WTB has added wider versions of their most aggressive treads, and introduced an all-new rear tire called Judge specifically for gravity riding. Wider casings, revised tread patterns and taller knobs are all designed to grab whatever terrain you’re shredding. All will come in 27.5 and 29er sizes in the widths mentioned per model. New TCS2 rims give them something to sit on, and the revised profile and tape systemmakes mounting and removing them easier, too.
They’ve also added Tritec rubber compound, which uses a firmer durometer base rubber that extends into the knobs for support, with a medium durometer in the center and soft or super soft, slow rebounding compounds on the side knobs to provide maximum cornering traction and control. Most (but not all) are still available in Light or Tough casing options, with the latter getting a heavier dual-ply casing. The Light series gets a new Slash Guard, basically a lightweight nylon breaker running from the sidewall up to the outer knobs. It’s not as tough as the full dual ply, but it adds some extra cut protection to the sidewalls without adding too much weight.
IF those aren’t enough options, there’s now Fast Rolling and High Grip options for both Tough and Light casings. The result is a lot of SKUs, but also a lot of ways to get the right size and type of tire to suit your particular conditions. You’re probably not going to want the Light casing, Fast Rolling rubber on the Judge, so not all tires come in all options…WTB has put the right options on the appropriate tires.
The Judge is a 2.4″ rear-specific tire with alternating wide and long centerline knobs, each with ramped front sections to help it roll fast and have good braking traction. Tall side knobs and a slightly squared profile to grab in the corners.
The Vigilante has long been their go-to tire for riding fast on the downward portion of your ride. Roots, rocks, wet and loose – it’s all good. Now, they’ve got 2.5″ and 2.6″ options that adjust the tread pattern for the wider sizes. Knobs all get a little taller, too, helping them dig into the ground.
Extra space in the knobs helps them clear mud more easily.
The Trail Boss works as a front tire in drier conditions and a good all-purpose rear tire that’s faster rolling than the other two shown here. Tread design is similar to the Vigilante, but with a more continuous side knob pattern, more tightly spaced center knobs, and a different siping pattern.
The new Trail Boss comes in 2.4″ and 2.6″ widths
The latest KOM Light and KOM Tough rims get the new Solid Strip, a continuous strip that stretches into place to cover the spoke holes. This prevents the tubeless tape from sagging into those holes, stretching, and potentially developing a hole. Really, though, it gives the tape a smoother finished surface to help the tires slide into the channels when inflating.
The rims have a nice bead channel to capture the tire’s bead, and the center section is sloped to give it room to move when installing or removing.
Their new Flex Tape is a softer, more flexible tape that makes getting a smooth, clean install much easier.
WTB hasn’t announced official weights for all tire sizes, and their 12 different rims range from 21mm to 45mm internal widths, so check their website for model options and select weights.
