[MountainBored]

I've got the 29x2.6 Mezcal on the rear of my hard tail and would be stoked if they made this one BIGGER in addition to the 2.4. Maxxis Forekaster has been a fav for fast+gnar and this new offering might be an improvement over that. I still want to try the Barzo. I guess this is supposed to be tougher than the 120 TPI Barzo?

 

[tailwaters]

I've been riding Vittoria tires for about 5 years now. Have run Mezcals, Agarro and have landed on the Barzo on my new Canyon Neuron. Can't say enough about this tire, just seems to do everything well in my area. Switched to Maxxis Rekons for a couple months but went back to the Barzo for the traction. These look interesting and more than likely will be purchasing a set to try in the near future. Love Vittoria tires!

 

[chiefsilverback]

I'm pretty new to the sport and I think DH and enduro are pretty clear cut, but when does XC become DC and then when does DC become trail? Just looking at the terrain they featured in this video I might ask why isn't that 'trail', but at the same time, looking pictures from some of the XC world cup courses this year, why is it 'XC'?

Also they threw in there that they were running a liner on the back, so that's an extra 200g + $50, why not just run the beefier 'trail' tire?

 

[chomxxo]

Your questions are far too logical

These are mostly marketing terms but for the purposes of this thread: an XC tire is going to be fast, light, and not very durable, with not very much traction.

a trail tire is going to be heavier, with better grip, and more durable.

this new category of "DC" downcountry tires will be heavier and more durable, but with less grip and faster-rolling. It sounds to me like a good tire for someone who races but needs an everyday training tire, or someone who likes long rides and doesn't want a piggishly slow trail tire.

I'm pretty new to the sport and I think DH and enduro are pretty clear cut, but when does XC become DC and then when does DC become trail? Just looking at the terrain they featured in this video I might ask why isn't that 'trail', but at the same time, looking pictures from some of the XC world cup courses this year, why is it 'XC'?

Also they threw in there that they were running a liner on the back, so that's an extra 200g + $50, why not just run the beefier 'trail' tire?

 

[Josh Patterson]

I'm pretty new to the sport and I think DH and enduro are pretty clear cut, but when does XC become DC and then when does DC become trail? Just looking at the terrain they featured in this video I might ask why isn't that 'trail', but at the same time, looking pictures from some of the XC world cup courses this year, why is it 'XC'?

Also they threw in there that they were running a liner on the back, so that's an extra 200g + $50, why not just run the beefier 'trail' tire?

These are all valid questions, @chiefsilverback.

Enduro wasn't always a clear-cut category. In the early days, it was simply stage racing on trail/all-mountain bikes. During the last decade, the event format and bikes have become more defined and much more specialized.

The same can be said for gravel. Like downcountry, the term was heavily derided in the early days. (I once worked for a cycling media outlet that attempted to ban the use of the term "gravel" and focus on "all-road" because some riders, especially those outside the US, didn't relate to the term.) Over time, the term gained traction as more riders understood the category, and cycling brands bought into the concept. Today, gravel is one of the fastest-growing segments of the cycling market and the largest amateur race format (by the number of participants).

I see downcountry in a similar light. Some riders and brands see a space between XC and trail bikes. Whatever you choose to call it, I think there's a valid case to be made for lightweight, race-able trail bikes with progressive geometry.

This topic is probably worthy of its own feature.

Regarding the liner: it's an extra 160g in this case. The reason some riders might run a liner rather than a burlier tire is that a lighter weight tire, such as the Syerra, has a more supple casing and lower rolling resistance. The combination of a supple casing and lower weight can, in some instances, negate the weight gain from a tire insert while providing a bit of an insurance policy for the tire and the rim. World Cup XC racers have started using liners with lightweight tires for the same reasons.

This is probably fodder for a feature as well...

 

[TylerVernon]

I personally can't stand inserts and have had good results with V's pps. As far as xc vs DC goes....it's a fuzzy subject so I prize fun the highest in the discussion. Its not rational....but having a good time isn't rational either.

 

[MTBeing]

Good looking tire. They'll sell a ton of those in the down-country genre.

 

[DeoreDX]

This tires design sounds perfect for my needs but I'm on a 27.5x2.6 so no bueno. If you listen to how they explain the design process and thinking they take the flat cornering bite of a trail tire and couple it with a lower rolling resistance center section of a XC tire so you trade braking traction for rolling resistance. Space the knobs for more of a paddle effect to help with climbing traction. Sounds like it fits my needs for a tire perfectly. I want the strong supple case and good cornering traction of a trail tire but in down country trails I don't need aggressive braking so sacrifice braking performance for low rolling resistance. I know people tend to hate the down country moniker but if they met their design goals it could be a tire that works great for a large segment of the riding community.

 

[Shark]

It says downcountry on the tire? Nope won't go on my bike thanks

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[Funoutside]

Would be cool to see this in a 2.2 paired with a Tereno 2.1 or 2.25 rear on a tigher clearance xc bike or a Cutthroat.

 

[chiefsilverback]

Some riders and brands see a space between XC and trail bikes. Whatever you choose to call it, I think there's a valid case to be made for lightweight, race-able trail bikes with progressive geometry.

This topic is probably worthy of its own feature.

I find there are lots of threads/articles/comments etc... about the bikes but not the terrain itself, and defining when a trail goes from being an XC trail to a 'trail' trail, to an enduro trail etc... Can it be tied to the IMBA trail ratings or is it more complex than that?

Is it based more on the region you're riding in? I'm in New Hampshire and I ride anything from machine cut, buffed trails to 'primitive' NE single track littered with roots and rocks, but nothing like the big chunk I see in videos of people riding out west. When I watch videos for Utah or Arizona I think "I'd probably want more travel than my current 120/120".

Maybe I'm answering my own question as I write this! My wife is getting into riding and she really doesn't like bumping over the rocks and roots, so I'm thinking about a bike like the Siskiu T8 for her that can just eat up all that chatter on trails that others rip down on hardtail XC bikes.

 

[TylerVernon]

This tires design sounds perfect for my needs but I'm on a 27.5x2.6 so no bueno. If you listen to how they explain the design process and thinking they take the flat cornering bite of a trail tire and couple it with a lower rolling resistance center section of a XC tire so you trade braking traction for rolling resistance. Space the knobs for more of a paddle effect to help with climbing traction. Sounds like it fits my needs for a tire perfectly. I want the strong supple case and good cornering traction of a trail tire but in down country trails I don't need aggressive braking so sacrifice braking performance for low rolling resistance. I know people tend to hate the down country moniker but if they met their design goals it could be a tire that works great for a large segment of the riding community.

Yeah....and they just discontinued the Morsa, which is a very similar design but with superior cornering knobs (and no transition knobs, which is fine). I found some New Old Stock 29er size and tried to use it on the rear of my bike, but there wasn't enough clearance. The side knobs are tall and closely spaced so little pebbles would get lodged, stick out quite a ways, and rip the hell out of my carbon seat stay. The Morsa came in at 930g on my scale, barely more than this thing.

 

[akmtnrunner]

Any idea when we can expect these to be available and start hearing independent reviews?

 

[frdfandc]

This tire has a similar build spec like the newest version of the Bontrager XR3. Lower "XC" tread pattern/size in the center and the larger knob on the outside edge from the XR4.

Bontrager XR3 Team Issue TLR MTB Tire - Trek Bikes

Enhance your cycling experience with Bontrager XR3 Team Issue TLR Road Tire. Find the best gear at trekbikes.com and your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

 

[paleh0rse]

This looks like a great new option and will certainly make the short list for my Spur when it comes time to swap in new tires next Spring.

Can we take a second to talk about aesthetics, though? All those red accents and writing on the rubber are hideous. Does anyone know if they plan to sell a blacked-out option, or perhaps a tan-wall version? I'll likely test them either way, but would really prefer something with a little less red.../shrug