Roughly a decade in the past, Maxxis tires launched the WT or “Large Path” label to indicate tires optimized to be used with 30 to 35 mm inside rim widths, which have been simply gaining acceptance available in the market. Up till then, the model’s wider tires, within the 2.4” to 2.5” vary, have been nonetheless being designed across the narrower rim profiles of the time. The “WT” labeling made it fast and straightforward for early adopters of wider rims to determine the Maxxis tires that have been extra appropriate for them.
Instances have modified, and rims within the 30- to 35-mm width vary have grow to be the norm. Maxxis has both phased out older fashions or redesigned all of its tires to align with the present rim requirements. As such, the WT labeling has grow to be redundant since it’s not wanted to distinguish its tires. This alteration solely impacts the labeling of the tires.
In accordance with Aaron Chamberlain, the Supervisor of Maxxis’ Bicycle Division, “Riders could be assured that the merchandise themselves usually are not altering, merely the labeling,” he stated. “There aren’t any variations between a tire labeled as WT versus one that isn’t, as a result of they arrive from the identical molds and supply the identical excellent efficiency.”
Mainly, the whole lot stays the identical transferring ahead; you simply gained’t see the letters “WT” printed on the tire or package deal anymore. For additional clarification, Maxxis gave us these three factors:
- No efficiency modifications: Tires labeled WT and people with out the label are similar in building and efficiency.
- Identical molds, similar journey: All present 2.40″ and a couple of.50″ tires are constructed utilizing the identical molds and supplies.
- Packaging updates: New cardboard packaging and sidewall labels will not embrace the WT designation.
For rim compatibility, nothing actually modifications, as rims with an inside width of 30 to 35 mm stay the really useful pairing for its 2.4” to 2.5” tires. Luckily, that features the overwhelming majority of in the present day’s efficiency mountain bikes and wheels.
