Choosing enduro tyres is one of the most critical elements in ensuring a safe and high-performance ride on the various terrains that enduro trails offer. Unlike road tyres that are designed to cope with smooth, paved surfaces, enduro tyres must be able to handle a multitude of conditions, from muddy terrain to rocks and gravel. In particular, the wrong choice means a loss in performance, because it can severely affect traction and bike control.
As much as we all know ‘that fool’ who races in all conditions with his tyres finished, almost on the plies, and is still a great ‘rider’, we also know that we are talking about exceptions. An average driver undoubtedly draws an advantage from a correctly chosen tyre. Similarly, a professional rider, especially in top-level racing, appreciates the difference in performance significantly. Let us therefore take a look at the various types of enduro tyres. We will look at their technical characteristics and understand how to choose the right ones for us.
Types of enduro tyres
Enduro tyres are generally classified according to their compound and the type of terrain for which they are designed:
– Soft tyres: This type of tyre is ideal for muddy or very soft terrain, in fact it offers maximum grip thanks to its pronounced lugs and softer compound. They are perfect for competitions on soft terrain but are likely to wear out faster on hard surfaces.
– Medium tyres: A compromise between durability and traction, these tyres are suitable for mixed terrain such as gravel, dirt and muddy sections. The medium compound provides a good balance between grip and wear resistance. Still, it’s worth adding, that like all compromise situations, they sometimes risk being neither meat nor fish. So if your enduro tour is predominantly made up of homogeneous terrain, it might be worth opting for a soft or a hard. If, on the other hand, the tour includes diverse terrain, then it could be the winning choice.
– Hard tyres: these are designed for rocky or hard terrain, and thanks to their stiffer, spaced-out blocks they are really good for maintaining stability on hard surfaces. They last longer than soft tyres, but clearly also have less grip on soft ground.
Then there is the choice between mousse and inner tubes. Here the discourse is very personal, we find mousse enthusiasts as well as those who hate them. Of course, with inner tubes I can manage the pressure according to the terrain but I always have the risk of a puncture that I don’t have with mousse. Our guides typically use mousse but it’s really a matter of preference.
How are the tyres designed?
Enduro tyres are designed with specific characteristics that determine their performance on different types of terrain:
Compound: The hardness of the compound is a crucial factor. As explained before, softer tyres offer better grip but tend to wear faster, and vice versa
Block design: The design of the blocks is crucial for traction. High, widely spaced tread blocks are ideal for muddy terrain, while lower, closely spaced blocks offer more stability on hard surfaces.
Load index and speed: This is a parameter that indicates the maximum weight the tyre can support and the maximum speed at which it can operate safely. As far as speed is concerned, especially in hard enduro, it is not a big problem since the speeds that can be reached are not very high. Instead, let’s pay attention to weight. Since every self-respecting enduro tour ends with a lunch or dinner of a certain level, it’s a factor that may be worth checking 😀
How to choose the right tyres for you
The variables to consider are the type of terrain first. But equally important is checking the weather conditions! Mud, rain and snow require tyres with pronounced, spaced-out blocks, while for dry and hard terrain it is better to use tyres with more compact blocks. Furthermore, the type of terrain clearly changes with the weather.
Driving style will also influence your choice. If you participate in competitions, a soft tyre probably makes more sense for maximum grip. Conversely, if you do touring and light off-road trips, you may well lean towards a medium or even hard tyre. This way you are guaranteed a longer tyre life.
Maintenance and durability of enduro tyres
These two concepts are quite related. In fact, maintenance is essential to ensure the tyre’s longevity and performance.
It is certainly worth paying attention to the pressure. You should lower it on soft ground but then remember to increase it again when back on asphalt. This is also necessary to avoid punctures and improve stability. It is necessary to check for signs of wear, the presence of cracks or lateral damage. It is clear that with a worn tread block we will struggle more, so the tyre should be replaced if we see a worn tread block. We also advise you to clean the tyres after each outing. In fact, the presence of mud and debris accumulated during the ride could accelerate wear.
In conclusion, having the right tyre is also a factor on our enduro outings. Whether it’s a ride with friends or training for a race, having the right tyre counts!
And what tyres do we use?
Our guides in the Enduro Experience Croatia are quite happy with Michelin tyres and Michelin Mousse. We don’t usually have any major problems, so to date we don’t feel the need to change. And what tyres do you use?