I really like these tires,and my front tire used to wash out, untill, I started running to around 25-28 PSI in the front, and 30-35 in the rear,and Iam about 175/180pounds,I switched the direction of the front tire,as well, becouse if you look at the front tire track,the way they the direction is supposed to be,its running in the wrong direction, in the dirt? Hum' jest something for you all, to ponder??
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Submitted by
mycisco
a Weekend Warrior
from Novato, CA, USA Date Reviewed: October 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Annadel, Tamarancho
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Excellent grip, fast cornering, predictible, outstanding traction when climbing thanks to rear tread pattern, $35 for front and rear on Ebay!
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
IRC, Tioga
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Heckler
Bottom Line:
These tires are fast and stable on rocky and soft single track. They hold the line well through rock gardens and handle switch backs crazy fast when properly inflated. The rear tire will climb up the side of a building. It has tons of traction. I've never rode a better rear tire. I recommend inflating the front to no more than 35-40psi. When I had it inflated to 50psi, I washed out in a loose switch back on my second ride and did a killer stomach slide. I almost gave up on the tires, but decided to lower the psi to 40 and try again. It made a world of difference. Now my SC rips through the switch backs, and I haven't had any hint of a washout. I've read people complaining of washing out, but by my experience they probably overinflated the front. I don't think the outside tread makes solid contact at higher psi's. I only wish they made them a little wider (more for cosmetic effect), but I plan to buy them again when these are worn out.
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Submitted by
SRautio
a Weekend Warrior
from Duluth, MN, USA Date Reviewed: October 8, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Peidmont
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
www.pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Unbelievable Traction
Weaknesses:
weight? The pictures do not due them justice. The lugs are HUGE!
I waited untill I ran these tires for a year before expressing my opinions. When I first bought them I was suprised at how aggresive the tread pattern was and had reservations about lugging around these big heavy tires. However after experiencing the incredible traction I was hooked. After a year of rolling around on these I am very happy with them and for the average mountain biker the weight is not a big issue (Hey put down the big mac.... step away... ) I am not sure why people keep picking on the front tire... it rocks. Over the past year I have ridden these tires on every type of terrain. Road, trail, singletrack, cross country ski trail, paved trail and downhill course.
If you are riding trails bottom line: Buy them you will love it!
If you are riding roads and improved trails, do not buy a trail tire and complain about its "road" performance. Period.
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Submitted by
silkybeaver
a Weekend Warrior
from Cato, WI Date Reviewed: September 19, 2008
6500 Trek frame. Mavic EX729 rims. WTB Velociraptor, on the rear 2.24 Moto Raptor on the front. Avid BB7 disk brakes. RaceFace Evolve DH crankset. Easton Monkey bar handlebar, and easton stem. Thomson Elite Seatpost.
Bottom Line:
This is a review for only the rear Velociraptor tire. This tire hooks up with anything you ride on. The only time I spin with this tire is when I do a little mud run while I climbing a hill. But when they slip its not a complete spin out, they slip a little then gain the raction right back. I will definately continue wrapping my rear rim with the Velociraptor. This is the best value you will get on a MTB tire.
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Submitted by
kavevey
a Cross Country Rider
from Vevey Date Reviewed: September 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
locals
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Came on the bike
Strengths:
Durability, price, versatility, mud, all condition.
Weaknesses:
Wet asphalt. As they can stay look like new you are not sure about their ability performance.
Great Choice but from some reason i feel 'parveh' with them. Its like they are doing great job but nothing excited. I believe they can perform great on a XC light bike. I will recommend it as they do the job. I have ordered new pair to try with my Seven softtail Terese as my Armadilo are still new but 3 years old.
I rank them 4 as they don't give excitements. If possible to have them for $50 pair then they are the best value for money.
The new ones i have for $50 pair by JensonUSA.
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Submitted by
XCkiller
a Weekend Warrior
from north royalton ohio Date Reviewed: September 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
west branch
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
rear tire excells in climbing, and tricky terrain, it does great when it comes to getting traction in rock gardens covered with moss
Weaknesses:
front tire washes out quite easily
Similar Products Used:
kenda klaw
Bike Setup:
Ibex ignition super w/ manitou relic fork
Bottom Line:
best rear tire around without a doubt imo, the front tire isn't horrible, it just seems to wash out more than i would like I rate the back tire a 5 and the front a 3
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Submitted by
NA1NSXR
a Cross Country Rider
from Tustin, CA Date Reviewed: August 20, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
True all-round performer, predictable, no glaring weaknesses, comes F/R/3 bead choices
Weaknesses:
Is rarely "perfect" for a certain climate, slightly heavy compared to modern 2.1 selection, only comes in 2.1?
Similar Products Used:
Other WTB, Continentals
Bottom Line:
Since these tires come as OEM equipment on many new bikes people tend to avoid them erraneously thinking theyre not a valid choice for serious MTBers. However, over the last 10 years I have found that these tires work well in more conditions for more people than anything else on the market by far. This tire has no weaknesses - it is at least acceptable in any situation. The only drawback to this is that since people rarely change the climate/area they ride in, people may opt for a more specialized tire that fits their area better. You really cannot go wrong with these tires though. Another plus is that these tires seem to lose traction gradually instead of suddenly. It took awhile to admit it to myself, but swiotching to a more agressive and higher rated tire by the magazines left me with a noticably worse performing tire.
I have been lured away by the promises made by other tires for a couple sets now. My next set will probably be the top of the line Velociraptors though.
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Submitted by
AndysTrek
a Cross Country Rider
from E-Town, Ky Date Reviewed: August 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Otter Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
BlueSkyCycling
Strengths:
AMAZING traction. Very smooth transitions, great rolling speed. The front tire does a great job of providing stability and following the line before it. No wash outs! whoohoo!
Weaknesses:
Found them to be a little bouncy, took the psi through the entire range. Not sure if this could be due to being so new, but regardless, it performed excellent.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Jones, WTB Weirwolfs
Bike Setup:
Trek 4500, some stuff on it.
Bottom Line:
Awesome ride. Completely transformsany bike you put them on. The front tire is great at tracking around corners, and does its job no how matter how much English you throw into the bike. The back tire really gives you confidence, whether you've ridden that portion of the trail or not. Single problem i had was on a few damp roots, the back tire spun to the side. More due to gear selection I'm thinking, and it was only for a split second. Other than that one time, the dang thing would hook up and track all the way to the top. Definately dug going down the hills on packed dirt. Never had a slip in it. A little bit more effort required than the ole Bontragers, but they were garbage. Rather give a little more oomph in return for a bucketload of stability. Not quite the mountain tire the Weirwolf was, but that's not what this tire was built for. Still gives it a hell of a run for its money....
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Submitted by
bluryvison
a Cross Country Rider
from Blacksburg, VA, Date Reviewed: June 8, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Brush Mountain
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$28.00
Purchased At:
Dicks Sporting Goods
Strengths:
Excellent grip, very durable, proven design
Weaknesses:
Can't take them on the road
Similar Products Used:
WTB MotoRaptors
Bottom Line:
These are great tires for cross-country or downhill riding. I have used them in all sorts of trail conditions and they handle great. They are really good when it is wet because they clear mud so easily so you are not riding with an extra 5 pounds of earth in the tread. I would recommend these to anyone who needs a good all around off-road tire and never plans to use them on pavement.
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Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Van Nuys, CA Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Back tire grips like nothing else I've ridden. Front tire keeps my face out of the dirt. I will ride nothing else on the back wheel until they are unavailable. I have ridden other front tires that work as well as this one but for aesthetics I ride WTB Velociraptor front and rear
Weaknesses:
Not for road use. I ride 3 miles of road to get to my trails and these are loud and slow on the road (and they wear out a lot quicker).
Bike Setup:
07 SJ FSR Elite
Bottom Line:
This tire if for you if you need to grip the trail on the long slick climb. This tire is not for you if you ride 5 miles of concrete to get onto two miles of dry packed dirt.
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Submitted by
KiwiJames
a Racer
from Lafayette,CA Date Reviewed: April 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Flume w/back country loop
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Bluesky
Strengths:
The rear Velociraptor has been my main tire for over 8 yrs...the dual direction tread design for mud/dry is great. The rear sheds clay/mud well. A good climbing tire. Front...see below...
Weaknesses:
Rear is the best. Front...can wash out more than other front tires (especially in mud), doesn't hold well on side sloping trails or rutted single tracks. On a good hit, the front tire will compress severely and stay's funky until you give it more rebound in the shock.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer XC Fire...and numerous years of WTBs
Bike Setup:
GF Sugar 1, Juicy, XT, X717, RS SID Race on both ends.
Bottom Line:
I will continue to ride the rear design until they don't make it. The front has more competent competition.
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Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Chesterfield, VA Date Reviewed: March 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Buttermilk trail, Pocahontas State Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$36.00
Purchased At:
Pedals, Chains, and Things
Strengths:
Great bite while cornering, kills deep mud, and the pinch flat resistance is AMAZING. I've bent rims, hit tough rocks, and did some hard drops with these treads on, but no matter what I did, I could NOT get a pinch flat with these on 'em!
Weaknesses:
I'm not even gonna say rolling resistance. It's a given with any MTB tire. I'd say the only weakness is... if you're absolutely, desperately trying to get a pinch flat with these, I doubt you will.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
2007 Gary Fisher KaiTai with upgraded manitou rockshox front fork-100mm travel, clipless pedals, climbing bars.
Bottom Line:
These tires are amazing for dirt riding. the traction is exceptional, and at best, you can climb steep, dirty grades with as much grace as a salsa dancer, without losing any traction. Hard cornering almost becomes a natural ability, even for the beginner, and these tires have the durability of an M1A1 tank.
If you're looking to ride XC, beginner dirt jumper, or just looking for a great tire for the price... Get these!
Just make sure you get them with the kevlar wall... then you'll literally be ten feet tall and bulletproof!!!
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Submitted by
C. P.
a Weekend Warrior
from SF Bay Area Date Reviewed: February 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Water Dog
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Tough as hell. Great grip. Hundreds of good reviews here!
Weaknesses:
Rolling resistance.
Similar Products Used:
Too may to list
Bike Setup:
Giant XTC.
Bottom Line:
I started using these tires when trails started to get wet every weekend, and my Panaracer FireXcPro's started to clog up. These tires are great off-road tires. Though as hell, grip great, and they clear sticky, thick mud sufficiently for me to use as a winter tire. Downside, rolling resistance is high, obviously. Loud on the road, where the rolling resistance is even higher. But come on! You don't buy tires like this if you plan to ride on pavement very often. Not the cheapest tires out there, but not even close to the most expensive. Great price for what you get. TRY'EM!!!
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Submitted by
Mike Sweum
a Racer
from Sioux city,Iowa Date Reviewed: January 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Stone Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Climbing grip is amazing, front corners well. No flats yet! Price is awesome
Weaknesses:
Weight about 700 grams a piece-but hey you cant have performance like this and have ultrlow weight at the same time.Not made to be on pavement-some reviewers dont understand that concept.RIDE THEM ON TRAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Irc,continental
Bike Setup:
F600 cannondale with all the goodies
Bottom Line:
I wanted to do a follow up review on these tires because I think they are that good.These tires I have raced with many times including two 24 hour solo races and Im telling you these things inspire confidence like nothing else.Climbing is freakin incredible and they just wont wash out.While other racers are walking hills I am riding them.Many of my friends that ride with me have converted over to them and wish they had sooner.The performance of these tires far outweigh the weight of these tires.You might be slower on the asphalt but once you hit trail you will easily hammer past the person who got to the trail head first.THESE TIRES KICK ASS!! BUY THEM
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Submitted by
matt
a
from Hburg IL USA Date Reviewed: December 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Yours
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Bottom Line:
Once I made a mistake and sold a bike with my rear velocapator. I still had a front one of these on my bike for years and found that recently the wire bead had broke so I bought a front and rear set and took off the Ritchey I was using in the back. The difference was noticiable immediatly.
Its no suprise that most of the riders around here may have switched to bigger front tires but kept their Veloca rear tires, nothing works better in the rocks, mud, roots, sand that is the shawnee national forest. Both front and rear have great grip. The tire is cheap and lasts, what more could you want.
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Mooresville, NC Date Reviewed: October 23, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
blueskycycling.com
Strengths:
GRIP! Tough, great control. I dont believe there is a better tire for the price out there. BUY THEM!
Weaknesses:
A bit slower rolling than the Kendas I used before but that is more than out weighed by the grip and enhanced control these tires provide. I did have a thorn punch through between the nobbs on the rear tire that became a flat the next day. Not much chance of that happening often. Just changed my tube before I went out and it was all good.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Claw, Bontrager Jones-ac
Bottom Line:
This is a fantastic price on a fantastic tire. They have saved my tail on several occasions. Im not a racer but my lap times have improved greatly since puting these tires on because, dispite abit slower rolling speed, the grip of these tires pulls you through the turns faster= higher gears= less speed shed= faster times. I am 230lbs so I need tough components and I havent had a pinch flat yet with these. Most people's weaknesses for this product have to do with pavement. Just stick to the trails and your money. Great XC tire
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Submitted by
A
a Cross Country Rider
from Springfield, VA Date Reviewed: October 13, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Pricepoint, Nashbar
Strengths:
Tough, beefy design is good for huge variety of terrain
Similar Products Used:
Michelin Wildgrippers, steel belted VelociRaptor
Bike Setup:
hardtail
Bottom Line:
Arguably one of the most important parts of any mountain bike is its tires since they touch the ground (until you fall, but that's a different story), yet they seem to get overall less attention than the newest, coolest space age parts always coming to the market. You need good tires, it's that simple. Semi slicks are probably better for dry pavement, and they are at least a couple models with slightly better mud performance, but nothing has the all around/go anywhere reliability of these classics. A little heavy, and pretty loud on pavement, but, remember, they are mountain bike tires. Get a pair of folding VelociRaptors and go for a ride, you'll see!
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Submitted by
Justin Roberts
a Weekend Warrior
from Windsor, VT, USA Date Reviewed: October 12, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Wet Ridge Run
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Tom Mowatts
Strengths:
Awesome grip and rolling resistance.
Weaknesses:
Back tire wore out after 1500 miles or so. I'd hardly call it a weakness.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Armadillo knobbys & Enduros
Bottom Line:
These are an amazing tireset. They give you control and grip with a moderately low rolling resistance. I used them on loose gravel, dirt, road. They don't handle the best in mud unless you reverse the rear tire's tread. Now I need to find myself a new pair
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Submitted by
Billy
a Cross Country Rider
from RI Date Reviewed: October 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Big River
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Knob design and placement
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Klaw XT, IRC Mythos XC
Bike Setup:
6061 & 7005 Al Hardtails 80-100 mm travel
Bottom Line:
I have always run front and rear specific tires to handle the rocky, rooty NE trails. I also do some shoreline riding and find they handle all but the loosest sand. I ride year round and find they cut through and quickly shed the mud, slush and snow. I was running Kendas but they were not available in a 26" size when replacement time came so I switched to the IRCs (blackwall aramids). When it came time for rear replacements the blackwalls were out of stock so I bought rustwalls. Within a few weeks, I had sidewall blowouts on six tires. I then bought the WTBs; the most important difference I found was the rear center knobs were offset which gives increased bite -especially in the corners- resulting in better braking and acceleration. Also, the slighly longer knobs on the front result in better steering traction.
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Submitted by
Manda guevos
a Cross Country Rider
from Madrid
$ 48.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating: