Over the previous few years, we’ve seen fats bike tire choices melting away quicker than the snowpack. However now, some excellent news – WTB has simply launched their first-ever fats bike tire. Full of WTB DNA, the all-new Bailiff appears prefer it could possibly be a fantastic possibility for these searching for an aggressive fats bike tire.
This can be WTB’s first fats bike tire, however they’re fast to level to their 4 a long time of tire design and a whole bunch of hours of testing in locations like Vermont that went into the creation of the Bailiff. Provided solely in 27.5 x 4.5″, we’re advised that there are presently no plans to supply the tire in a 26″ measurement.
Constructed round a TCS Gentle Excessive Grip 120 tpi casing, the Bailiff focuses on offering a supple really feel when aired all the way down to fats bike pressures. The tire additionally will get a snow-specific tire compound that’s meant to remain pliable in excessive chilly to take care of traction. That TCS casing additionally means the tire is absolutely tubeless suitable with tire sealant. In case you’re questioning, the WTB tire sealant is optimized for temperatures all the way down to 15F° / -9.4°C.
Tread Sample
The tread sample itself options carefully spaced heart knobs to attenuate rolling resistance, however there are nonetheless loads of working edges to chew whenever you want traction to decelerate. The knobs are pretty tall in comparison with some lighter fats bike tires and are broadly spaced to dig in each gentle and laborious snow, mud, sand, and so forth.
When fitted to a 77mm inner width rim, the tire has a properly rounded profile.
Provided in studded or studless variations, every tire has 312 stud pockets that are suitable with Terrene, 45NRTH, and different standard tire studs. WTB additionally has a stud placement information that can assist you plan out your stud placement for those who don’t wish to make the most of all 312 pockets. The WTB studded model makes use of carbide studs with a 2mm-wide tip.
WTB Fats Bike Tire Precise Weight
These are massive, meaty tires. As such, they’re hefty at 1617g for the studless model. The studded model is available in at 1693g. That’s in-line with different tires of this measurement which have aggressive tread and aren’t terribly undersized, although.
First Impressions
I’ve had these tires for just a few weeks now, and right here we’re in January. Nonetheless no snow. It appears like we’re in for a quick Arctic blast subsequent week, so hopefully I can lastly get out on these tires and the Otso Voytek 2 within the snow (or no less than frozen trails).
I can inform you that whereas the tires have been tight to get onto my Whisky No. 9 80w wheels, the tires seated up tubeless with out challenge. The rubber on the bead felt significantly grippy, so I utilized some Schwalbe Simple Match to the bead which made it a lot simpler to suit the tire to the rim.
As soon as seated and inflated to 12psi, the tires measured an precise 4.3″ vast on the edges with a 77mm inner width. Upon measuring them the following day, that they had already expanded to 4.4″, measured on the widest level of the tread blocks. So whereas a bit of undersized out of the bundle, it looks as if these may broaden to the total 4.5″ width with a while.
About that Packaging
Fats bike tires are massive, clearly. Some manufacturers bundle them in massive cardboard bins. Others zip tie them to cardboard or plastic sleeves. At one level, Maxxis was even placing them in reusable drawstring baggage. However of all of the fats bike tire packages I’ve opened, the WTB Bailiff is one of the best but.
Once you go to unwrap a Bailiff, you’ll discover a reusable 25″ cargo strap and a small label comprised of recycled cardboard that’s additional recyclable. I’ve been which means to purchase some longer cargo straps for some time now – however now I’ve some due to the packaging of those tires. I can’t inform you the distinction in high quality between these straps and one thing like a real Voile Strap, however these will certainly turn out to be useful. Use them to cinch down a spare fats bike tube to your experience. Or perhaps strap an additional layer to your bike.
Kudos to WTB for developing with a design that reduces the quantity of packaging headed to a landfill whereas being truly helpful.
WTB Fats Bike Tire Pricing & Availability
Beginning in the present day, the Bailiff is out there in North America for $134.95 per tire. The studded Bailiff will promote for $279.95 and can be accessible in North America. European availability received’t come till March.
