Upon first glance, WTB's Bronson TCS Tire looks to be similar to their Wolverine XC tire. Indeed it is, yet it has small differences that make it a different beast. Both share a general swept tread pattern, some might call it a chevron. The knobs on the Bronson are swept back at a gentler angle than the Wolverine, and they have notches that allow them to conform to a multitude of trail surfaces, from loose to hardpack, from wet to dry. On hardpack trails, the notched lugs can deform to offer up a kung-fu grip on semi-solid surfaces and rock. On the other end of the moisture spectrum, the Bronson's tapered lugs shed sticky mud well enough to get you through it without caking over and becoming a slick. The Bronson has ramped center lugs to roll with minimal loss of speed. Their shape is again similar to the center knobs on the Wolverine, but where they differ is the spacing and that the knobs on the Bronson differ with regards to the width of their spacing. Here they're phased in an alternating pattern of wide then narrow. The height of the knobs increases from the transition knobs to the shoulder knobs. This gives the tire a predictable feel when you begin to carve into shallow lean angles in fast corners. The tread was designed to optimize performance along with WTB's Dual DNA rubber compound that's firmer in the center to accentuate the fast rolling tread and softer on the sides for awesome cornering traction. The WTB Bronson TCS Tire has a tubeless compatible system bead, specifically designed to work with UST style rims. The combination of tubeless capability and WTB's lightweight Race casing makes the Bronson a great XC tire. It's light enough to race fast, but beefy enough to offer up real traction for backwoods adventures. The Bronson TCS Tire is available in two sizes -- 26 x 2.1" and 2.3". The actual weight for the 2.1" tire is 608 grams.
Strengths: I got these for my Tallboy LTc, along with the WTB I23 29er rims... so the mounting was easy, and with a short puff of air from the compressor they seated and sealed right up. No drama with mounting on WTB rims, but your mileage may vary on a different brand of rim. I have to add about 3-4 psi a week to keep them inflated at 30psi, so they hold air well. The whole TCS system is really slick!
Weaknesses: So far? None... if they start to suck I'll re-post. But... I got 4 years of hard riding on my 29er Exiwolf tires I had on my singlespeed. WTB makes decent tires.
Bottom Line:
The tire seems a bit pressure dependant... I had too little pressure in them the first ride and they felt really squirmy. So I added air for the next ride (about 30psi) and they handle nothing short of amazing now. The tires roll very fast, climb really well... and stay secure in all the different SoCal grunge --rocks, loose over handpack, hardpack, sand, some roots in the mountains, and loamy wet dirt. Anyway, I really like the tires, and they stick to the ground no matter what I've tried to do to break them loose. Also don't feel any tread-wiggle like I did with my Rampage 29er tires...
Favorite Trail: Just one? It needs to say trails...
Duration Product Used: 3 mo
Purchased At: A present from my da
Similar Products Used: Exiwolf 29er
Rampage 29er
Bike Setup: Tallboy LTc
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a All Mountain Rider
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2012
Strengths: Grippy over dry rocks, semi wet roots, fast rolling, confidence inspiring
Weaknesses: Will update soon if any
Bottom Line:
Here's my street cred on some of the tires i have tried and tested before writing this review. Maxxis Minions DHF and DHR 2.35 SP Super tacky, Minion DHF 2.5 Exo 3c, DHF DH 2.5 3C, Larsen FR 2.4 SP Super tacky, Ardents 2.2, WTB weirwolf 2.3, prowler max 2.3, Kenda Nevegals 2.3 DTC, SB8 DTC, Michelin AT 2.35, Intense 909 AM FRO 2.35, Geax Lobo Loco 2.3 TNT, Conti Rubber Queen 2.2 BC, hutchison Pythons 2.3 NG, just some of the 32 different ones i have tried over the past 5 years.
I have always love the minions dhf and nothing less. but these tires, were surprising. Really surprisingly good. I was truly impressed. So far i had 4 rides on them. each ride with technical climbs and descend. faster than the minions, grips and corners where the minions would wash, these wouldn't. I havent found the breaking point on them yet. I need more time on it to truly truly give it 5 chilis, but u know, once u like a certain tire, the mental barrier to praise another is still hard. across cake mud, the tires didnt slow down as much as the DHFs and didn't cake up much after. these tires have been so impressive, i did think for a moment they will be a winner against the DHFs. oh and i ran them at 40 psi with tubes instead of tubeless and at the high psi, i was so surprised at the traction and control i got. i run my tires usually between 28-35 psi across all terrain and weather condition. So folks, i think this may be a good winner tire at least for me. I recommend it highly. tire rebound was comfortable. it was smooth and not jittery.
I have heard good things about the Hans Dampf. that will have to wait till the next pay day at least.