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Elite Cycling
WTB Velociraptors MTB Tire (2.1)
Back in the mid to late 1990's, the Velociraptors from WTB were THE tire to
ride. Over the years their popularity wained considerably as new models and
tire technologies evolved. This past year however, I have noticed a lot more of
them in the shops and on the trails. When I built up my new bike, the tires I had
been running just did not perform on the climbs and descents. My new bike
has an “Advanced Pivot System” that puts the bottom pivot just behind and
below the bottom bracket, lengthening the chainstays by about half an inch, and
making beefy knobs and aggressive tread pattern more important on the rear
wheel. I found a great deal on these tires and have been hooked. I even raced
the tires this season to numerous top ten and top five finishes. They are all-
round performers!
Back in the mid to late 1990's, the Velociraptors from WTB were THE tire to
ride. Over the years their popularity wained considerably as new models and
tire technologies evolved. This past year however, I have noticed a lot more of
them in the shops and on the trails. When I built up my new bike, the tires I had
been running just did not perform on the climbs and descents. My new bike
has an “Advanced Pivot System” that puts the bottom pivot just behind and
below the bottom bracket, lengthening the chainstays by about half an inch, and
making beefy knobs and aggressive tread pattern more important on the rear
wheel. I found a great deal on these tires and have been hooked. I even raced
the tires this season to numerous top ten and top five finishes. They are all-
round performers!
One ride on the Velociraptors and
you will understand why these tires
have stood the test of time. The rear
tire hooks up well in just about
everything. I have been impressed
with their performance in every trail
surface except that they tend to bog
down in sand. If your current tires
break traction on climbs, descents,
or when braking, try the Velociraptors
- This is where they excel! The new
DNA rubber compound provides
sticky traction, but the side knobs are
a tad short for the profile of the tire,
and they flex a little in hard cornering.
you will understand why these tires
have stood the test of time. The rear
tire hooks up well in just about
everything. I have been impressed
with their performance in every trail
surface except that they tend to bog
down in sand. If your current tires
break traction on climbs, descents,
or when braking, try the Velociraptors
- This is where they excel! The new
DNA rubber compound provides
sticky traction, but the side knobs are
a tad short for the profile of the tire,
and they flex a little in hard cornering.
If you are in the market for new rubber, the WTB Velociraptors offer new
technology incorporated into a time tested tread design. They excel going
uphill, coming downhill and grip like an angry hawk when braking. You'll notice
a slight increase in weight, but will find the tires are truly fast rolling, carry
momentum well, and corner confidently and predictably. They are particularly at
home in rock and loose terrain. If this is the terrain you ride, the Velociraptors
are what you should be riding it on!
technology incorporated into a time tested tread design. They excel going
uphill, coming downhill and grip like an angry hawk when braking. You'll notice
a slight increase in weight, but will find the tires are truly fast rolling, carry
momentum well, and corner confidently and predictably. They are particularly at
home in rock and loose terrain. If this is the terrain you ride, the Velociraptors
are what you should be riding it on!
into hard packed turns, but the slide is predictable and the tire gives you plenty
of warning before letting go. For performance tires, the Velociraptors are on the
heavy side at around 600 grams up front and right around 625 grams for the
rear. One value of the extra weight, if you need a silver lining, is that they carry
momentum over rocky and technical terrain very well. Anything lost by the
slightly higher weight is more than made up for by the solid traction and
confident breaking of the rear tire and near flawless precision of the front tire.
of warning before letting go. For performance tires, the Velociraptors are on the
heavy side at around 600 grams up front and right around 625 grams for the
rear. One value of the extra weight, if you need a silver lining, is that they carry
momentum over rocky and technical terrain very well. Anything lost by the
slightly higher weight is more than made up for by the solid traction and
confident breaking of the rear tire and near flawless precision of the front tire.
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