Well, after reading the reviews, the actual performance of these tires has deffinately left me wanting. I have put a number of rides on these tires (they came on my new 29er) and I can't wait to change them. I have experienced a flat almost every ride; even with heavy duty tubes. The traction provided by the little tiny numbs is all but nonexistant. These tires may, and probably do, perform well on hard pack, but in the NE we almost never get that. The type of riding we typiv=cally do is technical with lost of roots, rocks and mud; these tires just can't cut it. As far as puncture protection - forget it. I have pull three large thorns from the tire that penetrated all the way through the casing. These tire are probably best suited for the rails-to-trails paths!