MTB tyres tough as nails: WTB brings a stronger carcass for Enduro and Gravity

More suspension travel, larger batteries, more powerful motors - it's not just the e-MTBs themselves that are changing, but also the areas in which e-bikers now ride. Long descents, challenging terrain and, of course, the additional weight put enormous strain on the tyres and increase wear. The desire for more robust tyre casings and more durable treads has never been greater and many riders now rely on inserts to ensure that they don't have to end their tour pushing.

WTB SG1 - the strongest WTB carcass to date

In order to meet the ever-increasing demands placed on MTB tyres, WTB developers have invested a lot of brainpower and, after extensive testing, have now presented a brand new casing for the Gravity range of tyres. For the tried and tested Trail Boss, Vigilante and Judge models, the new WTB SG1 technology in the double-layer "Tough" version is intended to offer even more protection.

The additional puncture protection runs underneath the tread and is intended to make the tyre less sensitive to sharp-edged objects lurking in the ground. But that's not the only reinforcement: WTB has introduced the so-called IP+ technology with the aim of providing additional protection for the most vulnerable areas of the tyre. Compared to the old Tough carcass technology, this is intended to cover a three times larger area. This improvement should not only protect the tyre bead from damage, but also noticeably support the sidewall structure without compromising the suppleness of the tyre.

WTB: MTB tyres with improved protection and greater stability

According to WTB, the new IP+ technology should provide significantly more comfort and traction thanks to lower air pressure, without compromising stability during strong compressions or hard cornering. WTB wants to kill two birds with one stone: improved protection and greater stability.

In addition, WTB is introducing new fast-rolling and high-grip rubber compounds that should not only increase the durability of the tread, but also improve grip - especially in the wet! WTB claims to have achieved these advances by optimising the ratio between natural and synthetic rubber as well as fine-tuning the ratio of carbon black and other reinforcing components in the rubber compound.

The new mixing ratio of the individual components is intended to result in rubber compounds for MTB tyres that are less prone to slipping in wet and muddy conditions - in other words, they provide more grip when it is needed most. The changed ratio of carbon black and other reinforcing components is intended to improve durability. High wear was and still is one of the main problems with particularly grippy gravity tyres - even from other manufacturers. Whether the new WTB SG1 casing really is the holy grail of MTB tyres will be revealed in our test in the foreseeable future. Schwalbe also recently introduced new wonder tyres with a radial carcass that pursue a similar goal, at least in terms of comfort. Unfortunately, the press release did not reveal how the new reinforcements affect the weight. What is certain, however, is that the MTB tyres are unlikely to be available for less than 1200 grams.

All new WTB tyres are packaged with 100 percent recycled materials and without plastic. Prices for SG1 tyres start at 74.50 euros. The tyres are now available on the website and from dealers.