MICHELIN WILD ENDURO FRONT
Tester: Bam da Silva
Casing: Gravity Shield
Compound: Magi-X2
Weight: 1109g (29”)
Size: 29 x 2.4” (27.5” also available) Width on DT Swiss 30mm rim: 61mm PSI for testing: 20
RRP: $119.95 bikecorp.com.au
The Michelin Wild Enduro Front is not only an accurately named tyre, but an old friend. A staple in my arsenal, I’ve ridden and raced on this tyre extensively over the years. Michelin, the powerhouse that it is, didn’t just release this tyre set with different tread patterns and then label them front and rear. Everything about this front tyre is different from its counterpart on the back of the bike, down to the casing and rubber. For the front, Michelin developed a casing with three separate layers of 60 TPI to produce a supple but strong sidewall – especially for a tyre with gravity intentions. For this test we have the Magi-X2 which offers the best performance for committed riders wanting more support and grip. The tyre is also available in the Gum-3X option, which we tested in the rear. The most intriguing part about the Magi-X2 is that it’s not just a softer rubber – the construction of the knobs is made up of a harder compound rubber which is then covered by a stickier, higher grip rubber on the outside. This creates a very unique feeling on the trails.
The tread pattern is aggressive, with tall, built-up corner knobs. This gives the tyre a square-ish profile, which combined with the large 2-2 central knobs create a meaty, ‘ready for anything’ profile.
When out riding, the general expectation from a tyre is that it puts some work into the rider/tyre relationship – the ‘work’ being support, grip and feedback. The Michelin is the opposite. It’s the first tyre I’ve ridden where the tyre itself is the one demanding the commitment and speed from the rider to deliver it’s best performance. That almost caught me out a few times in the beginning, where hitting flatter corners without much care had me tucking the front into a front wheel slide. Luckily the taller profile of the side knobs saved me binning it, however it is something to be wary of.
One area where I couldn’t produce the desired grip was over prolonged sections of roots and grimy rocks, where the spike-like shape of the knobs struggled to maintain consistent grip. I have been fortunate enough to ride this tyre in the kitty litter over compacted earth trails of Queensland as well as Portugal, where the tyre also delivered well in both granite and clay – as long as conditions were suitable and my riding matched their needs.
I’d recommend this tyre to confident riders that ride hard and commit hard in both training and racing. As a high performance tyre, they really come alive at speed. For those with a less committed or aggressive riding style, there are tyres in the market that will deliver a safer and more predictable feel.