Submitted by
Bruce Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Des Moines
Date Reviewed: 3/4/2007 9:04:09 AM
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| Duration Product Used: |
2 Years |
| Strengths: |
This is the gold standard mud tire. Bar none. This is the tool for riding in slop. With the right air pressure, you can climb up stuff that everyone else is walking. |
| Weaknesses: |
Not the greatest volume - if that is a weakness, but the knobs make up for it in spades. |
| Similar Products Tried: |
As far as what I've tried in mud for 29"ers: Nevegals. ACX. Notos. XR 1.8's. Nanoraptors. |
| Bike Setup: |
I've used them on my Dos for riding and racing. |
| Bottom Line: |
If I want to stay upright and climb in mud - I reach for these and dial in the air pressure. Until I find something better for mud, I will recommend these to all for the performance factor. I actually raced them in 3 races last year as it seemed rain always surrounding a lot of our state series races. Either the day before, the day of or during the race. I was laughing at how well these hooked up and climbed and one steep and muddy race. I was planning on walking up the steeps, but the Klaws dug in and took me up every climb with good steady tempo while seated. Not my favorite tire for dry conditions, but when mud, leaves and nasty is involved - these get mounted on my bike. |
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Submitted by
Stefan Griebel
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO, 80303
Date Reviewed: 12/21/2006 11:51:26 AM
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| FavoriteTrail: |
The Colorado Trail |
| Duration Product Used: |
1 Year |
| Price Paid: |
$35 |
| Purchased At: |
University Bikes, Boulder |
| Strengths: |
Knobbilicous! Great in the mud. Perfect for homemade studded tire. Surprisingly lightweight also. |
| Weaknesses: |
Rear tire didn't seem to give me as good of traction on roots and rocks as I was expecting. |
| Similar Products Tried: |
Bontrager Jones, Exiwolves, Nanoraptors, Motoraptors, Conti Vapor Pro |
| Bike Setup: |
Mooto-X YBB with Maverick SC-32 |
| Bottom Line: |
The Klaw XT front makes a perfect homemade studded tire for both front and back. Before I studded it, it felt great in corners, but also felt to be a bit of a slow roller. |
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Submitted by
GlowBoy
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland OR
Date Reviewed: 12/20/2006 4:44:35 PM
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| FavoriteTrail: |
Lost in oregon |
| Duration Product Used: |
More than 3 years |
| Price Paid: |
$30 |
| Purchased At: |
Speedgoat, River City Bicycles (LBS), Kenda direct |
| Strengths: |
THE best mud tire out there, at least until recently. Awesome grip in wet conditions, sheds mud decently, and is a very good all rounder, gripping well no matter what you're riding in. 620-650g weight is pretty good for a tire of this type. |
| Weaknesses: |
Rolls like a full knobby, though better than most dedicated mud tires. Not that big in volume, though noticeably bigger than the Karma 1.9 |
| Similar Products Tried: |
Bontrager XR, Bontrager ACX, Kenda Karma 1.9, Kenda Klaw, Kenda Khan, Maxxis Ignitor, Panaracer Rampage, Schwalbe Black Jack 1.9, WTB ExiWolf, WTB Nanoraptor, and too many smaller 700c tires to count. |
| Bike Setup: |
- Surly Karate Monkey, currently 3sp hub commuter.
- Vulture custom 29" SS EBB hardtail.
- Lenz Sport Leviathan 29"x3" full suspension. |
| Bottom Line: |
This is my rear TIRE OF CHOICE for my 29"ers. I ride in wet conditions much of the year, and have yet to ride a comparable tire. Its grip in wet conditions is simply fantastic, and when you do push it to its limit it is very controllable, giving you enough warning to allow you to modulate the power and stay on the bike. In dry conditions it is STILL one of the best rear tires I've used. Very good in rocks and gravel. The front version is also excellent, but I haven't been able to determine that it's any better than the Ignitor. 5 chilis overall, and 5 for value because you it works so well in so many different conditions.
Buy it if: you ride in wet conditions, or just want a good all-rounder, especially if you're a singlespeeder and need to maintain traction in back up loose climbs (wet or dry). Skip it if: you're looking for big volume or a fast racing tire. |
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