PRESS KIT 2010
2010
Contents MICHELIN Wild: A New Approach to Mountain Biking The MICHELIN Wild Lineup for 2010 Close-Up on MICHELIN Advanced Technology Close-Up on MICHELIN Descent Technology for Down Hill Riders Designed for Superior Performance Innovation Means More Than Just Tires: Making the Right Choice Is Now Easier Than Ever Five Inner Tubes to Cover Every Type of Use
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2010
MICHELIN Wild: A New Approach to Mountain Biking With millions of riders around the world, mountain biking is an increasingly specialized, demanding discipline. The same is true for mountain bike tires. To meet growing demand in recent years, tire lineups have become considerably larger and hard for consumers to comprehend. For 2010, Michelin has addressed this problem by developing a unique range of tires that is easy-to-understand, complete and optimized for different conditions of use, type of terrain or bike, and level of performance. The MICHELIN Wild range was designed to provide a full lineup of high-performance tires while also enabling customers to make the right choice. Michelin identified three types of terrain and designed a tire for each: MICHELIN WildRace’R for hardpack terrain MICHELIN WildGrip’R for mixed terrain MICHELIN WildRock’R for extreme terrain A fourth tire – The MICHELIN WildRun’R – was created for winter training rides on the road.
To support mountain bike riders, Michelin has gone every further with the launch of www.michelinwildbike.com Thanks to this innovative Web site and its six selection criteria, riders can find the right tire for each outing in less than a minute. This website will be online end of February.
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The MICHELIN Wild Lineup for 2010 When developing the new lineup, Michelin wanted each tread design to have its own distinctive name. This rationale was applied to the sport’s three disciplines – Cross-country, Enduro and Down Hill.
Type of terrain
Hardpack
Mixed
Extreme
MICHELIN WildRace’R
MICHELIN WildGrip’R
MICHELIN WildRock’R
Cross Country Enduro *Dig’r for muddy terrain
Down Hill
After selecting the appropriate tread design for the terrain, the rider should then consider the type of use. This will help determine the optimal tire width regardless of the discipline, whether Cross-country, Enduro or Down Hill. The wider the tire, the greater its resistance to impact, making it ideal for use in the most demanding situations. On the other hand, the narrower the tire, the lighter it is, which makes it easier to move forward.
Width 2.60 2.50 2.40 2.30 2.25 2.20 2.15 2.10 2.00
Hardpack
Mixed
MICHELIN WildRace’R
MICHELIN WildGrip’R
Extreme
MICHELIN WildRock’R
MICHELIN WildDig’R (Down Hill mud)
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The MICHELIN WildRace’R for hardpack terrain The MICHELIN WildRace’R features an effective tread block sequence that delivers high performance and puncture-resistance. The shoulder tread blocks are also optimally spaced to ensure excellent grip on sidehill slopes.
Size / Name
The unique pattern and alignment of the intermediate and lateral blocks serve three purposes: Enabling the cyclist to climb out of ruts more easily Improving the lean angle Increasing grip
Weight 26X2.00 (52-559) WildRace’R Advanced TS TL GW 26X2.10 (54-559) WildRace’R Advanced TS TL GW 26X2.25 (57-559) WildRace’R Advanced TS TL GW 26X2.00 (52-559) WildRace’R TS 29X2.10 (54-622) WildRace’R (29’’) TS 26X2.15 (55-559) WildRace’R TS 26X2.30 (58-559) WildRace’R Reinforced TS
Suggested retail price
680 g 750 g 720 g 590 g 700 g 640 g 750 g
40,95 40,95 40,95 26,95 26,95 26,95 29,95
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The MICHELIN WildGrip’R for mixed terrain The MICHELIN WildGrip’R tread blocks are specifically arranged across the width of the tire to allow for greater rolling efficiency and more progressive cornering. The tire’s knobs provide an effective lean angle for all types of curves, allowing the cyclist to corner with confidence. The thicker center tread blocks are spaced close enough together to provide exceptional rolling efficiency and far enough apart to shed mud easily.
Size / Name
Two treads for Down Hill riding The 2.50 and 2.60 tires are designed for Down Hill racing. The 2.50’s evenly spaced, scoop-shaped tread pattern offers matchless grip on mixed surfaces. The blocks’ rear wall is tapered to allow for more progressive braking. Mounted up front, they enable more precise steering. The 2.60’s, exceptionally wide tread features motocross-like center blocks that improve both braking and grip.
Weight 26X2.00 (52-559) WildGrip’R Advanced TS TL GW 26X2.25 (57-559) WildGrip’R Advanced TS TL GW 26X2.40 (60-559) WildGrip’R Advanced Reinforced TS TL GW 26X2.00 (52-559) WildGrip’R TS 26X2.10 (54-559) WildGrip’R TS 26X2.25 (57-559) WildGrip’R TS 26X2.40 (60-559) WildGrip’R Reinforced TS 26X2.50 (58-559) WildGrip’R Descent TL 26X2.60 (62-559) WildGrip’R Heavy Duty Descent TL
Suggested retail price
720 g 815 g 1 050 g 575 g 610 g 680 g 850 g 1 300 g 1 450 g
40,95 40,95 43,95 26,95 26,95 26,95 29,95 44,95 47,95
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The MICHELIN WildRock’R for extreme terrain For the first time, Michelin is offering a tire designed to perform just as well in mud as on rocky surfaces.
The MICHELIN WildRock’R incorporates a central groove for impeccable steering precision, especially in the mud.
Tread designed for extreme use Thick tread blocks spanning the width of the tire enable it to withstand the harshest conditions on rocky and muddy surfaces. The aggressive claw-like shoulder tread delivers excellent grip on sidehill slopes and curves and enables riders to climb out of ruts more easily.
Size/Name
Available in two sizes (2.25 and 2.50) for Down Hill riding, the tire integrates MICHELIN Descent Technology (see page 11).
Weight 26X2.10 (54-559) WildRock'R Advanced TS TL GW 26X2.25 (57-559) WildRock’R Advanced Reinforced TS TL GW 26X2.10 (54-559) WildRock’R TS 26X2.25 (57-559) WildRock’R TS 26X2.40 (60-559) WildRock’R Reinforced TS 26X2.25 (57-559) WildRock’R Descent TL 26X2.50 (62-559) WildRock’R Descent TL
Suggested retail price
715 g 940 g 615 g 690 g 900 g 1 135 g 1 300 g
40,95 43,95 26,95 26,95 29,95 44,95 44,95
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The MICHELIN WildDig’R, specially designed for muddy Down Hill terrain The lateral tread blocks on the MICHELIN WildDig’R enhance grip on curves and sidehill slopes. Comprised of four longitudinal grooves, the center blocks deliver increased grip for powerful braking and improved stability, while their spacing facilitates mud evacuation. The tire’s protruding knobs and narrow width (2.20 for enhanced pressure distribution) penetrate mud more effectively to reach the more compact ground layers below, thereby improving traction.
Size / Name
Weight 26X2.20 (54-559) WildDig’R Descent TL
Suggested retail price
1 250 g
44,95
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The MICHELIN WildRun’R, for winter training on the road In developing the MICHELIN WildRun’R, engineers at the Michelin Technology Center focused on designing a tire that would allow cyclists to use their mountain bike as a high-performance road bike as well. Available in two sizes, 1.40 and 1.10, the MICHELIN WildRun’R integrates the same rubber compounds utilized in Michelin’s on-road range to provide the grip needed for this specific usage.
Size / Name
The 1.40 contains a large volume of air to ensure maximum comfort, while the 1.10 features a special high density puncture-resistant layer under the tread band and weighs a record-low 200 grams.
Weight 26X1.40 (35-559) WildRun’R 26X1.10 (28-559) WildRun’R Advanced Light TS
Suggested retail price
420 g 200 g
16,95 29,95
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Close-Up on MICHELIN Advanced Technology The MICHELIN Wild Range features the innovative MICHELIN Advanced Technology exclusively in its new 127 TPI tires, the first time a technology has combined Michelin’s expertise in three distinct areas of the tire making process: Architecture, which comprises the bead and casing ply Tread design Materials, and more specifically, rubber compounds
Width 2.60 2.50 2.40 2.30 2.25 2.20 2.15 2.10 2.00
Hardpack
Mixed
MICHELIN WildRace’R
MICHELIN WildGrip’R
Extreme
MICHELIN WildRock’R
MICHELIN WildDig’R (Down Hill mud)
Advanced technology
Advanced technology
Advanced technology
Advanced technology Advanced technology
Advanced technology
Advanced technology Advanced technology
MICHELIN Wild Tubeless architecture MICHELIN Gumwall technology offers further damage protection for sidewalls and maintains an airtight seal.
MICHELIN Reinforced Technology is available in tires in the Enduro and Freeride categories. The reinforced casing technology, which comprises four protective layers under the tread surface and three under the sidewalls, delivers enhanced resistance to impact and punctures.
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MICHELIN Wild tread designs Michelin Technology Center engineers developed specific tread designs for different conditions of use and types of terrain:
The MICHELIN WildRace’R features an optimized tread pattern that increases rolling efficiency on relatively hard terrain. The MICHELIN WildGrip’R has a multipurpose tread capable of handling a wide variety of terrains during the same ride. The MICHELIN WildRock’R features a more deeply sculpted tread for extreme riding conditions.
MICHELIN Wild tubeless compounds The new MICHELIN Dual Compound Technology combines two types of rubber in one tire. The hard layer underneath the surface protects the tire from wear and tear while maintaining the rigidity of the knobs when subject to stress. The surface layer, which is in direct contact with the ground, is made from a softer rubber compound to maximize grip.
Down Hill Enduro XC
WILD RACE’R
WILD GRIP’R
WILD ROCK’R
55 shore 59 shore 63 shore
55 shore 59 shore 61 shore
55 shore 59 shore 59 shore
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Close-Up on MICHELIN Descent Technology for Down Hill Riders As its name indicates, MICHELIN Descent Technology is dedicated to Down Hill riding. This technology also integrates all three basic tire elements. Drawing on innovations developed for motocross, Michelin redesigned the tire casing to provide impressive durability in harsh conditions. A special rubber compound was developed to protect the sidewalls from scrapes and cuts. In addition, the Super Soft Compound developed for bike trails delivers outstanding grip.
Mixed
Width 2.60 2.50 2.40 2.30 2.25 2.20 2.15 2.10 2.00
MICHELIN WildGrip’R
Extreme
MICHELIN WildRock’R
MICHELIN WildDig’R (Down Hill mud)
Descent Technology Descent Technology
Descent Technology
Descent Technology Descent Technology
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Designed for Superior Performance The tire is a self-packaged product that must appeal to customers through their visual perception of its tread, sidewalls and markings. At Michelin, however, design means more than just visual appeal, since tires must meet technical specifications in order to attain performance objectives. “Beauty for beauty’s sake” has no place in the tire design process. When developing the new MICHELIN Wild range, styling played a key role, especially when designing the five treads, each of which had to meet certain weight, performance, esthetic, manufacturing and cost criteria.
To fulfill these three responsibilities, designers remain in constant contact with the Technology Center so that they can closely follow technical, manufacturing and technological developments. The MICHELIN Wild tire lineup was designed in accordance with this approach. For each type of terrain, the tread can be schematically represented as follows: WILD RACE’R
WILD GRIP’R
WILD ROCK’R
Tread design corresponds directly to the type of terrain on which a tire will be used. Understand, summarize and recommend. These three words sum up the tire designer’s responsibilities: Understand the needs. Summarize the challenges in order to pinpoint expected performance levels. Recommend styling solutions that enhance the product’s technical content and visual appeal.
The tread informs and enhances the tire’s traction, steering and robustness. Tread designs vary with the ground surface, becoming lighter or more rugged depending on the terrain. For example, the knobs on the MICHELIN Wild Rock’R tread are spaced to evacuate mud and dirt. The pattern begins at the center of the tread band and moves outward toward the shoulders in order to maintain the tire’s braking and steering capabilities.
The design team has been integrated into the Tire Development Department at the Ladoux Technology Center near Clermont-Ferrand, with other teams based in Ohta, Japan and Greenville, South Carolina (US). Designers may be assigned to work on tires for all vehicle segments (passenger cars, trucks, earthmovers, farm equipment, aircraft, motorcycles and, of course, bicycles).
2010
Innovation Means More Than Just Tires: Making the Right Choice Is Now Easier Than Ever Michelin’s mountain bike lineup covers all riding conditions, types of use and types of terrain with 35 models, 11 sizes and 12 tread designs. To enable bikers to choose quickly and accurately among all these options, Michelin has developed a innovative, unique selection system based on six key criteria: Type of bike (rigid, semi-rigid or full suspension) Type of rim (tubeless or tube-type) Type of terrain (dry, muddy or rocky) Discipline (Trail biking, Cross-country, Enduro or Down Hill/Freeride) Rider’s level (beginner, experienced or racer) Length of the ride (over or under two hours) A special “community” section will enable mountain bikers to share information about their rides, including GPS routes, comments, photos and videos. The service is available free of charge at www.michelinwildbike.com This dedicated site also provides information on correct inflation pressure and includes links to product datasheets that provide additional assistance and answers to bikers’ questions. With this online guide, mountain bikers can find the right tire solution for each ride – among more than 200 possible combinations – in less than a minute.
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Five Inner Tubes to Cover Every Type of Use Tires and inner tubes work together. For a tire to deliver optimal performance, the inner tube must be chosen with care. MICHELIN AIR COMP LATEX This tube combines high puncture resistance with low rolling resistance thanks to its use of latex. MICHELIN AIR COMP ULTRA LIGHT Developed by the Michelin Racing Department for competitive use, this tube is especially light, weighing less than 155 grams. MICHELIN AIR COMP MOUNTAIN Designed for Enduro riding, the MICHELIN Air Comp Mountain is also very light, weighing 250 grams. MICHELIN AIRSTOP BUTYL For safety day in and day out, the MICHELIN Airstop Butyl combines outstanding air-tightness and incomparable puncture resistance. MICHELIN DH RACING Thicker than a standard inner tube, the MICHELIN DH Racing can withstand the most demanding conditions of use.
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Media Contact Michelin Media Relations 46, avenue de Breteuil - 75324 PARIS Cedex 07 Tel.: +33 (0)1 45 66 13 43 - Fax: +33 (0)1 45 66 15 53