bike because they're light or something. Like weight matters when you're lying in a ditch because your back wheel slid out and sent you way too close to that big boulder you were trying to avoid...
| | Similar Products Used: | bigger fatter tires that didn't make me ride like a pansy | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar XC PRO, full XTR with Mavic 317 tubeless wheels. | | Bottom Line: |
Ugh, even I, a mere roadie convert, hate these tires. I was suspicious of them before I laid eyes on them (they looked a little under-knobbed just in a picture online). Sure enough, I found myself walking steep downhills with no confidence on sharp, loose corners. My wicked new bike handles worse right now than a rental.
If you're in a shop and considering buying a bike with these on them, get them to swap them out for something with teeth. If you're actually considering buying these, don't. Spend your money on an actual Mountain Bike tire. Let's think about the phrase, "Mountain Bike". It doesn't mean riding on a smooth, flat surface, does it? It means a variety of terrain: Sand, hardpack, pebbles, railroad grades, mud, roots, creek beds. Do people really race mountain bikes on a surface that these tires can handle? Weak.
Don't ruin your ride with these pieces of crap. Also, I'm not sure but they might be a little flimsy. I think I've got a leak after not a whole lot of riding, I'm not too critical of that, though. Could be bad luck.
2 chilis because I didn't have anything catastrophic happen, which isn't saying much.
Enjoy! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craker Jack
a Cross Country Rider
from Morgantown, WV, USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any with log jumps ups and downs some rock. The usually fun stuff | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo Bike Catolog | | Strengths: | Good speed. Does well in the turns. Very good all around race tire. | | Weaknesses: | A little sloppy in small loose rocks. | | Similar Products Used: | Michilen Wild Grippers | | Bike Setup: | Gaint Full Supension XTC 1 | | Bottom Line: | A great tire that I would use over and over again and again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ERIC Ritenour
a Racer
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | CONYER SOLYMPIC COURSE | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Purchased At: | PERFORMANCE | | Strengths: | ROLL FAST, NO PINCH FLATS, RELATIVELY EASY TO MOUNT, LAST FAIRLY LONG | | Weaknesses: | MINE LEAK AIR - 10LBS OR SO A NIGHT (YES I USED SOAPY H2O) | | Similar Products Used: | CONTENTIAL EXPLORER PRO - A LITTLE SLOW AND TOO GRIPPY FOR ME, AND MOSQUITOS IN THE MUD ONLY | | Bike Setup: | GF SUGAR 1 AND GF PRO CALIBER (BOTH STOCK-ALL XTR) | | Bottom Line: | AFTER YEARS OF ROAD RACING, 1 YEAR AGO, I CONVERTED TO MTN BIKE RACING AND COULD NEVER GET THAT "FLOW" THING DOWN - I WAS ALWAYS BRAKING TOO MUCH - TICKING OFF THE RIDERS BEHIND ME( UNTIL THE HILLS AT LEAST)
FINALLY, AFTER 2 FLATS IN ONE RACE WITH TUBED TIRES, I FINALLY CONVERTED TO THE PYTHON TUBELESS FRONT AND REAR (FYI: I WEIGH 158 LBS AND RAN 38 PSI IN EACH TIRE) I NOTICED MY BIKE HANDLING SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE IMPROVED IMMEDIATELY AND I FINALLY GOT SOME "FLOW". CONSEQUENTLY, I QUIT LOOSING AS MUCH TIME CORNERING AND DESENDING TO THE OTHER RACERS. PLUS, NO PINCH FLATS!!!! OK, I HAVE PROBABLY CURSED MYSELF TO A LIFETIME OF PINCH FLATS NOW.
THESE TIRES HOOK UP GREAT FOR ME AND THUS, I AM FASTER WITH THEM (EXCEPT IN WET MUDDY CONDITION WHERE THEY ARE WORSE THAN MOST, BUT THEY ARENT MADE FOR THAT ...ARE THEY. BESIDE, FOR ME, NOTHING HOOKS UP IN MUD).
ANYHOO, A GREAT FAST ROLLING RACE TIRE; AND, VERY DURABLE. I HAVE HAD NO SIDEWALL RIPS THAT OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED AND I AINT THE SMOOTHEST OF RIDERS EITHER, I TEND TO PLOW OVER JUNK ON THE TRAIL, INCLUDING ROCKY/ROOTY DESCENTS.
ONLY COMPALINT IS THAT ONE OF MINE IS NOW LEAKING AIR AT AN ALARMING RATE (STARTED A RACE WITH 40LBS AND FINSIHED 2.75 HOURS LATER WITH 15, YIKES) BUT IT IS ABOUT 1.5 AND MORE THAN 7000 MILES)YEARS OLD WITH TONS OF MILES SO IT PROBABLY IS BEYOND ITS EXPECTED LIFE
ALSO, I AM A CHEAPSAKE AND I THINK ALL BIKE TIRES ARE TOO EXPENSIVE, SO A 4 FOR VALUE, 5 FOR PERFORMANCE.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR FAST, FLAT FREE, DRY CONDITION RACING | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Rolls fast
More grip than a semi slick
Compliant ride
Wears slowly | | Weaknesses: | Sidewalls tear easily
Could be lighter
Not grippy on the loose stuff | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Fire XC Pro = only other UST tyre. Lots of tubed tyres. | | Bike Setup: | Ti hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Good grip/speed ratio. This tyre rolls fast - I can't detect any difference to 1.5 inch slicks. It is also noticeably more compliant than any other tyre I've tried. The tread wears slowly. I really like it for riding hardpack...
BUT
if you ride anywhere with stone/rocks, forget it. Just one touch and the sidewalls will tear. I use 38psi, weigh 160 and pick my lines, but still run through these tyres at a stupid rate.
Just switched to Panaracers which have a noticeably thicker sidewall. So far they seem to be holding up better.
Pythons get 5 for performance, minus 1 for fragility = 4 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan KY
a Cross Country Rider
from Coquitlam BC
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | overtimesport | | Strengths: | -Fast on dry road | | Weaknesses: | -Weak on elsewhere | | Similar Products Used: | -Michelin XLS tubeless(Leaks 2 bad!)
-Panaracer Fire XC Pro tubeless(best all-around tire so far) | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Y2K F2000sx Shimano XT Disc, Mavic rim with XT hub | | Bottom Line: | good on one thing, n bad on everything, as i ride mostly road n dry stuffs(most ridees do), so this tire doesnt pizz me off that much, i recommand this tire 2 ones who do not ride in mud,,,
also, this is a fast racing tire, but honestly, fire xc pro is way better | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Tracy, CA
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Scags | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with NRS1 bike | | Strengths: | *Rolls fast
*Long tred life
*No Flats! I run through everything! I always go off trails
~1.4yrs on Front and still going strong!
Just replace rear but lasted 1.4yrs
Grips good on dry and somewhat dusty stuff | | Weaknesses: | Rear tire will spin over wet rocks, so must go over wet rocks and roots with momentum, don't try to peddle through.
Also, standing up hills with loose dirt not so good! | | Bike Setup: | Y02 NRS1. 177lb rider
Python front 35psi, ICR Serac Rear 37psi,
11.3mm front sag, 2mm rear sag(A must!)
Answer Carbon 1" riser bars.
Race Face (Good/Evil) grips
LP Braids Jr Bar End
Time Carbon peddles
Stans latex for tubeless tires
| | Bottom Line: | For the front this is a great tire!
======================================
Some people complain that it needs more side knobbies, but this is a race tire not a down hill tire. If you want to go down hill fast and turn, then weight the front tire with your body just like you would do motocycle riding. You can do this by leaning into the turn with your shoulder or putting your foot out over near the front tire. Leaning with your shoulder is best once you learn the technique and understand the angle limits of the tire.
For the rear though, something with a little bit more bite
will do you better unless you ride hard pack all the time
=========================================================
I just put the IRC SERAC on the rear and there is definitely more grip! The knobbies are bigger and dig in deeper so less slip, more grip and will grab over wet rocks and roots. And it rolls quick, slightly slower than the Python, put worth the gip. I read the reviews on the IRC SERAC and all the reviews on performace were good, better than any other tubeless tire. The only complaint was difficulty to put on. I let the tire sit in the sun for 1hr and put grease on 1/4 of the bead on one side that would be put onto the rim last so that it would slip on easily. With 2 plastic tire irons it went on.
So my setup is the Python on front for fast roll long life and the IRC SERAC on the rear for better traction and fast roll. This setup is great. Two tires that get great reviews in the correct locations of the bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Canterbury, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Naults | | Strengths: | Rear tire hooks up great, even on loose rocky climbs! | | Weaknesses: | Do not try to corner with these tires, they wash out way to easy. | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS1 | | Bottom Line: | I would not buy these tires, they came stock on the new bike and I will probably replace the front before it wears out, as I cannot stand washing out on turns. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Race Track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Cushy feel. | | Weaknesses: | Sketchy, don't really grip to much, not very confidence inspiring. | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Fire XC and IRC Mythos (tubed versions) | | Bike Setup: | '01 Jamis Dakota XC hardtail, mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | These came stock on my Jamis Dakota. On unchallenging terrain, they feel very nice and cushy, mostly due to the low tire pressure. However, when taken to speed on anything loose or rocky, the rear tire goes all over the place. I hate when my new bikes come stock with goofy racer-boy tires with no knobs! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ANY | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Tommy and Lefevre | | Strengths: | Good durability | | Weaknesses: | Terrible traction | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin wildgripper | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager titanium hardtail, XT/XTR, crossmax wheels | | Bottom Line: | These tires last a long time, but have very poor traction especially when the trails are wet. I replaced the back tire with a michelin which is a much better tire. The python works fine for a front tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Low rolling resistance, long tread life (harder rubber composite material), these tires are made for hard pack ... don't expect solid performance from this tire in any other conditions such as mud, rocky, etc, ... HARD PACK only. Currently, Pythons have been priced pretty low for UST tire. | | Weaknesses: | I tried Pythons after riding Mosquitos and the change was not positive. The biggest weakness is cornering ability. These tires wash out easily. Even on hard pack conditions, my Mosquitos corner better. Any gains from low rolling resistance and longer tread life don't outweight this weakness. Some riders can get use to this (see other posts), however, I think it makes for less confidence / less speed. | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson Mosquitos | | Bike Setup: | Scalpel 2000 | | Bottom Line: | Know why you're buying these tires - for hard pack. If you ride on hard pack often and low rolling resistance and longer tread life is important to you, maybe its worth it. However, take time to learn the cornering limitations of Pythons and ask yourself ... does it impact your confidence and speed? I'm sticking with Mosquitos. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vincent Tan
a Cross Country Rider
from BRUNEI
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | BRUNEI | | Strengths: | Durable Durable Durable | | Weaknesses: | Not really! Not for very wet slippy muddy trail. | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson Python, Mosquito Tubeless | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight with completed XTR, Crosmax UST. | | Bottom Line: | I first used Mosquito tubeless. It wore out in less than 2 months. I switched to Python UST & they are still on same wheel! Durable! No flat since new & minimum leak. Great for general trails. Worth money spent! Great performance over tube Hutchinson Python. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rod C.
a Racer
from Locust Valley, NY
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Strengths: | It is round and made of rubber. | | Weaknesses: | Sidewalls don't hold up at all! Buy a truck load if you plan on using these, as you will go through them very quickly. | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin Comp S, Huchinson Mosquito's, Kenda Karisma | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS1 | | Bottom Line: | These tires are a waste of money. If you like repairing flats (sidewall cuts) on the trail, during a race or after you get home from a ride, then these are for you! I went through seven of these in less then four months. I'm 150 pounds and ran with 38 psi. Go figure!
Have had a pair of Kenda Karrisma's on the bike for six months with no flats or sidecuts . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Claxton
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, Co, USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | white ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheat Ridge Cyclery | | Strengths: | Awesome traction in hard pack. Good for rear | | Weaknesses: | Not a good front tire | | Similar Products Used: | conti explorer ust | | Bike Setup: | yeti asr | | Bottom Line: | People say that the python is horrible in mud. That is because it is not designed for mud, the Mosquito is. Traction is great in the rear. In the front it tends to wash out a little. The solution: Scorpion in front with the Python in back, BEST combo i've ever tried! Definitely buy it for hard pack conditions, but only for the rear. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | durable, high volume tire, rolls fast | | Similar Products Used: | 1st set of tubeless | | Bike Setup: | giant nrs 1 | | Bottom Line: | My first set of tubeless. The tires are great. I have roughly 1400 miles logged. They roll fast and work well in hardpack conditions. At 1300 miles I punctured the back tire. I think the punture was mostly due to the the fact that my lugs were worn thin. I'll replace with another Python in the spring.
If I could have this tire with a bit more side nobbies for the realy sharp turns....oh, I'd be unstoppable!
Stay out of the mud and you'll enjoy these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TM
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Tas, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | - Super Fast
- Great on sand, loose surfaces
| | Weaknesses: | - A little 'washy' on corner (Particularly in Dry conditions)
- Pricey (But they are French made) | | Similar Products Used: | Airlights | | Bike Setup: | NRS 2, XTR, XT, Deore Shifters, M959 Pedals, Stans No Tubes | | Bottom Line: | A particularly like these tyres but they are by no means a general use tyre. They are best suited to Dry condition and frankly wouldnt use them in Muddy Wet applications. I personally find these a little wash when cornering fast, to the extent that they almost feel dangerous, but you have to get used to it becuase it is controled, as opposed to just washing out! Good construction, a little heavy but perfect for UST application that is bomb proof. They keep air real good!
In Australia they cost $220 for a pair. Thats close to the cost of an XTR rear mech or the cost of both an XT rear mech and Deore front mech!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan wet dirt
a Racer
from mudville LA
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | paradigm | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | eden bicycles | | Strengths: | perhaps in dry? | | Weaknesses: | suck in the mud | | Similar Products Used: | slicks-gripped better in mud | | Bike Setup: | used on oclv hardtail and giant nrs1 | | Bottom Line: | this tire sucks in the mud. i am tempted to throw them away, but i know the sun is going to come out again some day. second chances will be given. however, until then they are going to have to sulk in time out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Trelz
a Racer
from St. Louis
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Castelwood | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Big Shark | | Strengths: | Good traction on climbs. Easy to install. Good overall traction. Virtually puncture proof! You have to be trying to puncture to puncture. | | Weaknesses: | Does not hold air as well as other tubeless tires. Not good traction in corners if placed on the front wheel. | | Similar Products Used: | Kenda; Michelin; Panaracer | | Bike Setup: | NRS | | Bottom Line: | I have found these tire to be the best climbing tubeless tires on the market, if you use the tire only on the rear. They do not have sufficient traction in tight turns to be on the front wheel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Rems
a Downhiller
from Willow Grove, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Good traction on pavement, hardpack, and non-deep mud. Not even worn in after 100 miles. Great tires so far. Hold air great. Never had a flat or low tires. | | Weaknesses: | No traction in deep mud. | | Similar Products Used: | No UST | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 80 with mavic 3.1 tubeless rims and Shimano disc brake hubs. | | Bottom Line: | The best tire i've ever had!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wayne martinez
a Cross Country Rider
from girdwood alaska
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ressurrection trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | THE BIKE DEPT. | | Strengths: | smooth rolling, no flats pumped them up to 50 last oct. and put in crawlspace pulled out in april, still had 20lbs. handles all conditions well except deep mud | | Weaknesses: | deep mud | | Similar Products Used: | only ust used | | Bike Setup: | klein mantra comp,black super air, cane creek 5 shock rolf propel wheels, xtr 8spd, 2003xtr cranks light, beautiful riding bike | | Bottom Line: | buttery smooth, fast, like having another inch of travel. if you are a cross country geek these are the tires for you. but if you ride where mud dominates look else where. The first thing i noticed was how smooth they rolled, then i noticed my times were slightly faster or not putting out as much effort to keep the same speed. with the rolf wheels this is a very light setup. i don't go extreme so i can't say how they would stand up. NO TIRE WILL COVER IT ALL, but for xc you can't beat these | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Harvey
a Racer
from San Marcos,California
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The steep ones | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | No flats ever, good climbers in rough rocky stuff, roll nice on all terrain. | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than I like | | Similar Products Used: | First UST, but many other tube tires | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Sugar 1, Litespeed hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I am always looking for light grippy tires. These work pretty well, but I do not care for the cornering. Front tends to wash out. I have run from 29 to 40 psi and tend to prefer the higher pressure for racing. 29 is comfy but feels slower due to rolling resistance and tire bob. When they come out with a minus 600 gram tire that handles at least as well as these, that will be my tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sergio
a Racer
from Portugal - PAFARRÃO
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | a a bike shop | | Strengths: | strengths
-good grip and traction on hard surfaces and cornering
-UST
| | Weaknesses: | -too big 2.0 hutchinson should have versions in 1.9
-too heavy (720 grams aprox.)
-not good for mud the tread is too close
-impossible to mount w/ out levers
| | Bottom Line: | This was my first ust tyres that i bought wen i bought my excelent crossMAX wheels.
First thing weight them: result 720 g they are too heavy man!
Hutchinson should make this tyre smaler and w/ lighter compounds, like a version 1.9 or smaler.
Big tyres are good because the big air volume prevents the "rock bites" but it makes you taller on the bike and making the ride more instable. (gravity center, fisic laws, you know that story) and why are almouts all UST tyres tall? thats what prevents the flats not the ust tyre itself because wen it has to pinch it does and you go flat anyway! so id like too find more lighter smaller UST tyres.
UST is cool you just dont have to use iner tubes.
Next thing put the tires on: it was impossible w/ out the levers. it was very easy to inflate them wiht a foot pump and there is no visible air losses after 1 week.
AND THEY GRAB ALL THE MUD!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | no pinch flats | | Weaknesses: | where do I begin?
-poor traction
-tread wore out in half a season (about four or five months of averaging 3 rides a week)
-poor traction
-slow air leak
-poor traction
-poor traction | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Fire UST | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS | | Bottom Line: | UGH!
These were the first tubeless tires I've used, and once the charm of not worrying about pinch flats wore off, I realized how much I dislike these tires. Countless climbs ended abruptly when the back tire broke loose on perfectly dry terrain--nothing better than pushing your bike the rest of the way up the hill when it's too steep to get re-started. The "edges" of the tires are un-grippy too, making cornering and off camber sections a little more thrilling than I'd like.
Then I realized how fast the rubber was wearing away, so my traction problems were only getting worse...
I guess if you want low rolling resistance and aren't on steep climbs this tire would be ok, but otherwise I'd use something different.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Monkeyboynathan
a Cross Country Rider
from Newport News, VA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any thing at Snowshoe | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came on NRS1 | | Strengths: | better than tubed tires | | Weaknesses: | soft sidewalls, they actually release air when you have side impact on rocks, tread not tall enough for mud. | | Similar Products Used: | first set of tubeless | | Bike Setup: | NRS1 | | Bottom Line: | I will be replacing the rear tire ASAP, the front seems to do a little better. I would not buy this tire unless your on a budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rocco
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney Australia
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Looks great, nice centre tread for road and hard packed, grippy rubber compound, not too much tread gap | | Weaknesses: | Loses air in 24hours, not so good on sand, (understandable being a one wheele drive machine) | | Bike Setup: | Mavic Crossroc, Jamis steel frame, | | Bottom Line: | I live in the city so most of my riding is on hard surfaces. I couldn't imagin another tyre which sticks to the road like this one does. My confidence does go down a little when I'm off the road, sometimes alot. I have to top up the air every day so be sure to have a good pump, I don't mind this because I know at the right PSI my ride will be great. I don't tend to bash these tyres so I can't really relate to the wear factor. I highly recommend these tyres for hard packed tracks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Manniko
a Weekend Warrior
from Sausalito
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Great rear tire for dry conditions | | Weaknesses: | horrible as a front tire, not good in wet, muddy conditions | | Similar Products Used: | many non UST | | Bike Setup: | Titus switchblade | | Bottom Line: | I've found this to be a great tire for the rear if you ride in dry conditions. Tracks nicely and provides plenty of traction in loose, hard-pack and dusty condistions. I had one on the front and it was very bad -- constantly washing out on me becasue the tread in the sides doesn't give any bite and I lost all trust in it. I've ridden about 600 off-road miles on my rear and it's now about ready to be retired. No leaking/puncture/mounting problams at all... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Alden
a Racer
from Montvale NJ USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | yellow trail/skyline drive | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | oe/Ironhorse Hollowpoint | | Strengths: | Rolls fast on smooth trails | | Weaknesses: | Durability/off camber rock/hardpack | | Similar Products Used: | panaracer fire x/c ust geax blade ust | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Ironhorse Hollowpoint W/mavic crossroc | | Bottom Line: | In 13 years of riding and racing I have never seen a tire wear out as rapidly as the pythons. In 2 rides almost all the side knobs were tearing off front and rear, and the rear center tread showed significant wear. When riding on trails with lots of angled rocks the side knobs fold and loose traction with little warning. I weigh 155 lbs. and was running 30 psi. Even if the durabilty issue can be attributed to receiving a defective set of tires I would not recommend these tires for the rocky technical terrain of the northeast. I can however see them working well on smoother less rocky trails {If they last!} due to their fast rolling feel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Tracy, California
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came with NRS1 | | Strengths: | Great grip on dry, rolls fast, grips ok on dusty
Good summer season tire only.
Would be better if tred on tire were taller.
Less trail feedback if run lower air pressure ~37psi for my 180lbs. | | Weaknesses: | Only good on dry and dusty stuff.
No grip in moist stuff at all.
Slips a little when getting out of saddle, can't lean forward too much, need to stay on center of bike on steep clibs that are dusty or loose stuff.
loses air week to week, not much. | | Similar Products Used: | 1st tubeless | | Bike Setup: | NRS1, 1" riser, 105mm stem vs stock 120mm. | | Bottom Line: | Good for dry summer season only. You will need a different tire during winter season.
Air loss is ok, no flats so far.
Need to run lower pressure to get rid of lots of trail vibration feedback. Rear tred on tire only good for ~3months of hard riding. I would use again for dry season only riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenixville, PA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | French Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Bean's Bikes | | Strengths: | Overall performance, reliability and durability SECOND TO NONE, great all-conditions tire, can run at an honest 30 PSI or less, good price. | | Weaknesses: | Side knobs tear up after a couple months, not the greatest in mud, but what is? | | Similar Products Used: | Everything. Michelin (Comp UST and XLS UST), Panaracer Trail Blaster UST, Continential Explorer Pro UST, Kenda Kharisma UST. | | Bike Setup: | Turner XCE with Mavic Crossmax UST Disc and other stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I've pretty much been the crash test dummy for most of the UST tires on the market. I always seem to be the first one to try a new one out, and the first to figure out their weaknesses. Universally, I keep coming back to the Pythons as my favorite, primarily based on overall durability.
The Michelins and Continentals are flat out awful in terms of durability (punctures and tread cuts can be expected after one or two rides). TrailBlasters only marginally better, but scary cornering due to wide knob spacing on rear. Kharismas were also puncture-prone. The Pythons are by far the best, in almost all conditions other than really loose dusty stuff and sloppy mud. I may try the Scorpions as well.
After riding all of these UST models, it seems that tread designs with widely spaced knobs leave a lot of surface area for easy punctures/cuts. Lots of small closely spaced knobs = longer life. Rubber compounds also vary dramatically, and ALL of their customer service departments suck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Lazaroff
a Cross Country Rider
from Plano, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bar-H | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Plano Cycling and Fitness | | Strengths: | Traction, excellent at holding the air in (I get less PSI loss overnight with these than my old tubed tires when setup correctly), very fast rolling for tubeless, no more flats of any kind (pinch or otherwise) | | Weaknesses: | Cost, Not the best traction in sand (then again, what tire is good in sand?!?!?) | | Similar Products Used: | My first set of tubeless tires so nothing UST to compare it to, used Hutchinson Python Airlites, Panaracer Fire XC, IRC Mythos, Panaracer TrailBlasters | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Gary Fisher Sugar 2+, Mavic CrossRoc's, Thompson stem and seatpost, XT cranks and BB, XTR rear derailer, XT front | | Bottom Line: | These were one of the first tubeless tires to come out when Mavic first released the UST spec and tubeless was first made available. They are still the best IMO as well. These things go on very easily and without tools thus allowing you to mount them without jacking up the bead on the tire and giving yourself trouble keeping air in them at a later date. Again, the trick to putting these things on is using at least water, some like soapy water but plain water has anyways worked just fine for me mounting these things. I also use some of the Stan's NoTubes Liquid Latex in my tires as well (~ 1 1/2 - 2 scoops at all times). This makes them pretty much bulletproof IMO to thorns, stickers, etc that would normally give you leaks in your tires. I think the people that are having issues with the UST tires holding air are just installing them wrong or not using latex in them to help things out.
I love the speed these things have. They are a very fast rolling tire and great for XC usage. They climb well and work great on hardpack, not so great on sand. Again, what tire is great in sand? I have used many and they all pretty much suck unless you are using a wider tires (i.e. 2.4, etc). For the North Texas trails, they work great IMO. I ride 3-4 days a week and these things hold up like kings for me. I ride some rocky trails as well as the hardpack dirt trails. Excellent grip on climbs as well. I typically run mine around 35-38 psi and you can really feel the difference between these and the tubed Pythons even. They just seem to give you a little extra cushion over the tubed variety and this is besides the difference in air pressure because I have run the Python Airlites that low before as well and they never felt like this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rider
a
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Tubeless, weight, rolls fast, nice appearence???, doesnt lose much air (psi). | | Weaknesses: | The tread of the rear tire is getting scraped-3months only, doesnt climb well or if you prefer doesnt grip enough when you start mtbing in first and its a climb. | | Similar Products Used: | 1st UST | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Giant XTC NRS 2 stock, DH pedals, 2002 Psylo SL, Shimano LX modified. | | Bottom Line: | The tires wont last more than one season if you do 4 hours every week in different conditions (I mean in the summer). But UST is getting better and better....Overall good for first UST tire and for people who dont care much about their tires. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Huachuca, AZ., USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Good traction on dry hardpack
Will hold air even with a few goats heads in them
I put true goo in mine which makes them seal up well when you pull out thorns, and they seem to lose much less air now | | Weaknesses: | Holds mud and wet sand
Overall wet traction not very good | | Similar Products Used: | 1st set of Tubeless | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC NRS 2, stock except for Specialized saddle | | Bottom Line: | Good for hardpack and seemed ok on gravel, climbs well
3 Chilis until further notice
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bruno
a Cross Country Rider
from sunnyvale
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | in france | | Strengths: | confort, easy to fix on the wheel, good grip on the rear and excellent rolling resistance | | Weaknesses: | Some people need to realize that:it's not a tire for the mud!
The weight at 725g is not the best in class | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin comp s UST, Fast fred UST | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR S-works | | Bottom Line: | the perfect tire for the summer season.
good puncture resistance.
Very confortable during the long ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TJ
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | skeggs | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | new with NRS bike | | Strengths: | Great traction, braking, nice air volume and tubeless. Rolls super fast and still is going strong after 1 year of use. | | Weaknesses: | Cornering it starts to wash out. Also has problems with thorn punctures. | | Similar Products Used: | no other UST | | Bike Setup: | NRS | | Bottom Line: | I thought I would hate the tire. I actually have fallen in love with it over the last 12 months. I originally had problems with it last summer with the star thisle. I found that the tire could be patched easily with the old fashioned rubber repair kits at Kmart. I have raced the tire and ridden it very hard and have been extremely pleased with its performance and durability. After riding it 5-6 hours a week for 12 months, I still have plenty of tread left. I was amazed how much traction Im able to get out of this tire in sandy conditions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Byran McWaters
a Cross Country Rider
from Redding
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Eldrige, Mt Tam | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Bike Set Up | | Strengths: | Great traction in dry conditions and steep ascents. | | Weaknesses: | ATTACK OF THE F-ing Star thistles. First day out I had a flat by the time I reached work, at least it got me to the pump.
| | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS-1 | | Bottom Line: | Fast and a good climber. Smooth as silk at 45 PSI, as opposed to 60 PSI to avoid the Nasty infamous pinch flats regularly experienced with fast rocky downhill (180 lbs rider).
Slow leak from star thistles first day out, I must admit I was trying to crush the ornery nastiest of nasty stingers...but never the less depressing, should I put slime in it?
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FritzMan
a
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Super comfy ride, great traction on everything but mud, very low rolling resistance, no flats after 2 years on same set (that with 7-8 hrs/week year round). Great tration @ 30 psi | | Weaknesses: | Could be a little lighter (others are getting under 700 grams). Not too good for mud, but hey, what tire is great for everything? Do loose some air after 24hrs. | | Similar Products Used: | Trailblasters (flatted after a few rides) UST, Michelin, several other tubed versions. | | Bike Setup: | SantaCruz Superlight, SRAM, RaceFace, CrossMax | | Bottom Line: | These tires are simply the best all round tire I've ever tried (note, these are the older, non silver model). I do a lot of enduros and these tires in comfort alone are worth their weight in gold. What more can you ask from UST than to not have a flat after 2 years (30psi, 175lbs rider)? Wear is great, although after 2 years they are now only good for very dry/sandy terrain. Looking to get a mud specific tire and probably another Python set. Really wish they were a little lighter, but worth it overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wilfredo Miranda
a Racer
from San Juan, PR
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Monagas | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$39.00 | | Purchased At: | Super-Go | | Strengths: | Have tried it in hardpack, dry, semi-dry, loose-rocks, cross river, and it sticks on the ground. | | Weaknesses: | In heavy mud conditions they are not that good. | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Fire UST | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR, Cross Max UST's, SID air fork, 2 x 9, XTR deraliur, ect... | | Bottom Line: | This tire has finished all my races without a pinch or a flat. Combine this with a bit of slime and be prepared to finish almost any competition. A very good advantage is the grip on climbing. YOU HAVE TO USE THEM AT 29 PSI. It's a must. Not so plesant experience with the Panaracer Fire UST's. They don't climb at all. Excellent for DH. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from MN
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | These tires are excellent for paved trails! | | Weaknesses: | I have never been so unhappy with a tire that came as OE. I bought my Giant NRS1 2 weeks ago and can't seem to get these tires to hook up in any condition other than paved trails. They suck in mud, they suck on damp hard pack/sand, they even suck in loosehard gravel. I miss my Velociraptors on my old bike!! | | Bike Setup: | Stock new Giant NRS1 | | Bottom Line: | Don't waste your time or money on these tires. For a value rating how can something so bad be worth even 1 chili. For overall rating, I guess 1 chili would apply for paved trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex
a Racer
from mtn home ark
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | UST, works well on hardpack dirt. | | Weaknesses: | Weak construction, doesnt handle mud well, weak sidewall,leaks air. | | Similar Products Used: | Mich Comp S, Kenda Karishma | | Bike Setup: | Fuel, Trek 9.9 | | Bottom Line: | Very disapointed in this tire. I have about 11 hrs on this tire and the first muddy race the sidewalls became cracked all over. 32psi 150lb racer. The tire gummed up like crazy, totaly worthless. Leaks about 3psi per day on two different rims. Waste of money, alot of money down the tube. Im letting hutchinson know about it, will report the outcome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a
from Ridgefield, CT
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Um, they're tubeless? | | Weaknesses: | Sketchy when laid over onto side knobs. Not great in wet conditions. Raised center ridge rolls fast, but acts like dual purpose tread, slips, slips, slips. | | Similar Products Used: | UST Mosquito | | Bike Setup: | Scalpel 3000, Lefty, discs, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I went from the Mosquitoes to these, based on accolades from Mt. Bike Action Magazine. My mistake, forgot they must ride on bone dry surfaces only. When it's dry, they're fine, but when it's wet-Whoa Nellie. My Mosquitoes wore very quickly, but hooked up better all around and were more predictable. These are a bit scary heeled over, and find they slip lots when I shift my weight out of the saddle on steep climbs. Maybe the Scorpions...jeez,this is getting expensive. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Nesselroad
a Cross Country Rider
from Dublin
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Finley Rd @ Morgan Territory | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | STD/Standard Cycle in San Ramon | | Strengths: | Handles well on hardpack. A fast tire. No loss of air problems so far. | | Weaknesses: | Not a very agressive tread. Have taken falls in loose dust/sand with a left to right grade on a steep downhill because sidewall came in contact with trail. | | Similar Products Used: | None. Have purchased Hutchinson Mosquito UST tires to get a more agressive tread. Waiting for first thorn hole to replace the Pythons w/ Mosquito | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS-1. | | Bottom Line: | Was very jumpy about the tubeless tires that came with my bike. Concerned that they would loose air all the time and be prone to thorn flats. Have been pleasantly suprised that there haven't been any problems yet other than the lack of tread on the Python. On my old bike I used tire liners and thick inner tubes to avoid flats during the 7 months a year that thorns/stickers are a problem here. Maybe the problem will become more noticable when the Star Thistle begin to emerge. So far though, so good... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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