With their Access Line, Performance Line, Competition Line and Racing Line, Michelin cover a broad range of applications – from everyday commuting and ambitious hobby riding all the way to full-on pro racing. For trail and enduro enthusiasts, it’s mainly the Competition and Racing Line models that are worth a closer look. The spotlight is especially on the newly revamped Wild Enduro Racing Line tires, which were updated for 2024. Curious what Michelin’s tires are capable of? You’ll find out right here!
| Model | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|
| DH22 Racing Line Mixed Soft 29 x 2.40 |
1,344 g | € 71.50 |
| DH16 Racing Line Hard Pack Mixed 29 x 2.40 |
1,370 g | € 71.00 |
| Wild Enduro MS Racing Line Magi-X 29 x 2.40 |
1,210 g | € 73.50 |
| Wild Enduro MH Racing Line Magi-X 29 x 2.50 |
1,229 g | € 76.00 |
| Wild Enduro Rear Racing Line Gum-X3D 29 x 2.40 |
1,183 g | € 71.88 |
| Wild Enduro Rear Competition Line 29 x 2.40 |
1,220 g | € 67.47 |
| Wild Enduro Front Competition Line Magi-X2 29 x 2.40 |
1,047 g | € 67.71 |
| Wild Enduro Front Competition Line GUM-X3D 29 x 2.40 |
1,049 g | € 63.43 |
Michelin’s casings at a glance
Michelin use different casing constructions depending on the intended use. Unlike brands like Schwalbe and MAXXIS, however, these casings aren’t freely selectable or interchangeable – instead, they’re firmly tied to the purpose of each tire model. This means that you can’t freely mix and match every casing with every tread or rubber compound.
Depending on the application, Michelin tires come with casings labelled as “Race Shield”, “Cross Shield”, “Trail Shield” or “Gravity Shield”. Only the Racing Line tires feature their own specific constructions, which aren’t individually named – they’re simply referred to as Enduro or Downhill Racing Line casings.
Race Shield
The Race Shield casing is a single-ply construction with a fabric density of 150 TPI. That high thread count signals an especially lightweight and supple build, aimed at maximising rolling efficiency – making it ideal for XC racing applications.
Cross Shield
Also intended for XC use but slightly more robust than Race Shield, Michelin’s Cross Shield casing features a single-ply 110 TPI construction. It’s designed to strike a solid balance between durability and low weight.
Trail Shield
A single-ply 60 TPI casing construction optimised for trail and all-mountain use, reinforced with a thin, continuous puncture protection layer. Michelin’s Trail Shield casing is used on their all-mountain and trail models marked with the AM designation.
Gravity Shield
Gravity Shield is a dual-ply construction that combines 33 TPI and 60 TPI fabric layers to prepare the tire for the tough demands of enduro riding. The 60 TPI layers are intended to boost resistance to cuts and punctures, while the coarser 33 TPI layers provide added stiffness and structural stability. Michelin use the Gravity Shield casing across all Race Enduro tires in their Competition Line. In the lab, the Gravity Shield casing delivered good results in the less critical puncture test with a 1.5 mm spike. However, it showed clear weaknesses in the 5 mm chisel puncture test and under impact load. When all puncture tests are weighted into a single score, the Gravity Shield casing – depending on the model – ranks at the bottom of the field, although it’s also among the lightest tires tested.
Enduro Racing Line
Compared to the previous version with the Downhill Shield casing, Michelin developed a new dual-ply 55 TPI casing for the 2024 Wild Enduro Racing Line tires. The aim was to achieve a similar level of robustness while reducing weight and improving rolling efficiency. For added puncture protection, the tire features a protective layer running bead to bead, along with an extra reinforcement beneath the tread. In the lab, this casing proved to be noticeably more resistant to impacts than the Gravity Shield casing used in the Competition Line– at least in terms of pinch flat protection. Puncture resistance, however, is below average compared to the rest of the test field, though sidewall protection delivered decent results.
Downhill Racing Line
The casing construction of the DH tires from Michelin’s Racing Line combines a 120 TPI layer with a 55 TPI layer. Just like the Wild Enduro Racing Line, these tires feature a bead-to-bead protective layer as well as an additional layer beneath the tread. The lab test shows that the casing offers solid impact resistance, with good protection against sidewall penetration. However, puncture resistance through the tread is noticeably weaker. Compared to other downhill casings, this makes Michelin’s Racing Line DH casing one of the less robust options for truly uncompromising use.
Michelin’s rubber compounds at a glance
In the MTB segment, Michelin divides its rubber compounds into two main families: Gum-X and Magi-X. In general, the Magi-X compounds offer better grip performance, while Gum-X is designed to deliver lower rolling resistance and increased durability. Within each compound family, there can be up to three different versions: single, dual, and triple compound formulations. The type of compound used is indicated by a numerical suffix at the end of the compound name.
Gum-X-compounds
Tires using Gum-X technology are available in three versions: as a single compound (Gum-X), a dual compound (Gum-X2D), and a triple compound (Gum-X3D).
Gum-X
The Gum-X compound is a single compound that’s used exclusively in tires from Michelin’s Performance and Access Line ranges.
Gum-X2D
Compared to the Gum-X compound, Gum-X2D is designed to deliver more traction with lower rolling resistance. This dual compound is used in both Performance Line and Competition Line tires.
Gum-X3D
The triple-compound Gum-X3D features a base layer of rubber topped with center and side knobs made from compounds of varying hardness.
The centre knobs are shaped for traction, while the outer knobs are designed to provide maximum grip. Gum-X3D offers even more grip than Gum-X2D, though with slightly poorer rolling characteristics – comparable to the standard Gum-X compound. However, when combined with the Gravity Shield casing, rolling resistance remains impressively low, making this compound our top recommendation for rear use. Gum-X3D is exclusive to tires in the Competition Line.
Magi-X-compounds
The Magi-X rubber compound has been developed specifically for use on the front wheel and enduro riding. Michelin offer Magi-X technology in two versions: as a single-compound (Magi-X) and as a dual-compound (Magi-X²).
Magi-X
The Magi-X compound is said to deliver grip on par with the Gum-X3D compound. However, it comes with a significantly higher rolling resistance compared to tyres featuring Gum-X technology.
Magi-X²
Maximum grip in Michelin’s lineup with slightly better rolling performance than the single-compound Magi-X – that’s what the dual-compound Magi-X² is designed to deliver. Still, it generates 16 watts more rolling resistance than the Gum-X3D compound with the same tread and casing, which makes it best suited to front wheel use. That’s where it impressed us, offering tons of grip and effective damping out on the trail.
Michelin’s tread patterns at a glance
Michelin divide their enduro tires into Competition Line and Racing Line models. As the name suggests, Racing Line tires are designed for demanding riding conditions. Visually, the two model lines are easy to tell apart: Competition Line tires feature classic white sidewall lettering, while Racing Line models can be recognised by their blue-yellow or dark grey branding, complete with a chequered race flag on the sidewall.
Competition Line-tires
Wild Enduro Front
Massive side knobs are the defining feature of the Wild Enduro Front – it’s all about grip here. Like all Wild Enduro tires from the Competition Line, the Wild Enduro Front uses Gravity Shield casing. When it comes to rubber compounds, you can choose between the triple-compound Gum-X3D and the dual-compound Magi-X². Both versions are available in 27.5” and 29” diameters with a 2.4” width. The Gum-X3D version is also available in 2.6” and 2.8” widths for the 27.5” wheel size.
Out on the trail, the Wild Enduro Front with the soft Magi-X² compound impresses with excellent damping and loads of grip. Fitted up front, it delivers a composed, precise ride that holds your line with confidence. For use on the front wheel, we definitely prefer this version over the Gum-X3D compound.
Wild Enduro Rear
The Wild Enduro Rear shares a similar tread pattern with the Wild Enduro Front, though its knobs have a slightly shallower profile. Surprisingly, despite the more streamlined design and identical Gum-X3D compound, the rear version of the Competition Line rolls worse in the lab than its front-specific counterpart. It’s also heavier than the Wild Enduro Front – but that added weight pays off with improved puncture protection. And particularly on the rear wheel, a bit more toughness is always a welcome trade-off.
Racing Line-tires
Wild Enduro MH Racing Line
MH stands for “Mixed Hard” – and that’s exactly what the Wild Enduro MH is designed for: maximum speed on hardpack and mixed terrain. However, with 47 watts in the rolling resistance test, it’s not exactly a sprinter. The likely culprit? The grippy Magi-X rubber single-compound, which may slow things down on the flats, but makes up for it on the descents. On the trail, the Wild Enduro MH Racing Line impresses with excellent damping. The combination of casing and compound results in slow rebound characteristics, allowing the tire to maintain traction and offer a controlled, composed ride. Available in both 29” and 27.5” sizes.
Wild Enduro MS Racing Line
The counterpart to the Racing Line’s “MH” tire is the “MS” version, short for Mixed Soft. It’s also designed for mixed terrain but is optimised for looser, softer conditions. Surprisingly, the Wild Enduro MS actually rolls more efficiently than the MH in our lab tests. As with other Racing Line tires, it’s available in both 29” and 27.5” sizes, and the signature colour options are included. On the trail, the Wild Enduro MS impresses with a well-balanced ride feel and plush damping. However, in direct comparison with similarly focused tires from other brands – including Michelin’s own DH22 – the Wild Enduro MS doesn’t quite manage to keep up.
Wild Enduro Rear Racing Line
If you’re after a rear tire for racing that delivers more efficiency, the Wild Enduro Rear from Michelin’s Racing Line is a strong contender. With a rolling resistance of just 30.2 W, it outperforms both the MS and MH Racing Line models as well as the Wild Enduro Rear from the Competition Line. Only the Wild Enduro Front Competition Line rolls more efficiently – but at the cost of significantly lower puncture protection. However, there’s one major drawback, especially for riders on mullet bikes: ironically, this rear tire is only available in a 29” version.
DH16 Racing Line
The DH16 is designed for hard to mixed terrain and could just as well have been called the “DH MH”. With what we felt were the best damping characteristics on test, the Michelin DH16 Racing Line left a strong impression thanks to the Magi-X compound. The slow rebound keeps the tire glued to the ground, delivering superb control. Braking traction is equally impressive, making the DH16 one of our favourites options for hardpack conditions. That level of performance does come at a cost though – namely a typically high weight and relatively high rolling resistance, as is to be expected from a downhill tire.
DH22 Racing Line
The DH22 is essentially the downhill counterpart to the Wild Enduro MS, designed to perform on mixed and loose terrain and also uses the Magi-X single compound focused on grip. Although the name suggests a pure downhill application, the Michelin DH22 is also a great option for capable enduro bikes – particularly up front. If you’re willing to accept a bit of extra weight and rolling resistance, the DH22 offers an even grippier alternative to the Wild Enduro MS Racing Line. And for those venturing deeper into muddy territory, Michelin’s DH MUD tire might be worth a look, though it wasn’t part of our group test and would be better compared against the contenders from our dedicated mud tire test.
Our recommendation
Enduro – all-round (f/r): Wild Enduro MS Racing Line / Wild Enduro Rear Racing Line
Trail – fast rolling (f/r): Wild Enduro Front Competition Line Magi-X² / Wild Enduro Rear Racing Line
For more information, visit Michelin’s website.
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Words: Lars Engmann Photos: Peter Walker
