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Donnelly MSO WC brings 240tpi CX World Cup level casing to EU-made gravel tires

Written by Cory Benson
Donnelly MSO WC premium gravel race tire, Europe-made 240tpi lightweight tubeless gravel tire
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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

Donnelly MSO WC premium gravel race tire, Europe-made 240tpi lightweight 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 MSO WC premium gravel race tire, Europe-made 240tpi lightweight tubeless gravel tire

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.

WORLD CUP PERFORMANCE COMES TO GRAVEL Introducing the Donnelly MSO WC, the newest member of the European-made World Cup series Longmont CO, June 29, 2020 - The original MSO gravel tire was released in Spring 2012 and essentially wrote the book on what a gravel tire should be. Donnelly is set to rewrite the script with the release of the all-new MSO WC gravel tire. Expertly crafted in Europe, the MSO WC is made of the finest materials with scrutinizing care, producing a tire of the absolute highest quality. Constructed with variable 240 TPI nylon casing, the new MSO WC rides incredibly fast and smooth, while durable protective layers along the sidewall and under the tread will keep you rolling through the roughest conditions. “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 Czechoslovakian 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,” states Kellogg. James Sullivan, Donnelly Product Manager adds, “We had incredible success with the PDX WC tire this past cyclocross season with both Gage Hecht and Lance Haidet winning on it, so I am enthusiastic to offer the WC series gravel tires. I’ve been riding and testing this tire for months now and I know riders are going to absolutely love it.” Photo insert – James working on PDX WC from last CX Season Sullivan adds, “The MSO tread pattern remains unchanged so it will still roll smoothly on hard packed dirt roads and offer traction when the gravel gets loose. Many people don’t know this, but the side knobs are the same as those on the PDX cyclocross tire. It hooks up extremely well in the corners.” Sullivan adds, “Now with more precise European manufacturing, more attention to details, and more internal enhancements, a great tire just got a whole lot better.” Dropbox images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/td0dej30x5a0me9/AAAbwSxg2mxf9g5pcByBhGDja?dl=0 Web Copy: The X’Plor MSO WC is an adventure tire designed for the most ambitious adventures. The MSO WC is produced in Europe with the finest materials and the utmost attention to detail. It is made with the highest quality, Japanese produced nylon casing available, features 240 TPI construction and weighs just 460 grams. A great adventure/gravel tire just got better. The MSO tire is named for the airport code of Missoula, Montana, home of the Adventure Cycling Association. Donnelly’s X’Plor adventure tire series is designed to bridge the gap between pavement and blazing your own trail. Each tire within this series is designed for multiple conditions from off-road touring, to gravel racing, to just getting outta’ Dodge. Sizes: 700 x 36 mm Black 700 x 36 mm Tan 700 x 40 mm Black 700 x 40 mm Tan Weight: 460 grams Tire Type: Tubeless Ready Color: Black or Tan Sidewall Part #: D50236 – MSO WC 700 x 36 mm Black D50236T – MSO WC700 x 36 mm Tan D50240 – MSO WC 700 x 40 mm Black D50240T – MSO WC 700 x 40 mm Tan Product Features: •Smooth-rolling center with siping to provide increase traction without a lost to rolling resistance. • Intermediate knobs and aggressive shoulder lugs to provide confidence in corner on loose surfaces • Soft rubber compound for extra grip and shock absorption • Protected sidewalls and under the tread • Tubeless casing is reinforced for wear, features an Aramid bead • WC stands for World Cup which designates European production.
CX racing the PDX WC

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.

WORLD CUP PERFORMANCE COMES TO GRAVEL Introducing the Donnelly MSO WC, the newest member of the European-made World Cup series Longmont CO, June 29, 2020 - The original MSO gravel tire was released in Spring 2012 and essentially wrote the book on what a gravel tire should be. Donnelly is set to rewrite the script with the release of the all-new MSO WC gravel tire. Expertly crafted in Europe, the MSO WC is made of the finest materials with scrutinizing care, producing a tire of the absolute highest quality. Constructed with variable 240 TPI nylon casing, the new MSO WC rides incredibly fast and smooth, while durable protective layers along the sidewall and under the tread will keep you rolling through the roughest conditions. “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 Czechoslovakian 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,” states Kellogg. James Sullivan, Donnelly Product Manager adds, “We had incredible success with the PDX WC tire this past cyclocross season with both Gage Hecht and Lance Haidet winning on it, so I am enthusiastic to offer the WC series gravel tires. I’ve been riding and testing this tire for months now and I know riders are going to absolutely love it.” Photo insert – James working on PDX WC from last CX Season Sullivan adds, “The MSO tread pattern remains unchanged so it will still roll smoothly on hard packed dirt roads and offer traction when the gravel gets loose. Many people don’t know this, but the side knobs are the same as those on the PDX cyclocross tire. It hooks up extremely well in the corners.” Sullivan adds, “Now with more precise European manufacturing, more attention to details, and more internal enhancements, a great tire just got a whole lot better.” Dropbox images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/td0dej30x5a0me9/AAAbwSxg2mxf9g5pcByBhGDja?dl=0 Web Copy: The X’Plor MSO WC is an adventure tire designed for the most ambitious adventures. The MSO WC is produced in Europe with the finest materials and the utmost attention to detail. It is made with the highest quality, Japanese produced nylon casing available, features 240 TPI construction and weighs just 460 grams. A great adventure/gravel tire just got better. The MSO tire is named for the airport code of Missoula, Montana, home of the Adventure Cycling Association. Donnelly’s X’Plor adventure tire series is designed to bridge the gap between pavement and blazing your own trail. Each tire within this series is designed for multiple conditions from off-road touring, to gravel racing, to just getting outta’ Dodge. Sizes: 700 x 36 mm Black 700 x 36 mm Tan 700 x 40 mm Black 700 x 40 mm Tan Weight: 460 grams Tire Type: Tubeless Ready Color: Black or Tan Sidewall Part #: D50236 – MSO WC 700 x 36 mm Black D50236T – MSO WC700 x 36 mm Tan D50240 – MSO WC 700 x 40 mm Black D50240T – MSO WC 700 x 40 mm Tan Product Features: • Smooth-rolling center with siping to provide increase traction without a lost to rolling resistance. • Intermediate knobs and aggressive shoulder lugs to provide confidence in corner on loose surfaces • Soft rubber compound for extra grip and shock absorption • Protected sidewalls and under the tread • Tubeless casing is reinforced for wear, features an Aramid bead • WC stands for World Cup which designates European production.

“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

Donnelly MSO WC premium gravel race tire, Europe-made 240tpi lightweight tubeless gravel tire
black or tan walls

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.

Donnelly MSO WC premium gravel race tire, Europe-made 240tpi lightweight tubeless gravel tire
c. Donnelly

DonnellyCycling.com
Cory Benson
4,481 articles

Cory Benson is the EU Tech Editor of Bikerumor.com.

Cory has been writing about mountain bikes, enduro, cyclocross, all-road, gravel bikes & bikepacking for over 25 years, even before the industry created some of these names. Prior to Bikerumor, Cory was a practicing Architect specializing in environmental sustainability, has designed bike shops & bike components, and worked as a bike shop mechanic.

Based in the Czech Republic for 15+ years, he is a technical mountain biker, adventurous gravel rider, and short & medium-haul bikepacker. Cory travels extensively across Europe riding bikes, meeting with key European product developers, industry experts & tastemakers for an in-depth review of what’s new, and what’s coming next.

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