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Submitted by
scaryfast
a Racer
from phoenix
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Lightweight, knobby, grip, all around usability | | Weaknesses: | lightweight sacrifices durability | | Bike Setup: | Superlight, Crosslands | | Bottom Line: | Excellent all around tire. It works great in the midwest and in the desert. Doesn't pack up under extreme mud. Side knobs are excellent for looser soily conditions. The wide base of the center and side knobs are great for hardpack and display little deflection when cornering. I have looked far and wide for a tire at this weight that provides this kind of grip and knobs. Since this is a review for UST, those complaining of pinch flats are confusing to me...how does a UST pinch flat? I'm 160 lbs, and have found that these work best at just under 40psi. Running stans is a necessity (at least here in the desert) and even though I've put holes/cuts in these tires from the huge amount of sharp rocks where I ride, I have successfully patched them and continued to ride them bald. For front use, grip remains good until the tallest center step is just barely visible. For the rear, I could run it almost bald before it felt too sketchy to continue riding it off road. If you're a bigger guy that doesn't like to choose a line around the very roughest of trails, go with a heavier duty tire, these are lightweight and more geared towards racers that like knobbies instead of the semi slicks that are flooding the market. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Johnson City, TN
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | I've used these tires for two full seasons and have had no problems whatsoever with them going flat. I use Stan's solution, so that helps alot. These tires seem to hook up much better than the other two sets of tubeless tires I've tried. They're good for the rocks and roots scattered all over the trails around here. | | Weaknesses: | Rolling resistance is a little high for a 1.95. | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin Wildgripper UST. Kenda Kharisma UST. Hutchinson Scorpion UST. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | These tires do the job for me. I think using a tire sealant is the only way to go with any tubeless tires. You're bound to get a puncture at some point, so its just nice to have the assurance that you're not gonna have a flat unless you do something really bad to the tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mountainrider
a Cross Country Rider
from denver
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | 401 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$41.00 | | Purchased At: | shop in Moab | | Strengths: | Have had no problems with these tires in dry conditions with the tires pumped up to 40psi. | | Weaknesses: | Tried 37psi once and not only flatted but damaged an almost new crossmax rim. They need to be pumped up to at least 40 before every ride. Also, if the terrain is at all wet these tires really suck. There is just no traction at all over rocks or cornering through a little mud. Things that are all still easy even in wet conditions with about any other tire. | | Similar Products Used: | My first UST and am going to try Python next. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed, full XTR, crossmax rims. | | Bottom Line: | Don't waste your money on these tires even if they are cheap. The risk of damage to the rest of your bike and your body is not worth the cheap price. If you already have them, pump them up a little extra and only use on perfectly dry days. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wannabe Racer
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern New Jersey
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | All of 'em | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$42.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Awesome tire for the money - tough and grippy! Contrary to the negative posts on this thread, I got my Trailbalsters to seat up on the first try with soapy water and they haven't lost any pressure. A week or so after I installed 'em, I added some Stan's sealant as extra insurance that nothing is stopping me and my Trailbalsters!
I also like the tread - the outside knobs give a lot of traction without a lot of weight and a relatively thin profile | | Weaknesses: | Only weakness (and I think it is necessary for the UST tires) was getting the tire on the rim the first time - the last couple of inches didn't want to go on when they were new. They have a Kevlar bead and I was able to work them gently on using a plastic tire iron. When I had to break the bead to add the Stan's sealant, they were much easier to re-seat and I wouldn't anticipate any problem if I had to take one off on the trail | | Similar Products Used: | First try with UST and I am very happy! | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 95 | | Bottom Line: | I agree with Gingertooth Shebangs' previous post - these tires rock ! I have pushed them plenty hard within the recommended pressures and have had ZERO problems ! They are tough and grip real well in all conditions! I went from a tubed 2.2 to the Trailblasters (1.95) and notice a big difference in speed too!
Not sure why everyone else had so many probblems with them unless you are putting htem on rims that are not UST compatible or are using them outside of the specs !
I would buy these again in a heartbeat! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gingertooth shebangs
a Racer
from ringwood, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | palmer park, Colorado Springs | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | where ever | | Strengths: | amazing traction, amazing durability. Can't beat them | | Weaknesses: | none ever experienced | | Similar Products Used: | maxxis, panaracers, contis, wtb's, kendas, tiogas, irc's, and you name it I've tried it. | | Bike Setup: | good enough to smoke yours | | Bottom Line: | bottom line is the tires are awesome. What is with the fairy's trashing this tire. Just to let every one know if you put 25lbs of pressure in any tubeless tire and you weight more than 125 your going to waste this tire no doubt. Tires are designed for 35 lbs minimum or your gonna get crapped on and end up blaming it on the tire. I've ridden on the hardest crap man could find and raced on it as well and these tires are the best I have ever tried. They hold up on cornering phenomonally. And traction in climbing can't get any better in dry or wet. Plain and simple; those who bad mouth these suckers just can't ride a mountain bike and should go buy a rode bike cause the only people I know who cry like little girls are roadies. Suck it up . They rule. Trailblasters | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Racer
from Cincinnati, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tsali, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$26.00 | | Purchased At: | Biowheels, Asheville NC | | Strengths: | Despite what I've read from other reviews, I've experience good traction on the wetstuff, roots and all. And the tires are light, saving 100g/wheelset compared to Huchinson Pythons. | | Weaknesses: | Believe the hype these tires flat just lookin' at 'em. I've pinchflatted twice in one race. And, it's not just pinchflats. When I finally tossed it, it had 5 patched holes and at least 4 pinholes in it. I was able to patch it a few times with a regular patch kit, but it was extremely hard to get 'em to hold. Inside of tire must be bone dry. Hairdryer seems like a good idea. Better yet, buy a different tire. I've had the best luck with Conti's as far as durability, weight and traction. On a positive note, my wife has them on her bike and she hasn't had any problems with flats. She's petite and not that agressive of a rider. Maybe these tires can't handle a lot of weight and abuse. | | Similar Products Used: | Huchinson Python. Conti Explorer. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Jamis Dragon stock. | | Bottom Line: | They flat easy and they're hard to patch. Buy something else, unless your a lightweight non-agressive rider. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damian Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Cheltenham
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Nant-yr-arian | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure Lakes Cheltenham | | Strengths: | UST. Stays up for a couple of hours if you have small puncture. Easy to plug, don't even need to take the tyre of the rim if you use the right kit. | | Weaknesses: | Punctures too easily on thorns. | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Trailblaster 2.1 regular | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Specialized Enduro S-works with Fox Talas RLC Forx | | Bottom Line: | These tyres were my first choice when I was getting my bike built up as I had been pretty happy with the tubed version, though they are 2.1". I'm not overly impressed and will be changing to Sepcialized Enduro or Panaracer Fire XC Pro for winter riding in the cotswold mud. I've had 3 thorn punctures and one pinch, caused after I was losing pressure slowly from a thorn. I had to be rescued after the pinch as I didn't have a repair kit. I don't know why panaracer say they can't be patched, I've had no problems using a proper kit with plugs that leisure lakes sold me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary White
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Old Springs Trail, Marin, Ca | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Surgery, London, UK | | Strengths: | Quite puncture proof, moderate grip, low rolling resistance, look good, cheapish to buy | | Weaknesses: | Wear out quickly, only moderate grip! | | Similar Products Used: | First tubeless tires used | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight A (2001 frame), Maxic Crossmax XL tubeless wheelset, XTR shifters and mechs, Race Face Turbine cranks and rings and XS BB, Fox Float 100mm RLC forks, Hope mini disc brakes, Easton carbon bar and seatpost, Race Face System stem | | Bottom Line: | A slightly disappointing product. Not a patch on Panaracer regular tyres and far inferior to the excellent non-UST Fire XCs and Trailblasters I have used before. They are good as a UST product (i.e. don't flat or puncture and stay on the rim) but just not good as a TYRE (tread, cornering, longevity, etc). Come on Panaracer, you can do better..... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Woodyak
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockport, MA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ancient Line | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | None that I could remember | | Weaknesses: | Don't hold air, tread wears out quickly. Terrible grip in wet muddy conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | UST Fire XC Pros, Hutch pythons, WTB stuff | | Bike Setup: | Titus LocoMoto, Fox Talas, Avid discs, XT everything, yada yada | | Bottom Line: | I was hoping these would be a good trail tire but they are not. I used these tires for about 3 months before I gave up on them. The traction was terrible, It holed in 1 month and would not be patched, and it wore out very quickly. Do not get these tires. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guy Spiher
a Racer
from winston salem
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | forbidden acres - Chris knows | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | online transaction | | Strengths: | Grips a bit better than average, Big ass knobs really waffle the cat when he doesn't get outta the way in time -- Sorry Mojo the cat | | Weaknesses: | These are my first foray into the tubeless thing and they were somewhat used already.it was interesting to note that they were already patched when I got them. RTV will work to patch them .Quiz time.What does RTV stand for??
Reduced Temperature Vulcanization.It seems to be the only thing that works. I flatted at a local park and got a ride back to my car by the friendly ranger. Embarresing. Better grip from other tires certainly. Squirmy sidewalls. GI Joe and the Kung - Fu grip could not get these babies on and off | | Similar Products Used: | None Tubeless.. Conti Explorers and Mythos | | Bike Setup: | custom steel hardtail Marathon Fork. Race Face and Moe's killer custom paint job. | | Bottom Line: | Yeah there are times when these tires are better than the smaller knobbed tires such as the Contis and the large agressive knobs are good in the gnarly stuff, but man these things flat just looking at them and yeah they are a bastige to patch. RTV can and does work but why bother.Jeff Spahn further down in the reviews says use a hairdryer to dry out your tire. Okay Jeff tell me where I plug it in at.This should be interesting to say the least.There are better tires out there. If you just ordered these online then surely you should have done yourself a favor and visited this review site first. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivan
a Cross Country Rider
from Pallejà, Spain
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Easy to mount and dismount, good looking, and maybe no more else | | Weaknesses: | They hasn't good grip on cornering, neither on climbing. Not reparable, but I tried with continental repairing kit, I have to see if it works. | | Similar Products Used: | Irc Seracx on tubeless, tons of "ancient" tires | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kula, Psylo XC, Magura Louise, Magura Pro Hubs, XT, Thomson, Chris King, FSA, and something else. | | Bottom Line: | I used IRC seracx and they have tones of more grip. In my second round, only for five kilometer, I had a big big puncture, may be from a rock. As Panaracer says in the instructions, now I have to leave them in the garbage because I had a puncture more than one milimiter. And I can swear I was very carefull with my wheels.
Go to traditional system, just carry one tube and some repairing kit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dick Stickum
a Cross Country Rider
from Bel Air
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Love 'em all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$39.00 | | Purchased At: | Black Cat Bicycles | | Strengths: | Good grip. Decent cornering. | | Weaknesses: | Punctured both tires, front and back. | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin Jets | | Bike Setup: | Devinci Moonracer | | Bottom Line: | I switched to these from the no traction having Jets and really dug the traction. Though they flatted on the 3rd ride with pinhole punctures, I Slimed them and raced on them with no pressure loss. I found a little super glue on the outside of the puncture helps them heal quicker. I feel pretty confident on cornering with them. I say try them for yourself and ignore past reviews. I think for an all around XC tire they're good. I 'll write again if I have any significant problems with them in the future.
Peace. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johnny Coolwood
a Racer
from NJ
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Strengths: | Light and fast. Easy to mount and cheap on closeout | | Weaknesses: | Can't fix a flat. | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC XTR/Easton Crossmax | | Bottom Line: | I like the tires, but pop them too easily. Panaracer says in its dirrections that the tires can not be patched. Says use a tube if you get a flat. I tried everything and got the leak to slow down.
They mount easily as I experienced taking them off a dozen times one weekend trying to fix them.
Buy something more reliable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Hughes
a
from UK
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Snowdonia Wales UK | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Charminster Dorset UK | | Strengths: | Nice side wall decals. That's it. | | Weaknesses: | I find these Tires have poor traction grip in muddy conditions, and am very uncomfortable on conering fast with these on. I was using these during a ride in a thunder storm in August, suffice to say they didn't hold the corner, (my IRC Mythos tires definately would), I came off, put myself in hospital with skin graft, and 14 stitches to right elbow, and I just cannot repair these punctures. Will not buy these again, and I reccommend that for you too! | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos = Good
Hutchinson Python / Mosquito = Good
Panaracer = Bah Bad
IRC Mythos = Good
| | Bike Setup: | Airborne Lky' Strike Pace RC36 EVO 3's XTR, Easton, Mavic CrossRoc | | Bottom Line: | Don't count on these to help you out. The ZSG compound is a con. I trusted it, 14 stitches. My elbow now looks like Freddie Krugers ass!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Phinney
a Racer
from Westchester, N.Y.
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | blue mtn. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | I would only us these tires as training wheels. When the chips are down don't count on these tires to pull you to the finish line. Pinched in last two races. Very poorly constructed. I think these tires were used on kama-kazi planes.... | | Similar Products Used: | irc serac | | Bike Setup: | Intense tracer- mavic 3.1 ust, hugi disc hubs all the usual race goodies.... | | Bottom Line: | If you care about finishing a race, then stay far away from these jap crap tires!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe blow
a Racer
from gaithersburg, md, usa
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | schaeffer | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 45.00 | | Strengths: | Tubeless, roll fast. | | Weaknesses: | You can't patch them, and the bead was designed for gorillas on steroids. | | Similar Products Used: | Tubeless pythons, every non tubeless MTB tire ever. | | Bike Setup: | Custom NRS | | Bottom Line: | Flatted on my second ride with them. Simple puncture flat. Took it back to repair it. Long story short, here's what I've tried:
- Normal Patches
- Superglue
- Glue-on patch (vulcanizing compound)
- Raft patches
- Truck tire patches.
Note that I used liquid tire buffer and a heavy duty patch clamp, just like the MBA article says. I have successfully repaired my tubeless Pythons more than five times. I know what I'm doing. After the second ride and a minor flat, these Panaracers were USELESS due to the inability to repair them. After mounting this complete bast1d of a bead on my rim seven consecutive times (an entire weekend wasted) I broke down and used tire irons. Now the UST seal leaks (no surprise there: don't use tire irons on UST).
Not that it matters as the tire is ruined by the minor puncture.
Panaracer made these tires unrepairable by putting fiber filaments in the rubber that come up as soon as you buff/sand/liquid buff the tire. They break any seal you may attempt to make.
Wish I'd read these reviews first. Go ahead, buy one, scr00 yourself. I warned you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cole Edmonson
a Racer
from Easley
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | dupont | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | $29 | | Strengths: | pretty good traction, fairly light weight for a tubeless tire, easy putting it on | | Weaknesses: | where to begin??? let's see run over a rock and get a puncture, run over a stick and get another. hmmm..., can't be patched, what the heck is that all about | | Similar Products Used: | none this sh!tty | | Bike Setup: | f2000 with 3.1xust rims, stock except for thudbuster and aftermarket brake pads | | Bottom Line: | Do your self a favor and don't buy these. I read the bad reviews and thought oh well I'll give em a try anyway. Price point had em for 29 bones so I got a pair. Horrible choice, I ran over a rock and flatted the back one and then 2 weeks later hit a stick and flatted the front one. DO NOT BUY!!! unitll panaracer fixes this problem. Can't even be patched, pathetic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Spahn
a Cross Country Rider
from Dubuque, IA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Farm | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Free Flight Bikes | | Strengths: | Low weight, roll well, good grip | | Weaknesses: | Squirmy sidewalls, need to run higher pressures to get squirminess out | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchison Mosquito UST | | Bike Setup: | Scalpel Team, Easton CT2 Post, speedplay frogs, otherwise stock | | Bottom Line: | These tires are too light for daily riding. For all of those who say you can't patch them, you are doing it wrong. You need a car tire patch kit with the rubber buffing compound and the car tire tubeless repair patches. The whole process takes about 40 min to patch and it is permanent. Sidewall puncture, no problem. Just be sure to dry out the tire carcass with a hair dryer before you use rubber buffer and after, then put on the glue, put on the patch and clamp with C-clamp for 1/2 hour. Fixed. This goes for all tubeless.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Racer
from NY
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cannonball | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Strengths: | Tire is pretty durable. I never really got stuck on the trail with any significant pinch flats. Lightweight. | | Weaknesses: | Downhill cornering can feel quite dicey, especially if it is in loose stuff. Tried mounting the tire every which way, still seemed to loose air everynight. | | Similar Products Used: | Fire XC Pro, Velociraptors, Bonti Super-X, Jones AC etc... | | Bike Setup: | Fuel 98, Monkeylite, XT crank. | | Bottom Line: | This is the first tubeless I have used. I have changed the tire back to the Super-X's. These tires showed promise, but it seemed like too much work. The idea behind the tubeless should be less work(flats) and better traction, not inflate 15 psi every other day for the ride, and run at 40-45 psi. I will wait another year and see how the technology progresses... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Seddon
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$48.00 | | Strengths: | They grip extremely well in the dry and can tackle some seriously off camber sections of the trail. They are also quite light for a tubeless and haven't worn too bad. | | Weaknesses: | They leak air badly, are more difficult to patch and are extremely slippery when the trail becomes muddy. This might be because of the size of the knobs which prevents them digging in. | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Trailblaster 1.8" tubed | | Bottom Line: | Overall I'm dissapointed - they aren't as good in the dry as the Hutchinson Python and they become extremely sketchy in the wet clay of Oxfordshire. Can't really see a use for them other than they will last longer on dry trails than Hutchinson tyres, so might be worth using when not competing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FritzMan
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light weight, good soft terrain traction. | | Weaknesses: | low volume + high pressure = harsh ride & less traction. Pinch flatted at minimum recommended pressure. | | Similar Products Used: | Pythons, Michelin | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, SRAM, RaceFace, CrossMax UST | | Bottom Line: | I had previously posted that the Trailblasters would serve as backup duty for wet terrain. With the amount of precipitation we've had lately, I decided to mount them as my main set (Pythons still going strong @ 2 years old, but the wear is effecting traction in any type of soft terrain).
Unfortunately, the Trailblasters only lasted 4 rides. At 38psi I pinch flatted doing a 1' drop onto perfectly flat slick rock (this is XC stuff, not freeriding). I had punctured the side wall and partially torn a knobbie from the carcass. Tire couldn't be patched with rubber cement which is just as well with the knobbie coming off. Spare inner tube did get me home though.
When they did work, they provided snappy acceleration due to the lighter weight and 1/2" smaller overall diameter than the Pythons. Soft terrain traction and shedding abilities were pretty good. As an overall tire though, they gave up comfort and traction on terrain which required a tire to comform to the surface all because of the lower volume and resulting higher pressure.
Bottom line is that the Pythons (I have the older set without silver sidewall) are still easily the best overall UST tire I've tried. They have close to 2 years of use with an average of 10hrs/week of training, and not one flat while riding at 30 psi (I'm 175lbs).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Brown
a Racer
from Russellville, Ar USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Old Post, Russellville | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$38.00 | | Purchased At: | Carr's | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Poor ride, but even worse, you can't patch them. I rode them "1" time, and got two punctures. Patches won't stick, the tires are worthless now as tubless. I've ridden the same trail a hundred times in the last three years and flatted once on Pythons, which I was able to patch and continue to use. | | Similar Products Used: | Wildgripper UST
Python UST | | Bike Setup: | Scalpel 2000
Cannondale FSL3000 | | Bottom Line: | Tubeless tires are to expensive to be virtually worthless after one puncture. Theses tires evidently are not thick enough to withstand briars, sharp rocks, etc..Disappointed is an understatement. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FritzMan
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Good traction on muddy, mossy terrain. Hold it's ari well. Can be mounted and dismounted with bare hands | | Weaknesses: | Harsh ride due to sidewall stiffness and limited air volum of the 1.9 inch. Sketchy at the limit. Noisy | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson Pythons, Michelin | | Bike Setup: | SantaCruz Superlight, SRAM and RaceFace | | Bottom Line: | Honestly, it comes down to the Hutchinson Pythons still being the best tire for comfort, and traction. While the Pythons may not have as agressive of thread, the lower minimum psi and larger size allow for better traction (except for maybe mud), despite having a less agressive tread. The Trailblaster seem to become quite sketchy at the limit, perhaps due to larger dead spots (space between knobs), or it's stiffer setup. Trailblasers hold air much better (this can vary though even with the same brand) and are surprising easier to mount hands-only despite a stiffer sidewall.
All in all, I can't fault the Trailblasters, they're just going to relgated to back-up and extreme mud duty only. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jose
a Cross Country Rider
from caracas, venezuela
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | nebularis | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | rolls fast | | Weaknesses: | is a tire that you can't repair it | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin comp UST, Hutchinson Mosquito, Hutchinson Phyton | | Bike Setup: | Lefty ELO, shimano 959 | | Bottom Line: | when I bought this tire, I read the manual...so I DIDN'T BELIEVE, I can't repair this tire... if you got a puncture you MUST use a tube, happened to me last weekend so I tried to repair it, The tire was deformed, and the patch does not work, I got a puctures each two a weeks or less, do you imagine it? this tubeless tire become a standard tire... but more heavy!!!!
My bottom lines is DON'T BUY THIS TIRE PLEASE..!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Silver City, New Mexico
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | CD South, Gomez area | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Ligt weight, rolls fast with decent grip. It looks like they will last a lot of miles before wearing out. | | Weaknesses: | Grip not as good as Euro-tires. Punctures easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson pyton UST, Michelin Comp S & Jet S UST | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Tanasi w/XTR group | | Bottom Line: | The tires roll fast and the grip is alright. They tend to want to wash-out a bit, but its controllable. I also got a puncture through a knob on the bottom of the tire with inflation pressure at 40psi. It looks like it was probably caused by a rock and is a slice clean through the side of the knob to the inside of the tire about 1/16" wide. This is repairable with a glue-on patch. Just clean and sand the surface on the inside of the tire and use lots of glue (vulcanizing compound).
Bottom line is I'm still looking for a better tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a
from Andover MA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$28.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Light weight, grip better than anything, for a knobby, roll easily. | | Weaknesses: | Would like to see the UST in a 2.1.
In snor, they turn well, but spin easy on peadling, the knobs do not seem to dig in well ( I'm a relatively smooth pedaler & spin well) | | Similar Products Used: | Hutchinson Python UST | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Sugar1 w/ MAvic UST's | | Bottom Line: | I love these tires. They grip well & unlike Rick below I've had no punctures & found they mount about the same as any other tubeless. I weigh 180 & ride on very rocky New England trails & have not had one flat since I put them on in September & I ride 3-r times a week.
I would love to see this in a 2.1 for tubeless ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenixville, PA
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | French Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Bean's bikes | | Strengths: | A tubeless product from Panaracer showed promise, as I loved the Fire XC Pros. Light weight. Decent climbing traction. | | Weaknesses: | A few too many, I'm afraid. Hard to mount, "too light" - very prone to punctures, too narrow, tread rolls under heavy cornering, requires too high pressure as a result. Also, there are "dead spots" in the tread edge pattern that can result in nasty washouts. | | Similar Products Used: | (Tubeless)Hutchinson Python, Michelin Comp S, (Tube)Panaracer Fire XC Pro | | Bike Setup: | Intense Uzzi SL, Mavic Crossmax Tubeless, XTR/XT, Fox Float RC, Manitou XVert Super. | | Bottom Line: | This is actually a followup review from one posted on the "plain ol Trail Blaster" board. I'm disappointed in the durability. Had two punctures, one *through a knob*, that weren't patchable. I put these somewhere between the Hutchinson tubeless (love) and Michelin tubeless (hate). I suspect that they erred on the side of light weight instead of durability. Bad choice.
They also require way, WAY too much air pressure to be stable, particularly for a 1.95.
The side knobs are spaced a bit far apart, leading to some dicey moments when turning at speed on rocks/roots/leaves.
They should make a 2.1, with more heft/durability and a stiffer lateral profile that can be run at 30 PSI. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Burros
a Cross Country Rider
from Annandale
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mary's | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Flanders | | Strengths: | Awesome grip and low rolling resistance, lighter than most other UST tires. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | |
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$ 40.00
