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TPE17: New Onza Aquila DH mountain bike tire takes the Gwin, plus new XC treads

Written by Tyler Benedict
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Since we saw the prototypes at Eurobike 2016, the Onza Aquila has seen a few tweaks to help get it through manufacturing. It’s been in gestation for a year, their longest development cycle for a tire ever. That’s partially because it needed a few small design tweaks to make it easier to produce, and partially because it’s their new Aaron Gwin signature tire…and Gwin was hands on with development.

The Aquila is a 1325g, wire bead 27.5×2.4 tire with their DH Casing your choice of super soft GRP 40a or RC2 45a/55a dual compound rubber. Those are the two versions (for now), with only the rubber compound differentiating the two.

onza aquila aaron gwin signature downhill mountain bike tire

onza aquila aaron gwin signature downhill mountain bike tire

Retail is $80-$85, and they’re tube type, but Aaron is riding them tubeless with sealant. They can’t officially recommend that, but if your race is only lasting a few minutes, well, go for it.

onza aquila aaron gwin signature downhill mountain bike tire

onza aquila aaron gwin signature downhill mountain bike tire

They’re testing a folding bead version with a either the RC2 or a slightly harder rubber for “everyday” gravity riding but not sure if they’ll produce that. Also working on a 29er version because, based on many conversations we’ve heard over the past few months, 29er DH is progressing.

The Svelt XC/marathon tire was another one they showed us as an early stage tire last year, and now it’s shipping in both black and skinwall options. Weights range from 640g to 725g depending on size (27.5 and 29ers are available, both in 2.25 widths), and options include 120tpi and 60tpi casings, with the skinwall only being available in 60tpi.

Onza-Tires.com

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Tyler Benedict
11,295 articles

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com, where he’s been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for almost two decades. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel and ride in new places.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler also loves the Vanlife & family adventure travel and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part and off-grid adventure.

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gringo
gringo
8 years ago

Hard to believe that in 2017 a tire company, who is anyway fighting for a tiny slice of the market, would release a tire that is not ‘officially’ tubeless ready.

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the biz
the biz
8 years ago
Reply to  gringo

Because it’s a wire bead DH tire.

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Andrew
Andrew
8 years ago

If the Svelt is anywhere near as good as the Canus it’ll be worth checking out!

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maximellison
maximellison
8 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

Been thinking of trying the Canis for aggressive xc riding/racing. You like the tire?

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Andrew
Andrew
8 years ago
Reply to  maximellison

Yeah, I put it on my Scott Spark last wpring and I love it. It seems to roll fast and grips like mad….that said, I’m in Alberta, Canada (the Canadian Rockys) and we don’t experience a lot of the hardpack that you get in parts of the USA so it may be overkill if someone was looking for a super-low rolling tire. Here its great…I race XC on it but leave it on all week for trail riding. I’d highly recommend it.

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Eric E. Strava
Eric E. Strava
8 years ago

Pace yourselves. Let’s try to keep it to one Gwin pun per day.

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