Submitted by
My Cunt
a Downhiller
from Hairy Balls, USA Date Reviewed: November 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
A-Line
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Tire is a freakin beast... Floats over rough terrain better than enay tire on the market. More people talk about my front Gazz tire than anything else on my pimp bike.
Weaknesses:
It's a freakin beast. Can be a bit clunky feeling on airs. Doesn't work with a lot of set ups.
Bottom Line:
Great tire. Can gobble up anything in it's way, even a chipmunk which I ran over last fall in Whistler. I still feel bad for the little guy...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alex
a Downhiller
from franklin lakes, NJ Date Reviewed: March 25, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
this tire is a friggin tank! i get traction on almost everything including snow. i still cant get enough of how big it looks.
Weaknesses:
its to bulky when you go up a little hill you can feel every single tread of every inch pulling back like a lead weight but then again its a downhill tire.
also the tire is so wide that when there is a lot of pressure on the back of the bike it scrapes against the frame. there is literally 1 mm between the tire and the frame and my jeans always get cought in that litle gap and it makes me tipto the side and fall. its actually quite entertaining becasue its completly unexpected and it always happens at the worst times like when ur freinds are watching you.
Similar Products Used:
specialized roller 2.5
Bike Setup:
big hit w/ monster T _ nokain gazzalodi 3.0 in the back and 26x2.5 specialized roller in the front
Bottom Line:
big and slow but sticky and impressive looking. other than the looks i think that i would rather go with a maxxis high roller 2.7
it makes the 2.5 roller in the front look like a road bike tire
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Jankunas
a Downhiller
from Dover-Foxcroft, ME USA Date Reviewed: September 1, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$49.00
Purchased At:
beyond bikes
Strengths:
looks like it would be sweet.
Weaknesses:
Would not fit on '03 Rock Shox Boxxer Race. If you own a race do not buy this product!
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis 2.7 Minion DH
Bike Setup:
'03 Iron Horse SGS PRO
Bottom Line:
Really wanted to try out a 3.0, but Rock Shox sucks. If anyone knows what kind of fork it will fit on let me know.
I am giving it bad ratings because it should say somewhere what forks will take it and which won't. I assumed that because I am riding a downhill bike they should fit. I wouldn't even try to put this size tire on my cross country ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Thomas Vanderham
a Downhiller
from Riverside, California, United States Date Reviewed: December 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Whistler
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Nokian Tyres
Strengths:
Awesome grip for trails up in B.C. and especially Whistler. I tested these for some of the New World Disorder 4 filming and they worked great for all the big hits.
Weaknesses:
Tons of rolling resistance but once you get going thy're good. Good for big hits, up to 30 + feet.
Similar Products Used:
Pretty much everything. Maxxis, Kenda, Michelin, IRC, WTB, Tioga...
Bike Setup:
RM7 with shiver, spinergy's...then my new RMX with a 888r
Bottom Line:
These tires are better for beginners and hits under 20 feet, they didnt hold up well for me on the bigger stuff. Great for DH, but an XC rideres nightmare.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spannerhead
a Downhiller
from UK Date Reviewed: May 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
This tyre gives you another inch and a half of travel and creams anything in its path with its soft comforting super polygrip. Run it at insanely low pressures (1 bar) for best results.
Weaknesses:
Don't even think about using it for cross-country! It is a heavy slug! Won't fit in many forks.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing compares to this. I have used most DH tyres. The nearest is the Duro Leopard 2.6 (I use this on the back usually).
Bike Setup:
KOna Stinky. Very heavy. With these tyres and MX bars.
Bottom Line:
You will love this tyre. (If you can fit it in your forks). I keep a reserved set of hardcore DH wheels (extra wide) for these softies.
Don't enjoy chnaging these ones, very tough!
They are best on severe, steep rocky dh courses that need lots of braking. (because these buggers have such grip and don't exactly accelerate fast!) Makes it seem easy. Good hard freeride tyre.
I do not reccomend these tyres for anything other than balls-out DH, Rocks, Jumps/tricks etc. They lead by a mile.
Don't think you can take these out for a 20 mile XC ride and still have the strength to keep up with your 10 year old daughter...
I don't think that this tyre can be improved on. This is as wide as it goes I think..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ivan
a Downhiller
from nyc, brooklyn Date Reviewed: October 15, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
grip, looks, name the best side walls you can get. i ran 18 poiunds and did a 7 foot wheelie drop i have felt the rock hit the rim but i got no pinch phlat
Weaknesses:
short thread life face it they ARE heavy(i don't think that if you are using 3in. tires you really care a bout the weight)
Similar Products Used:
intense DH(pretty good
Bike Setup:
pretty good
Bottom Line:
just fou their phlat protection they should get five dead phlanin'n monkeys
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Terry Brenton
a Downhiller
from Arvada, Colorado Date Reviewed: August 26, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Internet
Strengths:
Makes your ride feel like you gained more travel. Tough construction. Good grip on most surfaces.
Weaknesses:
In slick mud the tire tends to wash out more than others.
Similar Products Used:
Intense, Kenda, Maxxis, Conti, Tioga,
Bike Setup:
Free ride Santa Cruz Bullit
Bottom Line:
This is not a tire for the weak. If you bike uphill, this will slow you down. It doesn't really come alive until you reach faster than climbing speeds.
Most bikes can't run this tire due to the size. Nokian recommends running rims no less than 28mm. I ran it on a 27mm Rhino lite and it was ok. For best results, go with a 29mm Mavic D321 or wider. It runs much much better with a flatter rolling surface letting you get to the side lugs easier. For front use make sure you have clearance. If you have an older replaceable style arch on your shock Black Spire makes a sweet after market replacement that easily will fit these tires.
These tires will roll over about anything. They definitely feel like you got more travel out of your bike, a little because of the low low pressures you can run with the thing.
I didn't care for the handling in the mud. They tended to have excessive wash out cornering in the mud compared to other DH tires I've used.
These things look mean too. I'm much more interested in performance than looks, but you have to laugh when you see groups of people thronging around your ride asking if those are really motor cycle tires.
Who should buy this? Obviously anyone who just goes downhill will love this tire, but hey, most of us tend to ride uphill to get to the downhill. A strong free-rider who doesn't mind more weight on the climb who is mainly interested in downhill performance would love this tire. If you like the looks but may not be the burliest rider on the planet, you'll probably be better off looking at Maxxis or Intense. If you do get this tire, count on adding even more weight because most tubes will not cut it. I run an intense latex 2.7 tube which has worked extremely well but weighs a ton.
This next section is filler - I do this since this web site has left out one of the best tires ever in my opinion. I run a combo of the Nokian 3.0 front and a Maxxis high roller 2.5 rear. Why you can't review the Maxxis High Roller is beyond me. Anyhow that deserves anyone's attention. I believe it is the best rear DH tire money can buy. Check it out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles Kieser
a
from Gunnison Colorado Date Reviewed: August 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Signal Peak Ridge Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$59.00
Purchased At:
Rock n' Roll Sports
Strengths:
Huge Nobbs that will grip to anything, and finally the abality to lean my bycicle like I lean my motorcycle in the turns.
Weaknesses:
Everybody always stopps me and wants to talk about my bike and tires. The nobbs on this tire can launch small rocks into the air, which is worse for the people behind you than anyone else.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda DH 2.6 - Less than half the tire
Bike Setup:
KHS Fetish - Stock except for 3.0 Gazz front and rear, and a smaller than stock front sprocket.
Bottom Line:
These tires made my bike much more stable than with the stock kenda 2.6 downhill. The two tires added two pounds to the weight of the bike over the kenda 2.6 DH. These would probably add 4 to 6 pounds over a standard 2.0 mountain bike tire. Everyone in Gunnison can tell where I have been based on the massive tread print left in the dirt.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Reindeer Blower
a Downhiller
from Maine Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Bike shop
Strengths:
Big,wide,and REALLY,REALLY grippy,especially in muddy condtions.Very predictable breakaway--and you'd have to be going REAL FRICKIN' FAST to make this tire break loose!Adds even more plushness to your ride(UNDER 30 psi!!).Kudos for being the first 3"x24" on the market.Only 3"x24" Arrows compare to this tire.
Weaknesses:
Accelerates like a heavily laden dump truck,but makes up for it in the corners and under braking.Wears out pretty quick.A wee bit squirmy in loose-over-dry conditions because of its tall sidewall.More expensive than an Arrow.Also may not fit some frames or rims.
Similar Products Used:
IRC Kujo and Missile 2.35",Maxxis High Roller 2.5",Intense 2.5"x26,and MY ALL-TIME FAVE,24"x3" Arrow Prime Wide(see review)
Bike Setup:
Brooklyn TMX
Bottom Line:
The 3" Gazz introduced me to 2 things:The world of 24" wheels(damn,how did I ever ride without 'em?),and the traction and MASSIVE,holy sh$t! grip that only 3"'s can provide.The Gazz is an awesome tire,and it shocked me in how much it improved my TMX's ride,handling and braking.Wanna know what a 3" wide tire feels like?Well,take a 2.5"'s grip AND DOUBLE IT(no wait--TRIPLE IT!!!),add a better ride and pinch-flat resistence and there you have it! All raving aside,it pains me to say this:There IS one tire I do like better--the Arrow 24"x3".The Arrow kicks the Gazz's ass in just about everything(ESPECIALLY acceleration),AND costs less.Don't get me wrong--all 3" tires are incredible tires(is there REALLY such a thing as a "bad 3" tire?"),but the Arrows are the best.Bottom line?Try the Gazz AND the Arrow,race DH on both for a few months,and pick the one you like.Most likely,it'll be the Arrows.If not,I will happily drink my own piss! I can't give any 3" tire less than 5,so...the Gazz earns an easy 5 sh%ts,but that means the Arrows get 6!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kellen
a Downhiller
from vancouver B.C. Date Reviewed: July 6, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
AC
Strengths:
Grippy, Fat, really fat, never washes out.
Weaknesses:
Small animals get stuck in the treads, it cost me $100 Canadian!
Similar Products Used:
Nothing compares to a Gazzaloddi
Bike Setup:
2000 RM6, Z1 QR20, Vueleta Downhill back rim, Ryno Lite front rim, Gazzaloddi on the front, Race Face Prodigy cranks, Blackspire NS-1 Chain Guide.
Bottom Line:
This is THE tire to buy if you are fed up with your tires washing out. It's wicked for the shore and it hooks up great, even in deep mud sections. The tire is so big that you feel more confident, the tire makes you feel like nothing on the trail can stop you. It does roll slowly, but unless you race DH it dosen't matter. Alot of people complain about the weight, but if you ride the shore, weight isn't an issue.I promise that after 1 ride you will be addicted to this tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rimpy Reeveland
a Downhiller
from Moab Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
The backyard trail @ the A-frame
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Moab Cyclery
Strengths:
These are the fattest of the fat! We had 'em way back in in '98 & people freaked. Just check the Feb. '99 issue of Bike. The A-framers & Karpiel are prophets!
Weaknesses:
Lame riders say they can't pedal 'em. What, are you using 'em for XC? You'll corner & brake so much better you practically won't NEED to pedal!
Similar Products Used:
Too many to list
Bike Setup:
Huffy chopper with 18" travel front & rear, made of 1/4" thick cro-mo tubing with a roll-cage, beer holder, and built-in bong.
Bottom Line:
Whiners SHADDUP. In 2 more years you'll swear by 'em.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Crazy Bit$#
a Weekend Warrior
from NY Date Reviewed: March 15, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
The internet
Strengths:
This review is for the Gazz 2.1 -Awesome traction in all conditions -BEEFY,BEEFY,BEEFY -Fits all frames
Weaknesses:
-Not a lightweight tire -Not cheap
Similar Products Used:
IRC Mythos XC,Panaracer Fire XC
Bike Setup:
Surly 1x1,GAZZ 2.1 F&R,Rhyno Lites,Phil Wood singlespeed rear hub,XT front hub,Shimano 646 pedals,Avid 2.5's & Speed Dial levers,Truvativ Stylo SS cranks,Kore Lite 3 stem,Titec Hellbent DH bar,Thompson seatpost,Specialized BG saddle--built it up myself
Bottom Line:
The best tire ever.Put 'em on my Surly and loved them since day one.Good performance in all conditions.Nokian makes one kickass tire!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brendan
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC Date Reviewed: September 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
NorthShore
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
Big Big Tire. Low pressure.
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
IRC Kujo
Bike Setup:
Norco VPS-2, Z1 QR20, Hayes etc..
Bottom Line:
Big tire yeah yeah.. big big tire.
This tire adds tons of traction and control to the front end of my VPS. Head size rocks, rooted water falls, hickers, etc are no issue when you have a 3.0. The only problem is I have to stop all the time to pick out the bunnies stuck in the tread. :)
Great freeride tire if you don't mind a 1.5kg tire on your bike.
So far i'm totaly happy with my honk'n tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AL'S FATTY
a
from 3R Date Reviewed: September 4, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
UNPARALLED TRACTION BUILT LIKE A SHERMAN TANK LOW PRESSURE? YOU BET YOUR A$$
Weaknesses:
GRIPS TOO GOOD? NAAAAA
Similar Products Used:
INTENSE, IRC, TIOGA, PANARACER, WTB
Bike Setup:
A GAZZ HERE, A LITTLE GAZZ THERE, PERFECT!
Bottom Line:
THE ULTIMATE TIRE!! TRACTION-O-PLENTY. THE TRACTION MASTER. MR. TRACTION HEAD. THE KING OF THE TRACTION GODS. GRIPS BETTER THAN A 3 WEEK STARVED BOA CONSTICTOR IN A PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUND AT RECESS!!! I'M CONVINCED THAT THIS TIRE HAS LITTLE MAGNETS IN IT THAT PULL TOWARDS THE EARTH'S CORE. YOU ALMOST DON'T NEED A TUBE OR AIR. IT SUPPORTS ITSELF! I RUN ABOUT 20 LBS. OF INSAINLY LOW PRESSURE AND GUESS WHAT, NO PINCH FLATS, NOT EVEN A ONE! WEARS REALLY WELL TOO. THIS THING LOOKS LIKE A CAR TIRE ON THE INSIDE. BOMBER CONSTRUCTION!!! A DOWNHILLER/FREERIDER MUST HAVE. "MOMMY, CAN I HAVE A GAZZOLODDI FOR X-MAS?" YEAH BABY!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cosmo
a Weekend Warrior
from LA Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
width, ton's of traction!! This tire takes all the fear away going downhill and weighs less than the intense 2.7's.
Weaknesses:
diameter is too large on some rims. Bomber forks need arch replacement to make this tire fit. It fits my manitou but the tire hits the crown on full compression cause the diameter's too large
Similar Products Used:
intense 2.7, tioga factory DH2.3, specialized Evil Twin 2.3, gazaloddi jr 2.6, maxxis high roller 2.5
If you're looking for the ultimate in traction, look no further. Only caution is to use a 28mm or wider rim or the diameter increased from the smaller rims may give you problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Ferstl
a Downhiller
from Fresno,Ca,USA Date Reviewed: March 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
willow creek@Bass Lake
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
First off the tire I'm reviewing is the gazzi jr 2.6, 1. size 2.sidewall strength
Weaknesses:
heavy, needs low air pressure to work good, barely fits in a 99 Z1
Similar Products Used:
IRC missile and IRC KUDJO
Bike Setup:
5 inch outland vpp5 with a 5 inch Z1 bam up front 2.6 gazzi jr in front and 2.35 irc kudjo in the rear
Bottom Line:
The tire is bigger so the bumbs get smaller. It leans very well, very trustworthy. This tire as long as you don't go uphill I promise will make you faster. The tire I run at a cautious 28psi, other dudes run less. But with the lower air pressure and the tires size it has like an inch and a half of shock absorbing powers it will smooth out the trail and mack it seem easy good for all conditions I've done em all. Sloppy mud in the rain, tacky and moist, to done dry. Bottom line if you can't fit the 3.0 like me buy the 2.6 and you will be a faster more confident rider. BUT cross country gets harder so I dock it one chili.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hick dh
a Downhiller
from canada Date Reviewed: March 4, 2000
Favorite Trail:
anything that goes down
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
SOOOOOOO much traction. I have this tire on the front of my bike and I tried to skid this tire today and all my bike will do is endo. Incredible braking abilities. Stiff side walls, not as hard as other dh tires to put on the rim. shreads the trail when you corner hard. I will definatly buy more of these when the time comes.
If traction is your target, set your sights on a gazza 3.0 you will be pleased.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff Nicholls
a downhiller
from Wellington, New Zealand Date Reviewed: June 1, 1998
Bottom Line:
I ride a Foes Weasel, Foes F1 fork and Formula discs, Snocat 44mm rims with a Nokian Gazzaloddi 3.0 front tyre and an IRC Missile 2.35 on the back (while I wait for my rear Gazzaloddi to arrive). The terrain I ride is usually cheese-grater (clay/small stone aggregate) and fire-roads.The front Gazza is so far ahead of the rear 2.35 Missile that it's scary! And I like the Missile! I ride our local tracks with the seat on the Weasel all the way down ie we don't pedal sitting down at all. With the Tioga DH seat being almost a motocross seat, I basically run it into the corner, sit down, roll the bike into the turn and hold it down there with my knee on the frame. The Gazza gives so much grip, and I can lean it so far, that the tyre was chewing on my outside leg's knee protector when the fork was getting near full compression! I can't wait for the rear to arrive, it's a whole new level of speed, not just an incremental step. I found the limit on the front but the breakaway characteristic is actually pretty good. Once I found the limit I found I could sneak up on it with heaps of confidence.I'm unsure about it's effectiveness on the silly 3mph downhill trials-riding DH courses I've seen lately but the 6-ply casing means you can just run over anything so it should still be pretty good. I'm running 15 pounds of air (they recommend less than 29!) and it's like having an extra inch of suspension travel.I'm not having to slow down through skittery off-cambers because of my tyres feeling a bit sketchy. I'm really noticing the increase in pedalling time mainly due to the later braking and higher corner speed. I can brake so much later and harder with the Nokian that the Formula disc pump-up problem (I have the old style reservoirs) hardly even shows itself now. The brake has more time to cool, gets used for shorter durations and isn't feathered through ticklish sections to control speed. What with the higher corner speed and the later braking, I seem to spend more time hanging around between corners and I figure I may as well be pedalling (I really don't like pedalling...).It really needs the wide rim, 44mm or thereabouts to give it a good footprint. It's also easier with disc brakes as I've heard of people having problems with v-brake clearance.An excellent product and an ENORMOUS step forward in speed and control!
$ 55.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
