|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
verong
a Cross Country Rider
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Fast rolling and light. I noticed that it gave me a lot of speed on fire road, and loose soil. | | Weaknesses: | Very slippery on woods and every wet condition. | | Similar Products Used: | IRC, Panaracer, Specialized, etc... | | Bike Setup: | Cross-country, Trek 8900, SRAM X.0 Drivetrain, Marzochi Forks, Shimano XT, Mavic Rims, DT Spokes, Thompson Stem & Seatpost, Avid Breaks, FSA Cranks, Chrisking headset, Michelin Comp S lite with Continental Supersonic Tubes. | | Bottom Line: | Its a good multi-condition tires, but the grip is not agressive, but if you are looking for speed it would compensate. I've used it for more than almost a year and the knobs are still ok, and I have not experienced flats/punctures. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin McMahon
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | ones that aren't ravaged by rain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Calgary Cycle | | Strengths: | that's $90 CDN MSRP and I got them for $70 CDN each. poo on USD. anyways, they're light, fast tires and have great grip. I feel really good on them, but I don't see a major advantage above the lower priced Panaracer Fire XC Pros... | | Weaknesses: | Panaracer Fires are cheaper and feel just about as good to me...And they are stronger than these. I think I'll get them next time instead or the Kenda Kzmik Lite II's. | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Fire XC Pros
IRC Serac XC
| | Bike Setup: | 2001 Norco Rush | | Bottom Line: | Not worth the mad dough. Get something cheaper, stronger, with slightly less grip that's lighter. There's a lot out there. Oh well, it was worth a shot. And Bib just looks so cool lol... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a Racer
from Reno
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | light | | Weaknesses: | -lasted two rides and one doesn't count because it was the Sea Otter XC, which is smooth and poses very little threat to a tire | | Similar Products Used: | lots-favorites Ritchey excavader and kenda karismas | | Bottom Line: | these tires totally suck in every way. The sidewalls are weak and feel like they're going to come off when you're digging into a turn.
Durability - none - Lasted two rides. The front and rear were totally shreaded, I barely made it home. Thank god that I found a bunch of trash to line the tires.
I received three tires and gave the third to my 100 pound girlfriend. They lasted 3 rides for her.
I called Michelin about the situation (maybe they had a bad run). No reply. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blake Williams
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything fast and tough | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$36.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Light, Fast Rolling, Good grip in corners and mud shedding. | | Weaknesses: | Not too many, perhaps not enough grip on wet rocks or roots | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey semi slicks | | Bike Setup: | Klein Pulse Comp fully tricked | | Bottom Line: | I had to put in another positive review. I raced these again in the fall and they felt good on everything. Deep Mud, Grass, Rocks, Sand etc. I also did a fair amouth of tight switchback riding and really pushed on the corners and they held pretty well. A little powerslide is I got too agro. I saw several new tires come out that are pretty similar. I would say these are perfect for any cross country app and not to worry if you are big. I go 6'2" 200lbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ronald de Jong
a Cross Country Rider
from Ljubljana
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Krvavec, Lago de Garda, Ucka, Nanos | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | S-tec | | Strengths: | Look well, low resistance | | Weaknesses: | Flats/punctures, wear out too fast, loosing air constantly | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90 Disc, other Trek hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Element 70, Crossmax XL, complete XTR with discs, Ritchey WCR, Selle Italia, Ciclosport HAC4 | | Bottom Line: | My first UST tires, according to tests in de Bike Magazine and reviews I decided to take the Michelins. Although I was quite happy with the Racing Ralphs.
Be aware: You will need soap to get them in place! And pumping up with your handpump: forget it. I spend a fortune on high pressure capsules...
Less flats with UST? So far I had three flats in wo months! I hope my next set will proove the opposite!
These tires will probably serve well if you ride them in easy terrain and keep them off any rocky and stony tracks, otherwise. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blake
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Hardcore Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$48.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS is Seely Wisconsin | | Strengths: | Silicium sheds mud and goop like teflon. Traction amazing for such a fast rolling design. Very Fast Rolling and light weight. Green Color was awesome, too bad they nixed it. | | Weaknesses: | Sidewalls are a little fragile. I had one frey from rubbing on another bike using a trunk rack. I just had the other get a cut from something in my trunk. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey alpha and omega semi-slicks | | Bike Setup: | Totally custom Klein Pulse Comp with Skareeb Super fork, SRAM 9.0 Twisters and Rear Derailer, Thompson post, Avid Arch-Rival Brakes, Ritchey WCS 99gm stem, and Ritchey OCR Pro and Rock Rims that are 36 laced. | | Bottom Line: | I go for the lightest good quality stuff within reason. My friend ran Kenda Climax 1.95s and was going down in corners. I am about 195LBS and ride pretty hard, these tires corner like the bike is on rails. I have had no flats or other on-trail issues with these. I have raced them in mud and wet grass they preformed beautifully. They also held up to over 500 miles of pavement and still had tons of tread. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Alafia State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | tubeless | | Weaknesses: | not aggressive enough (slips far too much when traction is needed most), weak side wall | | Similar Products Used: | ritchey, wtb | | Bike Setup: | 2000 xcaliber hard tail with mavic cross land tubeless wheel set. | | Bottom Line: | These tires are suited for a small rider on primarily hard-pack trails. I weigh about 210 lbs and ride aggressively. The conditions I ride in range from hard pack to clay to sand. I found that these tires are not suitable for the type of riding I do. They slip far too easy when I am climbing even in dry conditions. Also, I have only ridden them about 8-10 times and the side wall already has a tear in it. I do not ride rocky sections and I was riding the tube at about 40 psi. I am very disappointed in this michelin tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jules biker
a Racer
from mexico
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | la luna (chiluca) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | benotto | | Strengths: | light, grippy, comfy, all condition race tire | | Weaknesses: | none, maybe on rocks i´d use another tire | | Similar Products Used: | mythos, notos, team master, team control, pythons, trailblasters, larsen mimo, etc | | Bike Setup: | 2001 xtr homegrown, tith thudbuster susp post, 22lbs. | | Bottom Line: | These tires offer technology, i´ve used them in my last 3 races, won them all, but i could feel a difference in the tires, very light and "cushy", very grippy, and good looking, and i raced in mud and dry conditions. Zero pinch flats or no cases of "thin sidewalls". Obviously these tires are for more "expert" riders, with more "finesse"
It just feels like a natural evolution in tires, i used to love pythons i still do. (pythons are only for dry), but these tires are one step ahead in technology, all weather superlight, and strong, I´m a thin 140 pound racer so i use them at 29 and 27 psi with no problems. Maybe in a very rocky course i´d use other tires.(pythons of trailblasters)
these tires are the best i´ve tried, and i have almost tried them all. Not sure how the´d work on a heavy guy. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nig
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Lightweight when used with stans no more tubes. Excellent grip, corners well, and feels fast on the trail. | | Similar Products Used: | roll x pro, panaracer fire xc pro | | Bike Setup: | epic comp, michelin comp s lights, stans no tubes, easton bar, thompson pole, | | Bottom Line: | Great tire, looks good and feels even better on the trail. Great grip when used with stans no tubes. Best tire found so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Springdale, AR
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Highroller Cyclery (LBS) | | Strengths: | Super fast roller. Tread pattern is good for hardpack, roots, and mud. Sheds mud well. | | Weaknesses: | Casing is weak, tear in rear tire after one extremely rocky ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Revolt X , Hutchinson Mosiquto. | | Bike Setup: | C'dale F600, X.9 all around, Titec carbon post, Easton EA70 flat bar, Oury grips, SLR saddle, the rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | The Comp S lights are nice and fast, I can't see them lasting long. The casing is weak but super light. If you want a fast tire and don't mind spending the $$$ to replace them about every 3 months go for it. I also ran them front and back....seemed to work great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doug
a Cross Country Rider
from san jose
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | light with small knobs, rounded profile | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | many faster semi knob cross country tires | | Bike Setup: | racer x | | Bottom Line: | i use this in the back and a verticle pro in front. i use it in the mud, dry and in between. no problems great tire. big knobbies in the back are way over rated...they waste energy. this thing is lite, rolls great and doesn't waste energy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from West Windsor NJ/St Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Clayton | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS (employee discount) | | Strengths: | Light, large volume, fast, bites in. | | Weaknesses: | Large volume | | Similar Products Used: | Wildgripper Lite S, IRC Mythos | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 890, LX, ESP 9.0, Marathon S. Magura HS-33 | | Bottom Line: | I tried running the tire with a 1.75-2.0 tube, it kept flatting. Switched over to a 1.9-2.1 tube and it's been good since. Too bad I can't use my remaining stock of smaller tubes with this tire.
Other than that, it rides comfortably (probably thanks to the high air volume), and corners very securely on somewhat soft ground. Doesn't drag in the mud, either. Most of the hardpack sections where i ride are straights, and it spins up nicely- but I can't tell you how it handles (for obvious reasons).
I probably wouldn't pay $45 retail for it though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Frisco, Colo.
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | many faves | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | Light, good all-around traction, higher air volume than previous Comp S, good in mud | | Weaknesses: | Casing is just too damn light. Should have stuck with old standbys. | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin Comp S, Jet S, Conti Explorer, many others | | Bike Setup: | DeVinci Moonracer FS- Conti Explorer in front | | Bottom Line: | I love the tread and traction of this tire. Corners better than the old Comp S except on true hardpack. One of my first rides on the new Comp S Light was a muddy race. The tire was perfect, really fun, controllable in tight downhill turns where others were helpless. But- in my favorite race, (rocky, steep 50-mi), it flatted after 12 miles. I was running a light tube, swapped to a regular tube. Flatted again in .5 mile. The casing had a couple of tears from rocks. My race was hosed. I will not buy another Michelin "Light" tire. I use a Continental Explorer Supersonic in front, it is even lighter than the Michelin but has never given me a problem. The old Comp S didn't ever flat on me either... bummer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ernesto freyre
a Weekend Warrior
from miami, florida
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | oleta park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | bike tech | | Strengths: | Very fast, smooth, gives a lot of speed. Super light. Give a very good feel on the ground. Works well on sandy trials, great grips on dry and muddy trials. | | Weaknesses: | Biggest weakness is when you ride on any WET wood, logs, or roots, can be extremely fatal and slippery and gets out of control. | | Similar Products Used: | Hutichinton tires | | Bike Setup: | S- works 2002 with all Shimano XT components, Easton seatpost and handlebar. 27 lbs | | Bottom Line: | It gives a lot of speed. Biggest problem is when you ride wet woods it is extremely fatal and slippery. When it comes to mud i have a lot more control even on very dry lands as well sandy trails works well, even cross 2 to 7 inches of water works well. Gets flats easily if you ride on very sharp trails. I already got 2 flats in 6 months, never happened before. However I do like the michlinn for the ride and the speed, when it raining or totally soak wet and knowing that i will be riding on woods such as wet roots, ramp (woods) or anything that is wood, is too slippery. I aviod those areas. In my previous tires I had no problem handling it. It is not all weather tires. Honestly not a good idea for beginers, too risky. Those tires are excellent for very experience riders. Not for hard pack ride, excellent for cross country, long flat rides and little rough, those tires can handle very well. If you are racing very smooth terrians, with some rocks on it, then you are in the right product for it, if you are riding wet woods never mind those. I can imainge riding at Arizona would be awesome, and super fast. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Toads | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | Very light , great traction from short knobs , good for mud - does not pack up and grips suprisingly well for its size . Nice price compared to others . Light blue stripe looks very nice . | | Weaknesses: | Claims to be a 2.0 but looks more like a 1.9 inch but still grips very well . | | Similar Products Used: | Hot-S , Roll-X - great summer tire , Velociraptors , Team Control and Master . | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur - loaded . | | Bottom Line: | Great cross country tire that will be my new choice for mud and slop . Can't wait to race cross country with this tire . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat
a Cross Country Rider
from Morgan Hill,CA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | Light at 480g. Great grip in everything except sloppy mud. | | Weaknesses: | Could last a bit longer. | | Similar Products Used: | Velociraptors,Blade,Mobster,Zeds,ground controls,farmer johns. | | Bike Setup: | Superlight with f519s and Stan's tubeless system. | | Bottom Line: | The best all around cross country tire I have ever tried.
Super light with great grip and high air volume for a good ride at 35psi. Running with Stan's eliminates any troubles with thorns which are very common on my local trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Berf
a Cross Country Rider
from Ocala, Fl USA
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Streits Cyclery | | Strengths: | Weight,fairly decent grip even on some of the rocky stuff. Good tread life compared to Mythos. | | Weaknesses: | None really. Cost is alittle up there, but aren't they all? | | Similar Products Used: | Mythos, older Michelins, Kenda | | Bike Setup: | 98 Schwinn Homegrown,Ct2 bars, and post, Kris King headset, Mavic 517's with Kris King hubs. 22.5 lbs | | Bottom Line: | These tires are great for me, and my riding style. They accelerate quickly, and have adequate traction in most any condition other than say wet clay, or soft sand, but who rides soft sand anyway? I like the speed these tires provide. They seem to wear well. I ride off road at least once a week. I ride on road with these tires twice a week. These are awesome. The tread could be more aggressive, but if I wanted a more aggressive tread I would,ve gone back to the Mythos (too heavy). Tires are very predictable at speed. I'm never surprised on as corner due to the tires not being able to handle the conditions.Great xc race tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ap tass
a Cross Country Rider
from vaxjo sweden
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | inna de woods man | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | nice grip and very speedy | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | old wildgrippers, tioga, ritchey... aso | | Bike Setup: | kona, full xt, magura hs33 | | Bottom Line: | very nice tire, the green version is pretty to ;)
very good allround tire imo, good cleaning, good climbing and its really fast. But the tire fits best on hard ground.. get them if you want a great allround tire
i give them three chilis for the value, cause tires are so f**king expensive in sweden ;) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from London Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light, low rolling resistance, sheds mud well, little rubber hairs. | | Weaknesses: | Small side knobs. Expensive | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer XC Fire Pro, Bonny Jones AC | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4500 - XT/XTR - Mavic 618 Ceramic | | Bottom Line: | I love this tire!!!
Its wicked fast and grips really well in the hardpack. Climbing is a breeze and I have had no spin outs yet.
Although this tire is not for everyone, it is great for folks who wanna go fast and stay light.
I'd give em 5 for value but they are a bit pricey. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jiri Miler
a Cross Country Rider
from Police nad Metuji, Czech republic
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Redpoint | | Strengths: | Fast, good grip & traction, comfortable riding. | | Weaknesses: | Too weak and thin, gets thorn easily. | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos XC F+R, Ritchey Speedmax and some Czech-made tires. | | Bike Setup: | Comp S light 2.0 green version. | | Bottom Line: | --- follow-up review ---
After several first rides I was very satisfied with these tires because of their good all-round performance. But quite soon I started to notice significant damage to them. During my last ride the rear tire got thorn two times, although the terrain was not much difficult. The problem is that these tires are simply too weak and thin because of their very low weight.
These tires will probably serve well if you ride them in easy terrain and keep them off any rocky and stony tracks, otherwise be prepared to throw them out and buy new ones every second month. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, fast and good at shedding mud. | | Weaknesses: | flats. | | Similar Products Used: | first "lite" product tried. | | Bike Setup: | Norco xcs1 | | Bottom Line: | Got two flats on my first ride. I thought that I may have inflated them to the incorrect pressure, but after reading previous posts, it looks like these tires are just way too flimsy. It's great to make a fast, light tire but if you're always on the side of the trail fixing flats, where's the advantage? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WILLEM
a
from BELGIUM
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | whatever | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | its green.its light.its rolls almost by itself.it sounds great when riding tarmac-it hums.lots of grips on hard surfaces not much complaints in mud either.i love them | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | pegasus came whit bike lasted 1 month | | Bike Setup: | bulls 4.5 mainly lx front xt | | Bottom Line: | these are the best i have ridden so far.the grip is exellent on hard surfaces.ok in mud(but what do you want with these little knobs)looks great/green and rolls very light.im staying with these for a while | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vasco Jorge SantosFerreira
a Cross Country Rider
from Algarve
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Monchique | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | came with the bike | | Strengths: | Good grip | | Weaknesses: | Weak sides, two flat tires in two weeks.Michelin sucks | | Similar Products Used: | Good year | | Bike Setup: | Giant terrago, selle italia atx, deore shifts, brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Never Buy a Michelin tyre except for the overland, that was a very good tyre. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Racer
from Beaverton, OR
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Universalcycle.com | | Similar Products Used: | Geax Sedona, Hutchinson Pythons.... | | Bike Setup: | '03 Santa Cruz Blur with personal build kit. | | Bottom Line: | While these tires are a great concept, the reality is that they are not strong enough for any substantial riding. In the last two months since purchasing them I've have four flats and caused significant damage them while riding technically easy terrain. They are simply too thin! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
worth
a Racer
from CT
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any tech singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | northampton bicycle | | Strengths: | These tires roll really fast, especially on the road or hardpack trails. For small little tires the offer quite a lot of grip and hook up on most trail surfaces. | | Weaknesses: | There small size increases the risk of pinch flatting but i have not yet pinched one. | | Similar Products Used: | IRC mythos, Continental Explorer Pro, Tioga factory XC | | Bike Setup: | 02' Cannondale f-800, XT,LX Lefty 100, Hayes hydro brakes | | Bottom Line: | These tires are great especially for a hard core racer who likes traction but doesnt like rolling resistance. These are very fast!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jojo
a Racer
from lactate, acid
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Grips well in loose sandy type trails. | | Weaknesses: | Too light for a 2.0, tears easily. | | Similar Products Used: | IRC, conti, wtb. I prefer WTB nanoraptors. | | Bike Setup: | new xtr, yeti arc | | Bottom Line: | Michelin obviously did not do any product testing on these tires before they released them to the public, unless they intended for them to be used during one race then thrown away. They were great during the first ride but after that I got a couple tears on the tread and too many flats to justify keeping them on my bike. To make a 2.0 tire less than 500 grams they have to eliminate too much material to make them durable! The Comp S model that these replaced are smaller and heavier but a much better tire. I still keep a pair(Comp S) for certain conditions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FritzMan
a Racer
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Strengths: | Light weight, great all round terrain performer | | Weaknesses: | Weak sidewalls, off-camber traction a little weak. | | Similar Products Used: | Conti Twisters, IRC Mythos and UST Seracs, Hutchinson UST Python, Panaracer UST Trailblaster and regular FireXC. | | Bike Setup: | Superlight, Marathon fork, Marta dics, RaceFace everywhere, SRAM shifters, XMax UST wheelset | | Bottom Line: | Great racing tires for a non-technical course. Bang-on 465gr. Decent volume for a 2.0, and good all round performance. PITA to mount and keep inflated (blew off) on XMax with Stan's - somthing I can accept b/c it's not designed to work tubless. Regardless, the sidewalls tore twice on really marginal terrain which many other tires (non UST) have been able to handle. I'm returning my extra set due to lack of race-day confidence in it's durability. Bummer, because I really liked these tires. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a
from Canada
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Low rolling resistence, good grip, can be rotated, good wear, low weight (which leaves room for heavy tube) | | Weaknesses: | Sidewalls are probably weak (like all michs) | | Bottom Line: | Best all-purpose tire i have seen to date. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor, MI
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Poto | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Fast rolling, light, brakes and climbs well. sheds mud. fairly high volume. | | Weaknesses: | uneasy cornering feel (on hardpack). early washout (on hardpack). somewhat expensive. lower volume than python. feels a little bouncy on roots--even at 30 psi. | | Similar Products Used: | way too many to list. | | Bike Setup: | paragon, i-drive race...etc. | | Bottom Line: | I am generally impressed with michelin tires. i have not had the durability problems that others have experienced.
my biggest gripe is with the cornering. to their credit, they have not thrown me to the ground. however, cornering feels strange on hardpack. it feels as if it is sliding slightly all the way through the turn--a very disconnected and spooky feel. i always back off on the speed when i feel this.
another issue: it feels like it "turns fast", like it is a much narrower tire. it initiates a turn quickly, but then feels like it it slipping.
this review seems a bit harsh, but overall i still like the tire--especially in poor conditions where my slicker tires give up.
the michelin is at it's best in hardpack and somewhat softer ground where the knobs can dig in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin vore
a Racer
from n.ogden
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | **follow up review**
light weight | | Weaknesses: | rocks will slice through tire and puncture tube. | | Similar Products Used: | too many | | Bike Setup: | M4 FSR, 22.5lbs,race face,easton,avid,sram,etc. | | Bottom Line: | These tires are great if you keep them off of rocks and shall. But where I live that is not an option. I sliced through four tires in about two months. If anyone wants to purchase these tires, not the sliced ones but new ones, I have some brand new. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jiri Miler
a Cross Country Rider
from Police nad Metuji, Czech Republic
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Redpoint | | Strengths: | Very light, very fast, very comfortable.
Overall great performance. | | Weaknesses: | No weakness noticed so far. | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos XC 1.95 F+R. | | Bike Setup: | Michelin Comp S Light (green version). | | Bottom Line: | So far I am very satisfied with these tires. I‘ve ridden these tires in different conditions and I can’t complain anything. The overall performance of these tires is better than my former IRCs Mythos.
The thing I very appreciate is a huge air volume for a 2.0 tire. It’s great since riding on these tires is very comfortable. Furthermore, the tire has a higher profile, which makes it resistant against punctures.
I was astohished by the very low rolling resistance of these tires.
I cannot say much about the durability after only 1 month of using, but after approx. 400 km I cannot see any noticable wear of my tires, so I guess it’s OK.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tha Big Droppah
a Weekend Warrior
from the south shore of maine
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | cape able bike | | Strengths: | they is light I'll give it that holmes! | | Weaknesses: | slips and slides through the trails like a nicely lubricated rubbah! The sidewalls are truly made of cellophane...a marble could probably penetrate thems thangs. | | Similar Products Used: | in 10 years I aint nevah used no tyres as bad as these dang thangs...aka they suck! | | Bike Setup: | ahhh my favorite question... I'm rippin' around these here trails on whats known as a miami sun adult tricycle...with the 3 speed option mind you! Now this sucker just prances up on 2 wheels like it's nobodies damn business! but shizit...how am I gonna get da biotches when I's be rollin' on slick azz, torn sidewall, michelins? Thats right son...I aint! Holla!!! | | Bottom Line: | ok time to get serious... These tyres really do suck...they score a big zero in the traction department, and the sidewalls seriously tear very very easily. I'm not the only one with this problem...everyone that I've ridden with in southern maine has had the same problems as I have...and these tyres dry out and crack very quickly also. my advice for now...stay away from michelins, they're doing some weird stuff over there, those crazy damn frenchmen. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Margo
a Cross Country Rider
from Estonia
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$24.00 | | Purchased At: | Extreme Sport | | Strengths: | Suitable for soft or wet and mud roads, good grip. | | Weaknesses: | A little bit too big pattern for gravel roads, which are the most popular at Estonian bike marathons. Semi-slicks would be better. | | Bottom Line: | I've used those tires for a year, ridden approximately for 3500 km and I have never expierience some problems niether road nor offroad. I've purchesed them during a 50 % discount, so I'm very satisfied. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Racer
from chicago
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | light weight, fast rolling, mud shedding, decent wear. Very good race tire with a few exceptions. | | Weaknesses: | meatier side knobs would help on loose soil and gravel, especially with descents. Beware of rocky terrain. Also, poor results with mounting and racing with Stan's. If you use Stan's get another tire. | | Similar Products Used: | Fire XC pro, irc mythos, conti explorer, wtb smoke/dart on very old bike. | | Bike Setup: | Fuel 100 mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | Very good race tire but remember every tire doesn't fit every terrain situtation. I do not reccommend them for looser soil and gravel and beware of punctures with sharp terrain. On loose soil will not climb and I went down hard on a fast descents with turns. Also, did not work as well with sharp turning single track with loose soil,I felt I could've been more aggressive and the tire wouldn't give me anything. However, If you want an all around race tire that can handle mud, sand, clay, fire road, typical single track with firmer soil, this is a much better alternative than a slick. Bottom line, definitly a keeper in your tire arsenal but don't expect it to hook up well on the loose stuff. Fast tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$42.00 | | Purchased At: | Excel | | Strengths: | Easy roller, light, decent grip | | Weaknesses: | No good on steep descents! | | Similar Products Used: | WTB, Conti Explorer Pros, Pana Fire XC | | Bike Setup: | '00 Suger 2 with upgrades | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic for normal XC trails. Rolls great, but not enuf meat for steeps! Crashed and burned big on first ride on a steep descent in loose dirt that my old Conti's would've handled.
Very light, but I wish there was a 2.1 version. 2.0 is noticeably narrow.
Conti Explorer Pros are better grippers, but weigh 65g more. Much better side knobs for carving.
I still like it though. It really is an excellent tire for the front, at least. (I ride a Panaracer Fire XC on back that gives me the traction I need for big climbs.) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Bryn Mawr
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Thrope, PA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | www.speedgoat.com | | Strengths: | Rolling Resistance. Weight. | | Weaknesses: | Installation is tricky with the foldable tires. Took some time to get it right. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized OEM S-Works Tires. | | Bike Setup: | '99 S-Works M4 | | Bottom Line: | Outstanding tire for both on and off road. Extrememly fast and great handling. Sheds mud and is very light. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Racer
from ut.
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | climbing grip, rolls fast, very durable tire for 460gms. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | s-works team master sl(395gms),maxxis larson tt(450gms) & mimo | | Bike Setup: | s-works m4, sid carbon race,race face,chris king and much more... | | Bottom Line: | The best tire I have ever tried under 500gms. This tire weighs in at 460gms,it is very durable for the weight. I have gone through 3 s-works team master sl(395gms) with an average of only three rides on them per tire. At $50.00 per tire I was getting pretty upset. After riding the comp s light for the fist time I checked for wear. I can not bellieve that there was not any. This tire climbs, rolls, corners, and lasts unlike any other tire out there in this weight class. Thank You Michelin :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy l
a Cross Country Rider
from philly
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | wissahickon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | 31 | | Strengths: | light, fast, and very pretty | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | everything | | Bike Setup: | breezer lightning with lots of great parts. | | Bottom Line: | These tires weigh next to nothing, and they have zero rolling resistance. My first experience with these was actually on pavement, and they were actually faster than the slicks I've been using!!! These are it... A little pricey, but worth every penny. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KR
a Cross Country Rider
from SJ, PR
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, fast, grips on all surfaces, sheds mud. Top notch performance for XC and XC racing. I used to think that big knobs grip more than small ones, NOT anymore. (i now think they just slow me down) The Michellins grip is outstanding despite the small knobbies and the tire held up extremely well through sharp rocks. I also noticed a reduction in rolling resistance and weight when compared to the IRC Mythos I was using before. Braking performance also improved with the Michellins. | | Weaknesses: | nothing, but i havent used the tires that long so dont know if they are durable. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Velociraptors (front tire suxs, rear is a good performer but its too heavy), IRC Mythos XC (really good tire, durable, fast enough but not as light/fast/grippy as the michelins although they inspire confidence and work in a wide variety of conditions) | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher BS, CT2 post, Eggbeater pedals. | | Bottom Line: | For XC and XC racing this is a great tire. Worth the $$ I loved the tires on my first ride on them and on an unfamiliar trail that has loose rocks, roots, sand, hardpack, some gravel and pavement. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dlafoyboy
a Cross Country Rider
from austin,tx
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$31.00 | | Strengths: | very light, michelins lightest xc tire,good grip and cornering | | Similar Products Used: | jet s, XLS,front s, sprint s | | Bike Setup: | sugar 1, xt/xtr,monkey lites,mavic517's, | | Bottom Line: | so far i've noticed much quicker acceleration,and better cornering.The light weight makes it easier to be knocked off course by stray rocks,but overall a very good tire | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Saint Paul,MN
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$23.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop- cost!! | | Strengths: | Fast,Super light weight, cool green color! I have only used in dry hard pack conditions & the street. No complaints | | Weaknesses: | O | | Similar Products Used: | Continental Twister Pro... | | Bike Setup: | GT hardtail XTR, marzochi, Face FAce... | | Bottom Line: | Love the quite smooth ride. Green & black wall color is an improvement over the old style. I am impressed with their overall performance thus far... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 41.99
