The Claw Comp is a non directional, self cleaning tire that helped build our reputation as a leader in the industry. Along the way, it’s built the trust of hardcore XC riders around the country. Not people who buy a tire because it looks cool on their bike. People who buy a tire because it’s gotten them through countless NORBA events and backcountry rides. People who refuse to buy anything else. See why these flawlessly cornering, fast braking, no B.S. tires have earned such a loyal following. Click on the image to the left for an enlarged photo showing tread detail and related product specifications.
When I had the tire in the front, the bike seems to have a little bit of side to side vibration which went away when I replace with Panaracer Dart. This tire seems to be great for the rear in traction department. Rolling resistance is not as good though.
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Submitted by
Ernie Woo
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA Date Reviewed: August 6, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Rolls nice. Good in corners. Light weight.
Weaknesses:
Gets squirrly in sand.
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Hardtail
Bottom Line:
These tires suck! I replaced my Panaracer Duster Pros with these. In sand, the front tire takes you in directions you don't want to go. In mud, they bind up. On trails, the dual bar tread design picks up small rocks and throws them at you either hitting you or your frame constantly! I don't recommend these tires. I ended up replacing them with Panaracer Smoke/Dart.
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Submitted by
Dirk Diggler
a Cross Country Rider
from Middle of California Date Reviewed: August 14, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Read review below. This is just a KICKA$$ tire, the best in it's class. Flat out the beefiest tire with the lowest rolling resistance.
Weaknesses:
None that I am aware of, really
Bike Setup:
K2 Razorback
Bottom Line:
Just a heads up to anyone interested, IRC has put the Claw Comp back into production... I'm getting my next set, are you???????
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Submitted by
Frank Brigandi
a Cross Country Rider
from Havertown, PA Date Reviewed: November 14, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Yeti Sponsored
Strengths:
I use this tire as my Benchmark for rating all other tires simply because it is/was the best tire I've ever ridden.
Weaknesses:
IRC doesn't offer this model anymore, which sucks.
Similar Products Used:
Too many to list
Bike Setup:
When I was using this tire, YETI pro fro.
Bottom Line:
I'm extremely dissapointed in IRC for ditching this tire, everyone who used this tire seemed to rave about it. I'm happy with it and wish I could sell this tire to my customers, it's dependable, predictable and tracks like it's on rails.
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Submitted by
chris
a Racer
from berkeley Date Reviewed: March 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Missing Link
Strengths:
traction
Weaknesses:
650 grams
Similar Products Used:
many 2.1 x 26 tires
Bike Setup:
kona lavadome, mx comp eta 100mm, dave's speed dream wheel
Bottom Line:
IRC Claw Comp Lite: best traction for 2.1 tyre, at any price. specialized, richie, michelins were OK hutchinson python gold wasn't so good
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Submitted by
Dirk Diggler
a Cross Country Rider
from Middle of, California Date Reviewed: October 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Local
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
Pro Service Cyclery, Manteca
Strengths:
very good roller for a fat knobby, sticks to absolutely ANYTHING... versatility, period. i've seen good treadlife on these, all things considered.
Weaknesses:
doesn't accelerate as quickly as many of the fats, due to softer composition.
Similar Products Used:
currently running the gammet, long term panracer fan here.
Bike Setup:
2003 K2 Razorback, XTR yada yada
Bottom Line:
this is a pretty kickin tire... rating based on front and rear use at multiple psi
i have a feeling that when most riders mellow with age and get over that gram/scale fettish they have, 9 out of 10 will find this to be their new "old favorite".
as mentioned before this tire rates well above average at just about everything you give it.
uphill- a GREAT technical climber, i can't make it slide out. just what you need in a rear tire. it's soft enough that it grips on hardpack and the tread design is aggressive enough that it finds its way through and sheds anything loose.
tight singletrack- you can feel the softer compound on this tire, but it has suprisingly little rolling resistance for a tire with this much machismo. i wished the front drove a better straight line, but it's acceptable as it won't break loose. in many respects the trail seems to steer you through it, rather than the other way around. still, the front leaves you in control and very connected. the rear isn't even an issue, it's there, making contact, no rear slide, regardless of pressure.
downhill- pretty much performs as it does uphill, great braking response, it STICKS on tight turns, front and rear. this one leaves me confident, in all respects.
if you're looking for an all rounder (no pun intended) and believe that it's your talent that gets you through the race, not the latest fad, this tire will get you there. plus outweighs the minus on this one folks. i've got to say, in the 15 years i've been on the dirt, this is the first time since the smoke and dart combo from panracer that i've actually been excited about a tire.
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Submitted by
Christian Evans
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA Date Reviewed: July 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Pauley Creek, Downeville
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
www.missinglink.org
Strengths:
2.1 dual use: for front and rear; "snake-bite" pinch flat resistant (I weight 210#, ride a hardtail); easy to change tires; good price: only $25 msrp; knobby & grippy: gives me confidence on desconding on wet rocks and turning on loose switchbackin' singletracks and on steep climbs; fairly light weight for all-conditions XC use & race. Oh, they look good. gives good trail feedback.
Weaknesses:
not easy to find... I wish'd IRC sold 2.3~2.5 high volume IRC Claw Comps...
Similar Products Used:
Hutchinson Pyton Gold 2.0, OK in avoiding pinch flats, a fast roller -- but I hate they way the H. Pyton Gold slips around. aslo tried Michelein green Wildgrippers -- eh, not so good: many pinch flats (weak side wall?)
Bike Setup:
kona cro-mo steel hardtail, 105mm marz. mx comp w/eta, richie (?) wheel set
Bottom Line:
I have used up two sets. They're fantastic on knarley downhill trails and on fast single tracks. Great balnce of light weight for a 2.1 and excellent traction & control: I have pulled out of a few near crashes on these tires on the front. Until I find 2.4~2.5 wide tires of acceptable traction and weight, I'll be turning to the 2.1 IRC Claw Comp Lite they're only $25, without having to wait for a sale.
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Submitted by
MARK
a Cross Country Rider
from MONTEBELLO, CA Date Reviewed: May 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
G's Cyclery
Strengths:
Predictable. Very good handling in a wide variety of trail conditions.
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy for a 2.125.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer FirePro.
Bike Setup:
Turner O2, Fox F80RLT, Chris King, Thomsom, XTR, Sram X.O.
Bottom Line:
I have one ride in these tires. My LBL and a friend are both very skilled rider/racers. They both feel the IRC Claw Comp Lite is the best all round XC & Trail tire available. They said it does every thing well. The strongest argument supporting the value of this tire is "cornering." The track perfectly when pushed hard in turns. When they begin to break loose they give ample warning and giveway in a controlled manner allowing for correction & recovery. Manny tires just give way and the result is a crash. I haven't experienced them in the mud but their open pattern would leave me to believe they will shed it well.
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Ohio Date Reviewed: March 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
Steel Bead, a little heavy compared to todays tires
Similar Products Used:
IRC Serac XC, IRC Mythos
Bottom Line:
Wow, i cant beleive no one has commented on these tires! I'm 99% sure that they don't make them any more (though IRC still list them on their web site, but you can't buy them off the web site, and my LBS cant get em...) but they are definately tires that I want more of.
The best way to describe these tires is that they are really good at everything, but are perfect at nothing.
A lot of tires will have good climbing performance, then suck at handling, or have high traction, and poor rolling resistance...
The Claws are a beautiful balance of everything. They have good rolling resistance for how knoby they are. The tread cleans itself out VERY quickly after being in mud, sand, etc. They corner well. They are great for both front and rear use. Since they are non-directional, they perform as well uphill as downhill.
Bottom line: these tires are outstanding, but super hard to find!! I almost cried when I tore the sidewall one one... Then I found another in the bottom of an old box of wheels which I put in the garage like a year or 2 ago, and was overjoyed! it was better than christmas!
If you ever find some, get them! If you dont like them, send them to me!!!
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