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Submitted by
Matt Robinson
a Racer
from Loveland, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | Good rolling resistance, tread lasts a while | | Weaknesses: | Front tire washes out on corners with no warning. | | Similar Products Used: | Panaracer Smoke/Dart | | Bike Setup: | Macalu hardtail, 150lbs, run tires around 38-40psi | | Bottom Line: | I raced on these tires for a year. The front washed out multiple times and I lost all confidence in these tires. Switched to Continental Explorer Pro (much more predictable in the corners). Also would get pinch flats if I ran the pressure much lower than 38psi. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Hunter
a Cross Country Rider
from Ventura CA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Overlook-Backbone loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Fast Rolling | | Weaknesses: | Weak bead & Side Walls | | Similar Products Used: | Hutch Spider Tubeless | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur. Stan's No Tubes on Mavic Rims | | Bottom Line: | 3 Rides in a row. I either broke the bead or punctured the side wall. Stan's filled in the punctures and was able to ride out, but still sucked. Granted, I am 210lbs and bomb down rocky sections. I ordered the tubless version in hopes for stronger side walls. Definately need tubes with these tires. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joey
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bikes | | Strengths: | Lightweight, Low Rolling Resistance (I weighed mine when new at 540gm) | | Weaknesses: | Side grip. Wouldn't even think of using one on the front. Weak bead, Thin sidewalls. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Epic Wolf, Specialized Roll X Pro, Ritchey ZED Race, Panaracer Fire XC Pro | | Bike Setup: | I used the Hutchinson Python (supposedly the old original version sold by Performance) as a rear tire. I ran it tubeless with Stans notubes on a standard (non UST) rim. | | Bottom Line: | I used Pythons years ago (with tubes) and found them to be very lightweight tires with excellent rolling resistance. They gripped passibly well in dry hardpack conditions in Colorado. (as a tip, I found that running the rear in the reverse of Hutchinson's recommended direction led to better climbing grip)
So, I recently saw that Performance was bringing back the "old" Pythons, which I was told had stronger kevlar beads and beefier sidewalls than the new version. Against Stans Notubes recommendations, I tried running the Python tubeless. I used the tire for 9 rides, which included 2 XC races, running about 30-35 psi. The shock absorption and the rolling resistance was excellent. Traction was very good too. Cornering grip was fair but it wasn't as much of an issue runnig it on the rear.
Then, disaster struck. I was on a ride, climbing a hill in my granny, when the tire blew off the rim! (I had it pumped up to 32 psi) Took a look at it and the kevlar bead had broken/failed. I was glad it didn't happen on a downhill! It was weird because the tire was under minimal stress when it happened.
Moral of the story. Don't run the Hutchinson Pythons (the tube versions) tubeless with Stans because they really do have WEAK KEVLAR BEADS which could fail at any time. I can't bash the tire because it's a good tire for running with tubes, under certain conditions.
Just thought I pass on that warning to all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from North Augusta, SC
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Modoc(Steven's Creek) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | very fast. i mean, VERY fast.
fast on trails, fast on streets, fast on gravel. fast.
they are very smooth tires too, meaning i had a more cushy ride with them. | | Weaknesses: | bad, bad cornering. | | Bike Setup: | Gaint Anthem 2006 | | Bottom Line: | i've heard that this is the top of the line tire for XC. i see the advantage with it being so fast, but that's it's main pro.
i've taken turns with these and wiped out HARD. not even sharp turns, just leaned into it and the next thing i knew, i was on the ground bleeding.
if you aren't into riding too hard, just like to go enjoy a trail at your own pace, these will be good because they will get you around quick and keep you comfy. but if you get too much speed, you'll probably fall when you lean into a turn. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Bonita Lakes/Clear Springs Tie | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bobs Bicyle Online. | | Strengths: | Rolls Real Fast. Used To Have Panaracers So Big Difference. Looks good. Quiet on the pavement. Ummmmmm. Did I mention they roll real fast. | | Weaknesses: | Don't take turns to fast I've only had em wash out once and I weigh 170lbs. Only had one flat and I am running them tubeless and that was before I added the Stan's Sealant no problems now. | | Similar Products Used: | Back in the day I tried a set of Rictey Speedmax's they didn't grip at all. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500 Frame
Mix of XT/XTR
XT/XM819 Stans
Marz EXR
XTR Vees | | Bottom Line: | If your not riding in sand or mud or rocks.Get these tires. Not sure how they handle rocks, this is Mississippi ;-). | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
clive de sousa
a Racer
from Orlando
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | the ones I find myself | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | www.glorycycles.com | | Strengths: | I rode a 8 day stage Race in africa with them and no flat. www.cape-epic.com
perfect in lose sand and roll well on tar roads. | | Weaknesses: | Not the best in sticky mud. | | Similar Products Used: | Michelin. | | Bike Setup: | Bianchi Ozeti with XTR and Mavic Cross max | | Bottom Line: | Great as a all round tire, versatile and reliable. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sckotty
a
from TX
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Look Cool, well made, fast roller | | Weaknesses: | traction breaks away in fast turns on semi loose course. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB, Specialied, IRC | | Bike Setup: | Blur, 7"disc, lockout front/rear | | Bottom Line: | I have ran three different brand tires over the same course and the Pythons are fast but very poor in hard truns. I have bit the dust more time in one week then I have in a hole year with these new pythons. Even at differt psi they loose grip in fast and hard turns. My WTB Mutono rapotors I just took off handeled much better and roller the same. Save your $ unless looks are every thing. They do look great. To bad they dont handle as good as they look. I have gone thourgh 2 pair of Mutano rapotors and I though I would try a new brand and style. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walter N
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon @ Patapsco | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Blueskycycling.com | | Strengths: | Fast rolling, decent grip. | | Weaknesses: | Limited use = Summer riding only, Pain in the A## to mount!! | | Similar Products Used: | IRC's, Conti's | | Bike Setup: | SC Blur, Manitou Super air SPV's | | Bottom Line: | *** This review is for the New Gen, 2.3, tubeless version of these tire ***
Great tires for summer riding. If you think your tires are fast rolling, try these tires!! You'll find yourself gaining speed on sections of trails where you used to have to pedal to keep rolling.
I take it from the earlier reviews that Hutchinson made some major changes to these tires in the "New Gen" version. All of the common complaints, bad cornering, bad on wet surface, etc. have been corrected in the new version. I was sceptical about buying these after reading some of the below reviews, but I'm glad I did. They roll fast, turn fast and grip pretty well.
I wouldn't recommend these tires for new riders. Fast rolling means fast turning, so these tires can be pretty unforgiving when you make a wrong turn of the bars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich O'Neill
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Graham Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Strengths: | Fast, light, good grip on hardpacked trails, looks cool. So far no flats | | Weaknesses: | Tires lose pressure after 1-2 days, rear will eventually go flat. (Manufacturer suggests cranking up to 60+ PSI on install to lock in--never happened for me.)Perhaps this is the problem. | | Similar Products Used: | First time tubeless | | Bike Setup: | Kestrel '04 Edge (came with). Usually run on 40PSI front, 45 rear (I'm 240 lbs) | | Bottom Line: | Still getting used to inflating on every ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Heath
a Cross Country Rider
from Taipei, Taiwan
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Streets of the city | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came on Giant XTC II | | Strengths: | Fast,light, good hook-up. | | Weaknesses: | Slight surface imperfection of being flat way too often. | | Similar Products Used: | Replaced them with Larsen MiMos. No flats since switch | | Bike Setup: | XC hardtail used for in city commute and urban assult. | | Bottom Line: | A tire that I can't trust or use is crap! I spent way too much time thinking about my tires when I owned these. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango, CO
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | dry fork / CO trail loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | fast, no more pinch flats! | | Weaknesses: | the sidewalls from what i hear, looses edge grip a bit on fast turns, & the fact i overpaid for it | | Similar Products Used: | IRC serac xc, specialized dirt master (from way back when) | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock Fisher HKEK w/ my new snazzy tube-free rear wheel | | Bottom Line: | this is my first attempt at tubeless and i dig. i read a LOT of horriffic reviews on this site right after i purchased them from a local shop (who highly recommended them). although i've only had them briefly, i've been everywhere from moab, to trails around durango, and now back to where i grew up in "sunny" new england. no problems with the "weak" sidewalls (yet) and i usually find all the pointy rocks whether i want to or not. they do loose a lot of PSI over a few days so always check them before heading out (a tubeless fact of life i guess). they tend to wash out a bit on hard, fast cornering but overall very satisfied. haven’t been out in any real soggy conditions (an achillies heel from what i hear) but will post again if they fail miserably. at 6'4" & 215# i am hard on my gear & so far so good. get 'em on sale though... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Racer
from San Anselmo
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Strengths: | super light, rolls nice and fast. If you ride for a few weeks and get used to the lower traction, actually will start to hook up well in most conditions. Great all year tire for rear, even works in mudy leafy conditions. | | Weaknesses: | on the front sometimes not hefty enough | | Similar Products Used: | bontrager, hutchinson, michelin, kenda | | Bike Setup: | salsa, xt xtr, fox, | | Bottom Line: | i use the normal version with stans running tubless, haven't had any flats in two months. I am a light rider at 130 but the super thin sidewalls haven't given me any trouble. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl Bower
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney Australia
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | beondbikes.com | | Strengths: | The best grip on rockes and road I have come across + low puncture rate | | Weaknesses: | lifespan short and price | | Similar Products Used: | Going through the lot trying to fing a cheaper alternatave | | Bike Setup: | NRS 1 | | Bottom Line: | I occationaly buy other tyers but cerse every time I do. Cant find anything as good for cheeper unfortunatly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luis Hernandez
a Cross Country Rider
from Guadalajara, Mexico
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The next to ride | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$32.00 | | Purchased At: | notubes.com | | Strengths: | Fast rolling and light but at the price of becoming flat at the less expected moment. | | Weaknesses: | Very, very specific tire for easy terrain. But even if you are riding on a paved road, if you stare at these tires with an ugly face it may become flat... | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Epic '03 M4 frame, SRAM X.9 drivetrain, Avid Brake levers, Avid brakes, DT Hugi 240s hubs, Stan's rims | | Bottom Line: | Worst tire I've ever used, you are in a high potential risk of becoming flat whenever the road is anything but smooth. Look elsewhere. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GUY (GUI) Spiher
a Racer
from Tobacco City USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | informal; transaction. | | Strengths: | Good for Buffy and her Huffy. good for Roadies trying the dirt. | | Weaknesses: | Typical Euro tire. Light flimsy,sidewalls lightweight and fast rolling but waaayyyy to condition specific. Cost tooooo much if bought at your LBS.. | | Similar Products Used: | Conti Escapes, Exploders,IRC Seracs*** WTB Weirwolfes. etc etc | | Bike Setup: | East Coast Titanium hardtail, Bon -- Vic wheels Race face Cane Creek Xt XTR Speedgoat custom shifting. Marathon. East Coast all the way | | Bottom Line: |
Too Condition specific Too flimsy too expensive too bad....
Do not use these tires in any hint of moisture. Tires will lose grip on even the slightest hint of wetness. If you encounter a spot of Frog Pee or a Toad Turd on the trail you will go down or have a scary moment at the least. Dry rocky trails presented the hazard of sidewall tears which I encountered When these tires lose grip they let go with little or no warning. If you live somewhere with hardpack dry trails with litle in the way of shrp rocks or incontinent Frogs and Toads and lack the understanding of leaning a tire into a turn then these are for you. Simply Sit Steer and Go. These would be great tires for the Rail Trail Riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Very Light | | Weaknesses: | Wash out really easy while going over rocks | | Similar Products Used: | maxxis, specialized etc. | | Bottom Line: | They are most likely great tires for flat dirt trails. They are not good tires if you are riding over rocks. I noticed a night and day difference with my Maxxis tires. They washed out more than a dozen times on my local trail (which is a general XC trail with rocks). My Maxxis tires never did this. They seem very poorly designed and very flimsy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Performance Bicycle | | Strengths: | These tires came on a new Giant NRS 3 I picked up. They're extremely light and outstanding rolling resistence. Good if you're riding streets on your way to or from your main ride. | | Weaknesses: | I blew out both front and back sidewalls within 3 months! At 200lbs I didn't think I should be too heavy, nor did running them at 40psi seem unreasonable. | | Bottom Line: | They'd make great racing tires for hard packed conditions, but don't expect them to hold up to normal use or training. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sarvis
a Cross Country Rider
from sparks, NV
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | solid traction and low rolling resistance. got a great deal. super light for this big a tire (got team-issue -50g each) | | Weaknesses: | used stan's and cannot get the sidewalls to seal completely. the seam between the yellow and black rubber is like a sieve. | | Similar Products Used: | WTB, specialized, onza | | Bike Setup: | ti hardtail, SRAM, Duke, Spinergy <23# | | Bottom Line: | potentially a great tire, but i'm looking for a new set because of the obvious weakness of the sidewalls. otherwise, i like the tire. it's confortable -- large volume. never cuts loose on me. quiet. fast. the stan's has done a great job with the tire. i run about 35 to 40psi and have never had a problem with loosing air on a ride, however, it consistently drops to about 20 psi if it sits for a week. score suffers because of poor quality sidewall. i'd score higher if i was running tubes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Macknight
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, Tx
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | State Natural Area | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA & Bike Sport | | Strengths: | Fast tire and predictable | | Weaknesses: | No mud and no sand - the tread tells you that! | | Similar Products Used: | Maxxis,WTB, Michilen,............... | | Bike Setup: | Trek hardtail and Ventana Pantera | | Bottom Line: | You know what you are getting by looking at the tread and feelilng the compound. I have two sets of these tires - grey stripe and all black. I use them on both bikes along with Maxxis depending on where I am riding and in what. If you want a fast tire with great predictability in all kinds of turns, then get a pair. If you want to plod around in mud then go elsewhere. I havd never had side wall problems with these. I run 33.5 to 37 psi. I weigh 215. Rating these at 4 only because I favor Maxxis Turners a bit more.
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Submitted by
Will Bradford
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything Winter Park/Amasa | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | U Bikes/Boulder | | Strengths: | Fast/smooth on hardpack and slickrock. Seem to ware well. | | Weaknesses: | Little traction in sand or anything loose for that matter. Does not corner well on anything loose. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Team/Panaracer/Michelin Wildgripper | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS1 - Tricked | | Bottom Line: | This is a great tire depending on the conditions. If you plan on riding hardpack or slickrock these tires really hook up. The have very low rolling resistance which makes them feel very fast. Dont mess with them if you ride in mud, loose dirt or sand. They'll get you nowhere. Choose your battles I guess. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob James
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | sassafras | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle workshop | | Strengths: | very fast rolling mtb tyre, excellent performance in dry light gravel conditions and hardpack. Looks awesome with yellow sidewall stripes! | | Weaknesses: | at 40psi, tyre just blew out on first ride; only travelled about 10km! Rupture between yellow and black compounds, about a 2 inch split! | | Bike Setup: | Yukon 02 with raceface cranks | | Bottom Line: | The product looked fantastic on orange frame, and was surprisingly fast for a mtb tyre. However, I suffered the fate of numerous others before with this tyre; it just blew out at the yellow/black seam. Paid $60 aus for a tyre just to get 10km out of it! Utterly unsatisfactory. The simple black version of this tyre might show better wear characteristics and reliability, but im not going to take that gamble. Bottom line is, these tyres look great, but not for long! 1 flaming badgers | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ernesto freyre
a
from miami, florida
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | oleta park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$38.00 | | Purchased At: | Price point | | Strengths: | Great grips. Strong,stable and gives speed. Works well on mud, even 3 feet of water I was able to write on it without any trouble. Rode for about an hour under water, those tires really works. | | Weaknesses: | When the wood or logs are wet, the tires becomes extremely slippery. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized tires, Dont remember the specific name of mode |
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