Tech Week 2023: Vee Tire Co Releases New Models Developed with Aaron Gwin
Both tires have been raced extensively through 2022 by Intense Factory Racing, Propain Positive Sponsored by Vee and Commencal Vee DH teams.
Vee Tire Co is a Thai brand that makes tires for more than just mountain bikes. In fact, I don't think it would be unfair to say that Vee Tire Co is still establishing its presence in the bike-industry. That said, a surefire way of increasing your presence is by sponsoring and working with World Cup teams - and that's exactly what Vee have done.
These tires represent the first of their range to be developed with Intense Factory Racing and Aaron Gwin. They're also not the first tire that the 20-time World Cup winner has had a hand in. Most notably, his partnership with Kenda that resulted in the Pinner Pro tire.
Snap WLT
The tire isn't solely a cut spike, and the offset and angled tread pattern has elements of design more commonly found in dry condition front tires.
The WLT was the first tire developed with the help of Intense Factory Racing. The name stands for Wet Loose Terrain, yet Vee are at pains to point out this isn't a dedicated mud tire but rather something that is well suited to anything loose - think deep dust as well as sloppy mud.
In recent years we've seen a new-generation of cut spikes that boast more intricate lugs, siping and aggressive patterns. Whether it's the gen. two Maxxis Shorty or the Continental Argotal, there seems to be more of an emphasis on not changeable surfaces as well as conditions. Typically, a true spike can offer high levels of traction as it penetrates loose dirt, but can begin to roll in high load turns on firmer surfaces, or wash and break loose on rocks and roots. Tires like the Snap WLT can offer most of the mud-plugging capabilities of a spike while also covering off their blind spots.
The siping across the center knobs will aim to help the lugs conform to the terrain better, plus raised sections on the canvas will hope to clear mud.
The compound used is the Vee Tire Top 40 rubber which is also used in their other flagship gravity tires and aims to provide both grip and durability
Attack FSX
Again, deliberate siping will allow the knobs to flex more in a certain direction, which can increase grip.
The other new tire, the FSX, is a fast rolling tire that is meant to complement something more aggressive on the front. That said, it's not unheard of for people to run lower-stack rear tires on the front. In fact, Seth Sherlock at times used the FSX front and rear at times during his EWS campaign. The FSX uses the same Top 40 rubber.
The large center knobs should act as something like a paddle under heavy braking, and aren't so tall as to cause large amounts of drag. In fact, the more elongated of the lugs that alternate through the tread almost extend across the entire width of the tire. That said, they look to be spaced enough to allow mud to shed, too.
Vee say both tires will also get their new updated branding with grey logs and new hot patch design, this will also appear on other tires soon, and that the tires will be available in the coming months in new and yet to be released casing options.
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Most of tyres seem to have "standard" shoulder support (Vittoria Mazza, Schwalbe MM in SG or bike park edition, Michelin Wild enduro DH casing, Minions in Exo+...).
But I have seen some wild exceptions like E13 TRSR (exceptionnally stiff, and also sticking out like the Michelins) or WTB Trail Boss which seemed to have so "foldy" knobs that I didn't dare riding it.
What's the impact of too stiff shoulder knobs in loam? probably not bad, but how about hardpack? Can it be too much, like tyre and suspension pressure?
So in Europe, do all the tool companies make floor and shock pumps with Bar readings large text and PSI little text? If so, what countries use Bar primarily? My skull needs to know.
I can just imagine looking at a pump with no one around, no PSI readings and being befuddled.
But yeah, lbs per square inch...
In metric, 1 bar is also the approximate atmospheric pressure, and is very close to 1kg/cm2 so it's kind of relatable if you imagine pressing something with your thumb. Hence people will also say "I've got 1,6kg in my tires".
I was talking about the knob stiffness, : it can be high grip, but if you try to fold it, it keeps its shape and rather collapses into the carcass.
I love the Butcher and to me that weird folding in some situations is a trade of,you got tons of grip and a good amount of comfort/damping. The regular trail Butcher T7 never fold like that.
But downside is that on solid berms, etc you can feel that T9 Butcher side knob wiggling. But I'll take not eating my own face on technical for a soft block side knob over a harder one that can squirt my off bike on roots.
@blowmyfuse : Totally agree,not saying it is a bad thing,just it is very very soft. Michelin DH 22 is way stiffer and never skip in any roots or rocks,so you can build a tire that works in any case.
The thing you mentioned, would be a good reason to go back to the place you bought these tyres. We replace a bunch of those under warranty. If there are still plenty of intact knobs, without heavy wear, it would make for a free replacement as some of these tyres seem to suffer from this.
obor-tires.com/category/tires/bike/mountain That company has weird AF names. They're like failed NFL team names.
Seriously, please do it tyre makers.
This is just more of what’s already for sale.
Great, fast tyre.
The Deliums I just mounted a month ago have already lost 50% of the side-knobs and are now virtually worthless - and this is their top level "Reinforced / Rugged" / most heavily armored tire model - easily the most worthless tire I think I've ever run, followed by e13s which I think are made of Chevre or Brie cheeses. Butcher was prob best and the WTB's lasted about 4 mos but I'm getting 9-10 mos / 1500 miles or so on Maxxis with the same exact level of riding and even then, they still seem to ride pretty well.
Yeah, ya pay $100/tire for Maxxis (DD anyway) but they last 4 times longer. Would rather pay $100 and mount once vs. $300-$400 for 4-6 tires and have to mount 4-6 times, not to mention the landfill waste. Savings is an illusion w/ tires b/c the cheaper they are - the crappier they are.
Goodyear and E13 are very unusual though. I know E13 offer a great soft MoPo compound option (Made by Vee?), but Goodyear don't seem to have found their feet yet anyway?
WTB make some brilliant tyres (especially the Verdict), but they are a bit of a cult brand and must spend next to nothing on marketing compared to the huge budget Maxxis must have.
That being said I'd like to see rounder tires that are built for the wider rims we run nowadays. Something like this:
www.maxxis.com/int/tire/maxxcross-it
but with ramps so they roll better.
Although at around 60€ a piece they are essentially the same price as options from Maxxis, Schwalbe, Conti or Vittoria.
Little birdy told me the Attack FSX is really just an eThirteen All Terrain - exactly. And that little birdy is 100% correct. And the e13 All Terrain is very similar to the DHR2. And with Vee Tire Co. rubber and casings being fantastic its my preferred alternative to the DHR2 for $20-$30 less.
I would go so far as to say that I like the Vee Tire Co casings better than Maxxis at this point and Mopo rubber wears more consistently and lasts longer then MaxTerra or MaxGrip
Vee Tire makes tires for a bunch of non Maxxis, Schwalbe, or Conti brands
"looks at 26er on garage rack"
Never mind.
15 year old car, parts and tyres are no worries (maybe not tesla :p )
15 year old bike, that's like an ancient relic in the bike industry!