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<\/a><\/p>\nMichelin Wild Enduro<\/h2>\n
This whole project of a new range of dedicated Enduro tires was born at the end of 2015, starting\u00a0with the development of a new carcass and new compounds specifically for these tires, the GUM-X3D and the MAGI-X\u00b2. During 2016, the research expanded into tread design, starting with the production of prototypes that have been tested by Michelin\u00a0athletes such as Adrien Dailly, J\u00e9r\u00f4me Clementz, Remy Absalon and many others. The test field of the Wild Enduro range was the Enduro World Series circuit, but the intended usage by Michelin is much wider than the Enduro race segment and ranges from Enduro amateurs pushing up towards more aggressive Freeriders.<\/p>\n
With the Wild Enduro, Michelin wanted to create a simplified but complete range, with which a few quality products would be able to cover the widest range of possible conditions, adapting to 80% of the types of land that riders typically encounter, as stated by Michelin: from the damp soil in the forests to the dry, compact or sandy soil of the desert. The Wild Enduro range is currently available for 27.5 “wheels and will be marketed starting in March, while 29″ versions\u00a0are on their way, but will arrive few months after their medium wheeled companions. All three tires in the range are 2.40” width.<\/p>\n
The rear tire is called the Wild Enduro Rear and uses a particularly strong casing called Gravity Shield Technology, created specifically for this model…this makes it robust and suitable for heavy-duty uses typical of\u00a0gravity disciplines. It consists of 3 layers of sturdy canvas, each at 33TPI\u00a0which is fairly high-density. The\u00a0bead is further strengthened by a layer of material that’s resistant to cuts and pinches.<\/p>\n It’s not only pinch flat resistance,\u00a0but also the rigidity of its structure which allows the Wild Enduro Rear to endure the\u00a0harsh punishment\u00a0of\u00a0highly aggressive driving. The\u00a0penalty for\u00a0the tough casing is measured in terms of weight as the tire tips the scales at an average of 1,070 grams. The compound used for the Wild Enduro Rear is the GUM-X3D, an evolution of the previous GUM-X, made specifically for this new range of tires using 8 different types of rubber. The GUM-X3D is able to provide additional grip and traction compared to the previous version, thanks to increased flexibility of the knobs, while ensuring the same level of efficiency in terms of rolling resistance. In this respect, the tread pattern, which is rather aggressive manages to strike a balance between offerings gobs of traction and still getting you up and down the hill without too much difficulty.<\/p>\n The Wild Enduro Front is\u00a0clearly intended for the front wheel and shares the new GUM-X3D compound with the Wild Enduro Rear. Grip and\u00a0flexibility in the knobs allow the tread to adapt to the ground while maintaining the right contact, for a safe and comfortable ride. The\u00a0tire is designed to be most ideal when paired with rims using an internal width of around 30mm,\u00a0providing a nicely rounded profile. The side knobs are well pronounced and broadly spaced, with an abundant ramp to support the shoulder, thus providing loads of cornering support under aggressive riders. The center knobs, arranged on two alternating rows, have two ramps that optimize\u00a0rolling resistance but still stay firm\u00a0under braking. Vincent Ledieu, who created the Wild Enduro range, definitely paid attention during braking tests, so that the tire could brake as late as possible while still being in full control.<\/p>\n The front model casing also uses Gravity Shield Technology but its composition is different from that of the Rear model. There are still 3 layers of canvas, maintaining its intended usage toward heavy riding, but each layer is formed by a lighter 60TPI weave, with the intermediate layer\u00a0being a\u00a0higher density. In the Front model there is no pinch flat protection\u00a0at the bead. The version of Gravity Shield Technology used on the Wild Enduro Front helps the tire to contain the weight and come in just below 1 kg, with a claimed average weight of 980 grams.<\/p>\n The Wild Enduro Front is also\u00a0available in a new compound, the MAGI-X\u00b2, an evolution of the MAGI-X, which has been developed to offer further performance, especially in the racing field, and is aimed at the most experienced and demanding riders. The Gravity Shield Technology casing has the same composition as that of the Wild Enduro GUM-X3D and the tread pattern is identical, but changes are in the composition of the tire compound. The MAGI-X\u00b2 offers additional grip compared to the GUM-X3D but above all it has more rigid blocks that provide greater precision at higher speeds, with a more immediate and reliable response when the terrain is more demanding.<\/p>\n As\u00a0we hinted in the beginning of the article, our first ride aboard the Wild Enduro range took place on absolutely dry and dusty and therefore very challenging trails. We started uphill, on a dirt road, so we could concentrate on the rolling behavior of the rear tire. On the first steep climbs, I immediately appreciated the traction and the incredible grip that the central knobs\u00a0were able to provide, even on dry, dusty rocks\u00a0– rather difficult terrain. In the flat sections we could appreciate the\u00a0excellent rolling resistance in relation to the rather aggressive\u00a0tread pattern and the soft compound. Downhill sections proved that these tires offered an intuitive and easy to interpret behavior, with extremely\u00a0worthy side grip in both the turns and under above average braking. The shoulder knobs support you\u00a0very well and in general the behavior was solid yet comfortable. It should be noted that during the two days of riding there were zero punctures \/ pinches in the whole group, between journalists and staff, despite the rock strewn trails – this is extremely uncommon in press camps.<\/p>\n On the first day, we paired the front GUM-X3D compound tire to the standard rear tire which shares the same compound – the grip is excellent and the knobs are able to flex just enough to provide a compromise between precision and comfort.\u00a0The design of the side blocks, well spaced and with a wide supportive\u00a0knob ensures that their flex is progressive. This\u00a0encourages intuitive behavior that instills confidence and security. The center rows\u00a0bite into the terrain nicely during braking and allows powerful late braking, while maintaining good contact with the ground.\u00a0Changes\u00a0in direction were simple and\u00a0predictable.\u00a0The side knobs provided great support\u00a0without flexing or twisting.<\/p>\n During the second day of riding we used the front Enduro Front in MAGI-X\u00b2 compound\u00a0– the same tire as used the previous day, but with a different compound. The rubber is in fact the only detail that diversifies the two models, but the difference is really noticeable. The MAGI-X\u00b2 compound is actually softer and offers more grip, but the remarkable thing is that the designers at Michelin have managed to formulate the compound\u00a0to offer loads of traction\u00a0with greater elasticity and reactivity in the material\u00a0making it\u00a0even more aggressive and race oriented.\u00a0Better traction all around and a fast rolling resistance…somehow.<\/p>\n With the new Wild Enduro line, Michelin has hit their target range of products suitable for everyone but with clear and evident race oriented performance. The rear, apart from the weight (which certainly does not go unnoticed) is an excellent tire in all respects, while the front in addition to amazing all around performance also offers the possibility, depending on your riding style\/terrain, to choose the\u00a0appropriate compound, which greatly differentiates its behavior. The Wild Enduro line is well positioned, up there with best products currently on the market.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nWild Enduro Rear<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nWild Enduro Front GUM-X3D<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nWild Enduro Front MAGI-X\u00b2<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nOn the Trail<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nConclusion<\/h2>\n