First shown at Eurobike last year, the Taipan is Hutchinson’s new take on an all conditions XC tire. Since being first shown, the tread pattern looks to have gotten a bit tighter, with a few more lugs offering a good balance of low rolling resistance and cornering traction. Created with plenty of open space between each lug for mud clearance and aggressively designed tread lugs, the tire tries to strike a balance between wet and dry performance according to Hutchinson. The result is a tire they feel is perfectly suited to XC on the front or rear, and even Enduro use as a rear tire.
While some manufacturers are starting to shy away from 26″ tires completely, Hutchinson will be offering the Taipan in all three sizes – 26×2.1, 27.5×2.1 and 2.25, and 29×2.1. Several casing options will be available including Tubeless Ready, tubless, and their Hardskin puncture protection. Claimed weights vary from 560g to 760g – the heaviest being the Tubeless Hardskin RR 26″ tire. The chart illustrates just how many different tire models and sizes Hutchinson will have for the coming year, which is still skewed towards 26″.
