Technique

On test: Geax Saguaro White Collection

Details

Parent Category: Technique

Category: Geax

Published on Wednesday, 22 September 2010 08:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

 A very slick tire, but perfectible grip

The Geax Saguaro was born with the intent to position itself between the Mezcal (dry, compact) and the Barro Mountain (wet, loose). It is proposed versions 26x2.00 (for XC) 26x2.20 (more suitable for All Mountain) and 29x2.20. The middle row of anchors allows good rolling on hard surfaces, while the side knobs provide grip in corners. The carcass 120Tpi (threads per inch) and is available in TNT, FSO, Fold, Rigid, White Collection, and tubular; version 29 "is available in TNT Fold drive. Saguaro The White Collection is distinguished by the carcass and willingness to 60Tpi, TNT version only (tubeless no tubeless) that allows you to use the clincher with a normal bladder but also as a tubeless rim with a special liquid that turns it into tubeless. The weight ranges from 550 grams lighter version, of 860 grams of the heavier versions. We have not had time to personally check the weight of the clincher.

The road test

The Geax Saguaro be mounted easily, the color White is an element of distinction that will please those who see the look of the bike, while the more technical will not escape the fact that the body has fewer Tpi makes heavier clincher and rigid. To meet futile aesthetic reasons, then, must give up a bit performance. The clincher may be mounted in two directions of rolling, on the one hand favors the smoothness of the other grip. The difference between the two configurations is sensitive, not too much, but noticeable. If you do much asphalt and hard terrain, you can use the rolling direction which ensures faster, otherwise it should because it increases the smoothness also reduces the grip even on smooth. In the sense "traction" that ensures a better grip, smoothness is excellent, proving that we are dealing with a product designed to fund hard and sliding. The low number of Tpi even at low pressures, influences the rigidity of the carcass, which remains high and causes some bounce too soon as the soil becomes more moderate, worsening the accuracy and safety. On properties of compact rear-wheel drive is always good, but decays rapidly as soon as the fund becomes more rough, then you must go down much pressure, otherwise it goes on, but worse smoothness. Cornering grip is more than good if the fund is compact, but because of the reduced height of the blocks and their arrangement, just enough to have minimal adherence, which calls for caution, slowing substantially in the corner. It's basically a very specialized clincher, is fast and safe on hard and compact, but only those, because otherwise the performance fell rapidly. So it is very poor in the wet, especially with the mud, even light, where the grip goes down easily under the threshold of sufficiency. In conclusion a great clincher on hard and compact, very smooth although hard, while poor on funds raised and mud, where the grip is sufficient. The hard part is finding a path where there is only and exclusively the soil hard and compact, the only place where Saguaro that manages to be truly competitive. The price, about 43 Euro, is not particularly content.

Positive aspects

Aesthetics
High fluidity
Ability to assemble in two different senses rolling