French cycling tyre manufacturer, Hutchinson has today announced the expansion of its flagship Blackbird range, introducing 32mm and 34mm widths that outperform their narrower counterparts in both speed, comfort and grip.
As the sport of cycling evolves, the belief that narrow tyres and high pressures are the choice for performance cycling has increasingly been challenged by elite athletes and performance riders. While the pro peloton has been leading the evolution, consumers now have the opportunity to benefit from the same technology.
For Hutchinson it was important not just to respond to market trends for trends sake, but to validate these market movements through independent laboratory testing and elite rider feedback.
Ultimately the data was clear. Tests between otherwise identical 30mm and 32mm tyres showed the latter offered an average efficiency gain of at least 5%, while also providing increased comfort and grip. Finally, proving that comfort and performance are no longer at odds when it comes to choosing performance tyres.
While 28mm tyres are the current standard, the future points towards tyres sized 30mm and up. Hutchinson believes the 32mm tyre should be the choice for performanceoriented riders, while 34mm should be the go-to for daily training or racing on damaged or cobbled roads.
There are three technical pillars that have led the Hutchinson team to this conclusion when investigating wider tyres; rolling resistance, grip and comfort.
- Rolling Resistance : At identical pressures, the shorter, rounder contact patch of a wider tyre reduces internal friction and casing deformation, resulting in lower rolling resistance.
- Grip & Stability: A wider footprint provides superior lateral support during cornering, keeping the contact area centered under the rim. A benefit enhanced with the lower pressures enabled when running wider tyres
- Comfort : Lower PSI thresholds allow the tyre to act as a suspension element, maintaining forward momentum by flowing over road imperfections rather than bouncing over them
But what about the aerodynamic penalty ? Hutchinson’s extensive testing has shown that while narrower tyres are more aerodynamic, the energy saved through better rolling resistance and reduced fatigue far outweigh any aerodynamic penalty, especially over longer distances and when matched with an appropriately wide rim.
Martin Chuchu, Hutchinson Product Manager said of the development:
“The industry believed that wider tires would hinder performance. We wanted to challenge that. With the 32mm and 34mm Blackbirds, we want to demonstrate precisely that this vision is outdated. A wider tire performs better: it filters vibrations, provides damping, and, above all, delivers a level of stability you feel immediately, especially in high-speed corners.
“The change might be surprising at first, but once you get a taste for it, there is no going back. Width becomes a clear advantage: more stable, faster, and safer.”
The new, wider tyres can be found across the entire Blackbird range and are all available for the same price as their narrower counterparts.
Blackbird Range :
Blackbird Race : An uncompromising race tyre with the ultimate in speed and handling. Now available in 28, 30, 32 and 34mm versions – €79.99 / £69.99
Blackbird : An all-round tyre that offers a balance of high performance and every day liveability through its low rolling resistance and 4000+km lifespan. Now available in both Black and Tan Wall versions across 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34mm sizes – €69.99 / £61.99
Blackbird All Season : For those seeking a performance tyre that can safely handle wet and cold conditions without sacrificing speed. Now available in both Black and Tan Wall versions across 28, 30, 32 and 34mm sizes – €69.99 / £61.99
For more information, visit : https://cycling.hutchinson.com/
