Bikeradar - The world is for riding

Keith Bontrager races XC all over the world, regularly 24hr-ing in the UK, and this excellent tyre is the result of a long vendetta against sticky conditions.

The square-knob tread doesn't look much but it keys into anything remotely soft for excellent bite, and the knobs are low enough to stay stable on hard rocks, roots or road rather than flexing and squirming.

Softer-compound shoulders also increase grip, and while it's not quite as tenacious in total gloop as the Panaracer Trailraker, it's much faster and safer on the hard stuff. It slides less suddenly when it does let go too, and the medium-compound centre lasts well even when the trails dry out.

Very low weight and fast cleaning mean it accelerates very well too, so it's a fabulous filthy race tyre. The supple carcass gives good ground moulding at lower pressures and it's tubeless ready, so a quick fill of sealant will make it even more connected. Considering the autumn-to-spring performance and other features, pricing is excellent too.

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