"Triple Nano Compound", "Dura Skin" or "Integrated Protection". The tyre industry uses nice-sounding technology abbreviations to promote its latest developments to the end consumer. Here a special rubber compound to reduce rolling resistance, there a tightly woven fibre to reinforce the sidewall. Manufacturers are working at full speed, going into great detail and focussing on every single stud. However, it is often not only the end consumer who lacks basic knowledge about tyres. Would you have known, for example, that a tyre inflated to two bar not only rolls just as well on fine gravel roads, but more easily than a tyre inflated to three bar? And that you can save even more energy off-road by lowering the tyre pressure even further? Or what do you think helps best against a puncture - a wider tyre or higher air pressure?
Because many bikers still don't get the full potential out of their tyres, we have done some basic research for you. Starting on page 12 of this special, you will learn the truth about the rolling resistance of mountain bike tyres, which has been extensively researched in a thesis. With this knowledge, you will save valuable energy and make a significant leap forward. For the first time, we have carried out a laboratory test to determine which tyres are best suited to combat one of the most common causes of flat tyres, the so-called "snakebite". And in our comparison test starting on page 4, you will find the eight latest tyre models and an additional seven studded tyres. Last but not least, in this special we offer you a complete overview of all the models we tested in 2008.
You will find the following topics in the PDF download:
Tyre test: 8 brand new CC and Enduro tyres
Geax Gato 2.1, Hutchinson Cobra Air Light 2.25, Onza Canis 2.25, Onza Ibex DH 2.4, Specialized Fast Trak LK 2.0, Specialized Sauserwind 2Bliss 2.0, Vredestein Black Panther Xtrac 2.0, Vredestein Spotted Cat 2.0
Tyre overview: All tyres from last season from CC to Enduro
Spike tyre test: 7 nail tyres tested on the ice rink
Continental Spike Claw 240 2.1, Continental Spike Claw 120 2.1, Kenda Klondike XT 2.1, Nokian Freddies Revenz 2.3, Nokian Hakka WXC 2.1, Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro 2.1, Schwalbe Marathon Winter 1.75
The truth about rolling resistance: Know what makes you fast
Snakebite test: What helps best against punctures?
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