Tire Review Thread

[Von-Skipp]

Has anyone tried the Maxis Ranchero 2.0 UST???

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by Mr. Lemons

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

I ran an Exiwolf (w/a tube) for awhile as a back tire on my singlespeed. It's a fast rolling tire. The grip wasn't too bad considering it's a skinny tire. But, with all those small knobs the tire wears out really quick. So, if you're looking for something light and fast for your XC bike it's not a bad choice, but personally I'd go with a 1.95 StickE Nevegal instead.

Originally Posted by Mr. Lemons

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

Hey Phat Tire, is the Prowler a UST tire? Are you running Tubeless tire or tubed?

Originally Posted by 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.

[royta]

Originally Posted by Von-Skipp

Has anyone tried the Maxis Ranchero 2.0 UST???

I've heard the Maxxis tires are skinny for their advertised width. If that is true, I don't think I would only want a 2.0.

[Schecky]

I just switched from a 317 to a 219 rim.
My beloved Panny FR Fire 2.4 is now too wide and is rubbing my Marathon fork when I lean.
It used to do it once in a great while on the old rim, it does it all the time now.

So I need something new. Probably a 2.25?
I loved the durability of the Panny FR and the confidence descending that it gave me. It was fairly cheap too.
Given the range in width that the different brands have, I'm not sure how wide I can now go.

This is the short list so far:
Panaracer Rampage
Panaracer FR 2.3
Panaracer Cinder 2.25
WTB Prowler 2.3
Nevegal and Blue Groove.
Schwalbe? (BBetty looks good, but too wide)

I'm a little leery of the BGs, due to some of the knob ripping stories that I have read.

What say you? Any other suggestions?

[Red Ryder]

Just a comment on a tire I didn't expect much from, but its been good. I had the Nevagal 2.1 on the rear, but as all tires do, it wore out. I was being cheap (hoping I'd get new tires for my birthday) and decided to use one of the tires that came with my wife's bike that was just hanging in the garage. 26 x 2.0 Specialized Adrenalin. I've been impressed with it. It climbs good and digs in the soft stuff. I'll still buy the Nevagal when I buy a tire, but for now the Adrenalin is good to me.

[J_Sims]

I just changed the rear tire on my 29" SS to a specialized Fast Traxx and I am very surprised how well it hooks up... Took it out to Aliso yesterday evening and it did not let me down even out of the saddle up Cholla... Two Thumbs up and it is a 2.0 so everyone with an older ONE9 it fits great. I highly recomend this tire... It seals as easily as "the Crow" but hooks up like a real tire


Ft tire is a Resolution and I have been very happy with that as well. It hooks up in the corners very similar to the Rampages that I am running on the RIP but seems to have a much lower rolling resistance.

[RacinJason]

The Kenda Kinetics Stick E 2.6 tires at Jenson $9.00
Yeah I am probably jackin myself by saying this then I wont be able to get them anymore when they sell out but they are great tires Kev bead light big knobs and sticky. I thought my STR brotha's and sista's should know about this deal. As for wear they might not last long but for $9.00 who cares get 2 sets .
The only problems I had is side clearance on the chain stays. My rim is bent. The 2.6 is a little wide. With any sticky tire you don't do long climbs as well due to soft rubber.

Write me back and tell me what you think.
after you try them. Like them? Love them ? Hate them?

[simplemind]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Hey Phat Tire, is the Prowler a UST tire? Are you running Tubeless tire or tubed?

I don't think it is, in fact I think WTB only has one UST tire, the Weirwolf.

However, if it was (UST) I'd be all over it!

[royta]

Originally Posted by simplemind

I don't think it is, in fact I think WTB only has one UST tire, the Weirwolf.

However, if it was (UST) I'd be all over it!

WTB tires available in UST (according to 2007 Product Index):

• DH/FR WeirWolf 2.5
• All Mountain MutanoRaptor 1.95
• All Mountain WeirWolf 2.1

WTB is a little behind the UST curve.

[DownhillWebKook]

In no particular order:

Specialized Enduro Pro 2.2 - Front (35psi) and rear (32psi); mounted on my Specialized Enduro SX with Slime tubes. I use this bike for aggressive trail riding and downhill as well as mtx and dirt jumping. Combined with the Slime tubes these tires offer the durability I require as well as performance. They put up a bit of rolling resistance, but hook up wonderfully in corners. These are a great value at only $35/tire.

Specialized Enduro 2.4 - Front (35psi) and rear (35psi); mounted on my Mountain Cycle DNA with Slime tubes. Same comments as before, but slightly higher rear pressure for more trail oriented activities.

I must say I was truly surprised by how kick-ass the Specialized tires were. I bought them out of desparation at Rock-n-Road. I have since purchased 3 sets of these tires.

Maxxis Minion 2.35 Single Ply - Front (38psi) and rear (38psi); mounted on my Mountain Cycle Rumble ht for dirt jumping, pump tracks, and a little urban assault. These are some of my favorite tires. They work well in so many situations, but are a bit slippery in urban settings and a bit slow on the BMX track.

Maxxis Minion 2.35 / High Roller 2.35 - Front (35psi) and rear (32psi); mounted to my Yeti ASX with Slime tubes. Used primarily for dh race applications. The combination is superb for cornering in places like Southridge and they are light and maintain speed. I love this combination, but Maxxis tires are pretty expensive.

Maxxis Holy Roller 2.3x - Front (40psi) and rear (40psi); mounted on the Rumble with ultra-light weight tubes during Winter for night sessions at the Orange BMX track and urban assaults. These tires rule on the track. They're really fast and quite light.

Kenda Nevegal 2.5 (folding bead) - Front (32psi) and rear (28psi); mounted to my GT DHi and on my Mountain Cycle Shockwave 9.5 with Slime tubes. Without Slime tubes or Stan's the folding bead is whack...at least for dh. I love these tires with slightly lower pressure for gnarlier dh applications. They hook up very well and feel very in tune with the ground. The price ain't bad either.

I think I like the Maxxis tires the best of any tires that I have ever owned, BUT they are so damn expensive, especially the more advanced tires like the dh versions with multiple compounds and more robust beads. Nevertheless, you can't underestimate the importance of the tires. They're kind of like shoes: they are the surface you stand on while exploring the world AND you're often judged by them, especially by women. Get good shoes, get good tires.

[simplemind]

Originally Posted by royta

WTB is a little behind the UST curve.

Yup!

I would really like to hear feedback on the new Specialized Eskar's.

[guero]

maxxis ignitors, 2.35
these came stock on my dawg and so far i am loving them. they actually seem to be a true 2.35 which is surprising for maxxis. they have a nice round profile and the knobs aren't too big, nor too small. they kind of remind me of a small block 8 on roids in a way. they roll fast, and bite through the powder and grip the hard pack and rock slabs quite nice! i'm running them about 35 psi in the front and 38 psi in the back (with tubes).

[bobzrag]

I just finished off my Panracer Smoke & Fire (front actually had holes in the sidewall!), both 2.1's. These puppies rolled really well (which is what I was looking for when I bought them) but I didn't trust them worth a damn in the corners.

Just got the WTB Mutanoraptor on the front and the Kenda Nevegal 2.35 on the rear. Only one ride in but I really like getting back to beefier tires! They got me through the beach parts of the trail much better and handled a lot better in the corners at Oaks today.

Thanks for all the advice, didn't even touch another site in trying to decide on new rubber.

[mcgrath]

I picked up some Maxxis Minions for the 6point yesterday, and mounted them up. They seem to track pretty well, but man are they thin. For a 2.35 tire, they look more like a 2.1. I think my old 2.1 weirwolf is wider than these minions.

So, I rode with turnerob today, and he's running a schwalbe big betty on his pack. Thinking of switching over to this, although it's a little heavy (says him). What are you guys riding on your trail bikes?

[guero]

Patrick, I'm running Maxxis 2.35 Ignitors on the front and back of my Dawg, they hook up nice, roll fast and seem to have a more round tread (and closer to a true 2.35) pattern than the Minions, thus a larger contact patch. You know I have an aggressive riding style and I have yet to slip out with the Ignitors (knock on wood). On my SuperLight have a 2.35 Nevegal on the front and a 2.1 Small Block 8 on the back.

[mcgrath]

yeah, I checked out Rob's ignitor on his spot last week. It too looked a little small. I did like the minion, so I will probably stick this on the motolite once I get it re-built. Honestly, I think I will put back on the old 'tried and true" combo, 2.35 blue groove, and 2.35 nevegal. Anyone know if local shops carry the big betty?

[uzziboy]

runnin maxxis dh minion 2.7 60d red stripe or mobster if i can find a new one in front and a high roller 2.5 red stripe in back. maxxis in my opinion make the best tire on the market

[Waldo]

There's 5 pages worth of Tire Review thread right here.

[tkblazer]

big betty up front with a larsen tt on the back... the larsen holds a line better than the SB8 and is more pinch resistance..i will most likely have to change the rear tire if it ever starts raining and will most likely go with a nobby nic.

adrenaline can get you the BB's for a good price

[mcgrath]

take your wave and wave on out of here Waldo. No, but seriously, thanks. Didn't realize that thread had taken off so much.