MTB Tyres Black Friday: trail, enduro, mud deals

Before comparing: size, fit and use

The diameter must match the rim: 26, 27.5 or 29 inches, which is 559, 584 or 622 mm in ETRTO sizing. The width is then chosen based on the rim and the available space: a tire wider than the original must still leave space in the fork and between the chainstays, including mud. The use finally determines the tread pattern: low and tight knobs for cross-country, taller and more spaced for trail and enduro, thick casing for downhill.

Discounted tires: read the label before the crossed-out price

A model often comes in five or six references. Let's take a Maxxis label from this page: Minion DHR II WT, 3C Grip, Exo+, Tubeless Ready, flexible bead. WT, for Wide Trail, indicates a profile designed for wide rims; 3C Grip, the grippiest rubber in the 3C family; Exo+, a reinforced casing against cuts; Tubeless Ready, a mountable tire without a tube; the flexible bead, a foldable and lighter tire. Each of these mentions changes the reference, hence the crossed-out price: a promotion on a Minion DHR II with Exo casing cannot be compared to the Exo+ version. Align the crossed-out price and the displayed price for the same version.

Riding in winter: tires for mud

The Black Friday occurs at the start of winter, when paths become wet. A mud tire has high, thin, and widely spaced knobs, which penetrate the slushy layer and do not retain dirt. Michelin offers several options here, including the Wild Mud and the DH Mud. On mixed terrain, a trail tire with an open tread pattern, like the Kessel from Teravail, maintains traction while clearing mud. Keep some clearance in the frame: a tire loaded with dirt rubs easily.

Tubes, wheels and nearby pages

The page MTB tires details rubber types, casings, pressures, and tubeless mounting throughout the year. If you stick with tubes, choose the right size from the MTB inner tubes on Black Friday; if the rim is too narrow for a wide tire, check the MTB wheels. The MTB wheels and tires in the deal include these families, while tires for other bikes can be found on the road and all-purpose pages. A model from the previous range can also be found in the clearance, and a recent tire in the new arrivals.

The MTB tire brands in the promotion

Michelin ranges from the Country Rock for leisure to the Wild Enduro and DH16 from its Racing Line, dedicating its Wild Mud and DH Mud to mud.

Maxxis offers the same model, like the Minion DHR II, in several widths including the WT, in 3C rubbers and Exo or Exo+ casings.

Teravail, an American brand from Bloomington, Minnesota, offers its Kessel, Honcho, Warwick and Cannonball in lightweight and flexible casing, either durable or ultra-durable, the latter two reinforced against side cuts and punctures.

Vittoria presents its Mezcal, Peyote and Barzo in two versions, XC Race and XC Trail, along with the Agarro and the Mota.

Goodyear, whose bicycle tires are produced under license by DG Rubber, offers the Newton MTF and MTR in Trail, Enduro or Downhill versions, and the Peak and Escape in tubeless.

Frequently asked questions

Why renew your MTB tires during Black Friday?

It comes before winter and its muddy outings when a worn tire quickly loses grip. For MTB tires, Vélo-Store does not limit its Black Friday promotions to the Friday following Thanksgiving: they run throughout November, giving time to check size and version before replacing worn tires or planning a pair for mud.

Only one new tire: front or rear?

The rear tire, which provides traction, often wears out faster and thus gets replaced more often. Keep the grippiest tire at the front, which steers the bike in corners, and maintain the same diameter on both wheels.

How do I know if my frame accepts a wider tire?

Measure the free space around the current tire, in the fork and between the chainstays, and check the maximum width announced by the frame manufacturer. Keep a few millimetres of clearance for mud.

Does a tubeless ready tire come with its sealant?

Generally no: it requires a sealed rim tape, a tubeless valve, and sealant, unless otherwise noted in the offer. It can also be fitted with an inner tube.

Flexible bead or stiff bead: what's the difference?

The stiff bead, made of steel, does not bend and is heavier. The flexible bead, often made of aramid, bends for transport and lightens the tire; it is the most common on tubeless models.