Mountain bike tires are always a hotly debated topic, and we’re seeing more and more new players entering the fray, taking it up with the giants of the industry. Like VEE Tire Co. with their Snap WCE MK2 and Attack tire combination. We put the black gold to the test for you to find out if it’s got what it takes.
Here you’ll find everything you need about mtb tires: The Best Mountain Bike Tire – We had them all!
VEE Tire Co. Attack FSX I 29″ or 27.5″ I 1,420 g I € 64.95 I Manufacturer’s website
While tires from Continental, Schwalbe, Michelin and MAXXIS can be found in large numbers on the trails of this world, you’ll rarely spot models from VEE Tire Co. The Thai brand actually have their roots in the automotive and motorcycle tire industries. As a result, they have many years of experience with the research and development of tread patterns, casings, and rubber compounds. Now, VEE Tire Co. are pushing ever harder into the MTB market, and their tires have been used in the DH World Cup for some time. The Thai company already have a wide range of different tires on offer: from models that should perform equally well on all terrain to specialists that are designed to excel in even the most adverse of specific conditions like mud.
We tested the VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 and Attack FSX. The Snap is marketed as the all-rounder in the VEE Tire Co. portfolio, promising to make a good impression in all conditions. As an all-rounder, it can be ridden on both the front and rear. It relies on an open tread pattern with the knobs spaced far apart to ensure good self-cleaning. The Snap WCE MK2 is only available in two sizes, 29 and 27.5″, both of them 2.5″ wide, and available from € 59.95. The choice of casings is also limited. The GXE Core is a 1.5-layer casing for trail and enduro use, relying on Apex inserts and bead reinforcement to prevent pinch flats. The more robust DH Core casing has been developed for the demanding requirements of the DH World Cup and boasts a 2-layer structure. As with the GXE Core casing, the DH Core casing features Apex inserts, and additional bead reinforcement. Furthermore, the Synthesis sidewall technology promises to fend off sharp rocks and edges, offering additional protection thanks to the use of a special fabric. The VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 is exclusively available in the softest Full40 rubber compound. At 1,378 g with the thick DH Core compound, the 29″ VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 sits at the top end of rugged enduro or DH tires in terms of weight.
The VEE Tire Co. Attack FSX is designed for rugged and fast terrain. Like the Snap, it’s available in 29 and 27.5″, both sizes limited to 2.5″ in width and the soft Full40 rubber compound. The knobs are much flatter and wider compared to the Snap. The centre knobs are heavily bevelled, which is said to reduce rolling resistance. In addition to the GXE Core and DH Core casings, you also have the option of choosing the Gravity Core casing for the Attack FSX. This is VEE Tire Co.’s highest level of protection, relying on a 3-layer structure, including Synthesis sidewall technology. With the robust DH Core casing, the Attack FSX weighs in at 1,420 g in 29”.
We tested the VEE Tire Co. tires for several months on different terrain and in varying conditions. From our flowy home trails, to rooty and loamy singletrack, to rough downhill and bike park routes, we had it all. The tires were fitted to different carbon and aluminium wheels, and we tested both the slightly thinner GXE Core, and the thick DH Core casing, necessarily always in the soft Full40 rubber compound. The VEE Tire Co. tires won’t help you win any KOMs on the climbs, especially with the sturdy DH Core casing, but the climb is just a means to an end when you’re riding an enduro bike anyway. The DH Core casing is comparable to the MAXXIS Doubledown.
On the trail, both the Snap WCE MK2 and the Attack FSX are very predictable at the limit. They offer plenty of grip and if you push them too far, you’ll know well in advance when they’re about to slide out, so you don’t get caught off guard like you suddenly hit an oil slick. You’ll quickly get used to the tires, and they’ll encourage you to aim for the difficult highline. The tires’ knobs dig reliably into forest loam and stick to it like they’re glued in place, always providing lots of grip, even when braking. Even in wet and slippery conditions, the VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 and Attack FSX combination offers loads of grip, and it never feels like they’ll slide out unexpectedly. The large shoulder knobs of the Attack FSX offer just as much support in technical corners as in fast berms.
The tires have endured all the hardship we put them through unscathed and unfazed: whether it was sharp rocks, roots, or the kind of G-forces you might experience during a rocket launch when slamming into berms. Despite the soft rubber compound, the tires don’t wear off within a few days on the bike but instead impress with their good durability.
Our conclusion on the VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 and Attack FSX
The VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 and Attack FSX tire combination excels in a wide variety of scenarios. The tires deliver predictable handling on all surfaces and offer plenty of grip, even in the wet. They instil you with confidence, encouraging you to stay off the brakes even longer, and try the most difficult lines. They survived everything we put them through unscathed, providing a high level of puncture protection.
Tops
- predictable limit
- loads of grip, even in the wet
- excellent puncture protection
Flops
- slightly higher rolling resistance
For more information head to veetireco.com
Our big ENDURO group test at a glance
Here you’ll find everything you need about mtb tires: The Best Mountain Bike Tire – We had them all!
All the models in test
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Words: Mike Hunger Photos: Peter Walker
