Tire Rumors And News
May 21st, 2008 by Guitar TedHere are some rubbery bits to chew on regarding new shoes for 29″ers rumored to be coming your way soon.
First up we have news about Continental who have given the green light apparently to the developement of a 29″er Race King. The tire in 26″er form has a 460 gram weight, so the 29″er version should come out to be quite light. Another plus: All Continental tires are okay for tubeless use, so that should make the race king a true racers delight when it hits the scene. Reportedly, that will be late this summer.
Next up we have heard a solid rumor out of California about the Big “S” releasing some new 29″er tires. apparently Specialized is readying two tire models, one already offered in 29″er form and one that hasn’t been a 29″er tire as of yet. The information we have is that the new 29″er model will be the Eskar, which was the model Specialized used to replace the much loved Resolution with. The other model? The Captain, but this time in a “2Bliss” version. The Eskar is also said to be coming out as a “2Bliss” model as well. So, two new “2Bliss” tires and also each will be offered in the Control Casing along with standard casings.
We’re hearing that the weights on the standard casing tires should be around 660-680 grams each and that the Control casing tires will be about a 100 grams heavier.
Here’s a look at the Eskar in the 26″er version. It looks to have several working edges and is touted as an excellent hardpack/loose over hardpack conditions tire. If so, I’ll be digging that! Sounds like my trails in the summer!
No word on exactly when these tires will be available, but our source told us that they are in prototype stages and are going out to testers now. That would indicate to me that perhaps we’ll see something of them late in the summer, or around Interbike time.
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What about Schwalbe 29er models? Nobby Nic 2,25″ in 29er mode and others? Come on. Cloxxki do something about it! Threaten them somehow. Kidnap someone and keep them as hostages and then your demands will be new tyres in 29er mode.
If the Eskar’s are anything like the 26″ version, I wouldn’t go anywhere near them. Their lack of transition knobs make them slip out from under you in the turns. I talked with some Specialized engineers and they even confirmed that it is a problem with that tire. One of the “new guys” (which I don’t believe is there anymore) decided to slim down the amount of part numbers that Specialized was offering and this meant cutting out most of the Resolution line. From what I have heard from most 29er riders…they are pretty unhappy with the idea.
For another great 29er tire that will be out shortly…check out the Ardent 2.25 from Maxxis. So far, the 26″ version I have been testing has turned out great. You can see the 29er version that I just got in here.
http://www.mtbtrailreview.com/blog/maxxis-ardent-29er-29×225-unpacked/parts/
Davidcopperfield: Schwalbe is doing the Furious Fred, so there will be at least that new offering from them.
198: You are correct, the Resolution is a much missed tire for 29″er freaks. I used one last year in a 12 hour race as a front and it railed the corners with tremendous traction and total confidence for me. I still have one on the hang card as a back up!
The Eskar in the 26″er version gets rave reviews from some, not so great from others. maybe it has to do with riding style, I don’t know, but it’s not a universally panned tire. I am thinking some will love it as a 29″er tire as well.
I was just looking at new urban tires this morning, since my Karmas are showing more wear than I would like. with the tubless factor the Race Kings May be my next tire.
The only way to get even more tires from a given brand, is to first buy many of what they offer today. Tire brands usually have little more connection to the market than their sales figures can express.
The 2Bliss offerings will be welcome in the market place. After using a DryX for the past 6 months, I’ve come to love the sturdier casing and low-pressure they allow.
I’m w/ 198 testing the Ardents which seem promising but Specialized is more than welcome to expand our selection too!