For DH and dual slalom racing on intermediate to slippery terrain
New tread design, similar to WildGripper Hot S, with multi-shaped knobs across entire tread width to maximize grip at different angles, enhance high speed stability and improve cornering.
Scoop-shaped knobs increase traction.
New special soft rubber grips in extreme conditions.
Reinforced casing & sidewalls.
Specially designed bead wires for secure hold on rim.
Compatible with NAGESTI/Rigida tubeless rim. An effective tire for both downhill and dual slalom.
Submitted by
J.T.
a Weekend Warrior
from Morenci, AZ USA Date Reviewed: September 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Black Hills Byway
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$16.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar, on sale
Strengths:
Good grip, no pinch flats
Weaknesses:
A little heavy but that's what prevents the pinch flats. Replaced now in the Michelin line-up with a tire named just the DH Comp, but it's pretty much the same.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Kinetics, Tioga DH
Bike Setup:
Old Klein frame set up for mild trials riding.
Bottom Line:
A great tire for trials riders using old frames with little clearance. I've got the 2.2's front and back and they grip great on rocks, logs, hardpack, etc. In Arizona they don't see much mud. As for the complaint that they are hard to get over the rim, USE TALCUM POWDER. Coat the inside of the tire with it before installation. It has the added benefit of keeping patches from sticking to the inside of the tire and helps prevent mildew in wet climates. Slather it with baby powder and it will go on just fine (don't use cornstarch powders because they can feed mildew).
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Submitted by
clark
a
from vancouver Date Reviewed: October 26, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
amazing grip and durability - like tank treads for your bike.
Weaknesses:
heavy, very slow rollers
Similar Products Used:
many dh tires
Bike Setup:
have set on giant dh and heckler
Bottom Line:
last much longer than any other sticky rubber i've tried, and grip nearly as well as kenda and maxxis soft rubber. bullet-proof, but very slow rolling. as good as it gets going down, but you pay for it on the way up.
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Submitted by
david
a Downhiller
from florence, Italy Date Reviewed: October 6, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Monte Morello
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
no pinch flat so far, construction, grip on dry surfaces
Weaknesses:
grip on wet/muddy terrains
Similar Products Used:
nokian, ritchey ecc..
Bike Setup:
nitrous 20, with formula DH 200, double track rims ecc..
Bottom Line:
excellent product, very reliable, the only problem I faced was on wet days, the mud quickly covers the tire and doesn't go away
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mikey Urdaddy
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, CA USA Date Reviewed: October 21, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Hell Hill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Big, tough, bullet proof too?
Weaknesses:
Holy hell... These are rocks. Heavy beyond heavy. Roll? No way. Maybe if you were being towed by a car?
Bike Setup:
Stock 2002 Giant AC1
Bottom Line:
For mr. Downhill, these are probably awesome. For the XC and weekend downhiller, way too heavy. Put it this way... I use this bike for training, until I can get some tires that are light and roll ;-)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stinky Wiz
a
from Santa Barbara CA Date Reviewed: September 19, 2004
I had never tried a "sticky" compound until now. Holy smokes, I put this 2.5 in back & the thing clings tenaciously up & down & around. Cornering is outstanding & wear does not appear to be nearly as bad as I expected. 5 little flamers overall, 4 for value as these suckers are expensive. I'm running mine tubeless.
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Submitted by
David Evans
a Downhiller
from Wenatchee Date Reviewed: October 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The dirt kind
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$39.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
I don't think I could ever get a flat with these. Amazing tires for going down, down, down.
Weaknesses:
Drag, EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
WTB Weirwolfs, Specialized Enduro
Bike Setup:
Gemini 900, bashguard, and These TIRES, they came off a H1 Hummer :)
Bottom Line:
This is an update, I had these tires on my hardtail Hardrock pro. It made it feel like f/s. I got my Gemini and took it out on a sketchy DH trail, tried the Weirwolfs first because of the Great reviews. Then Put on the Mich Mans.....WHOOO, I will be a michelin rider for years to come..I promise, they give you sooo much confidence, great in turns, loose stuff, hardpack...bad in dog poop, but they wash off nice :)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Evans
a Downhiller
from Wenatchee, Washington, USA Date Reviewed: August 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Squilchuck DH
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$39.00
Purchased At:
Jensen USA
Strengths:
Stickem like crazy, Great tracktion, and I can take drops like it's nothing with no worries of pinch flats
Weaknesses:
Drag
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Enduro 2.2, WTB
Bottom Line:
Great Tire, EXPENSIVE.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard Utting
a Downhiller
from Windermere, UK Date Reviewed: August 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
LAkes
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
www.chainreactioncycles.com
Strengths:
Carves well on hardpack and loamy soil
Weaknesses:
Not good on rocks, loose, grass or mud
Similar Products Used:
All the DH tyres
Bike Setup:
Shockwave 9.5, Monsters, etc
Bottom Line:
This is a review for this tyre used on the FRONT, not on the back as is more usual: A good tyre for carving high speed loamy sort of corners but not a tyre for rocks or wet conditions. It doesn't have a very large air volume so stick to medium conditions or it'll rattle your teeth. Truly lethal on grass. A specific tyre for specific uses; not an allrounder at all. Pick it for the right course and it'll be good but be careful.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
oosvn
a Downhiller
from usa Date Reviewed: April 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Great tread design for maximum traction , strong sidewalls , I run standard tubes with low preasure & no pinch flats (yet)
Weaknesses:
Heavy , but they have to be
Similar Products Used:
Tioga Maxis WTB
Bike Setup:
SC Bullit W/dual crown Sherman
Bottom Line:
I use these tires for DH racing & trail riding , when it's wet and muddy these tires hook up on wet rocks and roots , I've learned to trust these tires in the slippery stuff and don't give traction a second thought . They don't shed mud very good , but it doesn't seem to matter , when they get wet the tread feels like it gets stickery . I havn't ridden on the soft compounds of other tire manufacturers , but I've had great success with these and would recommened them . 24.1 comp on the rear & 32 comp up front .
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Submitted by
Trev
a Weekend Warrior
from Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan Date Reviewed: March 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Takasuyama
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Stock with bike
Strengths:
Stop the rims from hitting the road, make a cool noise riding on the road, will really bulk your legs up
These tyres suck. They are as heavy to pedal as the Specialized and Nokian downhill tyres, but have no grip on wet surfaces. The treads clog up with mud straight away and after that you might as well use slicks. No grip going uphill, downhill, or cornering (not that I managed to do any real cornering, the bike just slid around and it made bugger all diference which way I pointed the bars). Maybe these are designed for hardpack or something, but they sure don't suit wet dirt and leaves. I'm changing over to IRCs or WTBs asap. Anyone who wants a free pair of these, nearly new, just look through my garbage.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bob
a Downhiller
from usa Date Reviewed: January 2, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$37.00
Strengths:
they are very large, very fat, and very nice looking.
Weaknesses:
they are extremely hard to get on your rim. I am lucky i didn't break my tire lever, or my rim for that matter. Had to get a friend to lend a hand to get it on. Soap helps a little too.
Similar Products Used:
some tioga and hutchinson skinny xc tires
Bike Setup:
i-drive with z1, xt discs, mavic's new D3.1 DH UST rims, and all the rest
Bottom Line:
These tires make a cool humming sound as you ride on any flat surface, which I suppose is good for traction on loose stuff. Unfortunately, I have to pedal a lot more after switching from my semi slicks to these fully knobbies (the rolling resistance is pretty noticeable). While they slow you down on asphalt, I bet they are nasty when going DH or just trail riding. They do look nice, and the sidewalls are the thickest i've ever seen. I had some trouble putting them on my tubeless rims, and also some trouble mounting them on the bead. It took a trip to the gas station's air compressor to get the job done. they are advertised and tubeless, and they haven't lost any air yet, but mounting them was a chore. The difficulty of putting them on is overshadowed by the fact that the tire will never, EVER fall off. Great tires, I wish I had them from the start. oh, hella cheap too!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ice Man
a
from Washington Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002
Favorite Trail:
noab
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
They grip everything and anything that I throw at them, they take the abuse like nothing else.
Weaknesses:
They wear quick, but the compund is fairly soft.
Similar Products Used:
none.
Bike Setup:
2002 Giant AC2, everything is stock exept for a THE fender up front and a Race Face bash guard.
Bottom Line:
These tires are great, I think that I will buy them agian or I might try out the Hot S tires. Overall the tires have allowed me to do things that I thought I couldn't do like ride over off cambered slippery roots.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Y
a
from Oak Harbor, WA Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Bicycles Northwest
Strengths:
Durable as hell, decent tread pattern. This tire seems to work quite well in the mud as well as loose dirt, rocks etc. Beefy sidewalls. A LOT better than my old Tioga DH 2.1's.
Weaknesses:
Hard as hell to take off the rim, the bead is thick as hell. Broke 2 tire levers in the process.
Similar Products Used:
WTB Weirwolf 2.5, Tioga DH 2.1
Bike Setup:
2001 Kona Stuff, Hayes 6" Hydraulic disks, WTB Weirwolf 2.5, Michelin 2.5 DH
Bottom Line:
Really nice tire for the price, beefy as all hell. If you get a flat, be prepared, 'cause these tires are hard as hell to get off the rim. But run some beefy tubes, and don't suck and you won't have that problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
michael
a Racer
from West Chester, PA Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Direct
Strengths:
Rolls pretty decent, corners nicely as well. When ran as a rear tire, breaking is solid. Decent weight for what they are. it was my tire of choice for most of the year.
Weaknesses:
when it broke loose, it would break loose pretty fast.
Similar Products Used:
Gazzi Jr. 2.6 Maxxis Mobsters and High Rollers, tioga DH 2.3,
I am running this tire this weekend for the last race of the year b/c i like it that much. I had it on my DH bike at every single DH ride/race this year and most of last year. Cut out the inner row of tread it is sweet in wet stuff. My team (Bean's Bikes) ran this tire for the most part as well. killer tread.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd
a Downhiller
from San Francisco, Ca Date Reviewed: October 23, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
RBM Sports
Strengths:
Smooth Ride Good Pinch-Flat protection Fairly lightwieght Hooks up in most conditions Good treadwear(when ridden on dirt)
This tire rails hard, but, when it breaks loose it breaks hard and fast. Thankfuly it hooks back up so easily that you can be confident pushing the tire well past its limits. Min suggested tire pressure is 25# but I run them between 15-20# with no trouble.
Match a 2.5 in back with a Maxxis Minion F 2.75 Slow Reezy in front and your bike will corner like its on rails in any conditions.
As for the other tires: Maxxis Minion 2.7 -- Best Tires Avail. 10 Flamin Chilis Nokian Gazzy -- Sweet if you are into big drops WTB MotoRaptor 2.4 -- Great Tire if you are a XC Freak IRC Kujo 2.3 -- Killer for the North East or Urban Tioga Factory DH 2.5 -- Nice feeling tire, WEAK SIDEWALLS
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Chapel Hill, NC Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Bennet Gap
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Franklin Street Cycles
Strengths:
These are awesome tires. I have launched off drops, landing on sharp concrete curbs, no problem, most any tire would pinch flat. They stick really well to wet asphalt, roots, rock trails, whatever.
Weaknesses:
They are heavy, but no flats is way more important, and you can cary more speed through turns with these tires, they rock!
Similar Products Used:
WTB tires, Continental, Maxis High Rollers, Gazzalodi's
Bike Setup:
Surly Instigator with Manitou tripple clamp, Mavic 521 rims
Bottom Line:
Michelin and Gazzalodi make the best free ride tires, best tires overall in my opinion.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stuart Black
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Australia Date Reviewed: July 15, 2002
They may be a bit costly, but you get what you pay for. I have had no problems with wear in these tyres, they seem to last very well for such a soft compound. The rolling resistance is a bit much, but this can be addressed by turning the front around to roll in the opposite direction, but it does still feel like riding on tyres made from marshmallow. The wieght is also a bit over the top, but I have been running WTB 1.9-2.25 XC tubes with no pinch flats, which does reduce the weight a bit. The tyres grip well in all conditions and have a smooth transition into turns. I do not think you could find a better tyre for their intended purpose.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a
from Brisbane, Australia Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
came stock
Strengths:
Good traction on everything from dust to rocks to hardpack. Nice large volume can be run at reasonablylow pressure and is still easy on rims.
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy
Similar Products Used:
Gazza 2.6
Bike Setup:
02 Giant AC2
Bottom Line:
Pretty good tyre for all types of ridin'. Mine might be a harder compound as they were stock on the bike, but i've given them a good 6 months of use, a lot on the road and doin' some city ridin, and they have only worn about half way. I'm not a skidder though. Five turds.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Riley
a
from Regina Date Reviewed: May 17, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came with Bike
Strengths:
Very strong, have hit the tire hard on some curbs and never had a pinch flat.
Weaknesses:
Very heavy (1300g), they pedal like you've got a flat. Soft compound wears quickly, does't have as much grip as I would expect for how soft the rubber is. They don't have alot of cornering grip due to the tread design. They freeze up and get hard in the snow.
Bike Setup:
Giant AC2
Bottom Line:
Basically all I'm saying is that these are good tires, but they are not the right ones for me at this time. I am doing alot of city riding right now, which includes stairs, drops and the usual stuff that one does while bootin' around. The tires are just way too heavy and sluggish for city riding. I could loose 2 pounds off my bike by just changing to another brand of tire in the same size. I think they would make a very excellent DH tire for anyone looking for something really tough. I don't mind them now because they've whipped me into better shape, but I'm going to try something else when these wear out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Downhiller
from California Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Carlmont HIlls DH
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
RBM Sports
Strengths:
tracks like it is on rails. floats over chop. smooth
Weaknesses:
???
Similar Products Used:
Tioga Factory DH, Kujo, Moto Raptors
Bike Setup:
DHI, Monster T, Atom Labs stuff
Bottom Line:
Great DH tire
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tanner
a Downhiller
from Langley bc Canada Date Reviewed: March 12, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
White Rock cycle
Strengths:
Stable, good traction on hard pack, logs and rock.
Weaknesses:
Sucks in the sticky spoogy BC mud. don't let then near the road.
Similar Products Used:
Gazzy jr. 2.6 intenses DH 2.3, tioga DH2.3 Gazzy 3.0 etc.
Bike Setup:
02 Giant Ac2 with flat peddles and rock ring.
Bottom Line:
Nice tires for hard pack and soft trail. they role fast. Stong casings. they role faster than my old Gazz Jr. very tacky tire. Not too big 2.5 is perfect for most riding. Don't ride them on the road for too long because they will burn right off!! An there not that expensise.
Tire pressure... I've been running 40psi because I don't want to hirt my rims (rino lites)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stevens David
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntsville, Ontario,Canada Date Reviewed: November 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Any that has the potential to draw blood
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
AO bikes'n'boards
Strengths:
Sick,sick traction and control in rocks,mud, roots etc. Can run low (20-25lbs) pressure for a larger foot print. Bomber dh sidewalls + can be run tubeless (but why?). Ride the raunch without fear.
Weaknesses:
Weight - but this is a dh tire, not a wimpy xc, bald, roadie wanna be tire. So deal with it.
Similar Products Used:
Michelin wildgripper Hot S, WTB velociraptors, Many specialized varieties, Lots of ritcheys, blah blah blah
Bike Setup:
Y2k RM6 with upgraded 2001 bearing kit, z1qr20 fork, XT shifters/derailleurs, Bontrager post, Tioga multi xc saddle, Azonic bars, Raceface crank with Cove-blackspire ringgod, stock Sun rhinolite wheels (Rear wheel now history - probably replace with Mavic)
Bottom Line:
The bike came stock with Michelin wildgripper Hot s - they turned out to be a huge surprise. Incredible traction here in typical Canadian Shield conditions - mud, rocks, roots etc. BUT - they had the thinnest sidewalls known to mankind. 2 months of riding shredded them. The wildgripper 24.1 dh comp's have the same tread pattern scaled up to a 2.5" width, along with dh spec sidewalls. They absolutely rule around here - if you can get them rolling. (hint - head downhill) Ride them on the road and listen to them burn away!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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