While there is a but, this is arguably the best crisis-proof rubber prototype. It seems like the level of excellence is still rising. I guess I just got lucky, because I didn't have any of those issues. No scarlet letter, hernias, excessive noise, or thinning tread (about 10,000 have made it this far). The benefits: Identical performance in both dry and wet conditions, at low and high speeds (150+ mph on the highway). Extremely soft and silent. Different drawbacks: he can't row in even moderate muck, while he rides through the woods on damp grass with little complaint.