Tire Review Thread

[guero]

Originally Posted by LoisMustDie

dood - can't wait for your review of the sb8 - I was about to do the same. Let me know what you think of it!

oops, looks like i forgot to do my review on it.

i no longer have my 29er, but i did find the tire to work pretty good. its no surprise it rolled really fast on the hard pack, as well as the powdery hardpack. i never really "spun-out" when climbing with it, i "stan'itized" it, so running a little lower psi allowed the tire to stay firm on the ground when standing up to climb. those who know me know i am fairly aggressive on the downhills and i made no compromises when descending with this tire. i had a panny rampage up front which gripped really well, so i felt confident with leaning hard into and railing turns. i never really recalled the sb8 slipping/sliding in the rocky sections while going down lynx, rock-it or t&a.

in my opinion it is a great tire.

[OMR]

I have to agree with Brett on this one. Haven't tried them on a 26er; but, the SB8s work really well on the 29ers. I've been riding mine for about 4 months with a Nevegal on the front and have taken it down Coldwater... it surprised me... really climbed very fast and hooked up well on the downhill.

OMR

[PHAT TIRE]

Okay, I have read every peice of this thread and talked to a few people in the bike industry. It looks like the overwhelming majority likes Kenda and WTB. My sources say try WTB Moto Raptor 2.4 instead of the other WTB's or Kenda. They said that the Kenda sidewalls have quality issues and are hit and miss. Any advice? Here's what I am thinking either:
WTB Mutano Raptor 2.4 ($26 pricepoint) or WTB Motor Raptor 2.4 ($25 pricepoint). Note: this is for a XC Blur that is sick of wondering lost on the trails and loosing its grip on reality!!!

[OMR]

Originally Posted by PHAT TIRE

Okay, I have read every peice of this thread and talked to a few people in the bike industry. It looks like the overwhelming majority likes Kenda and WTB. My sources say try WTB Moto Raptor 2.4 instead of the other WTB's or Kenda. They said that the Kenda sidewalls have quality issues and are hit and miss. Any advice? Here's what I am thinking either:
WTB Mutano Raptor 2.4 ($26 pricepoint) or WTB Motor Raptor 2.4 ($25 pricepoint). Note: this is for a XC Blur that is sick of wondering lost on the trails and loosing its grip on reality!!!

Like others have said, the Mutanos hook up nicely and roll very well. A good all around tire here on the dry dusty SoCal trails. I ran them front and back on a Blur Classic for the Traverse... worked very well, no slippage noted. Hard to go wrong with this tire.

JMHO...

OMR

[gurp13]

I don't have personal experience, but I've heard bad things about the Motos. I posted above on my experience with the MutanoRaptors and the Weirwolf.

[dstepper]

As Craig mentioned in another thread, I would look hard at the two new WTB tires. The Prowler and the Stout.

WTB : Products Index

Dean

[xhuskr]

OK.......I bought a SB8 to run during the Traverse. I tested it first at Turnbull and made it up the Great Wall for the first time ever. The tire clung well (enough) to make it through. During the Traverse, I never once thought about it. It rolled well on the Main/Pain Divide. It will slip out on some steep climbs with enough force, but overall, it's a great tire. It gave me a bit more confidence over my Hutchinson Pythons (still love 'em) for a ride with lots of loose over hardpack.
Rolling=A
Cornering=B
Climbing=A-

Overall=A-

I run a Kenda Blue Groove up front. Great tire that gives me that little boost of confidence to push into some corners.

*This is just IMO and not necessarily the opinions of the web designer, reader, sponsor, you, or your wife. It is intended only to be used as information and cannot be sold or rented to make a profit.

[PHAT TIRE]

I ordered the WTB Prowlers 2.3 and I'll RR soon!!! $40! Thousands of Cycling Parts and Accessories - Delivered Worldwide - AEBike.com

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by PHAT TIRE

I ordered the WTB Prowlers 2.3 and I'll RR soon!!! $40! Thousands of Cycling Parts and Accessories - Delivered Worldwide - AEBike.com

Prowler looks good. Definitely give us your thoughts. The Mutano 2.4 is definitely fast tire that's light for a higher volume tire. But the bigger knobs on the prowler look better for rocks/gravel.

I still like the StickE tires from Kenda myself.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by PHAT TIRE

I ordered the WTB Prowlers 2.3 and I'll RR soon!!! $40! Thousands of Cycling Parts and Accessories - Delivered Worldwide - AEBike.com

Good choice, I am very interested in your RR. Do you have a way to weigh them?

Dean

[guero]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Good choice, I am very interested in your RR. Do you have a way to weigh them?

Dean

i have a feeling they will be heavier than the claimed weight on the wtb site. those two tires did look pretty good for a lot of the stuff around here. hurry up and use them matt!

[royta]

I picked up a Nobby Nic 2.1 UST for the rear and a Nobby Nic 2.25 UST for the front to mount on my new wheelset before going to Yreka last week.

Terrain is what you see in the pictures. The tires stuck to the trails. Lots of cornering, climbing, and braking traction. I think they would be fine on SoCal trails too.

[soul rider]

$10/13.50 maxxis mobsters
weight schmeight

[Waldo]

Phat Tire - any feedback on the Prowler yet?

After running the SB8 for a while on the rear, I decided it's too terrain-specific. The Prowler XT 2.3" looks like a good fit for me.

I also just switched from a 2.1" Velociraptor on the front to a 2.4" Mutanoraptor. Just a few rides to date on mostly hardpack, but it's feeling good so far. Grip seems good, the sidewalls seem solid enough, and it seems every bit as fast, or faster rolling than the Velociraptor, despite the larger contact patch. The V-raptor lasted me a long time and never flatted: If the Mutano holds up half as well and continues to satisfy, it will be highly recommended.

[PHAT TIRE]

Here you go Waldo!

Thank you all for you suggestions on tires. I got the WTB Prowler and pounced on it for the first time today. It's an awesome tire. I am so stoked since these are the best tires I have ever been on. Here's a little review for you all...


2.3 tire with awesome tread. 860 grams

I hooks up so well in the corners-- like glue. I leaned further than I have ever been in the corners-ever! It tracks better than anything I have ever ridden. Even in the soft and loose rocks it rides straight on. I went from a 2.1 Fire XC Pro to this tire so it seemed a little slower but I will take the little slower all day long for the control I've gained.

Company's Description:
WTB : Tires : All Mountain : Prowler XT
Possibly one of WTB’s best tires ever created! Stable and square. Quick and quiet. The new twin-knob design allows for exceptional cling and fine climbing grip, extra traction (XT) in a variety of conditions, and amazing control in the turns and under heaving braking.

[Waldo]

Nice! You running it front & rear?

[PHAT TIRE]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Nice! You running it front & rear?

Just front. Still running Fire XC Pro 2.1 in rear. Its a good rear tire only.

[Mr. Lemons]

What do you guys think of the WTB Exiwolf? Is it a good tire for So Cal? XC, all mountain use?

[SAR_boats]

Tread pattern looks similar (but not excatly) to the Nevegal

[Von-Skipp]

Has anyone tried the Maxis Ranchero 2.0 UST???