The Singletrack Staffers pick the standout products and locations from their riding year. This article was originally published in Singletrack Magazine Issue 140.
The year has felt a little like approaching that nemesis feature on the trail: you roll up to it full of optimism, then at the last minute pull on the brakes in an attack of ‘nope’. Whether it was a ping that put paid to yet another plan, or a shipping container that didn’t arrive as expected (by now, perhaps, that should be ‘as expected, a shipping container didn’t arrive’), we had plenty of interruptions along the way. However, our northern hills had an unusually dry summer, so we managed a decent spell of short-sleeved riding on our doorstep, and there were a few chances to get further afield that we grasped and enjoyed. Like that trail feature, once we cleared it, the elation at meeting friends, riding new trails and generally enjoying bikes was all the sweeter.
Andi – Tech Editor
Another crazy year, but not quite as crazy as the last. It has been a challenge to get in test products, thanks to the ongoing cycling boom, but it has been awesome to see more riders on the trails. This year I also discovered gravel riding, which much to my surprise, is a hell of a lot of fun!
Michelin Wild Enduro Tyre
The Wild Enduro come either in a front or rear specific design, with the front being the tyre that really stands out. Michelin has performed some wild design and chemical voodoo on these tyres to ensure both incredible mechanical and chemical grip without losing too much rolling resistance in the process.
Like other Michelins though they aren’t perfect and the rear especially could do with tougher sidewalls. Interestingly I didn’t experience leaky sidewall syndrome on the Wild Enduro while other Michelins do still suffer in this area.
The tread design of the front has an aggressive spiked side knob design that provides almost telepathic front-wheel control. Hit a corner, tell the Wild Enduro to grip, and it very much does!
Compared to the front, the rear is much less mind-blowing. The design has been made to ensure fast uphill progress and it will let go on corners, but I really didn’t mind that. With a front tyre capable of dragging me around root-infested winter berms and the rear able to let go, but in a predictable fashion, it offers nothing but fun.
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