MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA – October 7th, 2021 – WTB has updated its beloved Vigilante 2.5 and Verdict 2.5 treads while also expanding SG2 puncture protection to its entire line of mountain tires. Vigilante and Verdict are WTB’s most aggressive enduro tires designed to excel in loose conditions ranging from mid-summer dust to late-winter mud. Updated versions of both treads now feature improved knob shapes and updating siping to prevent knob flex and increase cornering support while also extending tread life. The tread profiles have also been updated to achieve a smoother transition from center to side knobs and improve predictability while cornering. The combined tread changes improve overall performance and capability on the rowdy trails these tires were designed to conquer.
TCS Light single-ply mountain tires are now available with SG2 puncture protection. SG2 is a lightweight nylon layer that protects all areas of the tire to provide an additional level of defense against punctures and pinch flats. Bead-to-bead SG2 also improves sidewall stability and overall tire support without the additional weight of a Tough (dual-ply) casing. SG2 has replaced Slash Guard puncture protection on all WTB mountain tires. Extensive ride and lab testing showed improved puncture protection, 10-20% weight reduction (depending on tire width), and improved overall suppleness compared to previous TCS Light tires with Slash Guard. Ranger 2.25 cross-country tires are now available in an even lighter configuration with SG2 puncture protection paired to a 120tpi casing. All other SG2 mountain tires feature a 60tpi casing.
Flat nylon fibers within SG2 reduce the amount of rubber needed to fill the gaps between fibers compared to traditional protection layers with round fibers. The increased fiber-to-rubber ratio boosts puncture resistance while the reduced rubber content minimizes weight and improves suppleness compared to our Tough casings. Third-party lab testing showed bead-to-bead SG2 provides 80% more sidewall protection than traditional single-ply tires without SG2. Tightly woven nylon fibers also improve air retention, which prevents air from seeping through the sidewall and helps maintain pressure between rides.
WTB mountain tires with SG2 puncture protection have a starting MSRP of $76.95. Updated Vigilante and Verdict tread patterns, as well as SG2 mountain tires, will be found on the shelves of your local bike shop and at WTB.com in the months ahead.
