Scouring over the forums and countless magazines that represent modern mountain biking in the UK, one thing becomes evident – we agonise over tyres like no other country. I won’t say that I’m not guilty of it, but I think I may have settled on a tyre that takes me and my Heckler anywhere I want it to – the Bontrager Big Earl Wet.
In its folding guise (the most sensible option in my opinion) you get dual compound, relative lightness – 725g on a 2.5” tyre - and big, open tread which allows mud to clear whilst giving maximum traction. Puncture protection is also high – I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve had to replace tubes and I’ve been using these tyres for nearly two years now.
So far, this tyre has been dragged round many a trail centre, Mugdock Park and my regular jaunts over to Arran. On natural terrain or anything with big rocks and roots, this tyre seems to be at its happiest. The softer compound grips onto anything and its actually difficult to make the thing spin up! When it starts to get sloppy, the open tread digs in then sheds any mud as quickly as it can.
When it comes to the newer, man-made trails, however, the tyre can start to feel a little draggy – especially on the “kitty-litter” style trails. But, if your riding is swayed more towards natural trails, or you want one tyre to rule them all, definitely look at Big Earl.