Sizes: 26x1.80 and 26x2.10, both in Kevlar and wire bead. Soon to be available in Red and Black Dual Compound Kevlar bead. Front or rear. Race inspired knob design is direction specific when front mounted to rail corners. Rear mounting adds bi-directional capabilities to roll fast in one direction, climb hard in the other. Perfect for Hardpack, loose-over-hardpack, and medium soil conditions.
Submitted by
tonkota
a Weekend Warrior
from Spokane, WA, USA Date Reviewed: July 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
a rocky mess
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$7.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
sticky in the rocks and hard pack, bi-directional depending on what you want (fast or traction)
Weaknesses:
a little narrow, not for pavement
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis Ignitor, Jones ACX
Bike Setup:
stock Kona Cinder Cone
Bottom Line:
I like these in the rocks (basalt and river rocks) and hard pack we have here in Eastern Washington. They were very grippy (I had them on the traction direction). On the short section of pavement, you could hear them sticking. What a drag on pavement. I wouldn't commute with these. The Ignitors are better for that. I like these tires, but I think they are a specialty tire, not all around great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Basic
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA, US Date Reviewed: September 21, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Very fast, great cornering, light
Weaknesses:
Narrow, not a wet-conditions tire
Similar Products Used:
Rithchey Z-Max 2.35 (best combination of speed and cornering, phenomenal front tire), Motorapter 2.4 (monster traction and volume, but not fast), IRC Backcountry (slow, poor volume, DO NOT USE ON FRONT), Onza Aggro/Honch (roll off the rim easily), Velociraptors (rear 1.9 has unacceptable volume for anyone over 150 lbs.), and many others.
I have discovered that speed is king for the type of trail riding I do. If I did pure gravity riding, I'd get bigger/more aggressive treads. For trail riding, though, traction actually takes a back seat to my need for speed. Being able to pedal faster allows me to clean sections and maintain a higher, overall rhythym to busting the trail. The only thing I'd fault these tires on is their narrow/low volume size. Otherwise, they are the fastest tires I've ever had, they're fast on the street and dirt, they have great grip in dry conditions, and they're tough. No wear problems.
I'm 195 lbs. with riding gear and am running Stan's. I run about 28 psi front and rear. I ride light and fast.
All tires are a compromise. Nothing out there can give you excellent grip in wet and dry and be fast and light all at once. This tire matches my style.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Donovan K.
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester Date Reviewed: June 29, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Tryon Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$36.00
Purchased At:
iCyclesusa.com
Strengths:
Went on surprisingly easily. I like the fact that you can flip it either way. Hooked up well on the trail with some hard pack and loose-over-hard pack.
Weaknesses:
Climbing, if you're going to use the tire on your rear wheel, make sure it's flipped into the "Climb" direction.
Similar Products Used:
Mythos XC
Bike Setup:
Iron Horse Warrior
Bottom Line:
The bottom line: good tires for a good price. I'm not sure what crawled up the other reviewers butts, but these tires work well for me at least. The best thing to do is just buy 'em and try 'em.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Diggs
a Cross Country Rider
from Midwest Date Reviewed: October 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Vasa
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$14.00
Purchased At:
mail order
Strengths:
Fantastic grip, rolls well.
Weaknesses:
Knobs tear easily due to soft compound
Similar Products Used:
Fire XCPro, Mythos,
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Thin Air, XTR, Avid, Manitou Black Elite
Bottom Line:
This tire grips anything and is probably the best all weather, all condition trail tire I've used. It rolls reasonably well due to the ramped knobs, making it a good dry weather tire also. Compared to the Panaracer Fire XC it has much less rolling resistance. Cornering is excellent and predictable and wet corners are not as sketchy as the Fire's. Casing is very soft due to the center soft compound, so you will need tire liners if you ride around thorns.
These tires would have a short life if you ride on rocky trails, but would grip the rock extremely well. But that is the tradeoff with soft compound tires.
Mud cleanout is average. Pavement riding is acceptable for a full knob tire. Gravel is very good. Where these are best is in damp to dry soil. I've never pinch flatted these even with low pressure.
Overall I'd give these 4 flaming turds. Still the Michelin Jet S in the green compound remains the best xc tire of all time in my book.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian G.
a Cross Country Rider
from cebu, philippines Date Reviewed: October 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
the tire is light and rolls fast.
Weaknesses:
this tire has low side knobs resulting in not-so-stellar cornering performance.
Similar Products Used:
panaracer fireXC pro (my fave tire)
Bike Setup:
hard tail
Bottom Line:
i bought these at a LBS for $20 (cheap for a folding tire).the first thing i noticed when i put these on my bike is how fast it rolls, its lighter than my fireXC and less noisy when i'm road riding. i've been using this tire for a month and i'm satisfied with its performance. it rolls fast on any terrain and climbs reasonably well, you can mount the rear on high traction mode for better grip on climbing. despite the 2.1 marking this tire looks like a 1.9. this is a good race tire but definitely not for the inexperienced rider especially when riding on wet and muddy terrain and with low side knobs, cornering on gnarly terrain can be tricky. i'm giving the hard drive 4 chillis for value and performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joshie chu
a Cross Country Rider
from oaktown, biotch Date Reviewed: October 6, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$5.00
Purchased At:
veloswap
Strengths:
cheap, light, reasonable traction
Weaknesses:
small -- seems more like a 1.9; harsh ride quality
Similar Products Used:
lots, and most were better
Bike Setup:
yes, set up just the way I like it. Full susp. XC -- all that matters here
Bottom Line:
I put this on my XC FS rig thinking that with rear suspension, the smallness of this tire wouldn't matter much. I was dissappointed to with the rate at which this tire deflected off of just about anything. At just under 40 lbs, this tire felt like it was made of plastic. I'd have been better off riding my ol' Green Machine down the trail -- well, almost. Back to my Mutano 2.14 within 5 rides.
Cheap, but you get what you pay for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
charlie
a Cross Country Rider
from sunnyvale, ca, usa Date Reviewed: June 6, 2005
Favorite Trail:
tractor
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$10.00
Purchased At:
SF Velo Swap
Strengths:
grip as well as most everything else in general conditions. Rires with a tighter block spacing will do better on hard pack, but the HD does better in gravel and mud. I've had no problem with them except maybe buzz on pavement, but who cares about how well a mt bike tire does on pavement?
Weaknesses:
I replaced a Bontrager ACX 2.0 with the HD 2.1. The Bontrager was a lot lighter (480 gm) and did very well. The HD 2.1 is 560 gm and I can notice the added weight. The "fast rolling" tread direction has little ramps on the knobs which cause the tire to slip on steep uphills. Of course, braking is better this way. If you will run the tire on the rear, use the "high traction" direction.
Similar Products Used:
too many to say
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight with Marz MXR 85 mm fork, Fox Float RL shock, Avid SD 7 brakes with ceramic rims. (it's not an "all mt" bike and of course this affects my impression of tires). I have one tire and run it on the back with a WTB Mutanoraptor "2.4" up front (which is actually a genuine 2.1 inches wide, making it about the widest tire you can get for less than 600 gm -that won't pop on 30 mph rocky descents).
Bottom Line:
I think the bad reviews came before 2003 and the good reviews came afterward. I wonder if Maxxis changed the design or the rubber compound in 2003 and improved performance. These work as well in mud, rock, loam and gravel as well as you could expect. They are quite tough and long-wearing. This alone is a good reason to buy them. I use mine on the back because the 2.1 HD is really about a 2.0 and I like a wider tire up front. I got mine as the San Francisco Velo Swap at the Maxxis booth for US$10 - apparently because the multi-color labels - sprayed on in layers - did not match up and so the tire are "cosmetically challenged." But they are worth even $35.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris N
a Downhiller
from Austin, Tx Date Reviewed: May 12, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Fort Hood
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$12.00
Purchased At:
CBO mail order
Strengths:
Cheap knock-off of Michelin HotS tread, light for wire bead, tough rubber compound, fast rolling. Best in hardpack with loose on top, dry conditions.
Weaknesses:
Bit narrow for 2.0.
Similar Products Used:
Continentals, WTB, Kendas.
Bike Setup:
Turner Burner with Stans No-tubes.
Bottom Line:
Excellent, tough tire for the money. I tried a new pair of Continental Explorer Pros, 127 TPI, kevlar bead. They a great tire, but Ft. Hood trail has lots of sharp edged rocks which ripped the knobs off. Not good with No-tubes! So, tried these Maxxis, they are tough, no torn knobs, and fairly fast rolling. Wire beaded ones are reasonable weight. Needed compressor to install with No-tubes. Highly recommended for trail tire. This review really sums it up: http://www.maxxis.com/media/gallery/item_14251.jpg
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johannes Gerber
a Racer
from Port Elizabeth, South Africa Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Longmore Forest, Winterhoek Mountains
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Penford Cycles
Strengths:
Strong compound, very few punctures, can be abused, good climbing. They perform very well in South African conditions, singletrack, rocks and gravel.
Weaknesses:
Can wash out in very loose gravel, at speed.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire XC, Larsen TT, Ignitor, Worm Drive, Pythons.
Bike Setup:
Amp B4, Noleen fork.
Bottom Line:
It's a very good race tyre. Mine were about 630g per tyre, for wire bead, running tubeless. Can be run at various preassures. Lasted me one season of racing and about 150km per week. I totally trashed these tires through rocks and they have never let me down. There are some small cuts noticable in the thread. Good value for money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: October 20, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Strengths:
Grip, stability and predictability on all dry surfaces including loose stuff!
Weaknesses:
Cloggy mud, but then they are a summer tyre, not designed for this.
Similar Products Used:
Loads of different tyres
Bike Setup:
Intense Spider XVP, XT gear + Mini Hope brakes
Bottom Line:
These are the best summer tyres I've ever had. I cannot believe some of the reviews below. They excelled on everything I tried them on, they give you a lot of confidence. I also had no problems in the wet. Even in mud they are not that bad, still rideable in all but the cloggy stuff. I recommend these to anyone, just put the muds on when winter comes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DHbiker~
a Cross Country Rider
from USA Date Reviewed: September 28, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Wompatuck
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$12.00
Purchased At:
Attitash
Strengths:
-Looks Cool -Cheap -Good for the money -Better than a lot of stock tires -Fast tire -Light
Weaknesses:
-Washes out on steep loose stuff -Could use more traction
Similar Products Used:
Everything
Bike Setup:
2003 K2 Attack 1.0 (Great Bike!!!)
Bottom Line:
This is a great tire for the money. It is the 2.1 version and I personally like it. It is light and strng too. The only thing I don't really like about it is that it is kind of weak when it comes to doing switchback turns and the wheel may become washed out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Big Boy Truck
a Cross Country Rider
from Seoul, Korea (FL) Date Reviewed: September 19, 2004
I read the other reviews about this tire, but went ahead and brought them anyway, just cause they looked cool, little did I know I was in for a treat. As soon as I put them on and got on my bike, I immediately noticed the difference, they rolled way better than the Mythos(1.95) that I took off, and when I hit the trail... oh what a feeling. It was wet from the recent rain and these gripped like they were holding on to drugs. I have mine mounted front and rear on the climbing side, so maybe that may make a difference. I like them so much that I'm getting 2 more of them. So read the reviews, make your own choices, and get out and ride, that's the only way to find out how they do.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gabriel Medeiros
a
from Rio de Janeiro - Brazil Date Reviewed: January 5, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
The specific rolling direction enables you to increase the tires performance for hard - climbing or asphalt/downhill fast - rolling. The tire can make good corners under dry conditions.
Weaknesses:
The design is too specific and doesn't works well on gravel or on wet.
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis Helter/Skelter 2.1
Bike Setup:
GT Palomar with deore/deore xt transmission, Rst Aerosa fork, and Maxxis Instinct and Skelter 2.35 tires.
Bottom Line:
It's a good tire for using on asphalt and dry trails. I don't recommend this tire for beginners because it's very specific and should not be used for every kind of ride. This tire don't perform good on gravel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Gillespie
a Weekend Warrior
from Port Elizabeth Date Reviewed: October 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Any trail as long as i'm riding
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Inexpensive, fairly light, performs well and wears slowly
Weaknesses:
none
Bike Setup:
Orbea, Meore, Manitou, Harddrive 2.1
Bottom Line:
I love these tires. I have not had any problems with them at all. They corner great, they roll fast, they climb well and I have no trouble getting them onto or off of my Mavic X221 rims unlike some other posters.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Webster, NY, USA Date Reviewed: August 7, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Dealer
Strengths:
Doesn't wear down too quickly
Weaknesses:
Lack of cornering grip, handling in various conditions, kinda skinny for 2.1s
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Dart/Smoke, Panaracer Trailblasters
Bike Setup:
Hard Drive Dual compound 2.1s on a Superlight w/Mavics, Avid Discs
Bottom Line:
I agree with a lot of Matt Lewis' review. Overall, they're decent tires, but don't hook up well unless the terrain's pretty dry, where according to Maxxis, they're made to excel. I got a little better performance from the rear when I switched the direction from "fast-rolling" to "hard-climbing." I decided to leave it that way regardless of where I ride, and my back hasn't slipped around as much. I don't feel comfortable railing corners at high speed on these. The side knobs don't hook up like I'd like, and I find myself in a 2-wheel drift. The compound wears well, even with the softer durometer, but the 2.1 width is a little suspect.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Kelso
a Racer
from Billings, Montana Date Reviewed: August 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Recently Built Downhill on Red Lodge Mtn.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Directly from Maxxis
Strengths:
Performs alot like the Panaracer Fire XC Pros. Dual compound looks killer. Havent had a problem yet,grips extremely well.
Weaknesses:
Biggest Pain in the butt to get on the rim!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire XC Pro
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR Sport with full XT drivetrain, RockShox Psylo Race, and Sun Rhyno Lite rims.
Bottom Line:
good tire, hooks up well. sucks to take on and off rim but a good xc tire for the most part.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Lewis
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: August 1, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Well wearing on asphalt Reasonably light
Weaknesses:
Doesn’t shed Mud Doesn’t like the wet group Slips on roots
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis High roller Maxxis Swamp thing
Bottom Line:
These tyres work well it you want a good wearing tyre on asphalt, and something to take or road on your commute to and from work. But not during the wet season. With these tyres front and rear, my bike did not handle well in loose conditions and especially in the wet. With my current combo of a Maxxis DH High roller on the front and a Swamp thing on the rear it's like riding a different bike.
They don’t seem to like wet roots, I'd come of a lot riding in the pine forests with exposed roots. Maybe it's my riding competence? But I don’t have this problem with a DH high roller up the front. Which I believe is an awesome tire for steering if not a little heavy.
How ever I put this tyres on when I commute as they run fast and wear well.
I wont buy these tyres as a replacement.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, NZ Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
42 Traverse
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
They lasted ages. Fast rolling/climbing traction directional option is nifty although I didn't notice any difference to be honest
Weaknesses:
Slippery slidy, especially when wet.
Similar Products Used:
Lots and lots. Favourite so far would be the Panaracer Fire XC Pro
Bike Setup:
Kona Ku
Bottom Line:
I won these as a spot prize six months ago. They've lasted really well since then, but I've never ever felt entirely secure with them. They're guaranteed to wash out on roots, have pinch flatted several times, and always slip into ruts or off the side of dampish single track. However, they have done reasonably well in loose dry gravel - but so should any tyre with decent knobs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Franklin, Ma 02038 Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
These are pretty fast tires
Weaknesses:
They didn't hook up as much as I hoped. On dry stuff they were ok but when it got muddy or even alittle damp, forget it - no traction at all. I actually run a Minotaur full knob on the front and this on the rear. I run them both around 45 to 50psi. I haven't had the bad flat stories that everyone else have had, but they were an absolute pain in the butt to get on and off the rims. I had to jack them up to around 60 or 70psi for them to seat properly.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda, IRC, WTB.
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Sugar2+
Bottom Line:
Seems like a tire that Maxxis designed for something very specific and not an all around performer. If you want something fast, they are real nice but cornering and climbing don't seem to be their strong points and what ever you do, don't ride them in wet conditions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
R&L Lozier
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
NOBLE/MARTHAS GROVE
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
internet retailer in Oregon
Strengths:
New version with dual compound. Light, semi fast rolling, characteristic of Michelin hot"s" new color(red & black)add a bit of ginger bread effect to old rigs. two size choices 1.80 to 2.10 weight is same as Kenda charisma's, Panaracer XC pros. Specailized team controls.
Weaknesses:
Tight kevlar bead reqiring elbow grease to change out especially on pinch flat protected rims. Price and availability set more to the XC sponsored racer type.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda, panaracer XC pro/ trail blaster, Michelin Hot s, Specialized team , IRC Mythos
Bike Setup:
stage 1 Rocket 88, XTR/XT all, Carbon & TI specc'ed, FSA and all the rest of the bells and whistles
Bottom Line:
good if you are looking for a specific xc tire for hard pack and semi hard pack, forget it for wet rock, mud, slip root or sand(any tire for that matter)if you want something diff for the rig so you stand out from all the others and you ride hard pack (south west part of U.S.)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob O'Linke
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey Date Reviewed: September 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Any and all!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Came as OEM equipment on bike
Strengths:
None whatsoever, unless wearing out fast enough to be quickly replaced counts as a strength?
Weaknesses:
I know this is supposedly a 'hardpack' tire, but traction on anything softer than concrete is atrocious. Absofu*king lutely horrible in mud, and for the next 8 miles after you've gone through mud, because that's how long it will take before the mud finally comes unlodged from the tread. If you run anything less than 45-50 psi in 'em, expect a pinch flat on a near daily occurence................which leads to the next problem. It takes about 30 minutes to get the bead on or off of the rim. Tires are wicked thin for the supposed 2.1 size they are listed as. Thankfully, they only lasted ONE MONTH until not only the rear was bald, but the front too. Saying these tires suck would be putting it too kindly.
Similar Products Used:
Ritchey, Kenda, IRC, the list goes on...
Bike Setup:
Ironhorse hardtail, Shimano Deore LX, Sun wheels, Hayes, etc.
Bottom Line:
I thought Maxxis was supposed to be a 'top name' in MTB tires? Honestly, these are the worst tires I have ever ridden. I would only recommend these tires to people I don't like.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Northeast, US Date Reviewed: May 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Tyler Mill, CT
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came on new bike...
Strengths:
-sheds mud well -good climbing traction -good for a variety of conditions
Weaknesses:
-no a high vol. tire so they don't give you any extra cushion on a hardtail -slips on wet rocks and roots
Similar Products Used:
Michelin XLS, Panaracer Duster Pros
Bike Setup:
2001 Rocky Mountain Blizzard
Bottom Line:
I kind of like these tires, they haven't given me much trouble. I run them about about 38psi upfront and about 40psi in the rear and haven't pinch-flatted yet (I weigh about 195) after about 8 rides on them. I don't know how well they will hold up because I've only had them for a few weeks now, but they haven't started tearing up yet. I do think they deserve better ratings than they have received if ran at an appropriate pressure and ridden as a XC tire. I'll repost if they start falling apart on me or if I start having problems. I would recommend them for now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Allister
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002
Favorite Trail:
name one
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
on this website
Strengths:
Light, grips well as 40psi for being so light. Rolls fast.
Weaknesses:
at pressures at or over 50psi this tire will not grip.
Similar Products Used:
I have used alot of tires: IRC Back Country, Mythos F & R, Missles, Panaracer Smoke/Dart, Fire XC Pro, Continental Explorer Pros, Cross Country, etc., Maxxis Helter/Skelter, and others.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz SL, Magura discs, 2002 RS Psylo SL, Super X build kit, Hard Drive 2.0 front 1.8 rear. Easton Monkey Lights, Thompson, etc.
Bottom Line:
I must be lucky or crazy, but I like this tire. At 50 psi this tire sucked. I called Maxxis and they talked to me about proper psi. They have good customer service, and they actually ride. I ran them at 40psi (I weigh 195 now, I know I'm a fat ass) and they held on really well. They are a low rolling XC tire so I don't excpect to get 30 degree lean angles out of them. They are not a good sand tire either. Course I haven't ridden a good sand tire yet. I do lean my turns alot and have not washed them out yet (knock on wood). For hard pack to loose over hard pack run at 40-45 psi for my weight I think these tires are great. Especially since I paid $15.00 per tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
S W
a Cross Country Rider
from Bountiful, Utah Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002
I bought a used bike and as a 'bonus' after sale, the seller put on a new set of these tires. I checked the pressure and both tires were 45#. My first buzz around the block included all of 50 feet across a park. The next morning, the front tire was flat. It was nearly impossible to get the thing off the rim to patch the tube. Today, I took my second ride. I got three miles from my house on an average trail and lifted the bike to dial in the suspension. SSSSSSSSS. I flew down the trail and pedaled as fast as I could, but still had to push the bike a mile and a half home. Yeah, I have a pump, patch kit, and tire fingers, but I knew I couldn't repair this on the trail. So I'm running a 100% flat rate so far and am right now browsing for new tires. Stay away from these stinkers. Bread sacks have tougher sidewalls.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DT
a Racer
from Vancouver, BC Date Reviewed: March 29, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Absolutely nothing.
Weaknesses:
The front wheel side wall blew out while I was sleeping. It sounded like a drive by shooting! Does not hook-up when braking.
Similar Products Used:
Michelin, Specialized & Panaracer
Bike Setup:
2000 RM Hammer Race, stock.
Bottom Line:
Rocky dropped the ball when they spec'd this tire. The front tire side wall blew out after 2 months and the bike was just sitting in the living room. I commute to and from work, rain or shine every day. I have flatted 5 times on pavement (a real treat during our monsoons) in the rear Maxxis HD, but the front (replacement) Specialized has rolled along happily. The HD climbs crummy and toboggans terribly on descents. I finally replaced it with a Panaracer TB. Take your bucks elsewhere. Cheers, DT
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Arizona Date Reviewed: December 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Agua Caliente
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came on bike stock
Strengths:
ZERO, NONE, ZILCh
Weaknesses:
NO GRIP, UNSTABLE, INEFFICIENT, UGLY
Similar Products Used:
WTB, Kenda, IRC, continental, tioga
Bike Setup:
RM element race, hayes, king
Bottom Line:
quite possibly the worst bike tire ever made. what struck me most is how inefficient these tires are. They sap 1/2 your energy due to the crappy rubber compound/ construction. I was only able to pedal 1/2 to 3/4 the length of trails ive ridden on many other bikes in all conditions. Absolutely horrible tread design. CANNOT and WILL NOT grip any type of offroad trail. Tested on hardpack, sand, gravel, wet/dry. Tested @ all air pressures. You are guarnteed some serious soil sampling due to the front washing out on every corner.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TARSEY ANASTOS
a Weekend Warrior
from CHESHIRE, CT Date Reviewed: July 1, 2001
Favorite Trail:
case mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came with RM Instinct
Strengths:
They are light and they roll. (great)
Weaknesses:
Lets see, they don't grip on loose climbs, front is allways getting away from me in tight cornering, and they have their web address in big letters on the side wall: I'm a rolling billboard-garbage!
Similar Products Used:
slicks
Bike Setup:
Stock 2001 RM Instinct
Bottom Line:
Don't buy these, and if your bike comes with them make a deal with the shop owner to get them switched before you purchase it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CHRIS DYWELSKA
a Cross Country Rider
from WINDSOR Date Reviewed: June 28, 2001
Favorite Trail:
HIGHLAND HILLS , MICHIGAN
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
lite wieght, rolls fast, looks sweet.
Weaknesses:
Dosn't work great in deep mud, goes to the bottom but dosn't get any traction down there.
Similar Products Used:
Wildgrippers.
Bike Setup:
Trek 8000lt, Kore stem, thomson seat post, Z3 shock, all xt.
Bottom Line:
I don't think they are that bad at all, I use the 1.8 for X country racing, and they work better then simi slicks, they worked great for soft pack(late spring), so far not bad for hard pack as well, I have never washed out with them like you will do with the rapter front. RM builds great bikes and I'm sure some thaught was put into fitting there rides with these tires.
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Submitted by
Pawk
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, co Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Enchanted forest
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Factory tires on RM Instinct
Strengths:
hmmmmm.... I will have to go with nothing here, well maybe they have a low rolling resistence but only as a result of not being able to grip.
Weaknesses:
Think of everthing a tire should be good at and imagine this tire not being so.
Similar Products Used:
Velociraptors, IRC Missle, Bontrager Jones
Bike Setup:
Stock Rocky Mountain Instinct
Bottom Line:
~If you ever lean your bike past 5degrees these tires are not the deal unless you like crashes due to washouts. ~If you actually like to climb, these tires are not the deal. ~For that matter, if you like to do downhill(duh), these tires are not the deal.
I am quite surprised these came on RM's.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kurt Thorner
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB, Canada Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
dirty, rocky, up and down kind
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came stock on RM Element Race
Strengths:
None apparent. They even look like crap
Weaknesses:
Can't corner, can't handle mud, can't grip during climbs, do nothing to protect tubes from flats and they are hard to get off the rim.
Similar Products Used:
other tires on mountain bikes
Bike Setup:
RM Element Race with 9.0 shifters and brakes
Bottom Line:
These are the worst, most dissapointing tires I have ever had on any bike. I can't believe a company like Rocky Mountain would put these on their bikes. As for Maxxis, what is the purpose of these tires? I have never riden terrain where these tires would actually perform well. These tires have none existant side lugs, slip and slide through mud and break loose under modest torque on any climb. They are useless. I would not recommend these tires to any rider anywhere in the world!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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