Tested: WTB Bronson TCS Tubless Ready Tires

Gain traction with WTB's Bronson: a fast rolling yet aggressive all mountain tire.

WTB's new Bronson tire was developed with the help of pro riders Mark Weir and Jason Moeschler. Spending countless hours riding bikes makes these two past Downieville Classic champions great candidates for tire testers and designers. Not surprisingly, the Bronson is intended to be an aggressive all mountain tire for a variety of soil types and terrain.

Up close the tire looks big and mean and its notched side knobs allow the tire to grip amazingly well in hardpack dirt and slickrock conditions. These larger knobs also provide surprisingly predictable traction in slicker conditions as well. Although, the knobs are spaced closer than preferable for a mud tire, the Bronson did surprisingly well shedding early season mud.

The Bronson features ramped center tread to help keep rolling resistance to a minimum but it does carry a meaty feel on the trail. What is best about this tire is its predictable feel on varied terrain. They cornered similarly well in just about every condition we road on, which is a good quality for riders who have a hard time adapting to a tires feel in different conditions.

Bronson’s are available with WTB’s TCS (Tubeless Compatible system) allowing them to be mounted up tubeless with sealant to any UST or tubeless ready style rim. WTB also integrated in their DNA tread compound, which features two rubber compounds, firmer center tread for less rolling resistance and softer shoulder knobs for improved cornering.

WTB has created a great all around tire with the Bronson. It may be a little on the aggressive end for most XC guys but would make a great addition to any all mountain bike or aggressive trail riding. WTB's tubeless capability paired with our favorite sealant made flats virtualy non-existent.

WTB's TCS system is a revalation in tubless systems. The tough sidewall and extra bead material grip the rim with a confidence inspiring sturdiness and made the initial air-up fast and easy, even with a floor pump. It's bombroof.

After two solid months of riding, the tread is holding up very well and they never loos air.

Adding this tire to your current steed will definitely bring an added sense of control on those nasty loose swithbacks and burly drop-ins on your favorite trail.