Maxxis Wormdrive

Price Paid:  $20.00 at River City Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
Lost in Oregon

Bike Setup:
Surly Karate Monkey w/ SRAM DualDrive Disc internally geared hub (winter), 1x5 derailer drivetrain (summer).

Summary:
There's quite a variety of tires in this 700x42 size class, and no two are quite alike. The WormDrive is a good choice if you need a bit of offroad grip, but still want something very light and fast, and either conditions are dry or you're riding very light duty stuff offroad and willing to sacrifice grip for speed.

Most other tires in this size class (IRC Mythos CX, Michelin TransWorld Sprint, Ritchey ZED) have beefier treads, and are better choices if you're willing to trade off some speed for a bit more security in dirt.

Another tire worth mentioning is the Kenda K847 Kross Plus, if you can find it in the rare 700x42 size. The tread looks very similar to the WormDrive and it rolls just as fast, but it's noticeably better offroad and more puncture resistant. Also cheaper.

If you need an even faster, slicker tire than the WormDrive in this size class, check out the Kenda Kwick Roller EZ-Ride. Very fast.

Strengths:
Very fast rolling for a semislick; Very light (450g) for its size. Amazingly, more grip in snow and ice than in mud.

Weaknesses:
Only fair offroad grip, very poor in mud.

Similar Products Used:
See review summary, above.

Price Paid:  $40.00 at Cosmic Cycles in Fla

Favorite Ride:
Flatville (no seriously, that the name of the town!)

Bike Setup:
Bruce Gordon BLT, Steel frame, LX parts, heavy tough bike

Summary:
I got a pair of these and used them on my touring bike in order to do some dirt road riding (which were plentiful where I used to live in Flagstaff). The tires rolled fast and seemed to corner well. Recently I rode them (on front) in a CX race and I was very happy how well they cornered in the damp grass, sand and mud. Being a semi-slick though they don't have much traction for climbing, so pick something else if rear grip is a concern.

My only real problem is that the rear one blew up on me one night. The bead came off and exploded while we were sleeping. Not sure what that was about, the one on the front is still fine, and I'm better of with something that has more tread in the rear anyway.

Strengths:
fast rolling, good cornering, large volume means it floats well on soft surfaces, pretty light for its size

Weaknesses:
BOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!

Similar Products Used:
IRC Mythos CX, Specialized Crossroads, Avocet Cross