WTB  Trail Boss 27.5 Comp Tire - 27.5 x 2.25

In the two occasions I've had to fix a flat on my son's Kona, these tires have proven almost impossible to disengage from the WTB rims. Yes, I understand tubeless setups. Yes, I've been a professional bike mechanic for over a decade, and a volunteer at a bike recycling shop for nearly as long as well. I contemplated cutting these tires off the first time I tried to fix a flat, and contemplated it again this time. I swap tires on bikes ALL THE TIME and once I get the second one off I'm never putting them back on.

I had high hopes for the Trail Boss to replace my worn rear factory tire, a Maxxis Ardent. I ride the front range trails in Colorado which are climbs up loose rock, gravel-like dirt, solid rock, and tree roots. I was fairly disappointing in the Train Boss' performance, as I was constantly experiencing significant slippage when compared to the Ardent. The slippage usually occurred right when I needed the traction the most. It was bad enough that I was prepared to return the tire, but before I did, I decided to swap the Trail Boss to the front, and take the factory front tire (Maxxis High Roller II) to the rear. Problem solved! The WTB Trail Boss has been a phenomenal tire on the front for the terrain I ride, and the High Roller II is phenomenal in the rear. I think the Trail Boss would be a better tire in the rear for loam terrain, not what we have in Colorado. The High Roller II is better suited for this. For the rear, I would have given the Trail Boss 2.5 stars, but because it has performed so well in the front in the terrain I ride, I give it a solid 4. The moral of the story is know the terrain you ride and pick the tire correctly - it makes a difference!

Balance is the name of the game for me. My 2018 Breezer Squall came with Vera Eos tires which were fast rolling but lacking the grip I was craving for my local trails in Dallas, TX. After my first run with the WTB Trail Boss 27.5” Comp I immediately felt more confident. I was able to dig in a take turns while keeping momentum and the tire was just fantastic. Climbing up some loose rock was a breeze and the rear never broke traction. WTB recommends Trail Boss as a rear tire but I have to say I’m happy with it as a front tire as well.

This is my third set of these tires. Good value and seem to wear well under most trail conditions. They handle pretty well on gravel and hard surfaces as well. Relatively easy to install on the rim.

Great tire, holds up to wear and tear and has great traction.

Nice tire, I thought maxis and Vittoria where the only tires I liked it, when I started to ride this set, was amazing how the grip feels on the ground, such a tire for the price, I’m not tubeless. I totally love it.

These seemed like a good tire for the price. They did not work as I hoped, the tires would not grip well even on a thin layer loose dirt. To be sure it was the tires and not my lack of skill, I switch my just front out for a Specialized purgatory and it was night and day. Still have them on my back where grip is not as critical. Will change them out in the near future.

These replaced the stock tires on my by starter Canondale. I never thought tires would change the feel of riding so drastically. Turns feel more stable, plenty of grip on the trails around North Texas. And a great price too.

Fixed issues whilst I waited, no unnecessary wait time