Hot new XC, DH, enduro, plus, and fat tires from Sea Otter
Who says 26 is dead? (click to enlarge)
WTB goes 26+?
While the crew at WTB was tight lipped about 26+ (despite attempts to bribe them with beer and Mtbr t-shirts), we did spy this 26×3.0” prototype called the Ranger on a Jamis DragonFly. It doesn’t quite look like anything else in the line up, so your guess is as good as ours. More information at www.wtb.com.
One for normal conditions, one for mud and loose. Both enduro/DH and tubeless ready.
Vittoria Martello, Mota, and Cannoli Tires
Tire maker Vittoria has a host of new rubber in the pipeline, led by the model year 2017 Martello (Italian for hammer). This enduro/all mountain offering utilizes a moto-block inspired tread, where a progressive sipe width pattern is designed to enhance grip without sacrificing rolling speed. Already this year pro racer Anneke Beerten has rolled the Martello to a pair of Enduro World Series podium appearances. It will be available in downhill and enduro casings in 2.35” and 2.5” for 26” and 27.5” wheels. The new Mota tire has all the same technology and sizing, but fewer knobs, making it the choice for wet or loose condition rides. Both tubeless-ready tires will sell for $65 and be available next fall.
Vittoria’s Cannoli will come in plus and fat versions for 26, 27.5 and 29.
Vittoria also has a new 120tpi plus/fat tire dubbed the Cannoli, which comes in 3.0” for 27.5 and 29, and 4.8”x26. It has a traditional paddle tread that’s ideal for snow or loose dirt conditions. Small crosses on the sipes make great targets for studs if you plan on taking on the Iditarod. Construction is dual compound with sidewall protection. Vittoria is also set to launch a wide 27.5 version of its Deamion alloy wheel. Internal rim width is 40mm, and it has straight pull spokes, boost spacing, and centerlock rotor mounts. Claimed weight is 1900 grams. Pricing not yet available. Availability is set for fall. For more info visit www.vittoria.com. — Jason Sumner
The Kenda Havok has a low profile center for decreased rolling resistance, and siped transition knobs with healthy shoulder blocks for better cornering traction (click to enlarge).
Kenda Plus and XC offerings
Kenda is expanding its plus sized offerings with the new 27.5 Havok in 2.8” and 3.0”. The base level tire with wire casing is shipping now as OEM; the tubeless ready aftermarket models with high end casing protection will be available in September.
The new Kenda Saber Pro is an XC race tire that uses a low rolling resistance R3C rubber compound (click to enlarge).
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Saber Pro, an XC oriented race tire. It borrows rubber technology from Kenda’s automotive division for low rolling resistance and is intended to be a hardpack racing tire. The tire will available in 2.0” and 2.2” for 27.5 or 29er wheelsets. The lightest 29×2.0” option weighs ~489 grams claims Kenda. More information at www.kendatire.com.
The latest from Continental has extra sidewall armor, but is also still plenty supple.
Continental Der Baron Projekt 2.4
Working in collaboration with the first family of fast (Gee, Dan and Rachel Atherton), Continental has created an enduro/all mountain tire that’s rock garden ready. The Continental Der Baron Projekt 2.4 features a dual-ply sidewall and an insert that runs from the bead to the sidewall for additional protection. However, it’s still claimed to be plenty supple, lest your tire fold when running low psi and cornering like Valentino Rossi. The new tire comes in 26, 27.5 and 29 at 2.4” width only. The tread pattern can be traced to Continental’s mud tires, but the center knobs have more ramping and are closer together for faster rolling. Price is $86. For more info visit www.continental-tires.com. — Jason Sumner
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