| Written by; Greg Jacobs Back To Main |
| Pit Bull 6ply 25.5" Growlers |
| This was the first real test for the Pit Bull Growlers, and man did they get a work out. I took them to one of the most grueling trails in Oklahoma and Arkansas. This is that trail that I spoke about earlier that is roughly 35 miles one way, and is one of the roughest and rocky trails you will encounter. I have taken people down this trail only to say they will never ride it again. Average speed for this trail is 5mph to 10 mph, and my average speed on the Gade X Xc with the Growlers was no less than 50mph. I pounded both machine and tires, and they held up great. At the end of this ride we had three people with flat tires, while our Growlers and Rockers were still full of air. Lets take a closer look at these tires. |
| We recently had a snow storm, I was able to test the Growlers in the snow, about 12" of snow. They hooked up really well, and I had no problem getting around. They did not load up with snow, and performed great, I highly recommend these tires for anyone riding in a lot of snow. Be sure to watch the video at the bottom of this page. |
| One of the biggest differences you will notice with the Growlers versus the Rockers is the tread pattern. The Growlers have a distinctive V type pattern. Just by looking at this pattern I was hoping the Growlers would track better than the Rockers at high speeds on hard pack surfaces. I really hoped the Growlers would turn out great for a fast pace aggressive tire. Meaning they would hook up well, and track very well, basically go where you point the machine with out any sliding or wandering. |
| These tires hooked up extremely well. It was nearly impossible to break them loose compared to the ITP Hole Shots. I could spin the Hole Shots nearly off the wheels, but it was more difficult with the Growlers they really have bite to them on soft pack surfaces, and hard pack. |
| Even with these more aggressive tires you can still throw the machine around. Sidewall roll isn't that bad either. With a 6ply rating, they are slightly stiff than the 4ply Holeshots, and not horribly stiff like the 8plys. It is a happy medium in soaking up the bumps from the trail, and not rolling a lot. |
| As far as snow riding, I did not experience any issues. I always had traction, and they hooked up every time. From a high speed performance stand point both on slick surfaces and hard pack surfaces, I never felt like I was out of control, and my machine always tracked in the direction I wanted. |
| I did encounter some trail mud, and again no problems. Given the tread pattern, these tires self cleaned very well, and did not load up. With the V pattern the mud is pushed outwards, and will not clog up like the Terra Cross or Big Horns. |
| When it came to the trail riding portion, I was not let down. I was very happy to choose the 6ply Growler, since it allowed for a little more sidewall flex in the tire than the 8ply. This trail will beat the hell out of you, but these tires had no problem in soaking up the bumps, and rocks. |
| One of my biggest questions was how the Growlers would handle the rocks, and if they would perform as well as the Rockers. The answer is they did amazingly well, and hooked up great on the rocks as well. I will not go far as saying they act like suction cups on the rocks as the Rockers do, but they do very well. I would have no problem running these tires as a rock tire. Keep in mind these lugs are just as tall as the Rockers, and more importantly the lugs flex just as much as the Rockers do. They are very pliable. |
| With the 6ply Growler the sidewall was really flexing and wrapping around the rocks. I was running around 5psi, and you have to be careful that you don't pinch the sidewall or cut it at that low of pressure, but don't forget these tires have extra protection on the sidewall, so you can take a few more chances. |
| What can I say, Pit Bull Tires nailed it again with the Growlers. I was really hoping these tires would live up to my expectations as a true GNCC style racing tire, and no doubt they have. I will generally shred the ITP Holes Shots within a few hundred miles, so I really needed a super tough tire, and Growlers provide that. There were five things I was looking for. 1) Will these tires act more like a secondary shock, being 6ply? They have, sidewall flex is perfect. 2) Will they still have the strength and durability as the Rockers? So far they have. 3) Will they hook up, and not just spin endlessly? They definitely will hook up, and send you flying. 4) Will they tackle the rocks as good as the Rockers? I won't say they are as good as the Rockers. However, for being an All Terrain Tire they did amazingly well on the rocks, so good I would have no problem running them as my rock tire. 5) Will they take away from the aggressiveness, and handling of the Renegade? Answer, no. They actually enhanced the overall performance of the Renegade. They tracked incredible well, and never wander will power sliding or going hard into turns. Nor did the tires buckle or roll while going hard into turns. |
| If you are looking for a high performance tire or just an All Terrain Tire that will do everything the Growlers are an excellent choice. These tires will remain on my Renegade, and that says a lot. |
| Stay tune for more updates as I put more miles on these tires. Next big trip is to Twenty-Nine Palms, CA, and Moab Utah. Both the Rockers and Growlers will be on that trip. WATCH THIS VIDEO OF THE GROWLERS IN ACTION |