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29″er DH: The Tire

September 17th, 2009 by Guitar Ted

One of the big things holding back the development of a 29 inch wheeled DH type rig has always been the 29 inch specific parts necessary to get the job done. In our last post on the subject, we saw that Manitou had come out with a Dorado tweaked for 29″er wheels and Lenz’s new rig made to take advantage of that. Tires have always been an issue, and for a time, many thought the WTB designed Kodiak would be “that” tire. However; DH enthusiasts were not very hot on the tire, and it turned out to be too condition specific with too light a casing to be a palpable choice for “real” off road DH.

Now that has changed. WTB has designed a tire at the behest of Mike Curiak with influence from frame builders Walt Wehner and Devin Lenz to address the short comings of the Kodiak and be a “true” DH worthy tire. Introducing the WTB Dissent 29″er!

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WTB will be producing these in the near future, but if riders are interested, they are encouraged to contact their local bike shops and distributors to let them know this is something that riders are interested in. By the way, knob to knob measurement is slightly over 2.5″. Casing is about 60mm. This is on a Salsa Gordo rim at 30 psi. (Thanks Mike Curiak for the info and photos!) The tires are said to have WTB’s “Inner Peace” flat protection beads. Look for more details soon.

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10 Responses to “29″er DH: The Tire”

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  1. 1 UnitedWeRide  on Sep 18th, 2009 at 1:28 am

    Nice!!! I was a huge fan of the Timberwolfs in 26 and this has the same Motor Cross look to it. Good Job WTB, now how about an Urban tire in a 2.3 for when you want goof off in town and not ruin your trail tires!

  2. 2 c_g  on Sep 18th, 2009 at 2:23 am

    Have talked to a WTB rep at EUROBIKE about this tire and even though the 29er version was not displayesd I have been given info alongside what you are saying.

    - to be released very late ´09 if not early ´10
    - weight in the 1100 – 1200 g range
    - true DH worthy tire
    - the “Inner bliss” feature is basically another compound layer reaching from the bead upwards a bit into the sidewalls – discipating forces that would otherwise cause a pinch flat – simple but very effective

  3. 3 JeroenK  on Sep 18th, 2009 at 2:43 am

    If the casing width is 60mm, those knobs are huge!

  4. 4 Wish I Were Riding  on Sep 18th, 2009 at 9:53 am

    This is probably more tire than I will ever use/need. Never the less, its great to see that Mark Slate is doing this. I think he rocks.

    I’m wondering if these will NOT be recommended for tubeless like WTB’s other 29er tires and Salsa rims…

  5. 5 Cloxxki  on Sep 18th, 2009 at 10:33 am

    Jeroen, it was probably a close-up picture.

  6. 6 oilcanracer  on Sep 18th, 2009 at 11:08 am

    finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    i and many many others in my area will be all over these. and WTB if your listening i will review these is ya send me two.

    they even look knobby enough for some custom cutting if a riders is interested in matching course/tire conditions.

  7. 7 JeroenK  on Sep 18th, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    @Cloxx: Duh :) . To me, the casing seems small in the picture. If in reality it is 60mm, the knobs should be BIG.

    Good thing the gravity riders get something in 29″ to play with too. I’m still looking forward to some sort of conclusion to the 29″/DH debate. Guess it will take a while ;) .

  8. 8 Cloxxki  on Sep 18th, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    If it all comes together, it will take like 4 minutes or less.

  9. 9 JeroenK  on Sep 19th, 2009 at 3:04 am

    :)

    Have you been out of it? Downhill performance is measured by Rob Warner decibels now, not in minutes ;) .

  10. 10 cv  on Sep 20th, 2009 at 11:19 pm

    26″ are fine, i got the other 3″ where it counts

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