GOODYEAR NEWTON MTF

Tester: Hayden Wright

Casing: EN (2 x 120TPI)

Compound: Dynamic Grip 3S Weight: 1286g (29”)

Size: 29x2.5” (27.5” also available) Width on DT Swiss 30mm rim: 61mm PSI for testing: 21

RRP: $100 goodyearbike.au

Front specific gravity tyres have become quite ubiquitous over the past few years. Most if not all brands offer tyres which look to offer predictable grip right across the spread of the tread in an attempt to help you pilot your bike with as much confidence as possible. The Newton MTF is Goodyear’s front specific offering with a siped 2-2 tread pattern which has every second set of knobs spaced so wide it could be considered an intermediate knob. This gives huge space for mud clearance, but also decreases the potential for mechanical grip the tyre will have on hard or slippery surfaces. The corner knobs are widely spaced and have an intermediate height. Available in three casings and one front specific compound, we have been riding the EN variant which has two layers of 120TPI casing which sandwich a butyl sidewall support. The rubber compound is of triple density and varies across the tread to increase grip at lean angles while maintaining good rolling speed through the middle knobs.

My first few rides on this tyre were in and after some big rain storms, and as such I was treated to some absolutely goldilocks dirt conditions. Initial impressions were very positive, and I quickly took to the rounded profile and consistent feel of the Newton MTF. The laterally staggered tread pattern leaves little grey area as you lean the tyre over, with no nasty surprises or wash outs on steep terrain and through long off-cambers. At 21psi the carcass was noticeably supple and had a slow rebound, which helped calm and trail chatter and increase tracking. Rolling speed was on the faster side for a tyre of this style, which can be attributed to the centre knobs which have a ramped front edge and firmer compound than the edge knobs. Wide spacing did a great job of clearing mud, leaving the tread free to chomp into any soft terrain. Some buff hardpack trails later in my 10 hours of testing did corrode my confidence. In these conditions I felt the tyre had a tendency to be a little vague. Whether this is due to the wide tread spacing or firmer centre knobs is difficult to distinguish but that is where I would anticipate changes being required to increase performance in those conditions.

Hard wearing, consistent and supple are three words that come to mind when I think of this tyre. While not being the best performer on pure hardpack trails, the MTF’s ability to dig into and clear soft soils while maintaining good rolling performance was admirable. In the right conditions I felt right at home with the Newton MTF on the front of my enduro bike, with a flurry or Strava PRs to prove it.