After years working to create supple tires to race cyclocross World Cups, Donnelly is bringing that same refined 240tpi, tubeless casing to gravel bikes with new large volume MSO WC gravel tires. Produced in the same Central European factory as their WC CX tires, the new MSO WC redefines performance for Donnelly’s original gravel tread, dating back all the way to 2012…
Donnelly MSO WC EU-made 240tpi tubeless gravel tire
The Missoula, MT inspired gravel tread design hasn’t changed much in the eight years since it debuted as the Clément X’plor MSO for adventure racing, back in those pre-tubeless early days of big races like the DK200 – still with the same smooth-rolling, siped center tread, staggered intermediate knobs & the same aggressive shoulder lugs as on the PDX. But the construction has come leaps and bounds, now featuring ultra supple 240tpi casing made of fine Japanese nylon, molded into the WC tire in the Czech Republic by tire maker Tufo.
WC – Tech details
Donnelly added the WC designation to cyclocross tires last year to denote their top World Cup CX level tire construction, being made in Europe. Now the MSO, which they feel set the benchmark for gravel racing speed & grip, gets the WC treatment, as well. The MSO WC is now lighter and faster-rolling thanks to the higher quality casing.
The MSO WC tire still gets protective layers behind the sidewalls and under the tread to prevent punctures, making the new tires fast but just as well suited for rough terrain. The WC-level tubeless construction already saw cyclocross racing success last year with Gage Hecht & Lance Haidet winning on the PDX WC. And we’re told that more of the Donnelly CX & ADV adventure treads will get the WC treatment as they ramp up production capacity.
“I’m very excited about this tire,” says Donnelly Founder and General Manager Donn Kellogg. “It’s absolutely different than anything on the market right now and represents the continuous growth of European production for Donnelly. “For more than a decade, Donnelly has been working collaboratively with its [Czech] manufacturer on its race-winning cyclocross tires, constantly refining and improving. The blending of our extensive expertise and vast experience in tire development is clearly evident with this tire. Before you even put them on your bike, you’ll see and feel this tire is a level above anything available.”
MSO WC gravel – Pricing & availability
The new Donnelly MSO WC is available now for $85 in 700c x 36mm or 40mm widths, and in both all-black or tanwall editions. Donnelly claims a weight of 460g for the tubeless-ready 40mm aramid bead folding tire, down 40g from the less expensive 120tpi tires made in Asia.
