INTERBIKE 2009 – WTB is introducing a new TCS (Tubeless Compatible System) technology on some of their tires to give the ride quality of tubeless with the lighter weight of a normal tire.  It uses WTB’s lightweight Race casing with a UST tubeless bead.  They’ll work with tubes, too, and just add any approved sealant (Stan’s, etc.) to make them tubeless.  There are two versions, a TCS “regular” and an AM TCS for All-Mountain use that has a reinforced sidewall to reduce flex and resist sidewall damage.
In addition to that new feature, the prices have come down on all of their tires.  Any non-UST tire is $50 MSRP, and all TCS and All-Mountain casing tires are $60.  All wire-bead DH tires are also $60.
There’s more new treads and features for those lucky readers to hit “more”…
The yellow TCS icon tells which tires have the new technology.
For 2010, the WTB Mutano drops the “Raptor” from the name and gets the TCS treatment.  It’s available in 2.2 TCS and Race (both 710g) and a 2.4 in AM TCS (700g) with their Inner Peace reinforced sidewall and a Race version that weighs in at just 590g.  Yes, the 2.4 is lighter than the 2.2, and according to their spec sheets and press photos, they even have different tread patterns…the 2.4 has more of a centerline for quick rolling and generally smaller knobs.  Go figure.
The Weirwolf, developed with pro rider Mark Weir, is a new tire that’s available in a 2.1 and 2.3.  In the 2.1, you have four options: UST (800g), TCS (750g), Race (700g) and Comp (780g, steel bead).  With the 2.3, you have a UST (850g), AM TCS (800g) and Race (750g).
The big deal with the Weirwolf is a transitional tread row leading up to the side knobs to enhance control and traction going into a deep lean.
Lastly, WTB has redesigned their 26″ Vulpine tire to have a directional tread pattern, and it’s now called the Vulpine SL (they still have the original tread pattern in the 29er version).  The Vulpine SL is a 1.9, 420g racing tire with a lightweight casing.
