According to some of the folks at Hutchinson, the Piranha 2 cyclocross tire is fairly popular here in the States, but HQ in France (home country of the brand) might want to discontinue it. However, not only is the U.S. team lobbying to keep availability but to get the pattern expanded to 40mm widths for gravel road bikes. The tread pattern certainly looks well suited to that use.
Elsewhere in the line, the Wet Track cyclocross tire looks exactly like an aggressive cyclocross tire should when it’s name suggests very wet, mucky conditions. Yet, the U.S. team hasn’t promoted this one because of it’s similarity to the Toro. It’s available in 32 and 34 millimeter widths and is just a bit more aggressive than the Toro CX, with slightly larger knobs and more aggressive side knobs…and we kinda like it. If you like it, too, let your shop know to order a set.
Two mountain bike tires that were introduced quite a while ago are now finally in stock and shipping. The Taipan 2.25 is now in stock after being introduced more than 18 months ago. The narrower 2.1 Taipan has been available, just not promoted much in the U.S. The Python 2 launched at Eurobike last year and is also now available.
For road, the Fusion 700×28 will soon come in 26 and 32 millimeter widths, too. For 2016-ish, they’re working on an entiry new compound (likely Fusion 5) that’ll find its way across the line eventually for both tube and tubeless tires.
