Submitted by
Steve
a
from LA, CA, USA Date Reviewed: November 19, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Great pinch flat resistance. Good traction on loose, rocky climbs.
Weaknesses:
Weight. Transition between center lugs and side lugs is sketchy.
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis Minion and Highrollers. Hutchinson Octopus. Nokian Gazzalodi 2.3 Soft.
Bike Setup:
Turner RFX
Bottom Line:
I've been running this tire on the front and rear for the last 6 months. They're replacing my old combo of Nokian Gazza (front) and Hutchinson Octopus (rear). That old combo netted very good traction, but the Octopus was lacking in pinch-flat resistance and the Gazza's were getting a little old. An LBS employee suggested these to run front and back.
I really like the tire as a rear tire. It offers good grip while climbing and braking (although not much better than my old Octopuses). But what makes these tires great as a rear tire is their pinch-flat resistance. On the rears, I'm running these between 9-12 psi - no flats so far. They are slow rolling tires and they are on the heavy side though.
I don't think the tire is as successful as a front tire. The gap between the paired center and the side lugs makes for an "interesting" transition between the two. When the tires are leaned into a corner, the tires wash out and lose traction for a fraction before the side lugs start to grip. I usually run these around 9 psi. When I told this to an LBS employee, he balked, claiming that I should run them at 20-30 psi. I tried them at 20 psi today and ended up going OTB when my front tire washed out after a jump. The tire remained sketchy until a took a good deal of air out of the tire.
Basically, I think the tire is great as a rear tire, but isn't optimal for me as a front tire. I'd much rather have a row of transition knobs between the center and side lugs to grip as the bike is leaned into corners. I think my old Gazza's offer better, more predictable grip in corners on the front. Also, I think the performance of these tires is closely related to the air pressure within them. For me, I like running them at low pressures, but then I'm not doing big drops, so YMMV.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Racer
from PA Date Reviewed: May 1, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
excellent traction, can run low tire pressure, fast rolling
Weaknesses:
a little on the heavy side
Similar Products Used:
intense 909,dh, ex, maxxis mobster, minion, arrow prime bite
other than being hard to find around where i live, its proved to be the best handling tire that ive ever used. Although the SR has a low durometer, u can usually ride them for a few months of hard riding...ive had a few thats lasted me over a year. i havent gotten too many flats with the tires even w/ low pressure. i would recommend this tired for anyone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G MAN
a Downhiller
from Portland Date Reviewed: May 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Anything Steep
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
Bikeman
Strengths:
Unbelievable grip and tracking ability.
Weaknesses:
Like others have said - wears too fast and pricey, makes you cry when the knobs wear down.
Similar Products Used:
Tioga DH, Maxxis Mobs, WTB Motoraptors
Bike Setup:
M1 w/ 5th Element and Stratos fork. shi**y Hayes brakes but DO get the GALFER rotors for a REAL upgrade! Azonic everything else w/ MRP guide
Bottom Line:
Great rear tire but when they say FOR RACE ONLY that's because they wear so fast that you'll WISH you were sponsored!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Downhiller
from S. Lake Tahoe Date Reviewed: April 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Holy crap! They grip like you would'nt believe
Weaknesses:
Porky rolling weight if you have to pedal on flats
Similar Products Used:
Intense DH 2.7, IRC Kujo DH (a great tire as well), Tioga DH (probably the worst product thats ever been on my bike. If you want to crash on every turn, get some tiogas)
Bike Setup:
Stinky w/ Zoke Super T and a host of other expensive doo-dads.
Bottom Line:
These are the best tires that I've had on my bike yet. Besides my "Super-T", these tires have done more to improve my speed through the the gnarly stuff than just aboout any other upgrade. My Stinky is also my trail bike, so I suffer on the flats and uphills, but who cares. I simply cant imagine a tire performing much better on the downhills.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Taylor
a Downhiller
from Placervlle,CA Date Reviewed: June 24, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$12.00
Purchased At:
friend
Strengths:
4 ply sidewalls,sticky rubber,no reccomended PSI
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis mobsters,WTB moto raptors,Tioga factory DH
Bottom Line:
One of the best tires out there.I have it on the rear and it's soooo sweet.Got it 9 PSI for super grip,along with the sticky rubber it won't let go of the trail.Hope to pick up a full set of these soon!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
GREGG DEGEAR
a Downhiller
from NEW YORK Date Reviewed: October 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
PLATTEKILL
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
RIDE ON CYCLE
Strengths:
This tire has so much going for it. It grips in all situations. Mud, roots, looses stones, these tires simply keep the tires on the trail and never slip or lose traction
Weaknesses:
They wear quickly
Bike Setup:
Intense M-1, White brothers fork bar and stem, 321 rims on intense hubs
Bottom Line:
These are the best tires I have tried. My problem is they wear fast. They are best used on race days. (The amazing thing is these tires still grip when the knobs are worn down)That sticky rubber is the real deal
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
Interbike 2008! Read news and info about new bikes and products from the upcoming show»
$ 65.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
