JConcepts Megalithic 1.9" Rock Crawling Tire
Early in 2024, JConcepts released a new rock crawling tire for the 1.9” class called the Megalithic, and considering their expansive suite of crawler tires, a completely new crawler tire was unexpected.
Of all the crawler tires we've reviewed, we actually have the most hours of testing the Megalithic tires out on our trails when compared to any other tire we've worked with to date. There’s something special about the Megalithic tires, and I hope the following review captures some of their interesting and unique traits. |
Tire Detail
Looking the Megalithics over, there’s no question they originated from the lab at JConcepts. Like most JConcepts tires, the Megalithic tires exhibit the usual high-quality construction and excellent green rubber compound found across their suite of crawler tires. Perfectly formed tire beads and smooth molding lines are pretty much standard for JConcepts tires, and Megalithics follow this tradition. What’s different is their unique tread pattern. The Megalithics feature a rounded crown similar to their fantastic Rupture rock crawling tire, with a unique tread pattern described by JConcepts as "a directional pattern of bats, clubs, and pyramids." |
From a distance, the Megalithics have some resemblance to the Ruptures, but the funky tire lugs and numerous small styling details set it apart from the rest of JConcepts’ lineup.
Coming in on the upper range of sizes, this tire measures 4.75” in diameter and is clearly oriented for competition crawling or anyone looking to push their crawler in challenging technical terrain. The tall tire height also helps straight-axle trail trucks and crawlers with just a bit more clearance. Moving on to additional details, the inside of the tire has molded in support webbing on the sidewall to help support the tire when running soft or undersized foams. They also help maintain the tire's shape when running narrow wheels or if you stretch them out on 2.2's. On the sidewall, the tread pattern extends down the side, but the molded lug shapes are relatively small. This helps preventing the sidewalls from catching too much in tight squeezes but still provide some level of traction and a bit of protection when needed. There's a balance of cosmetics and function at play here. |
Foam Setup
The Megalithic tire is rounded on the edges, similar to the Ruptures. In the past I’ve found that a rounded foam like the Ottsix Racing Halo foams work quite well with these rounded tire shapes. On squared edge tires like the Tusks, it’s Crawler Innovations two-stage comp cut foams every time. The only downside to the Halo foams are a little on the higher side of pricing. They’re a bit more than the CI two-stage foams. Ottsix offers a range of sizes, and we have been using yellow-dot Air Down and Ultra Air-Down foams. Surprisingly, these foams last quite a while if taken care of. We don’t play in the mud or run through water, so usually after a tire review, we pull the foams and blow them off with a compressor, then let the outer open-cell foam sit for a week to decompress. After that, they are ready for the next test. |
Vanquish VRD
Headed out to Calico Basin, I was curious as to how well the VRD would handle some of the steeper trails on the on the slick sandstone formations. More specifically, how close would the Megalithic tires be in performance when compared to the JConcepts Ruptures. While the tires have a number of similarities in design as well as sharing the same green rubber crawler tire compound, the Megalithic’s tread pattern is different enough that some performance changes seemed probable. Heading up a steep section of sandstone, I watched the VRD make short work of the steep incline and smooth rock. There was just a bit of slipping on a few transitions, but nothing that prevented the VRD from making excellent progress. |
Working further up, we found an interesting section of trail to film the Megalithic’s traction on a tricky section of off-camber sandstone.
Worn smooth by hiking and erosion, this short trail frustrates most crawlers from our area in that it's slicker than it looks, but we were confident the VRD was up to the task. Starting from the bottom, the VRD easily wrapped around the lower section of trail, finding plenty of traction from the Megalithic tires. |
|
|
The unique lug pattern had little trouble gripping the rock, and the small amount of fine dust didn’t seem to negatively affect the VRD’s progress. That's the green rubber compound at work; sticking to the dusty rock.
Continuing up the trail, the sharp transition between the two rocky spurs required a bit of patience to navigate, and again the Megalithic tires were able to maintain enough control to keep the truck from slipping off the edges. |
Due to the narrowness of the rock spine, we needed to keep the VRD running on either side of the rock rather than straight up the middle. This places considerable side-hill pressure on the tires, and the Megalithics held firm. We were pleased with this performance from both the tires and the foams, and really the VRD as well. As you can see in the video, that's not an easy line.
We finished off the rest of the afternoon testing out the Megalithics on a number of the more popular trails, finding success in just about every direction we pointed.
The Ottsix foams complimented the rounded shape of the tire's crown, allowing for the perfect amount of tire flex based on the driving weight of the VRD. These tires felt like an excellent fit for the VRD, and it had us wondering if these were going give the Ruptures a run for the top ranking on our charts. What was impressing us the most at the moment was their high level of control and traction on this slick, eroded sandstone. Typically, even good tires will struggle with the smooth, dusty surfaces of the rock, but it seems that between the green rubber compound and unique tread pattern, the Megalithics felt right at home in this terrain. |
The following day had us out at Badrock Ridge, running some of our favorite trails with the VRD. Weather was a bit mild for the day with overcast skies and a light breeze.
Cruising along the rocks, the VRD continued to impress with excellent traction, showcasing the crawling prowess of this machine. Unlike Calico Basin where there is a considerable amount of foot traffic wearing the sandstone smooth, Badrock Ridge is relatively unexplored by hikers, leaving the sandstone in a much more raw and natural state. The rock has more surface grit which favors crawling, and this additional traction took the Megalithics to the next level. The steep, technical lines in this area favor widely spaced tread pattern that allow the tire’s lugs to hook and hold position, and the wide gaps in the Megalithic delivered. |
Early in the day we encountered a few blocks of slick, raw sandstone, the VRD walked up these sections of trail with confidence and control.
The tires would just slightly flatten out due to the compliant nature of the Ottsix foams, creating a large contact patch for the rubber lugs to grip. The steeper section of rock placed much of the load on the rear tires, but the 56/44 weight distribution, low CG, and dialed anti-squat kept the front of the truck pinned down against the rock. Between the overdrive of the front tires and a bit of traction they provided, the VRD was able to creep to the top. Also working in the VRD's favor was that the Ottsix inner closed-cell foam easily resisted deformation with the increased pressure on the rear tires, firmly driving the lugs into the rock surface. |
Closing out the final day of testing with the VRD, we looked over our notes, and other than a few areas where the tires were slipping on the slick sandstone, we couldn’t find anything to complain about or take exception to regarding Megalithic tire's performance.
The combined elements of the VRD / Ottsix / Megalithic setup was about perfect. Other than a bit of shock tuning which we felt could enhance the front traction of the truck on steep climbs, this is one of those setups you run until the tires wear out. We continued to test with the VRD for another few weeks, taking photos and videos, but it was more of the same; excellent performance in all of our terrain. Now it was time to pull the wheels and tires from the VRD and get the RC Speedy moon buggy ready for some trail work. |
Moon Buggy
At this point we had a pretty good feel for the Megalithic tires on the VRD, so moving them over to the RC Speedy Moon Buggy kicked off the next stage of our assessment and we were looking forward to the results. Over the past few months, we’ve spent a lot of time getting the moon buggy set up with the right suspension and link positions, and by the time we mounted up the Megalithics, we were ready to see what it could do. One thing we did a bit different in this review is embedding more short video clips than we have with previous tire reviews. My guess is that the videos will better demonstrate the tire’s performance and make the article a bit more user friendly. |
|
Technical Rock
Starting out on the west side of Badrock Ridge, we worked our way though some chunky sandstone, picking out a route through the scattered blocks. Portal axles and the tight cage of the moon buggy made this trail much easier, with the buggy making short work of the terrain. This section was fairly steep with some nasty undercuts, so we opted to go both up and down the trail. The Megalithic tires did not disappoint. |
Moving over to a tight squeeze between rocks, the buggy cruised though this section as well, with the sidewalls of the tires keeping things under control.
This is where having just a bit of tread on the sidewall will provide traction, but not so much that the tires bind due to the overdrive in the front. You want a little bit of scooting and sliding rather than 100% traction on the sidewall. |
|
|
After we completed the chunky rock section, we headed over to a steep climb up El Arbol Perdido trail, looking to see if the tires would continue to hook up on the varying rock types on this trail.
Carefully, we picked our way to the top of this steep, technical line, watching close for any sign of slipping or if the front tires started to float. Trails this long and steep, makes it nearly impossible to stop the crawler once it starts tumbling, so confidence in the setup is a must. |
In the video, you can see that the moon buggy had to work a bit to get to the top, but the tire / foam setup continued to prove to be optimal for this terrain. Struggling on a difficult trail is to be expected, but what was also interesting to see are the Megalithic tires hooking up so well on the slick sandstone sections. Much of this is due to the green rubber compound, but there is also evidence as to the quality of the tread pattern.
Slick Rock
This slick rock performance piqued our interest, so we headed over to a new section of Badrock Ridge where a few slick outcroppings were tucked away. Knowing the limits of the moon buggy, we approached the massive blocks of slick sandstone with a healthy level of respect. Bouncing down the side of a rock formation with a titanium cage wasn’t on our list of things to do that afternoon.
On the first run we attacked a large, rounded chunk of sandstone approximately 12’ tall and about as wide as a large truck. This smooth, unbroken surface offered multiple lines of attack, and we settled on two distinctly different lines for this test.
This slick rock performance piqued our interest, so we headed over to a new section of Badrock Ridge where a few slick outcroppings were tucked away. Knowing the limits of the moon buggy, we approached the massive blocks of slick sandstone with a healthy level of respect. Bouncing down the side of a rock formation with a titanium cage wasn’t on our list of things to do that afternoon.
On the first run we attacked a large, rounded chunk of sandstone approximately 12’ tall and about as wide as a large truck. This smooth, unbroken surface offered multiple lines of attack, and we settled on two distinctly different lines for this test.
|
In the first video, the moon buggy heads to the right side of the block, searching for traction among the small imperfects on the rock’s surface.
Progress is slow, and I feel that the Ruptures would have a slight advantage here with their staggered tread pattern and squared edges of the lugs. The Megalithic tires have a bit more ramp to the edges of the lugs, and on steep surfaces like this, they tend to fish for traction. |
Staying with the attempt, the moon buggy remained planted and composed, allowing the tires to do their work and find the path up to the top. You can also see the rear tires wrinkle and twist under the weight of the crawler during the ascent.
On the second attempt, we veered a bit to the left, attacking another slick portion of rock.
Rubber compound is the single most important element for climbs like this, and once again the green-rubber compound from JConcepts proves to be ideal. Again, there was a significant amount of fishing for some traction, but patience and a smooth throttle engagement gets the moon buggy to the top. |
|
On our final run for the day, we headed over to a steep, semi-technical slab of sandstone with features a smooth lower section and difficult break-over at the summit. This trail has stumped many crawlers, but the moon buggy has successfully made this trail over dozens of attempts with Ruptures and Tusks.
|
Starting from the bottom, the moon buggy made quick progress up the hill, but nearing the upper section, the slick rock started to challenging the Megalithic's traction and the buggy would slide back a few inches at a time.
Keeping the tires spinning, traction remained elusive, and once again e had to fish around for some bite. Progress was made, but the slickness of the sandstone continued to be a challenge. |
This is another spot where the Ruptures have shined in the past; steep slick rock really pushes a tire to its limits and the Megalithics are about at their limit. We continued to press, and eventually we made it up and over. Overall, we are pleased with performance of the tires but at this point we knew they weren't at the same level as the Ruptures.
Technical Rock
Hitting the technical rock, the Megalithics were right at home. The wide gaps in the lug pattern wrap nicely around the rock’s protrusions, evenly conforming to the smooth radius on the sandstone undercuts. Leaning into the sidewalls of the tires was part of the success in that the Ottsix foams would flex and conform without shifting the inner closed-cell support ring. You can see in many of the photos the sidewall jammed into the rock's surface. With the camera ready to film, we stared on a few smaller obstacles on the trail, watching to see if the Megalithics could keep the moon buggy glued to the rock. |
|
This first block featured a number of rounded edges, but it was steep enough to present a challenge to most crawlers.
Swinging in slightly from the right side, the moon buggy walked up this with little effort. We used the inner sidewall of the tire to help lift the crawler up the steepest section of rock. There were enough imperfections in the rock present for the lugs to hook onto, keeping the ascent smooth and steady. |
Knocking that climb off, we set up on a near vertical block which had been giving us all kinds of problems with a few of the crawlers as of late. We kept hanging up the skids of our VS 410 Pro on the break-over angle, but since the moon buggy has a tucked skid and narrower body, our guess was that the moon buggy might squeeze on by.
We attacked the block not quite straight on by angling to the left with the intent to hook the inside of the passenger’s tires against the rock.
By hanging off the side of the rock, it would provide a bit more clearance between the bottom of the skid and the surface of the rock. The only part we were concerned about is how much the titanium chassis rails on the bottom would dig into the rock. |
|
With tires turning, it was simple to get the moon buggy upright, but as you can see in the video, the tires were struggling against the drag of the skid against the rock. Steering right and then left, we were able to move the buggy around until we found some room for the skid to pass, and with a hard flop on the steering, the sidewalls of the Megalithic tires grabbed hold of the rock, and we were up and over.
That was one of the more impressive lines the moon buggy cleared during testing.
That was one of the more impressive lines the moon buggy cleared during testing.
Over the following months we continued to test out the Megalithic tires at Badrock Ridge as well as Calico Basin.
The more we used the tires, the more we developed a feel for their performance and limitations. On the moon buggy, they felt most at home, and we knew just how steep of a line we could attack before they would slip off the rock's surface. Interestingly, on the moon buggy, it would start to tip back just as traction would break, demonstrating a nearly perfect balance between traction and suspension set up. If the buggy started to slip, chances are it was about to tumble over. Compared to other similar tires we've tested, the Megalithics outperform the Pro-Line Krawlers, but they come up short against the Ruptures. |
If there was a downside to these tires, it's the Megalithic’s tread life.
We did drive these tires longer than any other tire we’ve tested to date in that they were so enjoyable to crawl, but it came at a price. The Megalithic’s delicate tread pattern and ramped lugs wore down quickly on our sandstone. After nearly six months of crawling, they were toast. Performance comes at a price, and with these tires you can plan on replacing them within a single crawling season. At $28.50 a set, they are not prohibitively expensive to replace. As you can see in the accompanying photo, it's the end of the road for these tires. While there is still some tread remaining, all the squared corners are worn away and the struggle to catch on steep, technical rock. Oddly enough, in this condition they remained capable of handling some moderately challenging trail sections at Badrock Ridge. |
|
The versatility of the tires on our rock was excellent, making them a true jack-of-all trades for crawling in the southwest.
If there is a place where they shine the brightest, it’s on the steep and funky technical ascents like the one shown in the accompanying video. This is a tough line for sure, but the moon buggy made it to the top. |
Final Thoughts
The Megalithic tires might be one of our favorite tires we’ve tested to date, even though they’re not the highest ranked tire on our list in terms of overall performance. Setting aside the scoring numbers and specific details, the Megalithic tires somehow imbue the best crawling experience of any tire we’ve tested. They provide a realistic feel to the way the crawler moves, especially on the moon buggy, by showing their limitations from time to time but not completely failing on any of the terrain. There's some slipping and a bit of sliding with the Megalithic tires, but it's accompanied by some impressive ascents and conquering of challenging terrain. I highly recommend giving them a try out on your local trails. |
Specs
Megalithic - Performance 1.9" Scaler Tire - 4.75in OD
Part Number: 4060-02
Megalithic - Performance 1.9" Scaler Tire - 4.75in OD
Part Number: 4060-02
- Original Megalithic design, celebrating the 20th anniversary
- Fits industry standard 1.9” diameter wheels
- Repeated bat, club, and pyramid tread throughout
- Lug terracing, recessing, with pencil push sidewall detail
- Retro JConcepts sidewall logo with inner hatch pattern
- Hefty sidewall lugging with “liquid rope” detail for separation
- Continuous thickness carcass for clean profile
- Includes firm open cell insert
- Available in JConcepts sticky green compound
JConcepts Megalithic 1.9” Evaluation Results
Technical Rock: 29/30
Large Slab ( Slick Rock ): 19/20
Tire Construction Quality and Appearance: 20/20
Rubber Compound: 20/20
Tread Life: 3/5
Versatility: 4/5
Total Score: 95/100
Technical Rock: 29/30
- The Megalithic tires can handle the most technical rock in our desert terrain. The tread pattern is excellent for our dry sandstone, but a few more squared edges to the tread pattern would help on the steepest ascents.
Large Slab ( Slick Rock ): 19/20
- Slick rock proved to be well within the ability of the Megalithic tires to handle, with only a bit of difficulty on the steepest lines of our trail system.
Tire Construction Quality and Appearance: 20/20
- It’s a JConcepts tire, so it's not surprise they exhibit nearly perfection mold lines, excellent beads, and tremendous detail to mold pattern and quality.
Rubber Compound: 20/20
- The green rubber compound really is the performance standard for crawler tire rubber compounds. It’s perfectly suited for our dry, rocky terrain.
Tread Life: 3/5
- Performance comes at a price, and you will eat these tires up over time.
Versatility: 4/5
- We encountered no terrain where the Megalithic struggled. The widely spaced tread pattern wouldn’t make them our first choice in sand or loose rock, but we tend to avoid cruising along the washes around our trail network, so any deficiencies in this terrain would have a minimal impact on our crawling.
Total Score: 95/100