Hutchinson just announced two fresh additions to its Blackbird lineup: the Blackbird Race and Blackbird All Season. Whether hunting podiums or grinding winter base miles, Hutchinson says these new models bring WorldTour-level speed, grip, and durability to every ride.
Blackbird Race: Pure Speed, Refined
The Blackbird Race is Hutchinson’s fastest road tire. We covered the BlackBird last year and were pleasantly surprised by its dry and wet weather grip. The race-focused Blackbird design has the same DNA as the original Blackbird but is fine-tuned for even lower rolling resistance and reduced weight; this one’s race-day ready straight out of the box.
We’ve seen Hutchinson do this before, first with the Python 3 XC tire, which offered a race-only option. More recently, the Caracal Gravel Tire offered a premium version of the ultra-fast design.
Engineered for the Fastest Riders
Developed alongside WorldTour team Intermarché-Wanty, the Blackbird Race already boasts an Olympic gold medal—British triathlete Alex Yee rode an early prototype to victory in Paris 2024. Every detail has been dialed to balance speed, grip, and puncture resistance without compromise.
- New Ultraswift casing: A 22% lighter rubberized fabric and 23% thinner center section make for a more supple, race-tuned ride.
- Optimized tubeless construction: The airtight bead-to-protection-layer bond improves ride quality while reducing weight.
- Mach Tread Ultimate compound: Hutchinson’s fastest rubber ever, optimized for low rolling resistance, high grip, and durability.
By the Numbers
- 10% efficiency gain over the original Blackbird.
- It is 17% lighter (the 28mm model weighs 240g, and the 30 mm model weighs 255g).
- Hookless compatible and available in 28mm & 30mm widths, with more expansive options.
- Price: $86.00 €79.99 / £69.99.
Blackbird All Season: High Performance, Any Weather
Performance isn’t just for race day; going fast any day is fun. The Blackbird All Season is built for riders who demand performance year-round—rain, cold, cobbles, or commuting. This tire completes the Blackbird lineup by offering a high-speed, all-conditions road tire that doesn’t soft-pedal on grip, durability, or ride feel.
All-Season Tech
- Bi-compound rubber: Mach Tread 3.0 in the center for speed, Safetread compound on the edges for extra grip in wet and cold conditions.
- Thicker tread (2.1mm): Boosts durability to 6000km of lifespan while shrugging off-road debris.
- Gridskin sidewall protection: A lightweight, flexible fabric layer that delivers pinch and cut resistance on par with Hutchinson’s toughest tires.
At just 340g (28mm version), this tire could be tough enough for winter training, cobbled classics, bad roads, and the occasional race.
Options & Pricing
- Black or Tan Wall
- Tubeless (Hookless compatible) or Tube Type versions
- Sizes: 28mm, 30mm, 32mm
- $54.00 / €49.99 / £43.99 (Tube Type), $75.00/ €69.99 / £63.99 (Tubeless)
The Hutchinson Blackbird Ecosystem
With these new releases, Hutchinson now offers a race-proven tire for every riding condition:
- Blackbird Race – Ultimate speed and handling for race day
- Blackbird – A balanced mix of performance and longevity (4000km+ lifespan)
- Blackbird All Season – All-weather durability without sacrificing speed
We have a set on the way, so be on the lookout for a full review and actual weights. We expect good things. The Blackbird made our Gear of the Year list for best road tire of 2024.
