Vredestein tires, not famous in the US?

[fran]

Hi guys

I was looking at some interesting thread pattern from the Vredestein tires and checking the prices (in line with other competitios) and the quality of the materials, why aren`t this tires as popular as Conti or Schwalve in the US ?

Is it because of their distributor in the country, or something with the brand?

[gregnash]

Think they are the parent company for GEAX which is more popular here.

[fran]

GEAX is a different company...in fact, Vittoria is the main company and Geax is the MTB version...

[shiggy]

Hi guys

I was looking at some interesting thread pattern from the Vredestein tires and checking the prices (in line with other competitios) and the quality of the materials, why aren`t this tires as popular as Conti or Schwalve in the US ?

Is it because of their distributor in the country, or something with the brand?

Distribution of the mtb tires has been terrible in the US. Being handled by a new company now.

[OLx6]

Bike tires direct is selling the latest tread. The black panther Xtreme. The tread looks real good to me. Good side knobs with the right spread in the middle.

I am not sure if these are sized like their other tires, but the ones I have seen in person are very good volume and at their stated size.

Anybody got some info on this tire?

[gregnash]

GEAX is a different company...in fact, Vittoria is the main company and Geax is the MTB version...

Ah ok I knew it started with a V at least.

[customfab]

Bike tires direct is selling the latest tread. The black panther Xtreme. The tread looks real good to me. Good side knobs with the right spread in the middle.

I am not sure if these are sized like their other tires, but the ones I have seen in person are very good volume and at their stated size.

Anybody got some info on this tire?

I've been running one on the rear for a couple weeks now. It works about as well as you would expect. It rolls pretty fast but it doesn't have great grip when it's not weighted right and your trying to crest that short steep and loose pitch. I've been thinking of taking the snips to the center spine and cutting it up a little to see how well it would respond. I've also been meaning to try it backwards. Seams the lead in on the knobs would bite a little more in 'reverse'

[Diesel~]

I've been running one on the rear for a couple weeks now. It works about as well as you would expect. It rolls pretty fast but it doesn't have great grip when it's not weighted right and your trying to crest that short steep and loose pitch. I've been thinking of taking the snips to the center spine and cutting it up a little to see how well it would respond. I've also been meaning to try it backwards. Seams the lead in on the knobs would bite a little more in 'reverse'

How's the finish quality on the tires?

I got some samples back in the mid nineties (tan wall with bluish/greenish/black tread, from what I recall), and they were very rough around the edges. Where the tread met the casing, the joint was pretty rough, and the casing itself had a fair amount of wobble.

-D

[David C]

How's the finish quality on the tires?

I got some samples back in the mid nineties (tan wall with bluish/greenish/black tread, from what I recall), and they were very rough around the edges. Where the tread met the casing, the joint was pretty rough, and the casing itself had a fair amount of wobble.

-D

See for yourself :

Bull Lock 26x2.0 folding



David

[customfab]

How's the finish quality on the tires?

I got some samples back in the mid nineties (tan wall with bluish/greenish/black tread, from what I recall), and they were very rough around the edges. Where the tread met the casing, the joint was pretty rough, and the casing itself had a fair amount of wobble.

-D

It's fine, on par with any other quality tire.

[shiggy]

I've been running one on the rear for a couple weeks now. It works about as well as you would expect. It rolls pretty fast but it doesn't have great grip when it's not weighted right and your trying to crest that short steep and loose pitch. I've been thinking of taking the snips to the center spine and cutting it up a little to see how well it would respond. I've also been meaning to try it backwards. Seams the lead in on the knobs would bite a little more in 'reverse'

The Xtreme does not have a center spine

[shiggy]

How's the finish quality on the tires?

I got some samples back in the mid nineties (tan wall with bluish/greenish/black tread, from what I recall), and they were very rough around the edges. Where the tread met the casing, the joint was pretty rough, and the casing itself had a fair amount of wobble.

-D

I loved the Vredestein casings of that era. Very supple, grippy and rode "bigger" than their volume. Tread designs were (and still are) funky.

Never noticed any wobble or weirdness in the quality.

The new tires are of a different construction. Do not think they are made in the Netherlands like the old ones were. No "made in..." markings on the current tires.

[OLx6]

If you can trust the info on bike tires direct the tires are made in the Netherlands

[shiggy]

If you can trust the info on bike tires direct the tires are made in the Netherlands

That is not proof.
I have also read the MTB tire production was moved out of The Netherlands.

[customfab]

The Xtreme does not have a center spine

Good catch shig, I have the regular black panther not the extreme.

[shiggy]

Good catch shig, I have the regular black panther not the extreme.

I think the newer version of the Black Panther has a broken center rib. Seems the race team did not like the solid center either.

Last time I looked Jenson still has the old version for cheap.

[Turveyd]

had a tiger claw 2.4 on the rear for 18months or so, never an issue with it, it's wearing well considering there wasn't much there in the first place, but it's been ridden all winter in the UK and it's fine and rolls really fast and comfort wise on the HT rides like it's bigger.

[fran]

Thanks a lot for all the informative replys. Definitly a case of bad distribution within the US.

Are they comparable to Continental tires, in terms of durability and grip?. Regarding the price point, I see that they are more or less in the same league.

Also, Vredestein has a smaller group of models, but I think that you do not need too much ( more than the soil conditions) tires.

Thanks guys.