For the last ten years, I have stuck with Hutchinsen Python tires and since everybody uses Maxxis tires in the race team, which Maxxis is one of our sponsors, I've decided to try Maxxis out. After a few rides and a race, I totally fell in love with these tires. I got the Maxxis Crossmark tires and they really handle well. I can corner so much better than my Python tires. The Crossmarks can really get a good grip while I climb up rocky technical sections. So now I am going to stick with Maxxis. One of the reasons I stuck with Hutchinsens was because I really liked the thick sidewalls on them and they were pinch flat proof. These Maxxis have very good sidewalls also(they call it the Exo Protection). I am looking forward to many rides on these.