I’ve been running ITS (Intense) tires for a while now and this season I’m rockin’ the ITS Invaders on my DH rig. The Invader was originally simply called the DH tire, and for good reason too. At 1300 grams and a full 2.5 inches wide these are big tires. Some of you probably gasped at the weight, didn’t you?! Well there’s a reason for all that heft.

For starters, the Invader is a double ply tire which is two fabric layers for added protection, durability, and flat resistance. ITS also included a pinch flat bumper on the sidewalls for even more protection. The bumper is inserted between the bead and the tread to reduce chances of pinch flatting off squared edged bumps plus it adds support at lower tire pressures. All this adds up to one tough tire.

The tread pattern on the Invader is a mix between three different knob zones. The central trapezoidal knob has a decent bite and cuts into the softer stuff nicely. The double row of transitional square knobs work on corner entry and exit while the stout outer cornering knobs are slightly edged to keep your bike on line.

I installed the Invaders on my Deemax wheels with no tubes and 4 ounces of Stan’s per tire (no these aren’t tubeless tires but I’ve been able to run them without tubes). I had no problem beading or seating the tires – I just used a floor pump and they beaded perfectly with no real strain getting them on. Some tires are a pain to seal when going tubeless but the Invaders sealed up nice and fast, probably due to the double ply and extra rubber. Now this task took a total time of 1 hour (mounting, adding Stan’s and spreading the sealant around each wheel). After that I reset the pressures (I run 30psi) and I was off to the slopes.

I received these in January and had a chance to use them in very firm ground conditions initially (literally frozen) and more recently in soft, muddy terrain mixed with slate rock and roots. This extreme mix of terrain provided the perfect testing conditions. Over the course of my testing, the 50a durometer tread started to show some signs of wear which is to be expected, especially when riding the hard rocky stuff (think of dragging an eraser along sand paper).

In soft conditions (tacky mud) these tend to run a bit on the slow side as they really bite into the terrain (I found at faster speeds massive mud chunks would fling off the back of my bike and into my buddies’ faces.) This is actually a good thing since the tire offers both good speed and lateral control (some slip but manageable). On the medium terrain is where these work best; I got great directional control and good braking. On the harder terrain (hardpack and rocks) these tires work well but tend to wear quickly, especially if you make the mistake of being to aggressive on the brakes when riding rocks.

Overall the ITS Invader is a good high volume tire (your rims will love you for this) capable of handling a wide range of terrain. These feel like a mix between a Maxxis Ardent and Kenda Nevegal with characteristics of both. Over my time with these I didn’t get a single puncture or one ding on my rims (for me that is great, I hate rim dings). So the dual ply and pinch flat bumpers are working well. At about $54 MSRP these should last a full season of riding (unless you’re riding slickrock a lot).

I would like to thank the folks at ITS for sending down the Invaders for review.

We’re stoked to kick off the final contest of 2010 and clearly we saved the best for last! On December 24, 2010 someone will win a Diamondback Sortie Black mountain bike frame ($1,200 MSRP) in the Diamondback Gear Review Contest. Second prize is a set of ITS System 4 tires while third place gets a sweet set of MX-3 platform pedals from Xpedo. There’s also a wild card prize that we can’t even tell you about yet – read on to see how you can win…

The main contest works like this: we’ll award points for gear reviews, new gear items, and gear videos submitted from now until December 24, 2010. We’ll tally points based on member submissions and we’ll even double the points for items from our sponsors. The contet leaderboard and all the details are here.

And in the spirit of the holidays, Santa has decided to make one lucky mountain biker’s wish come true this year. Add mountain bike gear to your singletracks wishlist between now and December 24, 2010 and if you’re the first to add the mystery wild card prize to your list, you can have it!

We’ll keep you posted on the contest over the next few weeks so stay tuned. Thanks to our contest sponsors – Diamondback, ITS, and Xpedo!

If you’re into running the slopes with your DH / FR bike or want a bullet proof tire for you AM bike, check out the 909 and the Intruder from Intense Tyre Systems. These are two tires with one purpose, each built for slightly different trail conditions. Both the 909 and the Intruder are available for around $49.99 MSRP each.

The 909 and Intruder feature foldable lightweight beads, which let’s face it, is a good thing when it comes to storing or keeping a few spares around. As with many true DH-specific tires, these babies are double ply which means they have 2 layers of fabric instead of one, increasing durability without increasing weight. Along the side of the tire, ITS adds something called a Pinch Flat Bumper which prevents the tire from folding over on itself and biting the tube. As an added benefit, the Pinch Flat Bumper allows you to run a few pounds lower pressure to increase traction even more. With 50a Durometer black stuff covering the carcass of the tire you have a rubber that will stick well to many surfaces. The downside is that these tires won’t last as long as some other tires on the market but if you’re looking for a tire that sticks then that’s the trade off you have to make.

ITS 909 Mountain Bike Tire

First up on the course was the ITS 909 which weighs in at 1163 grams for the 26 x 2.35″ version. ITS says the 909 is good for loose, soft, and intermediate soils. With six rows of tread, the two center knobs are set so that you have twins side by side with alternating spacing, giving you a combination of good traction with lowish rolling resistance. Still, the spacing between the center knobs is enough to tackle softer terrain (though not mud).

The transition knobs that lead into the cornering knobs are a perfect balance of bite without the squirm. This makes the 909 a good choice for riders who want decent traction and aren’t afraid to pitch the bike into the berms. During my testing I found that the 909 easily allowed me to get nearly horizontal.

Over boulders and rock gardens I felt comfortable knowing that the Pinch Flat Bumper was there. I did notice however that the tire needed a break in period to relax the carcass of the tire. Over the first few runs the tire was a bit sluggish when turning and did slip ever so slightly compared to later when I had many more runs into it. After break-in I found the tire flexed underfoot and gripped wonderfully in the corners (inflated at 36psi). I also found the tire was at its best when the ground was soft enough that riding over the trails left a slight imprint in the ground (about a 1/16th of an inch).

909 Overall impressions

8 out of 10 for rolling and efficiency
7 out of 10 for loose conditions
8 out of 10 for intermediate conditions
7 out of 10 for hardpack conditions
7 out of 10 cornering (*8 when intermediate)

909 Specs

Usage: DH
Conditions: Loose – Soft – Intermediate
Size: 2.35
Compound Sticky Rubber LSG 50a compound
Weight: 1163 grams

ITS Intruder Mountain Bike Tire

The second DH tire that I had a great time playing with is the new Intruder 26 x 2.35″. The Intruder weighs 1200g which is officially just a shade heavier than the 909 but my scales showed the two tires weighed nearly the same. Just looking at the tread pattern you can get an idea of what this tire is made to do. When the weather gets bad or the course you’re running gives you everything from hard to loose terrain, the Intruder has your back.

The Intruder loses a bit on rolling resistance due to the more open center block pattern but the good news is the tires resist caking and packing of loose soils after hitting soggy sections. The intermediate blocks on the Intruder sit a bit higher than the 909s and are spaced a little wider from the cornering blocks. On some tires this would cause the tires to squirm but in this case the strategically placed blocks track straight and offer good cornering performance. The upshot is this tire will inspire you to really pitch it, even in the loose stuff.

While the Intruder is a great tire, it’s not as well suited as the 909 for dry courses. Where the Intruder really shines is in damp situations, especially when cornering. Most of my FR buddies who tried this tire agree.

Intruder overall impressions

7  out of 10 for rolling and efficiency
9 out of 10 for muddy conditions
8 out of 10 for soft conditions
7 out of ten for intermediate conditions
8 out of 10 for cornering (9 for damp soft stuff)

Intruder Specs

Usage: DH
Conditions: Mud – Soft – Intermediate
Size: 2.35
Compound Sticky Rubber LSG 50a compound
Weight: 1200 grams

Thanks to the shredders at Intense Tyre Systems for providing these tires for testing.

XC riders looking for a versatile tire for the fall riding season, listen up! I recently tested two of the five sets of XC tires from Intense Tire Systems (ITS) in a variety of conditions and I’m finally ready to share the results. I chose the System 4 and System 5 tires for my tests but you’ll want to choose the System series that’s best for your local terrain and trail conditions.

System 4 and System 5 tires are great for those will experience a wide range of weather and also for those of us who pack a few extra pounds. Both tires are 26 x 2.25″ and have the same single-ply casing with long lasting and grippy C3 rubber compound. These tires are true 2.25-inch wide tires which means they are higher volume compared to other brands (meaning fewer pinch flats for heavier riders). Both the System 4 and 5 tires can be had for about $45 a piece.

The System 4 (left) is an all-conditions tire designed to do equally as well on soft surface as well as hard pack. The ramped and chevron tread patterns work together to keep your wheel where you want it to be. The System 5 (right) is designed for softer terrain with its mud-shedding, wide-spaced tread pattern.

I found that both sets of Intense tires mounted easily and seated nicely in the rim with a satisfying pop. As always I recommend adding a bit of talcum powder to the inside of the tire before placing the tube to reduce friction within the tire and to increase performance. After inflating both sets to 40psi, I was pumped and ready to go! (get it? )

First up: the System 4 tires. I decided to try these guys just after a good rainfall at a local trail that has a great mix of terrain, small climbs, and a few low spots. That day the trail had it all: freshly dried hardpack, wet spots, and even a little mud. On hardpack the System 4 did well and I couldn’t help but compare the performance to the Kenda Small Block 8s. System 4 offers great control on hardpack and rolls smoothly with little energy needed to get them moving. Leaning into corners there was very little squirm and they tracked well, allowing me to change lines at will without fear of loosing traction.

The large volume of this tire really opens up terrain possibilities beyond smooth hardpack. Riding over rough obstacles like rocks and logs felt quite comfortable, especially compared to other 2.00-range XC tires I’ve used in the past. With a smaller-width XC tire I would normally run the risk of pinching a flat, but with these I am glad to say did not have a problem. For that reason, this is a good tire to consider if you find yourself pushing the clydesdale line.

In very loose, wet terrain the System 4s did manage to clog a bit but luckily I had another set of tires in my quiver: the System 5s!

Changing over to the System 5 tires and hitting the same trails on the same day really gave me a good perspective on the differences between these two sets. The System 5 tire ran with a bit more vibration, but didn’t show it when the terrain turned soft. Just like the System 4, the System 5 ran with decent efficiency and didn’t suck up too much energy to get things rolling. The System 5 tread felt stable – not overly soft – and did great job at preventing wheel spin during climbs. However, when the terrain got extra muddy, the System 5s still clogged a little and slipped at times. On the descents these tires offered a ton of control and showed great stopping power.

With the aggressive tread pattern you might think these tires would squirm in corners but I always felt comfortable leaning into the soft stuff. Now on dry, hard surfaces you might not want to lean into these as much; instead, keep the bike more perpendicular to the ground for better traction. Like the System 4 tires, the added air volume was great for trudging through gnarlier trails that might normally serve up pinched tubes.

The System 5 is another great tire, especially for this time of year when the trails are a bit on the softer side and logs and rocks can be slippery and wet. Of course if the trails are really wet it’s usually best to stay off them – lets conserve the trails for everyone!

My overall impressions: System 4

8 out of 10 for climbing
8 out of 10 for rolling and efficiency
7 out of 10 for loose conditions
8 out of 10 for hardpack
8 out of 10 cornering

System 4 Specs from ITS:

Usage: Cross Country
Conditions: Soft – Intermediate – Hardpack
Size: 2.25
Compound LSG C3compound
Weight: 650 grams

My overall impressions: System 5

7 out of 10 for climbing
7  out of 10 for rolling and efficiency
9 out of 10 for loose conditions
7 out of 10 for hardpack
8 out of 10 for cornering

System 5 Specs from ITS:

Usage: Cross Country
Conditions: Soft – Intermediate
Size: 2.25
Compound LSG C3compound
Weight: 550 grams

These are certainly two good tires from ITS – choose the best ones for your terrain and riding conditions!

Cheers.

At Interbike on Wednesday I just had to check out THE and ITS. If you remember a while back I wrote a few articles on the ITS tires as well as THE’s INK helmet. At the show I talked to Pete Dylewski and Toby Henderson, both super nice guys, and they walked me through the entire line up of whats new and exciting. I have to say there is going to be some super cool looking stuff coming from THE this year. With 10 new helmet graphics and revamped gear and armor offerings, the 2010 line up is going to be something to watch for.

Introducing the INK2, now in carbon and the CELTIC in composite.

Here are the TIKI and the BIOTIC, both in carbon.

These are only 4 of the 10 helmets and the other six are just as nice.  The armor also is worth taking a peek at – check out the full knee and arm protectors below. They even have pads for the little ones in the family.

For those of you who need even more protection, THE offers full upper armor; here is the new Storm upper body armor.

THE even offers MTB saddles.

ITS has revamped the entire line with new graphics and tweaked tire compounds. In 2010 ITS tires will be all black instead of the familiar grey and black. ITS also simplified things a bit by color coding the hot patch on the side of the tire: red for XC, blue for AM, green for FR and gold for DH. This new color system will help riders choose the right series of tires at a glance.

For XC, ITS still offers System 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. For AM, FR, and DH you have the Edge, Invader (formally DH), 909, Intruder, Zero and Spike.

Check out more cool stuff from THE and ITS at vsiproducts.com.

ITS – or as most people know them, Intense Tire System – recently debuted new tire updates for 2010. The 2010 Edge EXDX comes in two flavors once again – a 1-ply for all-mountain riding and a 2-ply for DH /FR. I got a chance to test the 26″ x 2.35″, single ply version ($50 MSRP) which tips the scale at about 935 grams. These tires are trail-rated for dry to soft surfaces and have a ramped and siped center tread with U-shaped side knobs.

Mounting these tires with a single tire iron on a set of Mavic Crossmax SX rims was a snap. I decided to run these tires with heavy-duty tubes and talcum powder since ITS doesn’t recommend using sealant. Filling the tires up to about 38psi front and 42 psi rear, I was off to the trails at Kelso where the conditions were mixed with both dry hard pack as well as softer sections with some mud spots.

The first bit of my ride I took some time to get used to the profile of the tire. On the ITS Edge, the tread is wider than the side wall which tends to give this tire sort of a “square” profile. This produced small amounts of squirm in flat corners, though in banked turns on berms they offered decent grip and a solid feel.

On rocky and gnarly trails with tons of roots, the Edge found its sweet spot, giving me a good sense of control. At 40psi these tires performed well but I found at lower pressures the tires started to squirm a bit too much.

Climbing and descending with the Edge was a pleasure and I found the tread design was optimal for these conditions. Starting to climb the tread got a firm hold in a variety of terrain conditions – rocks, hardpack, loam, branches and even sand. I found the tires to be just as versatile on the decent as well.

In terms of stopping power the ITS Edge comes out on top. If you’ve ever broken a bone or two on the trail you know how important stopping traction can be. Of course it’s up to you to hit the brakes but fortunately these tires won’t let you down.

All that traction can have its drawbacks: I found small serations on the knobs over just a short period of time. This may indicate a shorter tire life but more testing is needed to confirm.

All in all this is a good tire for those of us who have a long travel bike. If your terrain includes a variety of conditions this may be a good choice for you. And if you’re into climbing without slipping, this tire has your name on it!

My overall impressions:

7 out of 10 for climbing
7 out of 10 for rolling and efficiency
8 out of 10 for loose condidtion
7 out of 10 for hardpack
9 out of 10 for stopping in a straight line

Specs from ITS:

Size: 26″ x 2.35
Weight: 985 grams
Durometer: 55/60D Dual compound
Construction: 1 Ply 72 TPI Aramid Bead