One of the oldest names in the business, Michelin has been making mountain bike tires for a long time. They have several new offerings for 2013, including the Michelin Wild Grip’R and Wild Race’R Ultimate tires available in 26″ and 29er versions as well as tubeless and tubeless ready.
Rudy from Michelin France, highlights some of the design features of these two new tires.
Wild Grip’R
The Michelin Wild Grip’R 2 is the new multipurpose tire that delivers superior performance on both dry and muddy terrain. A large number of innovations set it apart from its predecessor, including its new design, tread, tubeless and tubeless-ready casings, rubber compounds and size line-up, which includes a 29-inch model.
On the tire crown, tread blocks have been optimally arranged to provide the best balance between grip, rider output and self-cleaning capability without sacrificing performance in one area for another.
On the shoulder, the height and angle of the tread blocks have been enhanced to ensure consistent, efficient cornering.
- All year long tire
- Good on dirt, wet terrain
- Polyvalent tire (all around)
- Blocks are close enough together to provide good rolling efficiency
- Block is very mobile
- Attractive tread design
- A lot of features to improve grip and rolling efficiency
- Available in sizes 26X2.10, 26X2.25, 29X2.10, 29X2.25
Wild Race’R Ultimate
The Michelin Wild Race’R Ultimate is the new tire for cross-country racing. During the development phase, engineers focused on delivering superior dry-terrain performance. The tire’s strengths include its low weight, speed, grip and puncture- resistance. In size 26×2.10, the tubeless-ready version of the tire weighs only 415 grams. This exceptionally low weight is obtained without sacrificing the tire’s ability to withstand punctures. Top-three World Cup finishes by bikers Fabien Canal and Fanny Bourdon attest to the tire’s outstanding performance levels.
- Light version of existing Race’R
- Super light XC tire
- 110 tpi casing
- Gum-X series compound
- Super fast rolling
- Constant grip
- Available in sizes 26X2.10, 26X2.25, 29X2.0
I really like those new Wild grips’r. The old ones are junk and have trouble gripping on anything. I told my self never to buy michelin again but with that design I’m really tempted. Reminfs me a my old Bonty Jones XR tires…
29×2.25 wild grip’r weight 704g not bad. It’s a great tire that rolls fast, with good grip. I wish they came in 2.4!!