Bontrager Big Earl Wet 2.35in review

Bontrager’s freeride tyres are bred more for groomed ‘park’ work than off-piste action, but they’re well worth a look if you ride a lot of trail centres.

It works OK on damp UK trails and it certainly clears quickly. The relatively low, flat topped, wide spaced tread doesn’t really key into muddy surfaces for significant bite and it tends to slip early in earthy conditions.
Show it a rain-lashed, kitty litter surfaced, manmade trail and the siped tread is in its element. Loads of fat carcass means it sucks up the hits well and the rounded profile rolls in and out of berms without a hitch. The 50 duro edges of the Gum Bi-dual compound tread handles wet rock well, while the 60 centre rolls OK on the straights.