Skip to main content

Bontrager XR4 Team Issue TLR 29x2.4in tyre


With average trail tyre weights creeping north of 900g, Bontrager’s refreshed XR4 Team Issue really stands out. At 760g for the 29x2.4in version, it’s light enough to put a noticeable lift in your climbing, acceleration and general agility. Siped and sloped blocks in a 61a centre compound with 50a shoulders mean it rolls fast but you can still get maximum use out of a 200mm rotor even in filthy winter conditions without it losing the plot. The ‘Inner Strength’ protective layer adds puncture protection but also seems to increase low-pressure stability, and while it’s a tight fit to get on, tubeless sealing is excellent. That all makes for a tyre that you can ride with the consistently connected control of a kilo enduro tyre and not far off the same expectations in terms of survivability, but will still put a significant injection of easy-rolling speed into your ride. It’s a sound price too.

Price $60

Popular posts from this blog

Merida Big Nine 100

Wit the bikes swapped over, we head out on the same loop again, this time on the 29in Big Nine 100. Whereas the Big Seven was snappy off the line, the 29er takes a couple more pedal strokes to get up to speed. That said, once it's up there, it's easy to keep the big wheels rolling, allowing us to cover ground with ease. The fire road is at times a little rough, and the bigger wheels roll over the imperfections so we barely notice them.

Chromag HiFi 35 (50mm) stem

This is a seriously solid stem. Chromag use 5mm Allen bolts throughout, which makes it that bit easier to fit because you don’t have to swap tools. Once torqued up to the recommended 6-8Nm, it clamps both steerer and bar solidly, with no appreciable flex. We couldn’t get it to twist on the steerer, either in our static test or when riding. It’s also available in a 35mm length and three other colours. At 204g the HiFi is the heaviest stem on test by some margin, despite being one of the more expensive offerings here. Price $112

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

COMMENCAL EL CAMINO 3

Commencal are going from strength to strength at the moment and they’ve taken their tough trail hardtail bang up to date with 650b wheels. With its skinny rims, crankset and fork, the El Camino certainly isn’t perfect and it’s the least hardcore bike here. The handling, smoothness, speed and all-round agility of the basic bike still make it a real blast for technical trail riding though, and it’s a great base for upgrading over time.