Description:Fast-rolling, nicely spaced knobs are multi-shaped to help shed mud and grip in loose terrain, and are reinforced to step quicker and last longer.
Submitted by
mtbnachos
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego Date Reviewed: September 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Noble Canyon, CA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$28.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Weight, price, rolling resistance, climbing
Weaknesses:
Cornering
Similar Products Used:
Rampage 29
Bike Setup:
Vassago Jabber
Bottom Line:
This is a good all-around tire for the money. However, I think it's best suited to be a front tire only. I have fish-tailed multiple times on hi-speed corners and didnt like that feeling at all. They are good rolling tires and fairly light in weight.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond, VA Date Reviewed: July 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Good all rounder
Similar Products Used:
New to 29ers - only demos
Bike Setup:
29er dualie
Bottom Line:
Previously preferred IRC fire XC pros (26er), so for me control is key. These are pretty close, and reasonably light. Using non-UST tire with Stans rim and sealant. Holds air very well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Victor
a Cross Country Rider
from Coatesville, Pa Date Reviewed: January 4, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Bean's Bikes (good shop)
Strengths:
Grip, weight, price.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Nevegals
Bike Setup:
Seven Verve, rigid, singlespeed
Bottom Line:
I wanted something that wasn't too bulky, but still offered some traction. I ride typica PA singletrack--rocks, boulders, volkswagons. Add some tight turns and a network of roots, throw in some hills, and you have most of our trails described. The tires performed surprisingly well on the rocks--gripped well, haven't pinch flatted yet, and the rolling resistance isn't a hindrance. They climb very well, and corner excellent.
They are my current tire of choice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Rants
a Cross Country Rider
from Montgomery, AL Date Reviewed: December 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Kessels Run
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$32.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
good construction, great all around design, tracks well in rooty/loose corners, decent rolling
Weaknesses:
little low on volume, not bad but not as voluminous as a Geax Saguaro or WW 2.55 LT. Not the best in tacky mud.
Great all around tire. I had no handling complaints running this up front in Alabama. Tread wear was good, tire fit tight on the Flow rims, sealed up easily for a tubeless conversion and was durable. Rolling resistance was higher than the Crossmark on pavement/hardpack sections but that was to be expected by the open tread design. Definitely will recommend this tire and purchase it again in the future.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Downhiller
from St. Louis Date Reviewed: November 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Hog's Back
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
came stock on bike
Strengths:
Grips very well in dry and moist conditions
Weaknesses:
mud shedding is below par
Similar Products Used:
WTB Exiwolf
Bike Setup:
Redline Mono9 with Fox F29
Bottom Line:
Although a little on the heavy side, this tire is nice for dry to moist conditions. They hook-up well in the rocks but could shed mud better. Maybe that's just the clay-like soil around here. For being stock tire they are great, and I'd consider a Maxxis tire again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from Folsom, CA, USA Date Reviewed: November 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
South Yuba
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Came stock on bike
Strengths:
Grip, rolls very fast, works everywhere
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Rampage
Bike Setup:
Niner MCR9
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent all conditions tire that provides tons of grip and a very low rolling resistance and light weight. If you like to ride fast XC type of trails, this is your tire. I have pushed what I think are the limits on this tire and it never lets me down.
I am going to try a Ignitor front/Crossmark rear combo next.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DirtRoadie
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango Date Reviewed: September 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
White Rim
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
Good all rounder
Weaknesses:
Not as good
Similar Products Used:
Crossmark
Bike Setup:
Dos Niner
Bottom Line:
I previously said "I think they will be hard to improve on, though I'm still looking." Well, I have found their successor even though it is many ways identical. The Maxxis Crossmark appears to use an identical casing but has a tread pattern with a more rounded profile and that does everything better than the Ignitor (in the mostly dry conditions that I ride). Everything. MUCH better. So I am no longer looking. And while the Ignitor is good, I am revising my rating so that if and when the 29er Crossmark is listed I can rate it higher. I should also note that the present Crossmark at 594/598g is roughly the same weight as the Ignitors I had. But apprently the current Ignitors have gained weight - perhaps 100g or more. (I have not verified this myself, and I probably won't since I have no reason to go back to the Ignitors.)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Russell
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna, El Moro USA Date Reviewed: July 22, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Laguna Hills
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
The PATH
Strengths:
Light weight! I've weighed 3 different carcass. ALL surprising were within +/-1gms. They weight in at 575.
Weaknesses:
None that I've experienced.
Similar Products Used:
Small block 9 and Panaracer Rampage
Bike Setup:
SIR9, Bontrager Race Lite, Ignitors, 26 tubes, Reba Race, 1x9, SRAM x9 shifter, Sram X 0 der. Comes in at 25.5 lbs.
Bottom Line:
I'm very happy with these tires, good value for the $$$. Fast rolling and good traction. I also put in light weight 26" tubes with these tires and the rolling resistance was a dramatic improvement over the Rampages. The only other tire I would consider is the Kenda Karmas.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DirtRoadie
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango CO Date Reviewed: May 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Kennebaec Pass or White Rim
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Seems to do everthing well.
Weaknesses:
Have not identified any yet
Bike Setup:
Dos Niner
Bottom Line:
These were the first 29er tires I tried and I think they will be hard to improve on, though I'm still looking. Even at retail they ar one of the less expensive folding 29er tires available. They are light (560-594g), have decent volume (48 mm casing on a 20 mm rim), seem to roll well (VERY well) and have provided Velcro-like climbing traction. They are lighter (by over 200g!) than Kenda Karma 2.2's but are are very close to the same size. They are a little lighter than the Kenda Small Block 8 2.1's but are noticeably fatter (48 v 46 mm). I'm in the mostly dry Southwest so I have not tested these in mud. I'm a road rider and mostly cross country "type" rider - little or no racing. I keep the bike on the ground, ride around obstacles, and want the wheels to ROLL to get me where I'm going. For me, (for now) the Ignitor is the standard to beat.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charlie Meienberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, Texas Date Reviewed: May 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Bluff Creek Ranch
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$27.00
Purchased At:
Bike Tires Direct
Strengths:
Grip, puncture protection, grip, look great, grip, wear well, and did I mention grip?
Weaknesses:
Nada, zip, zilch.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager
Bike Setup:
Cobia 29er, (on second frame) and upgrade everything else.
Bottom Line:
This is a update to previous review. I've been riding these for a while now and I just love these tires. No flats at all and I've been running them around 28 to 30 pounds. I weigh 180 and ride over a lot of nasty roots and rocks. No pinch flats, even with using a normal tube. Since the first review I've had plenty of mud experience. They grip well even when packed with mud. They clear pretty well and I have to say even running at such a low pressure they roll really easily. I'm upgrading the review to 5 out of 5 chilis. These are simply great tires.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Raymo853
a Cross Country Rider
from State College, PA,, USA Date Reviewed: May 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Pig Pile
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
LBS: Mt Nittany Wheelworks
Strengths:
• Traction • Durable
Weaknesses:
• A little heavy
Similar Products Used:
Bonti Jones, various WTB, Mythos
Bike Setup:
IF 29er geared and Gary Fisher Rig
Bottom Line:
My current favorite tire, however, I am looking for something better. Is a great tire for general riding, offers great traction, good strength versus flats & pinches and wears well. I desire somthing with lower rolling resistance and lower weight, but then again who doesn't.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charlie M.
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, Texas Date Reviewed: March 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Bluff Creek Ranch
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$32.00
Purchased At:
BikeTiresDirect.com
Strengths:
Reasonably light, good puncture protection, decent traction, nice graphics.
Weaknesses:
They seem a little hard (not much give) even when inflated to minimum 35 psi.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager
Bike Setup:
Cobia with upgraded "just about everything".
Bottom Line:
Frankly I bought these tires mostly because I liked the looks of them. But they turned out to be pretty good. My only minor complaint is that they don't have much give even at the low end of the inflation scale. I've ended up running these well below the minimum of 35psi just to get better traction on loose over hard pack. When I rode them on tacky trails they just flew. Felt like I was glues to the trail. Only minor mud experience so I can't really comment on how well they clear.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anthony
a
from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Date Reviewed: January 29, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Rampage, WTB Exiwolf
Bike Setup:
Rigid Karate Monkey, Velocity Dyad/LX wheels
Bottom Line:
A light, fast tire that worked well in the variety of mostly dry terrain found in the Yukon. I found it a little squirmy for me at 250+ lbs. I wanted something more rugged and fatter to soak up the bumps on a rigid bike. I'm more interested in a tire that can get me home from being 50 km deep into the bush, rather than carving fast single track. Also, compared to others it isn't much good on snow.
No huge complaints, but I found the Panaracer Rampage to be a much better tire for my needs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisiana Date Reviewed: January 16, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Front corners great. Does well as all round tire.
Weaknesses:
Rear slippery in mud
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager XR
Bike Setup:
06 XCaliber
Bottom Line:
They roll great on the pavement. Grip good in anything dry, have noticed that the rear slides a good bit in the mud. Grabs edges of rocks and roots great. Haven't too many punctures. This is a good middle of road tire, cheap, does what it is suppose too, not too heavy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
GlowBoy
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland OR Date Reviewed: December 20, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Lost in oregon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$37.00
Purchased At:
WebCyclery
Strengths:
Good cornering and braking grip in a variety of riding conditions. Good in the wet, good in loose and dry. Sheds mud decently. Rolls pretty well for a full knobby, maybe marginally better than the Klaw.
Weaknesses:
Not very grippy as a rear tire, especially for singlespeeders. Volume doesn't match up to the new 2.3"+ Rampage, Nevegal, Resolution and WeirWolf LT.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager XR, Bontrager ACX, Kenda Karma 1.9, Kenda Klaw, Kenda Khan, Maxxis Ignitor, Panaracer Rampage, Schwalbe Black Jack 1.9, WTB ExiWolf, WTB Nanoraptor, and too many smaller 700c tires to count.
Bike Setup:
- Surly Karate Monkey, currently 3sp hub commuter. - Vulture custom 29" SS EBB hardtail. - Lenz Sport Leviathan 29"x3" full suspension.
Bottom Line:
This is still one of the best all-rounders out there in the 29" world, especially for a mid-volume tire. Until the Rampage came along it was my favorite front tire, with strong and predictable cornering in all conditions from loose gravel to outright mud. Not a great rear tire in my experience -- it broke loose far too easily in both mud and loose desert gravel over hardpack. Believe it or not the Kenda Klaw is a better choice of rear tire for both of those situations. Interestingly, it looks very much like the Conti Explorer/Vertical twins, and in almost every respect it performs very much like them. Very good tire.
Buy it if: you want great cornering in an all-purpose front tire, and you don't need the cush and volume of a 2.3"+ tire. Skip it if: you need more volume, or you're looking for a really grippy rear tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Luke Wardle
a Cross Country Rider
from Norfolk, UK Date Reviewed: December 20, 2006
Favorite Trail:
The Silver Darling
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Speedgoat.com
Strengths:
Light, good volume and reasonably fast rolling.
Weaknesses:
Not a great mud tyre, tends to wander a bit in muddy conditions. Very slack fit on rims.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager ACX, XR, WTB Motoraptor
Bike Setup:
Single speed rigid and geared hardtail.
Bottom Line:
These are a very good tyre front or rear for trail riding. It has suprisingly good traction on wet roots and rock, they aren't particularly good in mud as they tend to pack up and become a bit vague in the steering department. The other problem with them, and commom to several 29er tyres is the very slack fit on rims (DT TK 7.1 and Mavic A719). It is a stuggle to mount them as the beads keep slipping off. Once mounted and inflated I've had no problems with blow offs. Durability seems good too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
Interbike 2008! Read news and info about new bikes and products from the upcoming show»
$
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
