Australian Mountain Bike – August 01, 2019

98 - AMB

TESTED

After a very pleasant experience on Michelin’s

first release to the Enduro and trail bike tyre

market in Australia with the Wild Rock R2, I

was very keen to get my hands on what looks

to be the more popular bigger brother amongst

riders of the Enduro World Series.

While the Rock R2 ran different rubber

compounds front and rear to offer some specific

attributes Michelin were after, they took a

different approach for The Wild Enduro. With

the Wild Enduro Michelin are offering 3 tyres to

make up the range. The range is comprised of 2

front tyres and 1 rear.

There are two different compound choices for

the Wild Enduro Front, you can choose either

Magi-X² or Gum-X. The Magi-X² compound is the

harder of the two, which Michelin say is better

for high speed grip, which is an interesting

statement. The Gum-X3D rubber is softer and

said to be the better all-round option. During

our test we found the Gum-X3D to be the pick

across most conditions and its wear looked to

be a little better also. Which is likely due to the

knobs moulding to the trail and not trying to rip

into it like the Magi- X²

The tread pattern of the Wild Enduro Rear

is very close to that of the front, although the

knobs are closer together and slightly shorter

for reduced rolling resistance and only comes

in the Magi- X² compound. The Gravity Shield

casing has a lower thread count than the front

making it stiffer, and also receives additional

reinforcement around the bead to help prevent

pinch flats. 

Oddly the Wild Enduro range comes with a

slightly thinner side wall construction than the

Rock R2 but it was no less impressive at fending

off flat tyres. While perhaps having a slightly

thinner side wall can lead to a bit more flex

under load, it was not very noticeable and the

criss-crossing marks of the side wall were often

more of a badge of honour than a reason to

complain about the tyres’ performance.

I used the Wild Enduro on the same bike and

rim setup as I did the Rock R2 to give an even

comparison and where I could, I used them on

the same trails. While in Bright riding in the

wet/dry and very deep dirt laden with roots and

rocks it became very apparent why this model

is so popular with the riders across the Enduro

World Series. Even with its tighter packed rear

knobs the Wild Enduro offered great grip as

dust turned to loam and then to mud across my

time there. I also have to say I was impressed

how quickly sticky dirt cleared out of the tread

even at lower speeds thus offering a very

predictable and even ride during each run.

Michelin are firmly back in the market with

their new range of high-performing trail tyres

and I can only expect more from their Gravity

orientated models we are seeing at World Cup

Down Hill races and under Sam Hill at Enduro

World Series rounds. These are scheduled for

release late this year as Michelin want to get

as much time and testing under their belt as

possible before letting us mortals put our lives

in their hands.

While not the cheapest tyres (nor the most

expensive) on the market they are very well

priced for the performance you get at all stages

of the tyres life, do yourself a favour and pony

up the extra $20.00 for the Gum-X3D it’s worth

every cent!

WORDS: BEN MORRISON PHOTOS: NICK WAYGOOD

Michelin

Wild Enduro

HITS

Tworubberoptionstosuityourriding

Fastrollingrearsandsupergrippyfronts

Clears mud, and works in a range of

conditions

MISSES

Could a thicker sidewall make them better?

RRP:$99.95FORGUM-X3D

MAGI-X $119.95

FROM: BIKECORP.COM.AU