Darkside rubber

[HeR3tic]

Cooper Zeon 2Xs. I'm having issues with having it mounted. I'll end up doing it myself. Perhaps this shows well enough the rounder outer profile. This is a 222/50.

 

[goodfellow]

now that's a real tire!


greg

 

[busajack]

H.T.

Man I like the looks of that puppy.Let us know if it picks up alot of rocks and slings them up under the fender.That was one good thing about the Metz.It didn't throw to many rocks and until july around here we have lots o rocks..They throw them all winter..

 

[Sidecar Flip]

Nuth'in like an Ohio made tire.

 

[rockenrobert]

rubber

That tire is going on my next change! Where did you buy it and how much for that skin?
Is that a bluge photo or just as it really is?
rockenrobert
gotta see the world, it will only take a minute

 

[HeR3tic]

That tire is going on my next change! Where did you buy it and how much for that skin?
Is that a bluge photo or just as it really is?
rockenrobert

I'm not familiar with bluge photos; but I assure you I didn't use a bird's eye lens. The attempt at laying a straight edge across the top was, to say the least, half assed. The rounded outer radius on the shoulders is fur-reel.

I've been researching static balancers, particularly interested in the one produced at Marcparnes.com. I stumbled onto Dyna Beads from Innovative Balancing. I'm going to try this approach to balancing the Zeon.

The Zeon 2XS, 225/50-16, was $111 delivered. https://www.tiresavings.com/tireSho...&manufacturer=Cooper&tirename=ZEON+2XS&season=

 

[snuffcityrider]

Anxious to see how it works out.. how it handles, hurry up an get it on...please

 

[HeR3tic]

I finally got it on, yesterday. What a ***** it was to get the Metzler off. I too resorted to cutting it off. And mounting the darkside Cooper was nothing less. There simply isn't much "well" to work with. In both the dismount and mounting the "MotoLever" did NOT help much at all.

So far I can tell, the DynaBeads are doing an excellent job of balancing the Zeon 2XS 225.

Several persons have made remarks about how wide the tire is. Of course it is 0.49" less wide and 0.29" less in the radius. I find RxR crossing seem FAR less rough and no additional shock absorber adjusted are expected, unless it's a step down (softer).

Counter steering, did someone mention the need for more counter steering. If you're considering going over to the darkside, you will acquire, if you don't already have, the forearms of Popeye, in short order. More Counter steering input is mandatory. Even on the straights. The step over to the darkside is NOT for everyone. If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome and are considering going over to the darkside, you might give it more thought.

I haven't realized a diminished ability to lean into the sweepers but there is an agility issue to deal with. While the Cooper Zeon 2XS has a bit of a rounded profile on the shoulders there is a much quicker transition to keep in mind (not that I wasn't expecting it myself). I can imagine this transition is considerably more on several of the in use darkside alternatives to the Cooper. The twisties (we have locally what is referred to as, The Baby Dragon) demands considerably more.

Slow speed corner is a consideration, though confidence will quickly return. Powering through it is loads of FUN. The tread pattern holds very well on loose ground.

Small size stones (1/4") will of course pick up in the tread of this tire, as it will on any cager tire.

The grab (road adhesion) is phenomenal. Clearly the Metz was sloughing off rubber under the applied torque. The darkside rubber (this is a Zeon 2XS is a 280 tread wear compound) on the otherhand GRABs the asphalt. I look forward to many many miles (years) before I change over again. With the Metz I was changing at 8 months (8k miles).

While a Darkside rubber isn't for everyone I'm not at all sorry that I've gone there.

Why have I changed over from a $365 tire every 8 months to a $111 tire that I might replace in 36 months.
1. Tire puncture worries.
2. Frequency of tire replacement.
3. Cost.

And the downside: Big forearms.

 

[goodfellow]

congratulations!

her3tic,

congratulations! your description is dead on the money. my thoughts are leaning toward the 205 series zeon 2 xs. i'm really curious to see how this tire does at lake mathis. there's lots of fast sweepers and some abrupt turns as well. the best part, very little traffic... i'm almost certain that this will be the best set up for me. will order this week, and mount both(front & rear) after new ulm. i'll keep you posted.. and by the way,fore arms AND triceps,they both get a work-out! you've got some serious stove pipes coming your way. enjoy the dark-side!

greg

 

[goodfellow]

ordered!

well,
i went and ordered up the 205/55-16 zeon 2xs this morning, along with with 4 other car tires for the cavalier. should be here this week.guess we'll see how it goes at lake mathis right after new ulm.


greg