WTB has launched a range of three wide, high-volume gravel tyres, which feature patent-pending technology that is said to improve their aerodynamics and represent “a major leap forward in gravel tyre performance”.
The three new tyres are the 50mm-wide Byway RS, 52mm Course and 54mm Macro.
WTB says it has balanced traction, rolling resistance and flat protection to optimise ride quality and produce what it claims are the fastest gravel tyres possible.
WTB has worked on the development of its new gravel tyres with aero road bike brand Stromm, which claims to make the fastest UCI-legal road bike. They’re designed to pair with the now-typical wide gravel wheel rims and optimised for a 28mm internal rim width, although WTB says they will deliver benefits on rims from 25mm to 32mm.
The new tyres have sidewalls that include vortex generators and trip strips, which WTB claims help control boundary layer separation and reduce the drag-inducing low-pressure wake around the wheel and tyre.
WTB says it has used field testing at a velodrome against a control tyre with the same profile, but without aero features to validate the aero benefits at typical gravel speeds. It says its testing shows a 5.8-watt saving at 30km/h, rising to 9.3 watts at 35km/h and 13.8 watts at 40km/h.
To achieve its aero aims, WTB says it has completely redesigned its tyre-production methods, with closer production tolerances and new materials. There’s a new 120 TPI casing that WTB claims is more supple and offers bead-to-bead puncture protection, which it calls SG2.
The rubber used has also had an upgrade, with a low-drag compound used at the centre and high-friction shoulder lugs.
WTB aero gravel tyre range
Byway RS 50
As with the original Byway, the Byway RS has a slick central section with low-profile side knobs and is designed for speed on hardpacked gravel and tarmac. WTB claims a 620g tyre weight.
Course 52
The Course 52 increases all-terrain capability, with a shallow central tread for rolling efficiency, and is geared to more varied off-road conditions. The claimed weight is 635g per tyre.
Macro 54
Finally, the Macro 54 has the highest volume of the three tyres and is designed for rougher surfaces, with a more aggressive, more widely spaced tread pattern. Claimed weight is 640g per tyre.
All three WTB aero gravel tyres are available with either black or tan sidewalls and are priced at £69.50 / $89.95 / €79.95. You may also have spotted the WTB carbon gravel wheel rims in the images of the tyres. WTB says they’ll be arriving soon to complement the new aero tyres.
