Over the previous few years, we’ve seen fats bike tire choices melting away quicker than the snowpack. But now, some excellent news – WTB has simply launched their first-ever fats bike tire. Packed with WTB DNA, the all-new Bailiff appears to be like prefer it might be an incredible choice for these searching for an aggressive fats bike tire.
This could also be WTB’s first fats bike tire, however they’re fast to level to their 4 a long time of tire design and tons of of hours of testing in locations like Vermont that went into the creation of the Bailiff. Offered solely in 27.5 x 4.5″, we’re instructed that there are presently no plans to supply the tire in a 26″ dimension.
Built round a TCS Light High Grip 120 tpi casing, the Bailiff focuses on offering a supple really feel when aired right 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 totally tubeless suitable with tire sealant. In case you’re questioning, the WTB tire sealant is optimized for temperatures right down to 15F° / -9.4°C.
Tread Pattern
The tread sample itself options carefully spaced heart knobs to reduce rolling resistance, however there are nonetheless loads of working edges to chunk if 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 tender and exhausting snow, mud, sand, and so on.
When fitted to a 77mm inner width rim, the tire has a properly rounded profile.
Offered 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 will help you plan out your stud placement for those who don’t need to make the most of all 312 pockets. The WTB studded model makes use of carbide studs with a 2mm-wide tip.
WTB Fat Bike Tire Actual Weight
These are huge, 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 dimension which have aggressive tread and aren’t terribly undersized, although.
First Impressions
I’ve had these tires for a number of weeks now, and right here we’re in January. Still no snow. It appears to be like like we’re in for a short Arctic blast subsequent week, so hopefully I can lastly get out on these tires and the Otso Voytek 2 in the snow (or a minimum of frozen trails).
I can inform you that whereas the tires had been tight to get onto my Whisky No. 9 80w wheels, the tires seated up tubeless with out subject. The rubber on the bead felt significantly grippy, so I utilized some Schwalbe Easy Fit to the bead which made it a lot simpler to suit the tire to the rim.
Once seated and inflated to 12psi, the tires measured an precise 4.3″ huge on the rims with a 77mm inner width. Upon measuring them the subsequent day, they’d already expanded to 4.4″, measured at the widest level of the tread blocks. So whereas a little bit undersized out of the package deal, it looks like these may develop to the full 4.5″ width with a while.
About that Packaging
Fat bike tires are huge, clearly. Some manufacturers package deal them in giant cardboard containers. Others zip tie them to cardboard or plastic sleeves. At one level, Maxxis was even placing them in reusable drawstring luggage. But of all the fats bike tire packages I’ve opened, the WTB Bailiff is the finest but.
When you go to unwrap a Bailiff, you’ll discover a reusable 25″ cargo strap and a small label made out of recycled cardboard that’s additional recyclable. I’ve been that means to purchase some longer cargo straps for some time now – however now I’ve some because of 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 trip. 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 Fat Bike Tire Pricing & Availability
Starting at present, the Bailiff is accessible 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 gained’t come till March.