Hutchinson Piranha CX Tubeless Ready Tire Review

(photo: our reviewer, Jeremy is seen here at a recent CCCX Norcal race)

Hutchinson Piranha CX Tubeless Ready Tire Review - by Jeremy Kimmel

What Hutchinson Says:

· Ultra Light 127 tpi casing

· Low knob profile combining lightness and performance

· This is a tire with tubeless structure (carcass and beads) whose sealing is guaranteed by latex and not by a rubber cover.

· Size: 700 x 35c

· Weight: 405g.

· MSRP: $49.95

Overview:

I was given the task of reviewing this tire from the perspective of a cyclocross racer…specifically one that trusts and uses tubulars. Although the tubular vs tubeless debate rages on, I’ll review this tire for what it is – which is a low-treaded clincher cyclocross tire that was designed for tubeless usage. While you won’t be finding these on Sven Nys’s new ride, there is definitely a place in the ‘cross world for this new offering from Hutchy.

The casing of this tire will likely please mountain bikers, and displease tubular aficionados – it is significantly heftier than any of the tubular currently available. In hand, the casing feels more like a mountain bike tire than a light-weight 35c cross racer.

These tires mounted up easily on Stan’s ZTR 29er rims, but did require a compressor to get the bead to seat. Hutchinson’s fast’air sealant worked well, and the tires hold their pressure within 2psi overnight. As these tires were tested in the summer/early fall here in Northern California, their mud-handling prowess is yet to be seen…but that’s not what these tires were designed for anyways. On to the review!

When it comes to cyclocross tires, there are a few key characteristics that really make or break a tire for me:

· Traction

· Rolling Resistance

· Feel

· Reliability

· Durability

Featured Video: Testing the puncture protection of the Hutchinson tire and Fast Air sealant.

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