Phenomenal grip in almost all conditions (deep sand and slimy wet rocks being the major exceptions, but what tire will grip in that?). They last forever, the one on the front has +1500km and still has lots of life left although the outer lugs are 50% rounded off. They roll very well for an XC tire. The S-Works version is very light and energetic, the Control is heavier but soaks up much more of the bumps.Downhill in loose scree or hard rock The Captain is always in control, as long as I don't push it past the speed limit. I use Effetto Mariposa Caffélatex and The Captain seals up numerous cactus and thorn punctures with only a weeping or wet spot to show for it. Have never burped, even though I run them quite soft. Even when worn as much as my front is, the grip is great. Good traction in mud, and clean well too.

The S-Works version sidewalls are too thin for sharp rock/shale conditions. The Control version is the remedy for that. Sometimes I'm able to seal them with a hand pump, but sometimes I have to get compressed air at the gas station. The sidewalls weep sealant on both the Control and S-Works models, so I have to refill the gel every 6 weeks or so. That only takes about 5-10 minutes if you do it with a syringe through the valve stem. They squirm and are a little tricky at high speed over soft sand, although I've never had a fall because of it. Too noisy if you run them a lot on the pavement. Get a FastTrack for that. There may be a better tire for slippery wet roots, but I haven't seen one go past me yet on the trails.

I've run 29x2 Captains on the front of my Specialized Epic 29er since new in Jan 2012, and on the rear as well last winter. I've just bought a new Captain Control for the front this winter, and have just put a new 29x2.1 Ground Control on the rear. I'll keep the worn Captain for the front again next summer. The 29x2 Captain is a couple mm wider than the 29x2.1 GC, I measured them with a caliper. There are a lot of tire brands in the bike group I ride with, and I'd say the only tire that compares is Nobby Nick. NN seems to have better control at high speed downhill, but it pays a rolling penalty on hard surfaces. On really steep descents with loose or wet rock I'm often one of the few in my group who doesn't walk down, and the same goes for climbing if it's really steep. I'm 64, about 20 years older than most of the guys in my group. With The Captain on the rear I can sometimes even stand up to pedal on a steep ascent and not spin out. I reviewed all the other brands before buying a new Captain, but 2 years and +4000km of great riding on The Captain convinced me to keep the same tire.

Similar Products Used:

Kenda Navegal, WTB Bronson, Continental CycloX-King

Relatively lightweight. Very durable. Good traction/stability

Kind of pricey

I really like these tires. Came on my bike new from LBS. Tried another brand of tire, and found that traction and lateral stability (especially on wet rocks/ logs) was not nearly as good as these. I ride in very rocky terrain, and these hold up very well also (1500 trail miles... no flats! Tire diameter seems larger than claimed. I'm running 29X2.0 and they seem like 2.2s.