Overall fast tire. Good for lighter xc riding. Does good in sand and loose soil with low psi. and good with higher psi. on hard pack. Side tread loves the corners!

Not a choice tire for shredding the gnar! The center treads wear relatively quick.

I had the 2.10 version of the tire that was used on the Great Divide Trail. So mostly used on dirt / gravel roads. The tire definitely excels in hard pack conditions as well as pavement (not suggesting this tire for pavement). I found the psi can do a lot to change the performance. The lower the pressure the better the side treads dig in making it easier to get traction in sand and loose soil.

Overall the tires served me well. They lasted 2000 + miles, but barely had any center tread to speak of and some of the side treads were starting to rip off. Not sure if I would get the 2.10 again but I'd imagine the 42c or smaller tires would be good for cyclocross or on a gravel grinder.

Long lasting, low rolling resistance, good cornering traction, adequate straight line traction, inexpensive, good compromise rubber compound. The tire isn't great at any one thing (other than durability), but does a great job balancing out the various characteristics.

Heavy versus peers, average volume, would do horribly in the mud

Used this tire for almost a year now as a rear on a trail bike. Great tire for moist or transition seasons in SoCal before it gets too dusty and blown out. We don't ride around here when it rains, but assume the tire would do poorly in the mud. I never had the inclination to try the tire on the front, but for long XC on moderate terrain, it would probably work well. I liked it as a rear tire but you will need to get your weight back on the steepest sections.

I used it tubeless and went on via a floor pump, but I had to put a tube in first to set one side of the bead and get the other side formed. After that, it was somewhat difficult but I was able to do it. Once sealed, I didn't have any real air loss problems or blisters, but found out that it needs to have >30 psi (I used 35-40 at 210 lbs) for it to behave in the corners; otherwise it feels sloppy and unstable.

Volume is average; it looks lower volume because there isn't any real center tread but measures out correctly. The rubber feels like a pretty good compromise between traction/absorption and rolling resistance. These tire don't blow your mind on the rolling resistance department, but they also seem to grip better and absorb impacts/rocks on the trail versus harder and faster race tires.

Overall, I'd say the primary target would be someone who wants to lower rolling resistance tire that corners well, wants the tire to last, rides in soil conditions that aren't too dusty and loose, and isn't seeking a large volume tire. Just as the name implies, the tire isn't great at any one thing (other than durability), but does a great job balancing out the various characteristics.

the things you'd expect

weak sidewalls and weak center tread

loved the idea of this tire and really wanted it to work for me. loved the snappy acceleration and entirely adequate cornering traction, but 30 minutes into the first serious ride on them i got a huge gash in the center tread that sealant would not plug (btw, sealant kept beading up out of the sidewalls...for months). i hoped it was a one-off mishapy and kept riding the tires. but the same thing keeps happening :( so, a great tire for dirt, a lousy tire if you have sharp rocks about anywhere

Low rolling resistance center. Outside knobs that grip. Good volume "true" 2.35.

No UST availability.

Provides exactly what I wanted for a front tire in loose over hard conditions. The low rolling resistance of the SB8 while able to grip like a Nevegal. The durability and wear of the tire has been excellent. It's breaking in the corners is almost predictable and gets up to speed in the straights with minimal effort compared the Nevegal. I've always like semi-slick tires, but lately the options have been limited. I will buy the UST version as soon as it's available and probably even give it a shot a rear tire.

Similar Products Used:

Kenda Smallblock 8 2.1; Kenda Nevegal 2.35; Maxxis ADvantage 2.1; Maxxis Larsen TT 2.0; Michelin Jet S 2.0

fast, low rolling resistance, sticke rubber on the transition and edge knobs, grips very well, supple 120tpi carcass, good terrain conformity

none so far

I eyeballed these tires for awhile after running on my stock Kenda Kwicks. I liked the kwicks but certainly need more in the cornering grip department and the Happy Mediums seemed to fit the bill. The Happy Mediums are exactly that. They roll fast and they corner hard, even with all the leaves and gunk on the ground right now. Hit a few patches of mud and it still maintained its line. I'm 6' 200lbs and I run the front 2.35 at 32lbs and the rear 2.1 at 38lbs.

Similar Products Used:

Kenda Kwick 1.95