Hutchinson has always built some of the best tyre carcasses for XC work and its collaboration with Mavic has turned its reinforced tyres from clunkily wooden to smooth shock sucking control boosters.
Even at under 700g there's an
element of supple stability holding the tyre in place when things get rowdy.
That's more impressive as it's only 48mm high but the rounded body means
there's a lot of sideways stability as long as the rim wearing it is wide
enough. It blows up tubeless easily and holds pressure well even when running
soft.
The deliberately multi-directional, multi-condition,
triple compound tread looks very old school for a new tyre and it's hard to pin
down any obvious grip characteristics. However, it doesn't unexpectedly slip or
spin whether you're wearing it front, rear or both in the dry, wet, loose or
firm. It tips into corners easily, accelerates without much effort and rolls
well once you're up to speed.
The Hardskin carcass shrugs
off rock scuffs well for a small tyre and while it's expensive it's a very
versatile XC/trail all-rounder if you can't be bothered to change your tyre for
different conditions.
Expensive but tough, light,
reasonably grippy fit and forget all-rounder.
Weight 680g
Width 53mm
Height 48mm
Price 75$
