WTB Nano Raptor

I have been riding the WTB Nano as a rear tire on three bikes for the past 8 months, but only in the 29er size, until this past weekend (more later).  For a light, XC tire it works amazingly well on the tough, technical, limestone trails here in central Texas.  I have never had a sidewall puncture, and at a low 18 psi (with Stan’s) this tire is grippy!  Now we have had a little rain this past month, and when the Nano gets worn down a bit, muddy nightrides on a rigid SS become much more adventurous.  Just ask the guy riding behind me at close quarters when I lost it in the mud!

So back to this weekend…I have been trying deperately to get my wife to cycle with me more.  So I built her an inexpensive trail bike.  How?  Well, I took apart her VERY cruiser-ish Marin and slapped on some tough wheels, new saddle and handlebars, raised her seat and lowered the handlebars with a new stem.  The finishing touch was the WTB Nano in a 26″ that I found for her bike.  She hit everything on a simple local trail here and while we were resting, I jumped on her bike.  I then proceeded to go up some moderately technical limestoney climbs with this little bike on Nanos at 30-35 psi and tubes!  No problem, tires stuck like glue, I then managed to do some twisty single track and these tires worked great!

Bottom line, if you have not tried the WTB Nano Raptor (and you are not riding on 650B wheels) give it a shot, even if you are a slow cyclists’ wife, or the slow wife of a cyclist.

WTB Website

Hammerhead bikes has them in a folding bead at an AWESOME price!