The tyre is the number one tuning part on a mountain bike and the only interface to the ground. Tyres have a decisive influence on the riding experience and can completely unfold the performance of a bike - or limit it horribly.
You don't believe that? Then why not put them to the test yourself? Based on our large comparison test, you can see at a glance what the new 2016 tyres can do. How about a particularly easy-rolling model on the rear wheel or a particularly grippy enduro tyre for the front that also offers superior grip in mud? You will be amazed at the potential of a good tyre.
Category Cross Country, Marathon
- Mavic Crossmax Pulse 29 x 2.1
- Maxxis Ikon 29 x 2.2
- Onza Canis 29 x 2.25
- Schwalbe Rocket Ron 29 x 2.25
- Vee Tire Rail Tracker 29 x 2.2
- Vittoria Mezcal 29 x 2.25
All Mountain category
- Continental Mountain King 27.5 x 2.4
- Maxxis Ardent 27.5 x 2.4
- Schwalbe Nobby Nic 27.5 x 2.35
- Schwalbe Fat Albert (Front + Rear) 27.5 x 2.35
- Vredestein Black Panther Xtreme 27.5 x 2.2
- WTB Trail Boss (High Grip + Fast Rolling) 27.5 x 2.4
Enduro category
- Bontrager SE5 27.5 x 2.3
- Continental Baron Project 27.5 x 2.4
- Maxxis Shorty + Minion DHR2 27.5 x 2.3
- Onza Citius 27.5 x 2.4
- Schwalbe Magic Mary 27.5 x 2.35
- Vee Tire Crown F-ree 27.5 x 2.35
23 new profiles in laboratory and practical tests
It's not just the plus sizes that are causing a sensation on the tyre market. New treads, new technologies and, last but not least, new materials are revitalising the tyre market. What can the new tyres do?
The tyre rotates on the steel drum with a fine whirring sound. Evenly and monotonously. Our eyes gaze intently at the digital display on the test stand. Our impression of the tyres in practice was convincing. A little heavy overall, but easy rolling. It is the new Vittoria Mezcal that has our full attention. The first tyre with four different rubber compounds within one tread pattern and, on top of that, with the new miracle material graphene.
The display stabilises at 19.3 watts. A very good, if not sensational value in terms of rolling resistance. At 16.9 watts, a much lighter Schwalbe Rocket Ron rolls a good deal more easily. The same applies to a Continental Race King, which is even content with just 15.5 watts. But light rolling is only one side of the coin. Manufacturer Vittoria claims that its graphene tyres last three times longer. A promise that we will be happy to test in continuous use.
In addition to new high-tech materials, new profiles with an unusual lug design are attracting attention. Schwalbe's new Fat Albert breaks with the traditional Schwalbe look with its rounded tread blocks and also comes with a special tread pattern for the front and rear wheel. A trend that some manufacturers are following in this test. Be it through different tread patterns, different rubber compounds or a combination of both. For the all-mountain tyres, Vredestein combines different profiles, while the Schwalbe Nobby Nic and the WTB Trail Boss come with different rubber compounds for the front and rear. The reason for this has to do with the special requirements of the working areas. The front wheel requires secure guidance in order to optimally transfer steering and braking forces. The rear tyre, on the other hand, must primarily roll well and offer sufficient traction when climbing. An unequal pair of tyres therefore makes sense.
The division of labour works very well on the Fat Albert. At 40 watts, the front tyre in TrailStar compound rolls around twice as hard as the rear tyre in PaceStar compound (20.5 watts). As around two thirds of the weight of the bike is on the rear wheel, rolling resistance is the most important factor here. All in all, the combination rolls at least as well as a 30-watt tyre fitted at the front and rear, but offers more damping, safety and therefore bike control on the front wheel.
A blind test with identical treads but very different rubber compounds showed just how important the damping of a tyre is. Downhill, the tyres with a very slow, damping compound were found to be particularly good and provide good traction. However, strong damping also means high rolling resistance, which is why downhill-heavy tyres can never roll easily.
All measurement results of the laboratory test at a glance
In order to test all tyres under comparable conditions, BIKE used the test laboratory of tyre manufacturer Bohle for two days. The rolling resistance was determined on a drum test bench at 20 km/h and 1.8 bar tyre pressure. The puncture test (also 1.8 bar) indicates the maximum drop height of a 10-kilo weight with a defined edge up to the tyre/tube defect. To test how resistant the carcass is to foreign objects such as thorns, the maximum force required by a metal thorn to penetrate the carcass is determined.
Test results: MTB tyres, Cross Country / Marathon category
¹TPI: Threats per Inch, see Lexicon ²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super, very good, good, with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.
Test results: MTB tyres, All Mountain / Trail category
¹TPI: Threats per Inch, see Lexicon ²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super, very good, good, with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.
Test results: MTB tyres, Enduro category
¹TPI: Threats per inch, see Lexicon
²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super, very good, good, with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.
