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Average Rating
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3.95/5
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# of Reviews
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113
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MSRP
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$ 40.00
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Weight
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More Products from Panaracer
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Description:Building on the concept of Fire, TrailBlaster incorporates a completely new and proprietary compound that provides outstanding grip with excellent durability. Add tremendous weight savings, and you have what could possibly be the next XC tire king. Weighing in at a mere 520g for the 2.1, 460g for the 1.95, and an astounding 400g for the 1.8, the TrailBlaster gives you a FULL tread, FULL knobby tire that performs in all conditions, all the time. No whimpy tread and fast wear here. Just solid, long lasting tread that performs they way you need it to.
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Submitted by
Tweebler
a Cross Country Rider
from Brookvale, PEI, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | McConnell Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Jensons | | Strengths: | good traction as a back tire | | Weaknesses: | Fit too loosely on rim - blow off front. | | Similar Products Used: | fire, velociraptor, miche, etc.etc. | | Bike Setup: | OCLV hardtail, zokes, XT, WTB, BB7 front disc... | | Bottom Line: | I am surprised there are not more comments about how unsafe these are, especially as a front tire. I have had the tire roll off the front rim (Sun UFO) twice with the tube billowing out like putrifying bratwurst. Luckily was slow speed. A friend also had this tire do the same thing - scary if going downhill rapidly. They go on and come off without levers and quite simply, the kevlar bead is too loose. Too bad because, otherwise, seems like a great tread pattern for New England, Maritimes Canada conditions. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Landwehr
a
from Brasilia DF Brazil
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Unibike - BrasÃlia | | Strengths: | Very light, great traction, cornering, works well in all conditions and terrains | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | several | | Bike Setup: | Astro Neptune, fork Manitou Skareb,rear shock Manitou SPV
XT group Disc Brakes M595 wheels | | Bottom Line: | Used for a while and tried others. I found no match
They are affordable and perfdect to all levels of XC | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Sta. Rosa, Philippines
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Mud shedding capabilities, cornering, technical climbing, wear | | Weaknesses: | None i could thinkg of | | Similar Products Used: | Nevegal, Nokian NBX, Velociraptor, Leader Pro etc. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Hei Hei Ti. | | Bottom Line: | Great XC tires. Rolls fast in any condition, bites into mud substrate, Tracks and corners well | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from MA
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Chaos | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | light, good climbing traction on rocks, low rolling resistance | | Weaknesses: | weak sidewall, terrible front tire due to severe cornering washout | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | 1994 Cannondale Super V(can't seem to let it go) | | Bottom Line: | Great rear tire for XC. I have used the 1.95 and 2.1 in the rear with success in the past. They offer light-weight traction for technical climbing. On the front they are just horrible. The may roll faster in front, but they just cannot corner without washing out.
I have changed these out in favor of the Cinder front and rear. My main riding trail has changed from technical XC to a more rocky/downhill type trail. This required a wider tire to handle lower pressures and the Cinder fits the bill. I still use the TrailBlaster when I rider the technical XC trails. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Hong
a Weekend Warrior
from Woody Hills
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cheesebro Sulphur Springs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Huge Footprint, thanks in part to my wider 28mm rims, good corner knobs and pretty light for an all-around Cross Country Tire. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Bike Setup: | 321AM Rims, MX Pro Fork, Hardtail, XC Rise Bar | | Bottom Line: | Good tire so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Fast (2.1), supple, responsive, very good cornering, very few puntures (mainly probs with the tubes), soft compound makes them grippy in all but the worst conditions, good wear have used them daily on and off road for 4 years. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | ritchey xc tyres | | Bike Setup: | xc bianchi | | Bottom Line: | These are predictable xc tyres. I emphise the word xc. As I said I use 2.1 which are probaly the best for all round riding. They are still very fast. I have found no problems with pinch flats. Obviously these tyres will wear quickly on roads they are soft compound, which means you stick to the surface like glue off and on road. I have even scaled a number of sandy slopes. These tyres require Finesse not brute force. They are quality kit that works in a fit and forget way. Totally brillant tyres. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
will ross
a Cross Country Rider
from anchorage, alaska, USA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | heckle tooth | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | performance bike | | Strengths: | Good cornering, good climbing, good stopping, Just good. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | maxxis ignitor | | Bike Setup: | sanvic ti hardtail, avid ultimate rim brakes, sram X9, rock shox sid | | Bottom Line: | best tire i have ever used. i used them for 2 years and they were only worn out a little, then i switched to the maxxis ignitor for 3 months until they became semi slicks. So i put my trailblasters back on switching front and rear, and they are almost the same as they were new. same cornering, same climbing, same stopping. they are just a good tire. if you are into racing go with the 1.95 if you do anyting else go with the 2.1. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tomas
a Weekend Warrior
from So Ore-gone
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Jedi | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Lightweight, roll pretty fast. | | Weaknesses: | Wear quickly, slide on turns, spin when climbing on most any surface. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager jones and semi, Mythos, Geax (now those were some horrible tires!) WTB Velo and Exi, et cetera. | | Bike Setup: | 26 lb. full susp cross country/trail, v-brakes on ceramic | | Bottom Line: | They wore out fast for an older guy who's not hard on gear. Once I replaced the front with another brand,it was clear that the rear just couldn't keep up. When cornering, it would slide out (at about 35psi for 150 lb rider)and the front would keep on tracking, thereby saving me from being body slammed into the poison oak. Any technique used while climbing out of the saddle still results in wheelspin, even on east coast bulletproof hardpack. The're lighter that most of what's out there, straightline speed is good with adequate flat protection, so racers with unlimited tire budgets might like them best. Get a bunch of 'em on sale and replace after every ride. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Mendham
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Anywhere | | Strengths: | Durable, does the job | | Weaknesses: | Wear out quick. | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer XC Pro | | Bike Setup: | Blur, full XTR. Nuff' said. | | Bottom Line: | I run the Trailblaster on the rear, Fire XC Pro on the front. That works. No complaints other than at times I notice the rear wears quicker than when I ran it with full Fire XC's front and back. I've tried so many other tires, WTB Velocoraptors too heavy, IRC crap, you name it. These tires are the best, period. If your serious about XC I would NOT recommend putting the Trail Blaster on the front however. Wipe out baby. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Prescott, Arizona, USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | light weights, big side nobs | | Weaknesses: | looks narrow | | Similar Products Used: | panaracer fire xc pro. wtb mutano raptor 2.24 | | Bike Setup: | giant trance | | Bottom Line: | I just switched from the fire xc pro's to the trail blaster and I cannot tell any difference in the ride. They seem to corner just as well and may climb a little better. I ride mostly hard pack, some sand and rock and they seem great not much mud here is Arizona so I do not know how they handle when wet. So far a great light weight tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Fleming
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM, USA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | lightweight, low rolling resistance | | Weaknesses: | lack of traction, susceptible to washing out... | | Similar Products Used: | Fire XC Pro | | Bottom Line: | This tire is a good choice for buff trails particularly when racing. It handles fairly well but lacks really good traction when cornering (1.95 width) and is susceptible to washing out in loose stuff. The tread seems agressive enough, but just doesn't bite like the Fire series of tires by Panaracer and doesn't lock up on the big rocks as well either. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Scheiding
a Cross Country Rider
from Travers City, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Vasa Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bike | | Strengths: | Outstanding grip.Sticks like glue and rails corners like a ferarri. Super lightweight. Look good too. | | Weaknesses: | 1.8 is quite narrower then expected. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8900 sl. Sid world cup fork. | | Bottom Line: | Best tire I have ever used period. Climbs like nothing else, corners even better. I could not be happier with my purchase. I bought another set in 2.1 for my full suspension bike. To top it off. the 1.8's cost me 15 a piece. This tire is worth way more. Id gladly pay 30 plus if I had too knowing how well they work now. Buy it , love it, forget about it, the last thing you will think about on a trail will be your tires. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luis Villanueva
a Cross Country Rider
from Juarez, Mexico
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Franklin Moutain "El Monje" | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | beyond bikes | | Strengths: | Very light, excelent grip, strong enought for XC, I feel more confortable Up hill since I try these tires. | | Weaknesses: | A little thin | | Similar Products Used: | For me this is unique | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kikapu 05, Fox Float RP3, Minute 2:00 100mm, FSA Carbon Crank,UST Mavic Croosland rims, Disc Brakes Hayes, Thomson layback seat post, Selle San Marcos, XTR the rest.... | | Bottom Line: | Just put No tubes and the tires never loose air, excelent tire for all type of terrain, I tried a lot of tires, Phyton, Michelin, Maxxis, and this is the tire that I feel right for me.......100% | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
UtahMTBeer
a Cross Country Rider
from Sandy, UT
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Wasatch Crest, Slickrock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Excellent grip, light weight, very good in loose rock | | Weaknesses: | Not tested but it does not look like a good front wheel tire., fast wear | | Similar Products Used: | Kenda Karma, Fire XC Pro, Bontrager Jones AC | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur, XT serup, front Continenetal Vertical Protection 2.3, back Panaracer Trailblaster 2.1, other setup-irrelevent | | Bottom Line: | I can't understand the bad reviews here but for me this tire works really good. I have Continental Vertical PROtection 2.3 (looks like a 2.1) in the front and the TrailBlaster in the back. I Putrchased my SC Blur and it came with very thin light Kenda Karma tires. Although very light and fast for hard pack racing I tore them up on my first trip to Moab. Then I got my Conti Vertical to the front (kept Kenda Karma in the back)and was still not satisfied with how I was able to climb loose rock and gravel especially on steep hills in races. My rear wheel would always slip. So one day I got mad and read all reviews under the sun , examined all tread patterns and decided to give TrailBlaster a try on my back wheel. I was immediately able to tell a difference in climbing and the grip I was getting. Solved the problem in loose dirt and rock. As far as I am concerned, this is one superior tire and when it wears out, I will most definitely purchase another one. I would not put it on the front wheel though since I think more knoby pattern is needed there. But with the combination with Fire XC pro in the front, it might be really good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick hutton
a Racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Look Cool, Worked well in all conditions, light tire! | | Weaknesses: | Compound is way to soft. Tires wear out very fast. Rubber is unpredictable. A giant weakspot developed in my tread (on the riding surface). Used stan's, no fix, now tire is garbage. | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin jet s ust, panaracer fire, irc mythos, smoke, dart, specialized roll x | | Bike Setup: | Custom build hardtail. XT drivetrain, thomson, hayes mag, mavic ust 3.1, egg beaters | | Bottom Line: | I have used the conventional tire with my ust rim. Nice and light but major wear and a lot of tear!!
The tire seems to be made of a really soft compound which wears out really fast (got one season out of them).
Good performance tire but for the money, they don't last long enough. If your running ust rims, use a ust tire. The extra weight saved is not worth the tire damage. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kayu
a Cross Country Rider
from Penang
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | I seems to agreed with Bob on the tires size. No wonder my Vetta V100HR never measure distance accurately, I nearly put a negative review on the computer. Never thought of the size of tyre is not accurate. I am using the 2.1, so now I will reset my wheelsize to 1.95 and see if the computer now measures correctly or not.
Will put 3 chilies (average) now.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a Cross Country Rider
from lebanon, oregon usa
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything fast and technical | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Stutzmans Bike/ Fly/ and Stove shop | | Strengths: | Looks cool and fast rolling, also very light. | | Weaknesses: | Even though these come with a pinch resistant bead they still pinch flat very easy. Also hard to find a terrain where they work well, a very sketchy tire. | | Similar Products Used: | IRC backcountry, Tioga xc pro fat 66 1.95, specialized team control/ master, WTB mutanoraptor 2.4/2.24. | | Bike Setup: | KHS 2002 FXT pro w/R.S.sid race shoch, R.S. Duke sl 100 fork, XT shifters, derailers, LX cassette, OdI lock on yeti grips, The fenders. (Trail blasters came stock on bike) | | Bottom Line: | These tires suck! I had high hopes for them but was let down big time! First of all they are very narrow, 2.1 measures 1.95/ and 1.95 measures a 1.85. These tires never felt right under my bike. I wouldn't even bother racing on them, they're too unpredictable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis Pedersen
a Racer
from Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Soquel Demo Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bike Outfitter | | Strengths: | Very light weight (only 400 grams!), and great price. A real bargain XC race tire. | | Weaknesses: | Probably won't last long or handle loose gravel or sharp rocks well. | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos XC, Specialized Team and Dirt, WTB Velociraptors, many others. | | Bike Setup: | 1998 Specialized Stumpjumper hardtail, all rebuilt after 20,000 miles. | | Bottom Line: | I bought these tires, in the 1.8 size with Kevlar bead, for XC race use. I wanted very light weight at a good price. These were an awesome choice at $18 and just 400 grams! I worried that I'd sacrifice too much handling with these, but I just finished my first XC race with these, and I'm very happy with them in all respects, so far anyway. Maybe winning my class improved my opinion of them too!
Here's how I judge gear: If I don't even have to think about the stuff while using it, it must be doing its job well. During this race I completely forgot I was running new tires.
These really felt a lot like my old favorites from Specialized, and somewhat like the IRC Mythos XCs, but more precise. The IRCs were a little squirmy at times, but the TrailBlasters just held their line in all trail conditions I encountered, like good Specializeds. Well, except for in soft beach sand, and no tire I've run could do that well.
The race course was in Fort Ord, near the Sea Otter Classic course by Monterey, and it had mostly sandy soil, moist hardpack, some minor mud, and loose beach sand. Some short, but very steep, climbs, but not a lot of roots or loose gravel. 15 miles and 1,500 feet of climbing. Not once did I think these tires weren't up to the task.
Over time, I'm certain these tires will wear out fast due to the shallow knobs. But since I only use them for races, they should last long enough. But I do think the thin sidewall is probably vulnerable to rock damage. It's also likely that their light construction means they will pinch-flat easier with heavier riders or on rocky trails. I would say heavier riders, or those who are more downhill oriented, or those who ride on nasty rocks or loose gravel a lot, should look for a heavier tire with taller knobs.
For me, in my area, these are perfect for the XC races I do. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from X, New Jersey
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | any I can find | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | They're round, black, and have logos on both sides. | | Weaknesses: | Read summary. | | Similar Products Used: | Too many to bother listing. | | Bike Setup: | Cove Stiffee w/Manitou Sherman | | Bottom Line: | I tried to like these tires. They're not cheap. And what about all the great reviews???
On the street - the noisiest tires I've ever ridden. MAD vibration (and I weigh 180). They wear FAST. Don't feel like a light, supple tire.
OK, you say they're off-road tires? I agree.
They're good for medium to hard-packed, relatively flat and dry terrain. Guess what? My Maxxis Hookworms work well in those conditions, too. Better, maybe. NO TREAD (well, teenie diamonds).
Uphill, they slip. Cornering, they slide. Over obstacles, they bottom out and don't grip. Downhill? Can't stop without rear sliding. Mud sticks to them as if they had tightly spaced knobs. What a horrible tire.
At high pressure (45-55 psi), they skitter all over.
At low pressure (30-40 psi), they get sluggish and bottom out.
Who the heck is writing these grand reviews?!
I don't think I've ever been this disappointed with a tire.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kayu
a Cross Country Rider
from Penang
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | SIM Cycle | | Strengths: | Light...Feel Good....Looks Good... | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson Python Gold Elite
Maxxis Larsen Oriflamme
Panaracer Dart Classic
Panaracer MACH SK | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS XTC Team
Avid Cable Disc
XTR RD-M960
XTR Cassette Ti
XTR Rapidfire
XT FD-M750
Easton EA-70 STEM
Thomson Seatpost
RockShox SID Team
TruVative Stylo Team Crankset
Mavic X221 Rim | | Bottom Line: | This is the best felt tyres that I ever used. It's light, spin well, feel good, and importantly when you ride on it, you feel that you are in control. I was hesitated before buying this due to the price is at the higher side, but I am satisfied with the price that I paid in exchange of the outstanding performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark e
a Cross Country Rider
from central va.
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Pocahontas | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | speed,traction,control,shedding of debris,weight,price,looks,footprint | | Weaknesses: | doesnt do well with Stans,only 500 miles (offroad)and they wear out | | Similar Products Used: | many WTB,Vittoria,Tiogas,Kendas | | Bike Setup: | DBR XTS-3 | | Bottom Line: | cheap,reliable,predictable,awesome tire.Ive used up my 2nd set now and would buy these again if they had not come out with the cinder.I have yet to find a condition that these tires did not laugh at.wet,dry,mud,rocks,sand,leaves,scree,logs,roots,creeks,name it these tires have conquered it here in Va. from the beach to the mts. and in between.if you want a reliable yet inexpensive tire get these.worth a lot more than I paid for them for sure | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Mendham, NJ
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$34.00 | | Purchased At: | Campmor | | Strengths: | Fast, well made | | Weaknesses: | Not recommended for front tire use | | Similar Products Used: | Fire XC | | Bike Setup: | Kickass race bike | | Bottom Line: | Had these on my ride for about 3 months now. Always rode the Fire XC, front and rear for years. Someone told me to try these out for the Fire XC's side treads tend to break. Well, the jury is out. You DONT want one on your front, only the rear. The tire is a little narrow, doesnt appear to be a 2.1 but they insist it is. When I had one on the front it was a disaster. Didnt hold up well on fast cornering. The rear is good. Sheds mud. Super quick. Does the job. Best setup is put a Fire XC on the front, this on the rear. Also, make sure you have the treads facing the right direction if you put one on. Makes a world of difference. Thats it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dakota coates
a
from halifax, nova scotia, canada
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | from a friend (new) | | Strengths: | looks, exelent up-hill traction and braking control, light | | Weaknesses: | road (vibrates a lot)and is noisy | | Similar Products Used: | specialized, maxxis. | | Bike Setup: | hard rock | | Bottom Line: | exelent all-round tire, exelent traction in mud and loose dirt. gives confidence in loose dirt and mud and braking | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AG Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville, KY
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Waverly | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa | | Strengths: | Excellent mud-shedder and for hard-packed singletrack. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't last long, sidewall worn to the white thread quickly. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Roll-x, WTB Wierwolf | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper Comp upgraded to XT, Truvativ stylo cranks, Black Sport Elite Fork, etc | | Bottom Line: | Small, knobbies, but great for shedding-mud; keeps rear-derailluer clean. Not good on wet roots or rocks. Good for packed, hard surfaces (lightweight). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gingerttoth shebangs
a Racer
from ringwood, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | palmer park, Colorado Springs | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Town Cycle, west milford, NJ | | Strengths: | Awesome traction | | Weaknesses: | the opposite of awesome traction | | Similar Products Used: | too many to list | | Bike Setup: | very fine race bike | | Bottom Line: | Those who crap on this tire have no clue what performance is all about. I can say that I have tried the fire xc pro and hated them though. These trailblaster 2.1 are the most impressive tires I have ever tried and raced on. You put more stress on your tires when racing than you could ever do just trailriding. And all I can say is that the tires are amazing. I have complete confidence in the front cornering at high speeds and the back grips amazingly when climbing, even in the wet. But they will slip on wet rock surfaces as will any tire. That's just commmon sense. You want performance these are it baby, matter of fact I'm going to by a set right f'in now. YEAH. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bjorndoggie Cruiser
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento CA, USofA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Forresthill Divide Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Internet | | Strengths: | Light, roll well. | | Weaknesses: | Not a lot of traction in loose stuff. Thin rubber casing. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Michelin, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Trick. | | Bottom Line: | Ok. I liked these tires because they roll easy and are light. Not the greatest traction, but acceptable. They're great in the winter because they shed mud very well. So I'm thinking I'll use these in the winter and maybe get some Fire XC's for summer. I don't think so. I washed my bike after a couple of rides this weekend and lo and behold my rear tire is showing threads all the way around down the middle of the tire. These tires don't have a lot of miles on them (knee surgury) and have 90 percent of the tread still on them. But the tire (rear) is shot and I really souldn't have been out on it. I guess a 520 gram full knobby tire is too good to be true. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
thetas
a Cross Country Rider
from virginia
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Purchased At: | CAMBRIA | | Strengths: | looks,price,traction,speed,cornering,braking,climbing traction | | Weaknesses: | puncture resistence,tread life | | Similar Products Used: | kenda,wtb,tioga,vitoria,panaracer,knock offs | | Bike Setup: | xs8500,magnum,prodigy,sun ds-2,profile,schwinn platforms,avid mechs,other upgrades | | Bottom Line: | this is my second set in a year and they have been a great tire in the water logged woods of va.hardpack here is softpack,the conering,braking,footprint,and uphill traction have been outstanding!solved the puncture problem with STANS notubes.will get these in a ust next maybe.the mud shedding has been excellent for me(name a color and type i been thru it)had to get a rear fender cuz it THROWS the mud off like a dog shaking off water.would i buy them again YES. would i recomend them NO(i dont want others to have the advantage i have ha ha)YES I WOULD IF I DONT RIDE AGAINST YOU.i see a lot of people give these tires a bad rap and that is a shame yet it is good for us that like them cuz there will be plenty for us when we want more.if it ever drys out the treadlife will get better here(rode the mt vernon trail and they were great)all this softpack granite is like sandpaper on the knobs.i blame the fireroad conditions and overall slop for the treadwear problems. buy em if you want a reliable tirefor overall conditions.no tire is perfect for all but this one is close | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt miller
a Racer
from Nazareth, pa
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | forget the name | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Curt's Cyclery | | Strengths: | light-400 grams for 1.8 | | Weaknesses: | skinny-i guess a 1.8 is | | Similar Products Used: | lots | | Bike Setup: | nrs, xtr stuff, magura martas, light stff | | Bottom Line: | these are sweet in mud and hardpack. u feel like you are on a road bike. this is good until you get to rocks, becouse the road bike feeling doesnt diminish totally. buy these if u want to be cool and fast. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a Cross Country Rider
from Macon, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oak Mountain, AL | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$26.00 | | Purchased At: | online and Bike Tech of Macon | | Strengths: | Works really well as a rear tire. Hooks up well after a little drift in the corners. | | Weaknesses: | The 2.1 size is more like a 1.8. The tread will not last very long at all. That sort of negates what looks like a realtively bargain tire. | | Similar Products Used: | Fire XC, Bontrager AC, | | Bike Setup: | Klein hardtail, semi zooted. | | Bottom Line: | I rode the Fire XCs a long time and dug them. A really muddy race last spring led me to want something that would drop the mud better, though, so I tried some Trailblasters.
Like I said above, the 2.1 size is nowhere near it. It looks significantly narrower. If you are used to the sort of buoyant ride that Fire XCs at that width provide, that's kind of out the window. They did, however, shed mud really well throughout our ridiculously wet summer down here.
I used them front and back until a wreck in a race made the bead up front blow apart. Don't know if that |
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