Vittoria has improved and grown the Mezcal range and added a new tyre, the Peyote, integrating all its UCI World Cup experience from the last two seasons. These new tyres are the widest Vittoria XC rubber yet designed to offer riders reduced rolling resistance and rotating mass, without sacrificing braking or cornering traction. 

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Vittoria Peyote XC tyres, by off-road.cc

Endurance and sprint event mountain bikers have embraced the benefits of large-volume tyres with shallow tread designs. True to market trends, the new Peyote and Mezcal XC Race tyres are available in 29 x 2.4in, an increase over Vittoria’s previous widest 2.35in XC tyre casings. 

Vittoria’s only technical changes for the Mezcal XC Race range are the larger 2.4in casing sizes, offered in brown or traditional black sidewalls. The brown sidewall is slightly lighter (730g versus 740g), and both options feature 60tpi casings. 

Designers have not altered the Mezcal XC Race’s proven tread pattern, with its V-shaped centre tread striking a balance between climbing traction, braking grip and rolling speed for XC and XCO riders. 

Terreno + Mezcal = Peyote

Vittoria Peyote XC tyres, by off-road.cc

The all-new offering is Vittoria’s Peyote XC Race, which is effectively a faster version of the Mezcal XC Race. Its tread pattern is similar in theme to the Mezcal XC Race’s V-shape, but the skid depth is much shallower – enhancing speed. 

Riders deeply familiar with Vittoria’s tyres will notice the Peyote XC Race’s tread pattern blends the brand’s Terreno gravel tyre and Mezcal. Instead of traditional tread blocks, the Peyote uses alternating ribbons to shape its traction ‘V’, which is also narrower than the Mezcal. 

Tyre weights for the Peyote XC Race are similar to the Mezcal, with the brown sidewall 29 x 2.4in at 730g and the all-black casing weighing 740g.   

The tone of Vittoria’s brown sidewall finish also merits a mention, as it has been darkened a touch. The reason? Vittoria wanted to create a brown sidewall finish that looked more natural when streaked with trail dirt or mud, instead of the ‘strained’ look that sets when lighter brown sidewall tyres start gathering trail ‘colour’. 

For Vittoria riders who want pure speed, a pair of Peyote XC Race tyres will do nicely, while the combination of a Mezcal XC Race front and Peyote XC Race rear, offers a balance between steering grip and high rolling efficiency.  

Both the Vittoria Mezcal XC Race and the new Peyote XC Race will retail for £64.99 per tyre.

www.int.vittoria.com

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