Submitted by
"Rod"
a Cross Country Rider
from Ky Date Reviewed: April 24, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Sheltowee
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came on the bike
Strengths:
Light
Weaknesses:
No traction, completely breaks free when wet, I slid out of a gravel road because they can't corner, and I have absolutely no confidence while riding these tires
Similar Products Used:
many different tires, but these were the worst
Bike Setup:
Jamis dakota xc
Bottom Line:
Avoid at all cost
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
vonzeppelin
a Cross Country Rider
from Maia, Porto, Portugal Date Reviewed: March 9, 2009
Favorite Trail:
single tracks
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$28.00
Purchased At:
fizzbikes
Strengths:
small resistence, grip in dry conditions, durability, lightwheiht,
I have to say that they fullfield my expectations regarding the kind of terrain I used the ride though sometimes in wet conditions it feels not so easy to handle.
Its a greath choise if the tracks You ride don't include mud.
Joao
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kev
a Cross Country Rider
from Belgium Date Reviewed: December 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Houffalize & BLC
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Good in product package.....
Weaknesses:
Aweful in anything that is minutely wet. Horrible in mud - or even wet dirt. For a French tire company, who get the same weather we do in Belgium, I'd expect better testing before rolling it out. And to Jamis, put a better all around XC tire on your bikes....
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis, Panaracer, IRC
Bike Setup:
Jamis DAKAR Sport, RP3 in the rear - REBA team U-turn up front - XT and X9.
Bottom Line:
These roll well on hardpack and I mean solid stuff at low or normal psi. But in Belgium, where most "mtn biking" is 50% (or more) on the road to get from trail to trail, and muddy 12 months out of the year, these are more of a semi-slick than a mtn tire. And that's probably only after riding about 200 kms on the tire. I also think you need to run a lower psi than normal to get a good grip - but at what cost to being slow on the road/hardpack?????
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
meehow8
a Cross Country Rider
from louisville, ky Date Reviewed: November 21, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
w/ bike
Strengths:
light xc tire
Weaknesses:
no grip- front of rear
Similar Products Used:
kenda, wtb, panaracer
Bike Setup:
mountain cycle zen, marz. xc 600 ata, x9, slx 22-36 crank w/ slx double ft. der., avid elixir 185/160, thomsons, NOT THESE TIRES
Bottom Line:
tire is discontinued for a reason. it does not grip when pushed- dry, wet or whatever. the ust version is still available- avoid it if you ride hard. Front washes out and the rear slips and drifts.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
raulillo88
a Cross Country Rider
from Guadalajara (España) Date Reviewed: October 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Rally, Enduro
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Bottom Line:
There are awfull
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tristen
a Racer
from kansas city, missouri, USA Date Reviewed: September 1, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Grippie rubber compound, low rolling resistance, good traction on roots, rocks and semi moist trails. Light weight. Fast tire.
Weaknesses:
Not the best for aggressive cornering on loose, dry surfaces, not great in mud.
Similar Products Used:
WTB, Kenda, Continental, Panaracer, Michelin.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale f300 sl, Headshok Fatty Ultra, Chris King hubs, Bontrager rims, XTR Rapid Rise derailelur, Hollowtech Cranks...
Bottom Line:
I really like these tires. They handle all kinds of trail obstacles (roots, rocks, bumps, climbs, descents) that other tires I have ridden had trouble with. They corner fine on semi moist to damp soil. They don't hang on to dry, loose turf in the corners very well, but then again, the manufacture makes it clear that such terrain is not what they were designed for. I love climbing with these tires. I have no problem with steep climbs I used to never have the tire traction I needed to get up before. I weigh 145 lbs. and run the pressure on these at 29 to 31 psi. For me to run these at a pressure above 35 psi. causes a significant loss of performance. Pressure is key to get max performance out of these tires. I haven't had any flats (pinch or puncture) yet, nor have I had the sidewall get cut. I have ridden them long and hard in some pretty rocky terrain too. If you are a xc racer/rider who is looking for a light, large volume tire to use in conditions other than dusty/ dry/ loose or serious mud, this is a great tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington, Kentucky Date Reviewed: May 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
muddy ones
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
included on giant rainer
Strengths:
riden for 1.5 years and still have 1/4 of thread left
Weaknesses:
Flats flats flats. tires are so THIN and light all you get are FLATS
Bike Setup:
giant rainer '06 i believe
Bottom Line:
im looking at replacement tires as well speak. possibly tubless
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony Reidsma
a Racer
from Holland, MI USA Date Reviewed: April 25, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$14.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
These tires seem to hook up nicely even in wet conditions. Haven't had the opportunity to take them out in fast dry single track yet, but they seem to corner decently. I mainly bought them 'cuz of their bulk and mud / snow shedding properties....
Weaknesses:
They don't seem to corner as good as my XC dry's, but I don't believe they're made for that....
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Nevegal, Tioga extreme XC and Kenda Klaw
Bike Setup:
All ridged single speeds. Hence my wanting a fat tire to take up some of the banging on my shoulders and back.
Bottom Line:
I bought these mainly 'cuz they were only $14 each for fat kevlar beaded tires that are light. I'm a bit hesitant to push these hard in tight fast turns but they're not built for that. I don't think.
If you want a decent light weight tire and you don't do fast cornering get'em. If cornering's your life get michelin dry xc.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a
from Wodonga Vic, Vustralia Date Reviewed: January 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Nail Can DH
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
let go on all terrain (i.e. my concrete driveway!!!) no sidewalls, bad climbing, descending, nearly killed me!
Similar Products Used:
maxxis Bling bling, highroller, minion, larsen tt
Bike Setup:
Giant reign, maxxis tires, stans notubes, pikes, full xt.
Bottom Line:
absolutly rubbish, 0 chillis if i could. go maxxis for a much better tyre
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nate
a Weekend Warrior
from denver co, usa Date Reviewed: October 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
hall ranch
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
absolutely none unless you like falling
Weaknesses:
weak sidewalls, hard synthetic rubber compound, absolutely no traction unless on pavement, these would be better suited for commuter tires and gravel roads not the trails
Bottom Line:
I would not recomened these tires to anyone but a commuter who need little knobs keep these off the trail unless you like getting hurt
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jarno
a Weekend Warrior
from Finland Date Reviewed: April 21, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Weight, climbs fairly well on soft, descent rolling resistance.
Weaknesses:
Grip on gravel, stability when cornering.
Similar Products Used:
You name it. Nothing this bad though...
Bike Setup:
Heckler with Marzo AM1, DHX5.0, SingleTrack rims etc.
Bottom Line:
They are just ok when going uphill on softer terrain, but anywhere else they're just plain crap. Absolutely no traction on gravel and very unstable on harder surfaces.
If these come standard on your bike and all you do is ride on paved roads, just wear 'em out and get something better. Otherwise just get something better right away.
There are some strengths but why pay for something like this when you've got good tires available.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jesse
a Downhiller
from Mansfield, PA Date Reviewed: March 6, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Great if you like falling or going really fast in straight lines. But really they work nice if your just rollin on old forest roads.
Weaknesses:
If its wet you fall. Ware fast.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda. wtb. hutch
Bottom Line:
Not really good, if there free take em' they might come in handy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fredde
a Weekend Warrior
from Sweden Date Reviewed: December 31, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
stock on my terrago
Strengths:
So so on hardpack, in that, that it offers quite low rolling resistance, as long as ur around 70-80psi. however .
Weaknesses:
on roots,mud, or on icey asfalt they are not much more than a bother. My old kenda tyres work on ice, at least more than these
Similar Products Used:
Kenda,No-names
Bottom Line:
Figure i'll wear them out asap and go for nokian
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nathan
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver,Co,USA Date Reviewed: November 30, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Green MTN
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Came with the bike
Strengths:
They just wont die
Weaknesses:
Everything no bump absorbtion, drifts out from under you, the turning radius of a sea turtle, No grip on any size rocks, Thanks for the 32 stitches
Similar Products Used:
Trailbear 2.5, panacer fire 2.3,
Bike Setup:
Giant reign with many mods
Bottom Line:
Do not buy this tire if you value you health, if your bike comes with them throw them in the trash
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Canton, Georgia, USA Date Reviewed: November 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Blankets Creek
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
They keep you from rinding on your rims? Other than that none.
Weaknesses:
Very little corner traction, won't grab a root to save it's life, and they are wearing extreemely fast. Only 300 miles on these and they are loosing chunks.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing to compare these to they are soo cheap.
Bike Setup:
Giant ranier standard factory set-up.
Bottom Line:
They came with the bike, need I say more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randy Bullard
a Cross Country Rider
from Garden Valley, CA Date Reviewed: September 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Forrest Hill loop
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Came on bike
Strengths:
I'll put them on my other bike for riding on the road.
Weaknesses:
No sidewall tread. They work ok as long as you don't bank much.
Similar Products Used:
WTB and lots of others.
Bike Setup:
Stock except I got rid of these tires and put on WTB's
Bottom Line:
I wish they would put better tires on new bikes. I guess the manufacturer gets them cheap.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Amz
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: September 12, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Hackett
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Hard wearing. Done 600kms on just over 50% ashpalt and still hardly any wear. Can't wear them out quick enough. Never had a puncture...ever. Light. Great in soft terrain.
Weaknesses:
Not very grippy on hard pack or gravel especially corners.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire XC, Hutch Scorpian.
Bike Setup:
Giant Reign 2
Bottom Line:
These tires are not that great on my local hardpack, gravel and rock tracks, but when I visited another part of the country with soft tracks, leaf littered and pine needles (not much mud)on well draining volcanic soil, these tyres absolutely rocked (except on the clay berms). Cleared very well and shed mud ok as well. Awesome traction in soft conditions (excluding deep mud). Not great for all conditions, but great in the soft.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gorse
a Weekend Warrior
from NZ Date Reviewed: September 6, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
OEM
Strengths:
2.3 has good volume, last well (not a strength in this case, you just wish they would hurry up and die).
Weaknesses:
Small side knobs are nowhere near the side of the casing. Look down at the tyre profile and the casing is the bare... This makes the tyre corner like a slick on gravel. Great entertainment for other folk watching but not the rider.. Straight line traction is also useless due to the lack of any sizeable centre lugs.
Similar Products Used:
Conti, Michelin, Kenda, Geax, IRC
Bike Setup:
Giant Reign
Bottom Line:
Tested these tyres on dry loose over hardpack, mud & slippery roots etc. They were equally awful in all conditions. Was unable to stay upright on tracks I've built, couldn't ride lines I've ridden dozens of times before... Useless tyres.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Urban Jurca
a
from Ljubljana, Slovenia Date Reviewed: September 1, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
low rolling resistance, light weight
Weaknesses:
practicaly no grip at all
Bike Setup:
giant trance 2, mostly stock
Bottom Line:
these tires are great if you like to visit your doctor every time you ride. I occasionaly ride my 5 year old tires and they have more grip than these. If you enter into a corner even at 10 kph you can feel the tire slipping, especially on gravel. To all of you who still ride these: CHANGE them now!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy Hatch
a Cross Country Rider
from Martinez, CA USA Date Reviewed: August 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Briones, Eldridge, Bolinas
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light.
Weaknesses:
No Grip.
Bike Setup:
Giant Trance2 Stock, exept for new WTB Motoraptors
Bottom Line:
I really dont understand why bike companys continue to put crap OEM rubber on new bikes. These tires might work OK on hard pack or mud, but I am not even giving them a chance. If you buy a Giant with these tires make the shop give you a deal on a new set. I did a 3 hour ride Sunday and was in the shop as soon as it opened Monday to get some WTB's.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hoppy
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange NSW Australia Date Reviewed: August 18, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Canobolas forests
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Winning Edge
Strengths:
Round and rubber, free with $2500 bike and very light.
Weaknesses:
Poor grip and wear, shocking punture resistance
Similar Products Used:
Saracxc, Crossmark
Bike Setup:
Giant Trance2. std except sram rocket shifters and now saracxc's
Bottom Line:
150km 30% worn then a small stick tears a 15mm gash in the face of the tyre. No great loss, crap traction anyway. Use up the rubber on this tyre for practice then throw it away.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Simon
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, Australia Date Reviewed: July 21, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
OEM Giant Trance
Strengths:
Light weight. Good straight line speed.
Weaknesses:
Lugs width is very narrow. Very low cornering traction.
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis Ignitor, Maxxis Crossmark, Hutchinson Python, Schwalbe Big Jim & Specialized Fast Track
Bike Setup:
Giant Trance 2
Bottom Line:
Although light, these tires do not provide adequate cornering traction- fine if you don't lean the bike over. Overall, when riding in a straight line the tires provide good climbing and braking traction without too much rolling resistance. I have already swapped these tires out and now trying to sell them (if they don't sell I'll chuck them). Due to the lack of cornering traction, these tires washed out on me and I refuse to use them ever again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from vancouver Date Reviewed: June 26, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
hookup anywhere, roll fast, no flats
Weaknesses:
fast wearing
Similar Products Used:
panaracer fire xc
Bike Setup:
blur, xt, raceface etc
Bottom Line:
Bought the first ones on a whim when I saw them at MEC. Was having problems with the fires, bead kept popping off, it was time for a change and these looked like a good alternative. I rode them through the winter on the north shore and was impressed. I think I'm riding better now than I've ever been, although I'm not prepared to give the tires THAT much credit, there are definitely other factors..
Anyway they do wear fast, I've replaced the rear one twice, I've been stocking up on these whenever I see them on sale!
No regrets here, they're great performers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from Ellensburg, WA Date Reviewed: June 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Manastash Ridge "the book"
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
Low rolling resistance
Weaknesses:
Poor traction in dry conditions, and don't even think about leaning the bike into a corner unless you like skinned knees.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Nevegal, Kenda Blue Groove
Bike Setup:
Giant Reign 2
Bottom Line:
I've only used these tires for four rides of over 10 miles and I'm chucking them. I have crashed twice when trying to carve a turn at high speed and have struggled for traction in almost every other environment. They are nice for climbs, when theres no turrain features to try and navigate, but that just isn't helping me out much. I have the Kenda tires on my daily rider and I think I'm going to swap them to see the difference but I recall having alot more traction using my old hardtail. I ride mostly dry packed dirt and loose rocks in my area.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Ourimbah Date Reviewed: May 14, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
central coast
Strengths:
Does work well in mud.
Weaknesses:
Lack of cornering bite.The tire does wear fast.I found they put up a lot of rolling restance.
Similar Products Used:
Over 15 different tires.
Bike Setup:
Mongoose teocali elite.
Bottom Line:
When these tires where launched they called them enduro tires.Or all mountain tires.Now they call them mud tires. Mud tires is what they are best for.For all other riding there are better tires out there.Also if riding in mud they will last longer than 50 miles.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kristina
a Weekend Warrior
from Queensland, Australia Date Reviewed: May 12, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
It's light and seems pretty wide for it's 2.1" size. Clears mud very well.
Weaknesses:
No side knobs for cornering traction. Seems to wear quicker than other tyres I've used
Similar Products Used:
Synchros Point N Chute 2.1 Specialized Ground Control 1.95 Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1
Bike Setup:
'06 Giant Trance 3 Candy C Pedals Truvativ Hussefelt DH Stem & Riser Bar All other items are as stock in Australia
Bottom Line:
Well first impressions, I could have easily thrown them in the bin. I had a fall on a path - sweeping corner which I leant into with some speed but it turned out the path was mossy so it was like the bike suddenly hit ice! I can't be sure if any other type of tire would have made a big difference though. Out on the trail they seemed not too bad - I've only done one real ride with them so far through varying terraing from sandy to loose rocky to muddy. They seemed pretty good on the loose stuff and slippery in the mud but they cleared mud exceptionally well. I haven't had the opportunity to test out their off road cornering ability yet (apart from the footpath incident). After only about 39km of riding - about half bitumen and half dirt I have noticed some wear which is more than normal. They seem to do a reasonable job except maybe on corners. I don't know what they're worth but I don't reckon I would go out and buy these tyres specifically, in my mind the Synchros or Panaracer are better - I value anything that gives me more confidence in the corners and I'm not a real weight weenie so spending big $$ for light weight isn't my thing either (I won the Synchros)! The bulldogs probably are the best mud clearing tyres out of the three though.
I reckon this could be the tyre for you if you're in a wet sort of environment and want something that works pretty well and is light weight but you're not concerned too much about long term durability.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada Date Reviewed: March 29, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Bottom Line:
Decent for a weight weenie, who doesn't care much for traction. No lugs on the ouside of the tire, so bad for fast turns. The tire wore down very quickly and the sidewalls began to crack. 120 CDN for a set. The Panaracer Fire XC Pro with the kevlar bead is a much better vlue for your money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
clay davies
a Cross Country Rider
from england / london Date Reviewed: March 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
----------------------------------
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
aktington cycles (came on bike)
Strengths:
fast rolling and easy to remove for punctures
Weaknesses:
wear down very quickly also there is not much tread on the side of the tyer which is bad if you want to fly down hills.
Similar Products Used:
----------
Bike Setup:
came standard (giant trance 2)
Bottom Line:
this is not a very good tyer your better looking for somthing else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
crough Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Peterborough,On Date Reviewed: March 23, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
cyclepath
Strengths:
Low rolling resistance in the hardpack, very grippy even when the pressure is pumped up.
Weaknesses:
Wear was evident after the first 5 rides with a 1/4 of the time getting to and from the trail via pavement. Lost corner edge to many times on off camber stuff downhill feels like a marshmellow around your rims, very tough to hold a line
Bike Setup:
2005 giant reign 3 (comes with this setup)
Bottom Line:
Great for a hardpack racer that wants to sacrifice traction and cornering for speed
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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