CG 4X / AM 2.35, 26″ (850g, 2.3″ actual width)
This is a rather strange tire design and has the narrowest performance band. It is designed specifically to roll fast on hardpack, and do little else.
While the 4X / AM tire pedals and brakes very well on hardpack and rolls very quickly, it skates and floats high in gravel; sand; and loose, decomposed granite, and I found some of the braking edges to work against themselves. Hard braking in gravely and loose terrain forced the tire to skid and push in the wrong direction. However, the tire does transition and corner well in grass, which does make it a nice dual slalom tire.
The performance band of this tire is very narrow, but it handles its specific task very well. It makes a great 4x tire on packed and smoother surfaces, or in dusty, blown-out corners. It is a very good dirt jump tire if you like a little bigger volume casing (though it does not roll nearly as well as a Kenda Small Block 8, or Intense Micro-Knobby). It is also a great dual slalom race tire in grass and blown out berms.
The tire would perform nicely on rides such as Slickrock, in Moab; however, outside of these rather specific terrain types and conditions, the tire gives up significant performance to most traditional tires, and I would suggest looking elsewhere.
Conclusion:
The Panaracer Combo rubber compound works as advertised. It combines a quick-rolling and long-lasting outer rubber with a softer inner rubber to slow knob rebound and increase the tire’s ability to deform to match the terrain. This tread compound simply makes sense. It combines the best riding attributes of fast wearing, slow rolling, and grippy rubber, with the best attributes of a fast-rolling, rigid tire that conforms to the terrain poorly. And the best part of all is that Panaracer has been able to offer this technology in a ~$50 retail tire, rather than around $80, like the rest of its competition (Maxxis, Continental, Schwalbe).
The casing has proven to be very durable and has not offered any issue after significant testing. It should not, however, be thought of as “tubeless ready.” While it will hold air with sealant, the sidewall is thin and durability could be an issue.
Each CG tire meets its design goals, and most of them (the XC, SC, and AC) not only meet their goals, they approach nearly universal awesomeness. The one caveat is that the CG 4x / AM tire tread, while great for its intended purpose, is lacking everywhere else. Given its narrow performance range, other tires may make more sense.
I would not hesitate to recommend these tires to any trail rider, and really feel they deserve a good long look.
I use th CG AC in front, and I have to say I am loving it!
Can you compare to the Hans Dampf in 29″? Looking to make a switch from my 2.4 Ardent in front, as the release of traction is quite unpredicable when it goes.
the hans dampf is much more square than the CG XC. the hans damf is very similar to a nevegal. The CG XC is more like a much more aggressive Maxxis Crossmark.
hope that helps?
Do you know the weight of the UST version of the AC AM 2.35? Panaracer havent published a weight on their site. Claimed weight for non-UST is 750gm.
hi yoshi,
I know the claimed CG AC weight was 750 and came in right on target. The UST tire is 800g claimed, but i have not seen a pair personally to verify.
thanks!
In my country hard to find Kenda Nevagal so. Panaracer CG AM and XC are my choice
I put 2.35 AC AM as front and XC 2.1 for rear on my KHS XCT 556 trail bike
It great feeling ?
Any word on whether there are plans to expand the wheel size options in this line? I’m totally loving my CG XC on my Yelli Screamy and would try an AC AM next if it were an option. Just got my wife onto a RM Altitude and am pretty much stuck with Nobby Nic on her ride. Too bad Panaracer hasn’t brought any of this line into the 650b realm yet.
hey michael! glad you are digging the tires.
as far as i know, panaracer has yet to enter the 650b realm. I really look forward to the AM tread being offered myself. thus far the WTB beeline/vigilante or hutchinson toro have been my go-to 650b tires.
cheers man!