WTB Weir Wolf Tires - Review
Nov 20, 2008
WTB created the Weir Wolf tire for “Mr. All Mountain” Mark Weir. A man who actually enjoys grueling all mountain events like the Downieville DH (a 15 mile downhill with a 4000' descent) and the Hell Ride (a six to eight hour event, covering 60-80 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing). So how does a tire that’s designed by some one so crazy hold up for the average Joe?
Read on to find out.
Read on to find out.
Tires can be the most under rated part of a mountain bike. A lot of people when asked what kind of tires they need reply “Just give me something that’s round and rolls.” In reality tires can be the difference between an awesome ride and a “don’t ask” ride.
When I was in the market for a new set of tires for my all mountain free-ride bike the number of choices was mind boggling. I was looking for something that rolled fast, climbed well, and could cope with the riding conditions on my local trails in the Chilliwack area. After trying a few different sets I was left with the impression that I would never find “THE” tire for me. So when I was approached with the opportunity to test a pair of the WeirWolf tires from WTB I knew I had to jump at the chance to try them out.
The tire is offered in three models, UST ($70), Race ($60), and Comp ($30). The race offers an aramid bead, WTB DNA rubber, a lightweight casing, and weighs in at 760g (1.68lbs) for the 2.5 version.
The best way to explain the performance of the WeirWolf is to split it up into three categories: Climbing, descending, and cornering.
Climbing
This is where the Wolf shows its teeth. With its aggressive closely spaced center tread it seemed that no matter how steep or rocky the terrain it hooked up well and refused to let go. The first time climbing with them, one is able to make the steepest assent up well worn logging roads and trails with out loosing traction.
Cornering
Riders who already attack corners with confidence will be pleased with the WeirWolf's performance. Those who take a more relaxed attitude to corners will have to adjust their riding style in order to get the best performance out of the tire. When cornering, the tire does take some time to get use to. It may feel unstable to some because of the tread's transitional pattern from the inner to outer lugs. If the rider does not attack corners at an aggressive lean angle, the tire will settle into the unstable transitional area instead of the aggressive biting outer lugs. Once you get into the habit of cornering aggressively the tire grabs well and holds on till the corner is finished.
Descending
When descending the tread design works well as the closely spaced center tread allows it to roll fast and smooth. It was easy to pick a line and stick to it and it gives the rider a good sense of stability due to the large contact area that you would expect from a 2.5 inch tire. When you have to come to a stop the shovel like braking surface allows the tread to sink into the trail and stop both rider and bike on a dime.
Who Is The Weir Wolf For?
This tire is designed for all mountain riders who view the uphill climb to the trail head enjoyable rather than a pain in the butt. The tire performs well in all the category's listed above. The only down side is that it may take some a bit longer to adjust to how aggressive the tire needs to be treated to achieve its full potential in the corners. Over all the WeirWolf offers another good offering for the All Mountain crowd and I wouldn’t be surprised if you see the Wolf's tread mark more often in the mud on a trail near you.
Check out WTB's website to learn more about the WeirWolf and all their other products.
-Gavin
The best way to explain the performance of the WeirWolf is to split it up into three categories: Climbing, descending, and cornering.
Climbing
Cornering
Descending
This tire is designed for all mountain riders who view the uphill climb to the trail head enjoyable rather than a pain in the butt. The tire performs well in all the category's listed above. The only down side is that it may take some a bit longer to adjust to how aggressive the tire needs to be treated to achieve its full potential in the corners. Over all the WeirWolf offers another good offering for the All Mountain crowd and I wouldn’t be surprised if you see the Wolf's tread mark more often in the mud on a trail near you.
Check out WTB's website to learn more about the WeirWolf and all their other products.
-Gavin
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74 Comments
Ridden these tyres (or at least a very similar wtb tread) a while ago and they were awesome. very grippy and aggressive.
I run maxxis high rollers as they are really the only choice if you want 24inch downhill tyres!
I run maxxis high rollers as they are really the only choice if you want 24inch downhill tyres!
I've never ridden these on an all mountain bike, but i was forced to use them at a DH race once because it was the only thing available and i didn't like them at all. they are horribly unstable at high speeds. i hear what they are saying about aggressive cornering but that wasn't the problem. when i was riding flat out the bike was drifting all over the place and hard to control. unless you like the bike to feel loose under you i wouldn't recommend them if your plan is to ride fast.
I'm running one of those in the back ATM cuz this sunday I have an urban DH race, hope it will last lol but seem to be good tires
^mtb junkie - By the sounds of things, I'd guess your air pressure was the issue and not the tires. I've ridden these tires too and all I can say is "too much grip" as they are very aggressive and designed to be pushed hard into and through corners. Your description sounds like any tire that is improperly inflated.
I have to agree with mtjunkie to a point...used them for a bit of DH/FR and, in the dry they were good, felt a bit sketchy sometimes but when it got a bit British they didn't give me much grip at all. I went on to High Rollers/Specialized Roller pro's that winter and was much more impressed. Might give them a ago again sometime on the AM bike (if they happen to be on sale at the time).
Not to knock WTB down or anything, just want to give ya'll some info. I ride VERY dry trails and I used these tires for a couple of years. On dry hard pack, they slide around like crazy because of the many knobs and are hard to use, do not buy them if you ride stuff like this. Now, occasionaly it rains here and makes the dirt softer. With wetish dirt these tires are bloddy amazing. They grab the ground extremely well. If you live in a dry area like me but still want WTB, go with the '08 Dissent tires. I personally use Kenda Nevegals now and they work well on dry dirt, like the Dissents.
i don't know brule i played around with the pressure quite a bit as i road them for a full practice day. they just felt weird to me. maybe it's just rider preference, but at the end of the day i don't think i would ever buy another pair. my buddy had the same reaction when he tried to run them.
fr112358 has a good point. when i road these it was in very dry, hard packed conditions. the knobs just flex to much and make the bike unstable. i guess i will have to try them again in softer conditions to get a true feel for them.
This is the article about AM, might FR tires... off course Minion corners better! But I never tried a worse tire that Minion when it comes to climbing or going to spots on tarmac, rolling resistance kills... perhaps that's why it has Downhill specific written on a sidewall... HR might be worse on climbing than minion, dunno...
I know... that's why I use Highrollers which are not much better in mud, but still they don't stuff up with mud so easily as minions. Minions stuff up even with wet forest ground. Actually Swampthings are pretty good in dry which makes them a better allround tire than HR.
yeah they pack up a bit thats why you got to cut certain nobs in the winter but they corner great and are excellent DH tires as well, they need to bring back the wire bead version though
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Is it really that good in cornering, That Weur Wolf? Side knobs don't look like a good biters, there are some very dense knobs. Looks like a great climbing and braking tire though. I'd love to check them!
At first glance they appear to be lacking traditional style side lugs, but like Mark Weir says "These are meant to be pushed aggressively into and through corners-really lay them over".
yea sounds good, but is the grip comparable with for example Highrollers in let's say "normal" conditions, let's call it dry, and quite hard ground.
i'm pretty sure you've got to "really lay them over" to corner any tire well. The fact that these tires have no solid consistent side knobbing to lay over onto means they're shitty.
oh, unless you want to believe the employee that WTB probably also pays money to ride their shit.
oh, unless you want to believe the employee that WTB probably also pays money to ride their shit.
Przejeździłem na tych oponach -dokładnie na tych z tego testu - ostatnie sezony. Opony spisywały się naprawdę dobrze zwłaszcza w suchych warunkach na twardej i średnio "sypkiej" nawierzchni. Zero "snejków" fajne trzymanie w zakrętach-chociaż powyżej wspomniana niestabilność przy w chodzeniu w zakręt mniej agresywnie- czasem się pojawiała-zwłaszcza przednie koło musiało się "ustawić" czasem w zakręcie. Jedynie w mokrych warunach opony maja tendencje do niesamowitego zapychania się błotem - małe kostki bieżnika oblepiają się całe a błoto odrywając się od nich bardzo pryska na wszystkie strony - zawsze miałem najbrudniejsze plecy i najbardziej usyfiony rower po jeździe spośród wszystkich znajomych. Trudno też założyć je na węższe obręcze -na Singletracki wchodzą gładko ale na Alexrimsy z wysokim brzegiem - 20 minut męki. Pomijając minusy -bardzo fajna wszechstronna opona.
Uuuups! - co za hieroglify mi wyszły....ok ponizej wersja normalna:
Przejezdzilem na tych oponach -dokladnie na tych z tego testu - ostatnie 2 sezony. Opony spisywaly sie naprawde dobrze zwlaszcza w suchych warunkach na twardej i srednio "sypkiej" nawierzchni. Zero "snejkow" fajne trzymanie w zakretach-chociaz powyzej wspomniana niestabilnosc przy w chodzeniu w zakret mniej agresywnie- czasem sie pojawiala-zwlaszcza przednie kolo musialo sie "ustawic" czasem w zakrecie. Jedynie w mokrych warunach opony maja tendencje do niesamowitego zapychania sie blotem - male kostki bieznika oblepiaja sie cale a bloto odrywajac sie od nich bardzo pryska na wszystkie strony - zawsze mialem najbrudniejsze plecy i najbardziej usyfiony rower po jezdzie sposrod wszystkich znajomych. Trudno tez zalozyc je na wezsze obrecze -na Singletracki wchodza gladko ale na Alexrimsy z wysokim brzegiem - 20 minut meki. Pomijajac minusy -bardzo fajna wszechstronna opona.
Przejezdzilem na tych oponach -dokladnie na tych z tego testu - ostatnie 2 sezony. Opony spisywaly sie naprawde dobrze zwlaszcza w suchych warunkach na twardej i srednio "sypkiej" nawierzchni. Zero "snejkow" fajne trzymanie w zakretach-chociaz powyzej wspomniana niestabilnosc przy w chodzeniu w zakret mniej agresywnie- czasem sie pojawiala-zwlaszcza przednie kolo musialo sie "ustawic" czasem w zakrecie. Jedynie w mokrych warunach opony maja tendencje do niesamowitego zapychania sie blotem - male kostki bieznika oblepiaja sie cale a bloto odrywajac sie od nich bardzo pryska na wszystkie strony - zawsze mialem najbrudniejsze plecy i najbardziej usyfiony rower po jezdzie sposrod wszystkich znajomych. Trudno tez zalozyc je na wezsze obrecze -na Singletracki wchodza gladko ale na Alexrimsy z wysokim brzegiem - 20 minut meki. Pomijajac minusy -bardzo fajna wszechstronna opona.
Oh really? I hate when that happens! lol.
The weirwolf's are geart tires. But the thin side walls rip very easy, ripped 2 tires in a week on rocks.
The weirwolf's are geart tires. But the thin side walls rip very easy, ripped 2 tires in a week on rocks.
Bigtard - Macho, macho maaan, Macho macho maaaan! You're freeride macho maaaan! You're hardcore freeride staaaar! 50 feet gap no hands on baaars! Macho freeride maaan! It's good to be a machoooooaaaaaaaa!
i'm sorry if the only type of riding where i'm lucky to come from is too rough for weak tires.
that was a funny response though.
and seriously. i ride bikes lots. those are NOT good tires
i've used them. you don't see any other quality brand of tire with such an inconsistent and strangely spaced out side knob pattern.
sure thats not as important on loose dirt, but it screws you over in any other condition.
that was a funny response though.
and seriously. i ride bikes lots. those are NOT good tires
i've used them. you don't see any other quality brand of tire with such an inconsistent and strangely spaced out side knob pattern.
sure thats not as important on loose dirt, but it screws you over in any other condition.
I just replied to a bit arogant: "riding like a girl", I don't give a crap about those tires, I'll never buy them, I prefer 4 sets of tires on 2 wheelsets: Park and freeride on Deemax with 2ply HRollers 42a/60a, 2ply Swampthings 40a/60a when it gets cheesy wet: enduro/AM on custom semilight wheels with 2,35 HR 1ply 60a or if I'm really going to take it far away: Nobby Nic Evo 2,2. I do believe in allround bikes but I do not believe in allround tires
And I do believe that saying light freeride is riding like a girl" is arogant. Most of tracks in bike parks are "light freeride" best example A-Line, 99% of mountain biking is actually XC enduro. If u just go big, shred, dominate the North Shore, demolish the most difficult lines, it's fine, but leave alone these 99,9999999% people having fun in other way than yours ... PEACE FOR ALL, cheers!
i got the same tire set but 2.1 ....they 're amasing, fast rollig and everithig that was already said about them in the article....syper tires!!!!
These tires were good but threw little rocks at my frame like none other. After one summer the paint on my downtube was freckled up and down. It was noticeable and annoying.
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these tires kick ass. for any type of All Mountain riding people should run these tires, roll fast and really hook up better than the tread pattern may suggest.
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I had a set of these tires and they rocked. If you turn the rear tire around they drift like no other tire. So much fun! You can whip these things around so fast.
I ride on wierwolfs all the time but try this combo the best one out there i swear to god it works for everyone i recommend it to.
WTB WierWolf on the front!
WTB Volceorapter on the rear!
it works perfectly check it out tell me what you think!
WTB WierWolf on the front!
WTB Volceorapter on the rear!
it works perfectly check it out tell me what you think!
I tried the 2.1's and they were among the worst tires I've ever tried. As mentioned in the article they skated around everywhere in the dry and the rubber compound was terrible in the dry. The small lugs tend to flex back and forth and feel sketchy under anything but hard leaning. I find more traction and predictability with my Crossmarks!
bogey nailed it, totally unpredictable, i rode these tires only because the came on the bike i bought. they are by far the worst tire i have ever ridden. your 2.3 is actually only a 1.5 since the side knobs do a dissapearing act when you need them.they make a skinny anorexic. it took me a month of riding on different tires to gain back the confidence i lost while using the weirwolfs. would recomend these tires to someone you don't like.
I thought these were decent on hardpack and dry loam for the most part, but they shed mud terribly bad. Just clogged like a diaper.
Not a tire for you if you ride in any kind of wet clay or sludgey stuff.
I think they have no business on a DH or FR bike, as they don't feel stable over rooty sections, and the sidewalls aren't cut out for sharp rocks and assorted gnar.
I switched from these to the Kenda Nevegal, and the Kenda tire is my favourite all around AM tire to date.
Not a tire for you if you ride in any kind of wet clay or sludgey stuff.
I think they have no business on a DH or FR bike, as they don't feel stable over rooty sections, and the sidewalls aren't cut out for sharp rocks and assorted gnar.
I switched from these to the Kenda Nevegal, and the Kenda tire is my favourite all around AM tire to date.
I am a total rubber geek. I love these tires. I plan on packing some Tam dirt over the next two weeks, and this was one of 4 tires I flew in with. They are worth spack and weight in your bag!!
These are great, and for drier conditions, the WeirWolf LT 2.55s are awesome, too. Big volume, light weight and a predictable break-away point.
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mtjunkie im totally with u on that i had some stock on my Parker and i hated them day 1 they feel like they are goin to slide out on u anytime and it happened once to me (exception is was muddy) but i wasnt goin fast and ik kevda or maxxis's woodnt of slid out on me and i hit a tree and i had to get a new fork cause it dented.
I LOVE THIS TIRE! i use it in a 2.3 it's light weight but still got a wire bead and I have yet to loose grip in any weather.
To all you that neg proped me about saying all I will run is Minions, that because I dont climb hills, only ride down them.
these tires are grippy and all but they wear out too fast the tread rips off....minions are the way to go if your serious about riding
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I would have to say first that I have never ridden this tire. by looking at them I can see that the side walls and outter nobs are what look weak to me. there for no dice!
I switch to these tires on my SX trail when i do cross country trips and i think they are a great all around tire. the trails that i ride are a bit sandy and the tire holds in the corners great. these are not the best downhill tires but they are awesome cross country tires that hold great in the corners at high speeds. a lot of people say that the tread comes off fast but i have not had any wear on mine, its all about the tire pressure you run them at.
Had a set a weirwolfs years ago, and for east coast conditions, they are ok, but there are better offerings. I'd still take them over a Bontrager Tire though.
I roll with maxxis minion, and always will.
All the boys i work with ride the same.
not a fan of WTB tires, i personaly think they are garbage and wear too fast from what ive seen.
All the boys i work with ride the same.
not a fan of WTB tires, i personaly think they are garbage and wear too fast from what ive seen.
Used these tires for a season. Excellent for climbing and stopping. I did find them slightly unstable at speed and it is a little strange to lean them over the first time. Because I'd rather my tire be suited to high speed decents than climbing I like my High Rollers better.
Lets put opinions aside and look at the facts. World Cup Mens DH final standings, top 10:
Minaar - Maxxis
Hill - Maxxis
Atherton - Maxxis
Peat - Maxxis
Blenkinsop - Maxxis
Barel - don't know
Rennie - Maxxis
Leov - Maxxis
Kovarik - Maxxis
Camellini - Maxxis
Even when Peat and Rennie were sponsored by Kenda, they ran Maxxis.
Don't listen to me. Don't listen to other goons, listen to the fastest guys in the world: MAXXIS!
Minaar - Maxxis
Hill - Maxxis
Atherton - Maxxis
Peat - Maxxis
Blenkinsop - Maxxis
Barel - don't know
Rennie - Maxxis
Leov - Maxxis
Kovarik - Maxxis
Camellini - Maxxis
Even when Peat and Rennie were sponsored by Kenda, they ran Maxxis.
Don't listen to me. Don't listen to other goons, listen to the fastest guys in the world: MAXXIS!
Not sure how we got on the topic of DH tires when the article was about All Mountain tires. Anyway - I have had the pleasure of running theses tires in in a 2.5 wire bead and the 2.3 aramid bead. Both perform really well under most conditions. Drop the air pressure and they clib and stop like no other. However, what I found to be their weakness - as mentioned above the sidewalls are thin and I have cut 2, one leaked out the other needed to be replaced. Corning - yes you do need to corner aggressively. Read that as you need to lean the bike hard and in order to lean a bike hard you have to be going fast. So for the average mountain biker I think they will find this tire quite sketchy in the corners and it is probably why people (the average rider) don't like this tire.
How did we get onto DH tires? Because Maxxis make AM tires too. So since we all know who makes the best DH tires, wouldn't it be logical that if you can get a lighter tire with a similar tread pattern and the same compound as the DH tires, wouldn't you do it?
And that's why I don't need to test no WTB tire. I run 2.35 single ply ST High Rollers when I am riding in a AM style. I've also been running the DH versions for years, so I don't have to change my tire-grip mindset when I switch from AM to DH tires and vice versa.
Look at GonzoBikes below, they once ran these WTB tires, at some later point tried Maxxis, and now no longer run WTB. I've been MTBing for nearly 20 years, and every time I try anything other than a Maxxis (for dirt), I'm disappointed. Solution? Only run Maxxis.
And that's why I don't need to test no WTB tire. I run 2.35 single ply ST High Rollers when I am riding in a AM style. I've also been running the DH versions for years, so I don't have to change my tire-grip mindset when I switch from AM to DH tires and vice versa.
Look at GonzoBikes below, they once ran these WTB tires, at some later point tried Maxxis, and now no longer run WTB. I've been MTBing for nearly 20 years, and every time I try anything other than a Maxxis (for dirt), I'm disappointed. Solution? Only run Maxxis.
Weirwolfs are good, but they aint maxxis ;]
Little late for a review? I think i had a pair of these 4 or 5 years ago...
Little late for a review? I think i had a pair of these 4 or 5 years ago...
And everyone NEG propped me for saying ALL I RUN IS MAXXIS MINIONS...... IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING AT ALL YOU WILL RUN MAXXIS.
Maxxis is shit. Intense is where it's at. Under 1000 grams for a 26x2.35 dual compound DH tire? Sign me up!
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I would only expect the best rider ever to put his name on the best tire ever.