Earlier this 12 months, Bontrager launched 4 all-new MTB treads. These tires began with the super-fast Vallnord, ranging as much as the all-around path tire referred to as the Gunnison. Now Bontrager is finishing their new MTB tire lineup with essentially the most aggressive choices within the lineup – the Brevard and Galbraith.
Like these launched in April, the Brevard and Galbraith ditch the ‘XR/SE’ naming conference of the outgoing tires. As an alternative, the tires take naming inspiration from legendary MTB zones the place the tire can be applicable. For enduro and aggressive path, the Brevard replaces the XR5/SE5 whereas the Galbraith replaces the SE6.
The brand new naming construction additionally contains some adjustments to the degrees and constructions. Whereas the outdated tires went from Comp, to Knowledgeable, to Group subject for Entry/Good/Finest, the brand new degree goes Comp, Elite, Professional, and RSL for the highest finish. Constructions are famous as XR for XC/Path, XT for Path, SE for Enduro, and G for Downhill. That provides you three components of the identify, as in Brevard RSL SE which might be the top-level Brevard tire in an SE casing. 4 components if you happen to add the TLR Tubeless Prepared acronym.
Named after Brevard, North Carolina, the Brevard is optimized for unfastened and blended terrain. Wanting on the tread sample, it’s laborious to not assume Minion, which is ok because it’s probably the most well-liked all-around aggressive tires.
The Galbraith is called for Bellingham, Washinton’s Galbraith Mountain, and these tires declare to be superb for something from rocky to unfastened, smooth, and loamy path circumstances such as you’d discover within the Pacific Northwest.
The Brevard tire is available in both Bontrager’s new Path Twin-Compound, or their Path Triple-Compound. The Galbraith is barely supplied in Triple-Compound which provides softer shoulder compounds for higher cornering grip, a medium middle for climbing and braking grip, and a agency base for knob help. The Twin-Compound makes use of a medium shoulder for cornering grip and a firmer middle for sooner rolling and higher longevity.
Each tires are additionally supplied in Bontrager’s new RSL SE development which makes use of a 60TPI casing with sidewall, bead-to-bead, and apex puncture safety. That is the one casing supplied for the Galbraith, however the Brevard additionally is available in XR and XT. Based on Trek’s testing, the brand new SE casing improved pinch-flat resistance by a formidable 33% on the Brevard in comparison with the SE5, whereas the Galbraith improved by 26% from the SE6.
The Galbraith can be solely out there as a 29 x 2.5″ tire, whereas the Brevard is obtainable 29 x 2.5 and 27.5 x 2.5.
Precise Weight
These tires have thick casings and a number of rubber. In consequence, they’re not tremendous mild at 1406g for the Brevard RSL SE 29 x 2.5, and 1414g for the Galbraith RSL SE 29 x 2.5.
First Impressions
First impressions all the time begin with the set up, and for me that meant mounting to a pair of Forge + Bond 30 AM wheels with a 30mm inner width. Out of the field, the Bontrager tires are fairly stiff and have been a little bit of a problem to mount to the rim. An software of Schwalbe Straightforward Match Tire Mounting Fluid appeared to assist. Nonetheless, I had to make use of a software at factors, however as soon as they have been on the beads simply popped into place. I mounted the Galbraith to the entrance and the Brevard to the rear in hopes that the Galbraith would assist hook up on the sketchy loose-over-hard fall circumstances.
Beginning at my typical 21psi rear, 19psi entrance, it was instantly obvious that these tires are stout. I might undoubtedly really feel the load distinction from the 19 x 2.4″ Maxxis Dissectors that got here off the bike, however the trade-off was a properly damped trip really feel.
The SE casing is supportive sufficient that I began reducing the air strain, ultimately setting at 16/17psi entrance/rear. Even at these pressures on a lightweight weight ebike, it didn’t really feel overly squirmy and supplied wonderful traction.
All of my rides to date have been in the identical circumstances – tons of leaves, acorns, walnuts, and sticks over rock-hard filth. This time of 12 months you possibly can’t even see the path in most spots, so you actually should belief your tires. To date, the Bontragers have labored out fairly nicely so long as you’re OK with some managed sliding. Understandably, with a lot unfastened particles on prime of the paths, the tires haven’t been locked into place, however the sliding is predictable and there’s nonetheless loads of grip whereas climbing and braking. The tires additionally improved shortly with some miles, however it’s nonetheless early.
Pricing & Availability
Accessible now, the Brevard and Galbraith RSL SE TLR each promote for $69.99. The Brevard can be supplied in Black/Tan.
