Submitted by
cammy roxton
a Cross Country Rider
from edinburgh, scotland Date Reviewed: October 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
the cairngorms
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
?
Strengths:
these tyres have great tread on them and they grip really good.
Weaknesses:
dont think they are thick enough.
Similar Products Used:
panaracer 2.1 fire xc pro's
Bike Setup:
marin bobcat trail with manitou forks and geax hooks.
Bottom Line:
great tyres
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cammy roxton
a Cross Country Rider
from edinburgh, scotland Date Reviewed: October 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
the cairngorms
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
?
Strengths:
these tyres have great tread on them and they grip really good.
Weaknesses:
dont think they are thick enough.
Similar Products Used:
panaracer 2.1 fire xc pro's
Bike Setup:
marin bobcat trail with manitou forks and geax hooks.
Bottom Line:
great tyres
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a
from Midcoast Maine Date Reviewed: May 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
All of Ragged Mtn
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
They hook up well (not great) in soft conditions
Weaknesses:
They are ok at hooking up but as another reviewer stated, they don't inspire confidence. I suspect the hard compound. Also the pattern does not serve the rider well on wet roots and we have many.
Similar Products Used:
Too many to list, I am a tire slut!
Bike Setup:
2002 Turner XCE, XTR/XT mix, Avid Disc Brakes, RockShox Psylo Race, any tire but this one.
Bottom Line:
Spend your hard (or as we say in Maine Haaad) earned money on a better tire, there are others out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Miles O'Singletrack
a Weekend Warrior
from Waterford, MI Date Reviewed: August 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Laurel Mtn. -- Pisgah
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$20.00
Strengths:
Great grip for the size, Lasts forever. NO flats.
Weaknesses:
Wish I could get them in a 2.25 or 2.35
Similar Products Used:
IRC Mythos and Notos, Various others
Bike Setup:
Tires lasted through 2 bikes -- SC Heckler and Marin Rock Springs.
Bottom Line:
Had these for three years (Hook-Warp) and didn't have one flat. Not that I don't ride em hard, as in that time I broke every other part on my bike, including the frame. After I got a new bike I cut the sidewall on the IRCs that came with it, so now my 4 year old Geax is on the the front. Damn good tires. Wish I could get another set.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Domenico Gotto
a Cross Country Rider
from Sulmona.Abruzzo.Italy Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Abruzzo's Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Center bike
Strengths:
Nice grip in different type of terrain like dry, stones and sands. Good performance during the downhill race especially from the front.
Weaknesses:
Geax Hook are not performant in mud terrain. Because a lot of mud fill up the tire and loos one's hold.
Bike Setup:
I use these: front and rear
Bottom Line:
I am using these tires in hard modality (you can choose the modality: hard, and reverse modality: soft). In this modality I discovered a nice grip and a nice resistance to the abrasion, but I am not used these in soft modality yet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: January 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Shorthills Provincal Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
E-bay
Strengths:
Very aggressive tread design, excellent winter tire. Groovy green sidewalls.
Weaknesses:
None when used as intended.
Similar Products Used:
To many to list
Bike Setup:
Mongoose (Heinz 57 setup)
Bottom Line:
Been using the Hook (rear) and Warp (front) set up on my winter mtb bike. At 28lbs air pressure front and rear they are unstoppable in the snow.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Hawaii Date Reviewed: January 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
here and there
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
various places
Strengths:
Hooks up very well. Can run at a higher pressure and still maintain good traction. Good all around tire for mud, roots, rocks, and dirt.
Weaknesses:
Haven't found any, other then the fact they don't seem to be made any longer
Similar Products Used:
Lots and lots (actually, nothing different in quiet some time, only the Hook, Warp, and occasional Blade).
Bike Setup:
Totally rad Huffy MTB with Wald gruppo
Bottom Line:
I like these tires a lot. I'm on probably my fifth or sixth pair. I like them so much that I'm thinking about hoarding a pair or two. I run the Warp 215 in the front. Started running these tires around the same time I started to ride with a faster group of riders. The traction they provide is excellent. There are a lot of deep moto-X ruts where I ride, and I have no qualms about riding right along the lip of the rut, as I know that these tires won't wash or squirm . I've found that these tires edge very well, I don't have any worries about nasty off camber stuff, as the tire will grip. I've run the tire at 50psi on the trail and haven't had any problems. Of course, running it at a lower PSI gives you more traction, normally in the low 40s. Most of the riding I do has mud, roots, rocks, and nasty moto-X ruts in it. No problems with these tires. Wet roots and rocks? All good. Slippery clay like dirt? Sketchy, but controllable. Climbs like a fiend also. If it's really muddy, I'll throw a Blade 200 on the back, and that works very well. Perhaps a bit heavy, but it's a full knobby and quite durable. Can't say how these tires would work on sand, rocks, gravel, etc. Here, for where I use them, well worth it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jo mamna
a Cross Country Rider
from charlotte nc Date Reviewed: November 28, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Strengths:
awesome on hardpack! with full (60 LBS)pressure, these tires will fly.
Weaknesses:
if you are going to ride on wet rocks and wet roots, take my advise and walk through these aeras or be prepaired to pick yourself up from the ground.this tire on wet conditions will break your confidence in wet conditions in a hurry!
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
moab 2 lx/xt now with irc mythos
Bottom Line:
great tire for dry conditions but for rainy seasons or winter riding, this tire will absolutely not serve you well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chef Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Telluride Colorado Date Reviewed: August 14, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Universal Cycle
Strengths:
Have been riding this tire on the rear in dry hard Colorado conditions. Performs well everywhere. Wear is good, but rubber is showing spider cracks.
Weaknesses:
Spider cracks!
Similar Products Used:
Tioga, Continental, Specialized, etc...
Bike Setup:
Dakar pro
Bottom Line:
Good tire for hard dry trail riding. Performs well on all trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ddanj
a Weekend Warrior
from Hell Date Reviewed: June 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
universalcycles
Strengths:
Climbs like a goat corners very well looks phat with the green sidewall
Weaknesses:
wears quickly on pavement thin sidewalls
Bottom Line:
This tire has never sliped on me on climbs... its amazing... unfortunately it pinchflats easily if you ride urban.. otherwise its great!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: December 25, 2001
Favorite Trail:
that one up over there
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Excel
Strengths:
Great traction, ride and feel.
Similar Products Used:
Zed's and other's
Bike Setup:
Voodoo Hoodoo Al comp
Bottom Line:
I've been running the kevlar warp and hooks for a couple years now and they have to be one of the best tires I've riden. Great traction and handling. They handle all of the conditions that mountain riding offers. They climb over wet tree roots (as long you approach them correctly) and they take one hell of a beating on the rough & sharp rocks out here. Unlike another user, I've never ripped a sidewall and actually have never even flatted them. They've endured some really brutal and technical trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Grothoff
a Cross Country Rider
from St Louis Date Reviewed: February 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Chubb
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$26.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Bottom Line:
Alright, i am pissed off again. I was startin' to dig this tire. I mean, seeing as how I have only been riding around campus for the past 3 months, nothing really tough. And the trails aorund here aren't harsh at all. Then all of a sudden, my buddy points out to me that my tire has a big GASH in the edge of it. Not the sidewall, but the contact line. like big, inch long gash. I am now, thoroughly convinced that these tires are essentially thick tubes. i am going back to my trusty panaracer, and i will keep this the hook around for EMERGENCIES ONLY. And by emergencies only, i mean it will not be used to ride on if all m tires are ate up, but rather, if my best friend comes up to me dying and states that a torn up, P.O.S. Geax Hook tires that really sucks will save his life. But, that won't happen. maybe it can be used as a... uh, nevermind. it is worthless.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Grothoff
a Cross Country Rider
from St Louis, MO Date Reviewed: January 5, 2001
Favorite Trail:
chubb
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$26.00
Purchased At:
online, see below
Strengths:
it is surprising me with the grip and mud/snow shedding, color
Weaknesses:
like i said below, not fit for any kind of downhill at all, unless the trail is made out of cotton. nice soft, un-sharp cotton.
Similar Products Used:
see below
Bike Setup:
99 trek 7000
Bottom Line:
update. i put this tire back on my bike because i had busted the wheel, and the geax was on a working wheel, so i just popped it on. i don't remember it to have this good of bit uphill and in sloppy conditions. but, unless you are carrying another tire with you on your ride, stay away from all downhills! to all those geax proponents, i DO realize that it is NOT a downhill specific tire, BUT, neither are the other tires i use, and they held up fine on the same hills. besides, you can't have a trial that climbs without going back down eventually! i don't consider myself a downhiller, but it is super fun, and i think everyone agrees. they are the places where we can push outselves and go mega-fast, so this tire should get a little more meat on the sides. unless Geax thinks that this is strictly for people who want to do climbing races. other than that, it works well, and i would recommend it CONDITIONALLY. fortunatly, the trails i am near 8 months out of the year are pretty tame, so i don't have to worry much.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Curt
a Weekend Warrior
from Meridian, MS Date Reviewed: December 11, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Turned "soft," lives up to its name when climbing CHEAP! but great quality. Seemingly extra-long tread life.
Weaknesses:
Hmmmmmmm, maybe the loud green sidewall. Get 'em in black if you can, ha!
Similar Products Used:
Lots.
Bike Setup:
Badass Flyin' Monkey.
Bottom Line:
These tires hook up. Period. And if you get the set, don't forget to experiment with tire pressure. It made a huge difference for me.
Don't listen to people slamming this tire because "it's not a downhill tire . . ." DUH! A tire isn't TRULY a downhill specific tire, in my opinion, unless it's at least 2.3 inches in width (that's small by DH standards btw), and the largest of the Geax Warp/Hook set is the Warp at 2.15, HUGE! Anyway, you get my point.
The Geax Warp/Hook combo rocks, and for the price (you can get a set for as little as $25 bucks or less if you shop around), tread life (I've ridden these things 700 miles plus on pavement and off road, and they still have 3/4 tread left), comparatively light weight, traction, and overall value, you can't beat these babies. Five smoking possums, please.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vince Pack
a Cross Country Rider
from Seneca Date Reviewed: October 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
gee... tough one
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
Sunshine Cycles (LBS)
Strengths:
looks strong enough...
Weaknesses:
Sidewalls??
Bike Setup:
Klein/Marzocchi, LX, XT, Profile, Easton, etc...
Bottom Line:
I rode this tire less than a quarter mile before the sidewall blew out. Light downhill conditions, not going very fast, not very technical (pretty smooth) and next thing I know, psst! Fortunately, I got off the bike instead of getting up off the ground. When I looked at the rear tire, there was one tear in the sidewall about an inch long. There was another tear nearly a quarter inch in length. I was riding the tire at 50psi. The rubber coating on the sidewall is cut through to the fabric all the way around just above the wire (immediately above the rim's edge). My rims have no rough spots on the edges. Sure, there are much more expensive parts that can break, but walking out of an easy ride is a real downer. If the shop replaces the tire with the same, I'll buy a different one to replace it with. At least the Warp on the front survived! One burnt stiffy overall, three for value just in case it was an isolated incident. After all, it wasn't THAT expensive.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis and Kirksville, Missouri, USA Date Reviewed: September 30, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Chubb in st louis!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$26.00
Purchased At:
wither pricepoint.com or performancebike.com (i forget)
Strengths:
decent grip, interesting green color, got it for a decent price, i guess
Weaknesses:
well, i rode on the thing about five times maybe. got flats on 3 of those ride, and 2 on one ride. i found myself slowing myself downhill so i wouldn't flat the tire out with hard slams against the tire. that just isn't right. maybe i am just TOO GOOD FOR THE TIRE.
Similar Products Used:
WTB Velociraptor (f&R), Bontrager jones (f&r), Panacer smoke (r), a pair of Kendas back in the day
Bike Setup:
'99 Trek 7000, the last year with the Judy XCs, XT/LX, Avid 1.0s, bontrager corsair rims, and a lot of Icon stuff
Bottom Line:
The tire had decent grip and could bite climbing alright, but the tire that i replaced it with, a Panaracer Smoke, (this is the rear wheel by the way) is much better in all respects. the Hook wasn't very meaty. I think that the thing that got me to replace it so quickly was that it was mentally keeping me from pushing myself to go faster downhill, for fear that i would get flat halfway down the hill, and have to sit my ass down and patch it, or f*ck it and walk my ass out. that isn't how it should be downhill. oh, there is also a surprisingly sizable slice in the sidewall as well. no more geax for Matt. Buy this tire i you aren't planning on breaking your own personal record down big hills. if you are slow, this might be a decent tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jeff
a
from bay area Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
lightweight, fast, and you can find this tire online for a good price
Weaknesses:
not confidence inspiring in loose conditions
Similar Products Used:
lots
Bike Setup:
heckler
Bottom Line:
This is a good, fast tire for hardpack conditions, but I found it to wash out in loose stuff. Overall, the Geac tires are really good, but if you are riding in DH conditions or on loose singletrack you should find another tire in their lineup.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area Date Reviewed: July 8, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
lightweight, great performance in hardpack and mud
Weaknesses:
short tread life
Similar Products Used:
lots
Bike Setup:
heckler
Bottom Line:
I'd buy this tire again, it really works in a variety of conditions. The only complaint I have is that I only got about 350 miles out of it, other tires (bontrager Jones) performed in the same class and had much better tread life.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom M
a Cross Country Rider
from Massachusetts Date Reviewed: June 28, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Good traction in soft, loose conditions Cheap for a kevlar bead tire
I really like this tire in soft, loose and muddy conditions but it spins out easier than any other tire I've used on wet rocks and roots. I've only been riding it for a month but I'm ready to go back to a 49/52 Jones because it's been a wet season here and I'm sick of fighting the Hook on wet rocks & roots. The Jones seems to be a softer rubber compound that sticks better but wears out pretty quickly.
This tire is fine for trail riding in most conditions, I'd give it an overall 5 if not for my wet weather gripe above.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jamie
a Cross Country Rider
from Ohio Date Reviewed: May 27, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Great in mud. Grabs on to anything. Clears mud well.
Weaknesses:
A little too much for dry conditions
Bottom Line:
Hook on the front and Blade on the rear is the perfect mud set up. All the traction you want.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Meeksness
a Racer
from Clearwater, FL Date Reviewed: April 9, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
excellent "GRIPTION"-(new word for ya)-doesn't just track the trail...it grips it! price (getcha self 3 or 4 for the cost of 1-2 of the others) EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM VITTORIA (parent co.)
Weaknesses:
notta-so far
Similar Products Used:
too many
Bike Setup:
AL 7005, clydesdale rider-205lbs
Bottom Line:
Wow-no one has mentioned anything about the company's customer service...'specially those who hacked the tire in their review... Here's the reason: if you have an issue w/the tire (other than saying it sucks as a downhill tire-IT AINT A DOWNHILL TIRE) e-mail their customer service-give them a chance to help you. I did...they took care of me, promptly.
That, combined with a well-above-average performing tire (read the reviews, this tire rocks!), makes for a satisfied mt bikin freak. Getcha some!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ron Baldwin
a Weekend Warrior
from Anacortes, WA, USA Date Reviewed: March 15, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Anacortes Community Forest Trail Network
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Great traction in mud. Cheap at $20
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Many, many tires
Bike Setup:
DBR X2 F.S. w/ Marz up front and Fox at rear
Bottom Line:
Some reviewers note that this tire NEVER slips, which hasn't been true for me, but it sure grips well and slips way less than other knobbies (especially mounted in the "soft" direction). Very good in mud and not bad on drier trails. For $20 I have to give it the big five chillies....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shemp
a Cross Country Rider
from Sarnia Date Reviewed: February 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Murphy's
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Good price and light weight
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Raptors, Specialized
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Chameleon
Bottom Line:
I've used these tires for one full year and not had any problems so far. They hook up great and shed mud and grit. Here in Canada, we ride winters. If your looking for a good winter trail tire buy these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from NC Date Reviewed: January 6, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
cheap for what u get handles well
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer - Smoke/Dart Continential -Leader Pro Marin / No-names
Bike Setup:
Marin hard tail Judy SL shock LX/XT comp.
Bottom Line:
Would have to agree with all the good reviews. You can't beat a $20.00 Kevlar Tire. The only thing I have noticed is that it doesn't get quite as good a' traction as the Cont. Leader Pro but the Cont. was more than double the price. If you're looking for a good all around tire this is it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross-Country Rider
from Pennsylvania Date Reviewed: November 26, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Great climbing traction and good acceleration. Holds terrain almost flawlessly
1998 Schwinn Moab 1 Chromoly w/ Rock Shox Judy XV Long Travel
Bottom Line:
I bought these tires about 3 weeks ago and tried them out immediately. Here on the East coast, the fall-season riding is tough because of all the wet leaves, well this tire amazed me. I had no traction problems and they climbed with limited effort on my part, I didn't slip once. These are great tires, and the price just dropped, so try them out, what do you have to lose?
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
robert
a Weekend Warrior
from okc, ok Date Reviewed: August 15, 1999
Favorite Trail:
lake hefner bluffs
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
climbs like a goat, nearly impossible to break traction, holds corners in the loose stuff.
Weaknesses:
only if your not interested in a tire that climbs
Similar Products Used:
panaracer fire xc pros, geax sedonas
Bike Setup:
K2 4000 w/noleen cross link smart fork, and mavic cross land wheels.
Bottom Line:
In oklahoma city all our trails are hard pack w/ lots of loose dirt and sand. I've logged about a hundred miles so far and can find no faults. I run mine in the hard direction between 45 and 50 psi and can't break these loose on a climb no matter how hard I try. As far as corners go i find them very predictable and they hold as well as they climb. Geax dropped the price on the wire beads to $15 ea in black or green wall, so if your not a gram counter you can get the rear specific hook and the front specific warp for less than the price of just one kevlar anything. These tires are the best I've ridden in these conditions yet.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Art
a Downhiller
from Adirondack Mtns., NY Date Reviewed: August 14, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Bottom Line:
Whoops! Would like to correct an error in my initial review below. The way I said to mount the Hook for climbing and braking is actually the opposite! The best performance I've gotten was when it's mounted in it's HARD direction for BRAKING and SOFT for CLIMBING. The Hook 200 still rates 5 burnt chilies in my book as a rear tire, when used correctly.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Art
a Downhiller
from Adirondack Mtns., NY Date Reviewed: July 27, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Bottom Line:
This is not the proper forum for this discussion, but since Andy below posted his gripe here, I felt I should respond here as well. Andy, as you and I have already discussed elsewhere, I'm not pissed at your review of the Hook at all, I just don't think it's fair to a product not to use it for it's intended purpose, then to make it sound like a crappy product: i.e.- having the Hook on the front, then riding it on hardpack and shale and rating it badly; (the Hook is rear-specific and designed for medium/loose conditions). Drew, as I told you in my e-mail, the Geax's are supposed to feel soft, it's the way they make their casings. The idea is for the tire to conform better to the terrain. If they feel too soft at your normal air pressure, run 'em harder. They still won't lose their grip. Dry rot happens to any rubber product, that's life. Maybe Drew got an older tire that had been laying aroung too long on the shelf or maybe he leaves his bike in the sun alot. There are any number of reasons for a tire to dry out. But it's not endemic to the Hook- I have not had that problem with any of the Geax's and I've owned all of them but the Revert. My point is: I think anybody reading these reviews should take them with a large grain of salt. Alot of people put up on this site what they think about a product without knowing how to use it properly or without much experience with the products to give them a fair chance. In fact, this site should be called MTBO (Opinion), not MTBReveiw, because so much of what's written here is heavily biased and not empirical, and therefore does not constitute a good reveiw. So there is MY opinion. I just hated to see a good product get such an inaccurate write up. The Hook is a great tire for it's intended terrain.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Drew Magnan
a Cross-Country Rider
from Farmington, Ct. Date Reviewed: July 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Can't tell ya!!!
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Craves well
Weaknesses:
soft, soft, soft
Similar Products Used:
wtb's
Bike Setup:
KONA EXPLOSIF
Bottom Line:
THESE TIRES ARE HARD AS HELL TO INSTALL, MADE CHEAPLY(DRY ROT IN ONE YEAR, WHAT'S UP) AND ARE WAY TO SOFT, DON'T BUT THEM, THEY BLOW!!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy G
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CO Date Reviewed: July 8, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
Actually, I posted a reviewed this product a year or so ago, but I guess it p*ssed off Art down here. Read all about it at: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palladium/7870/viewermail.html
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Art
a Downhiller
from Adirondack Mtns.,N.Y. Date Reviewed: June 28, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Sunway,Gore Mt.,N.Y.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
--Excellent braking when run in soft direction. --Excellent climbing in hard direction. --Light and nimble.
Weaknesses:
-- A little squirmy when cornering on hardpack in soft direction, but nothing I can't handle.
Similar Products Used:
--Can't list 'em all.
Bike Setup:
--C'dale Super V 900.
Bottom Line:
The beauty of the Hook is that you can use it more specifically that other rear tires (as above). But in either direction, it's a great tire in medium/loose conditions. Pedals easy and carves well. Works well teamed with a Warp 215 front. Great for freeridin'.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
doug
a Downhiller
from Santa Cruz, CA Date Reviewed: April 27, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Delaveaga
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light w/cool green sidewalls
Weaknesses:
very flexy as well as tall knobs
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, WTB, Tioga
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Z-1
Bottom Line:
If you ride XC these tires hook up, just don't ask them to hold in a tight corner. Mine left me sampling dirt on several ocasions under normal cornering after the side knobs folded over and yeilded traction.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lee
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mass Date Reviewed: March 24, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Otis
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Hook's up well (couldn't resist), rolls fairly fast for a big lugged knobby, sheds mud really well.
Weaknesses:
not the lightest, doesn't hook up on everything, loses traction without much warning
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Dusters, IRC Mythos, Bont. Jones
Bike Setup:
FS (proflex 857)
Bottom Line:
This is a really good tire that handles well, gets lots of traction, shed's mud pretty well, but predicting when it'll lose traction is very tough and therefore can cause wheelspin in unwanted situations.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff Warnock
a weekend warrior
from England Date Reviewed: February 8, 1999
Bottom Line:
Not bad. Grips well in fairly wet mud, but upon well leant over cornering (at any speed) nearly always slip out, not often uncontrollably though. Hard pack or concrete are fine dry but might as well be ice if even slightly damp. Good in specific conditions MUD but not a good allrounder. Also wear out in centre very fast.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
YoEddie
a cross-country rider
from Virginia Date Reviewed: January 10, 1999
Bottom Line:
Go GEAX! This is a great tire. I'm running it on the rear and a Warp on the front and they rock. Hit anything and keep on going, not to mention the nice bite. Here in VA, that's a welcome thing. They're a little on the heavy side (wire bead) but it's like a Bomber, the downside is a little weight, but you get unsurpassed performance.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Coop
a downhiller
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: November 3, 1998
Bottom Line:
These tyres are cool. They were standard on my new bike, i've used them for 6 months and they are just starting to wear out. I've used them for DH, XC and just riding, plus heaps of road riding. they corner excellant and are hard to wash out,and when they do they give plenty of warning. Good tyres, the best free ride tyre out cheers
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy G
a weekend warrior
from Austin Date Reviewed: August 28, 1998
Bottom Line:
These tires came stock on my new Marin (both front and rear). My opinion is that the tread is to aggressive for most common riding conditions. I mostly ride a lot of hardpack and shale and they seem to be too squirrely at high speeds. I have not yet wiped out on 'em but they do not inspire confidence in high speed cornering. If your riding in a rutted singletrack they tend to grab the sides unexpectedly and make you lose your tracking. Pavement performance is pretty awful but that is to be expected from a full knobby. Also, the aggressive side knobs extend the actual width to about 2.25 which makes it a bich to get your front wheel on and off past the V-brakes. On the plus side they do seem to climb and descend well, particulary on loose stuff, and mud traction is pretty good. I plan to swap out my front for a narrower semi slick and keep the Hook in the rear to see how that works out.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gregg
a weekend warrior
from Thousand Oaks, Calif. Date Reviewed: August 25, 1998
Bottom Line:
I began using the Hook as a front tire several months ago. Here in the post nino trial conditions of Thousand Oaks I've found the Hook to be an outatanding front tire. It floats over loose and sandy trail sections with no loss of directional control. Extreme downhill braking traction is tenacious.This tire increased my confidence level to the point where I was grabbing big handfuls of front brake in sections I would normally chicken out and skid down using my rear brake only. I would rate the Hook as a washout proof front tire. This amount of traction coupled with low rolling resistance is nothing short of amazing. What's really amazing is that the Hook isn't supposed to be a front tire.I put it there because it looked to me like a front design. The guys at Geax must have used witchcraft to create a rear tire which outperforms every front specific tire I've ever tried. Please, Geax guys, cast a spell to make Clinton honest specific.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
zeno
a cross-country rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: August 25, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have had them for a few months now & generally like them a lot. They are relatively light weight, seem pretty durable, accelerate & climb very well, corner well, and I find they are very comfortable. They shed mud pretty well, are an excellent woods tire & hook up nicely in a variety of conditions.The only reason I don't give them 5 chilis is that I find them squirmy at times decending on very hard pack or on hardpack covered by thin loose gravel. This is not surprising as the knobs seem fairly soft, relatively narrow and tall. I have tried a variety of air pressures to no avail. While this hasn't resulted in a washout or a loss of control, it doesn't always inspire confidence at high speeds. I wouldn't recommend them if you spend most of your time on hardpacked fire roads -- but then why get a full knobby anyway? Geax makes other tires for that kind of riding.I still reccomend them highly though as a multi condition tire.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joshua
a cross-country rider
from Alameda,CA Date Reviewed: July 11, 1998
Bottom Line:
Nice tires. Tread blocks shed mud, very quickly. Side knobs dig in for predictable cornering. When it does break loose, it is easy to control and bring around. I run the arrows facing forward and do not have any problems climbing, although it sounds like everyone else has problems running them this way. One strange thing, and I think it is attributable to the sidewalls (green sidewalls look cool) the tire seems to feel underinflated even with 55lbs of pressure. Aside from that the tires are confidence inspiring.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a racer
from Bangor Maine Date Reviewed: July 2, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have only had the tires for a couple of days, but in the Northeast we have been getting tons of rain, and these tires hook up in all conditions. Corner well in mud, hardpack, and loose conditions. I would highly recommend them to anyone out there. If you are looking for a tire that looks good as well, the green sidewalls kick.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Pryor
a cross-country rider
from USA Date Reviewed: April 28, 1998
Bottom Line:
These tires climb like a mountain-goat with the arrows pointing backward, not so good the other way around. I've had problems with them floating in mud, but on hardpack and sand they dig in like none other. Fast, good looking, nice hard rubber compound, and light. Consistent cornering, AND they sound awesome on the road as I head out to the trails. Four chilis.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a cross-country rider
from NJ Date Reviewed: April 3, 1998
Bottom Line:
I had my tires for about 4 months and they work great. It doesn't have too much tread to get dirt caught up in it, but has just enough to ride perfect in all kinds of terrain. They are as good as the day I got them, and my friends tires are also in good condition (7 months).
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
adam
a downhiller
from alameda ca. Date Reviewed: January 7, 1998
Bottom Line:
fast tire, very light, nice round profile. Probably good run backwards for cross country guys, and gals in rear, but gets poor traction in one of its directions Ugly tire, green, but sidewalls are otherwise fantastic. I used this tire on a perfect day on a perfect downhill with perfect tacky bumpy dirt. worked well but was too narrow. as a rear. arrows forward, wouldnt climb for s*it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Palmer-Rye
a cross-country rider
from Tacoma, WA Date Reviewed: December 24, 1997
Bottom Line:
I have had mine for about 4 months. Great all around tire. Up here in the Pacific Northwest's nasty-ass riding conditions it consistently hooks up and sheds mud with the best of them. The casing is also really stiff. I'm 245 lbs. and still haven't had a pinch flat. If it ain't green, it ain't mean!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anthony
a weekend warrior
from Danville , CA Date Reviewed: December 5, 1997
Bottom Line:
Bought this and I love it , lots of traction and it can be reversed for different conditions . The green color on the sidewalls is anice touch .
Overall Rating:
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