WTB Exiwolf vs. Maxxis Ignitor
July 26th, 2006 by Tim Grahl
This is probably one of the most heated debates in 29er land, which one of these tires is better [WTB Exiwolf or Maxxis Ignitore]?
It is a question that is just as hard to answer as the chicken and the egg quandary.
While the jury is out on which tire is better, I do have some opinions on each.Exiwolf or Ignitor?
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I would have to say the new Panaracer Rampage wins or will once it is released to the general public. My experience with all three leans me heavily towards the new Panaracer tire….I really think they nailed it down. It grips better than the Ignitor without adding much weight, but has the cush of the Exi without the weight.
Before riding the Rampage I settled on a combo of the two tires on my fully rigid On-One 29er. Exi up front to give some cush and help with cornering and the Ignitor in the rear. That is the best combo that is currently available IMHO….that is of tires you can go buy today. I think that it’s a great pairing. That’s my 2 cents.
I will definitely be trying the new Panaracers out just as soon as I can get some. From the pictures, it looks a little “chunky”, but that may not be a bad thing. I like both the Exi and the Ignitor becuse they have good grip with low profile tread, and low rolling resistance.
Rode the Panaracers last night for the first time; in twisty descents on rocky pine straw, I could lean the bike with confidence farther than I ever have before. I’m riding a bike with at least 4″ of squish on each side, so rolling resistance isn’t my primary concern, but man, that rubber sure can handle. It gave me a good bit more confidence than the ExiWolfs I’ve had for the last month.
what about the bonty jones xr. just as wide as the exi, faster rolling and lighter. i also feel like the xr corners better than the exi and they feel very prdictable especially on roots. never tried the the ignitors but have heard nothing but good things. they just look little to “skinny” for me.
The Rampage will change everything as far as 29′er tires is concerned, imo.
I usually run the Exi’s front and rear because they have the volume I need on my SS rigid 29′er.
The Ignitors are a good tire, with plenty of grip, but lack volume. By the end of this year, we should see a minor revolution in the 29′er tire scene. Bigger volume tires with decent side knobs like the new Rampage will give 29′er riders a whole new dimension to the already-known advantages of big wheel riding.
I think that 2007 will be a good year..
R.
Both of these are good tires. But to me they have different purposes. I own both and have ridden them extensively thought not the Exi on the back, only on the front. I expect that my perception of the Exi on the back would be similar to the front. The volume of both seems to be similar. However the tread pattern and type of rubber is very different. The Ignitor rolls fater and has more spacing between the knobs. I use this tire mostly for racing (marathon class and endurance races). The Exi is a “fear no evil” type of tire. It is covered with closely spaced, soft rubber which extends well around the side of the tire. In short, it seems to stick like glue to rocks and roots. It is heavy and has much more rolling resistance than the ignitor but its grip is confidence inspiring. I’ve ridden it as low as 15 psi but usally around 25 psi (I weight 165 and ride a rigid SS in the Ozarks and Ozark highlands). I usually run the Ignitor with 28-30 psi.
So that’s my two cents on these two tires.
COMPARING TWO TIRE DESIGNED FOR TWO DIFFERENT PURPOSES IS A DUMB IDEA
TIRES