e*thirteen's recent Grappler Mopo tyre is wonderfully grippy in all but the thickest of mud and is available in two tough gravity-focused casings. Unfortunately, there’s no lightweight trail offering available yet. Price and weight are reasonable and even in the softest compound and the durability is impressive. Rolling speed is okay considering the soft rubber and how aggressive the tread pattern is, but for more pedally rides there are better options available.
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e*thirteen Grappler 2.5in Enduro Mopo - Technical details
Designed with input from ex-team rider and all-round trail mentalist Rémi Métailler and made for e*thirteen by Vee Tyres in Thailand, the Grappler is the brand's latest gravity-focused tyre for high performance and control in the harshest of conditions.
It's available in two casing options - a super heavy-duty 72 TPI dual-ply downhill casing, and the lighter and more supple 120TPI dual-ply Enduro version I’m testing here. Both casings are equipped with foldable Aramid beads with Apex sidewall inserts to ward off pinch flats and add sidewall stability, however, the Apex EN on the Enduro version is lighter and more supple than the DH version and is 5mm shorter. This should allow the casing to better absorb chatter than the Downhill option, whilst still offering a good level of puncture protection.
e*thirteen offers the Grappler in a choice of two compounds - a firmer faster rolling and longer lasting Endurance compound with 56a centre and 50a shoulder knobs or the brand's super slow rebounding and the ultra tacky 42a MotionPotion (Mopo) compound I tested here. Originally derived from Thailand's underground moped racing scene, it's a super gummy 42a throughout for maximum traction in extreme conditions.
In terms of looks, it's hard to not say that this tyre looks a lot like Maxxiss Assegai, with its large aggressively studded tread pattern and the addition of pyramid transition knobs for confident cornering at shallower lean angles. That's no bad thing though, the Assegai is a great tyre and e*thirteen isn't alone here, with many of the big players utilising that same three, two, three layout on at least one of their more aggressive tyres. There are subtle differences with the Grappler that set it apart though. Lug heights are slightly reduced compared to the Maxxis counterpart and they are slightly less tightly packed. Every knob apart from the smaller pyramid transition knobs is either horizontally or vertically siped to enable them to conform to the trail for maximum purchase.
Additionally, the chunky shoulder knobs also sport the brand's cool 'accordion sipes' on the outside edge allowing them a degree of extra squidge and flexibility for maximum hold without folding during aggressive cornering.
Being primarily a gravity-orientated tyre rolling speed is not a top priority and there is only very minimal ramping to be seen - traction is the main concern with the Grappler with lots of square edges for tenacious braking bite in the steep stuff.
e*thirteen Grappler 2.5in Enduro Mopo - Performance
When the Grappler came in to test, I was intrigued to see what e*thirteen would bring to the table and how the Mopo compound would compare to other soft compound options from more established brands such as Maxxis' MaxxGrip and Schwalbe's Ultra Soft compound.
On initial inspection, the super aggressive tread pattern and heavy-duty Enduro casing certainly fit the bill for hardcore riding in a wide range of conditions. While the initial highly scientific finger squidge test revealed a slightly less 'soft' feel than expected, a quick twist of a side lug revealed a lovely slow rebounding quality which should make for a nice controlled ride feel without folding under pressure when conditions are firmer under tyre like some super soft compound lugs can.
Installing the Grappler onto my DT Swiss rims was pretty straightforward and drama-free. While the heavy-duty casing is obviously less pliable than a trail casing and the beads are a close fit, I was able to fit it by hand easily enough without resorting to tyre levers. That snug fit did work in its favour when setting them up tubeless though, seating easily with just a standard track pump and even holding air overnight without sealant- impressive stuff!
What wasn't so impressive though was the slight casing wobble that was present after fitting. This is an issue that seems more and more commonplace with tyres these days - I've had trouble with Maxxis Doubledown casings in recent years and I've also had issues with the latest generation Kenda tyres, so I was a little disappointed to see it with the e*thirteen tyre too. Hopefully, it's just an isolated incident though, as the second Grappler I tried, and the brand's All Terrain tyre I am also testing, both ran perfectly true.
I was stoked to see the Grappler blow up to a true 2.5-inch width with a decent volume to match my 30mm internal rims. I'd say it's similar in size to a 2.5 WT Minion DHF, striking a nice balance between burly and confidence-inspiring without becoming bouncy and vague handling. For me, it's the perfect size for all-round enduro shredding.
With a pair of Grapplers fitted to my 160mm enduro rig, I headed off for a wintery off-piste sesh at the local woods. Conditions were classic grade-A British - leafy, muddy and greasy with plenty of slick roots to contend with - the perfect testing ground for putting an extremely sticky mixed-conditions tyre through its paces. These natural loamy tracks are steep and technical and very tricky to ride confidently in the wet. However, I was astounded by just how planted and accurate the Grappler was in these conditions. After a few tentative runs, I realised I was able to push on and hold lines with so much confidence - braking control and cornering traction were superb, those aggressive lugs and tacky slow rebounding compound working in tandem to keep things upright and online.
Even those 'black snakes' were no trouble so long as I stayed light on the brakes - in fact, I think the Grappler in Mopo compound handles damp roots and rocks as well as any tyre I've tried. The compound is ace with that slow rebounding rubber conforming to the trail brilliantly and the low durometer stickiness adhering to rock and root at least as well as MaxxGrip or Ultra Soft rubber from Maxxis and Schwalbe. However, what sets it apart is the superb E13 Enduro casing which provides a wonderfully damped and supportive ride that really enhances the traction on offer. At 95 kg kitted up, I was able to run pressures down as low as 18 psi for a leach-like grip in nasty conditions, without any casing flop or burped beads to contend with.
Over the last few months, I've thrown the Grappler down everything from muddy chutes to baked hard flat-out rock-strewn moorland singletrack and they've performed super well across the board.
Traction in all conditions bar the thickest mud has proven top-notch, with performance easily matching the best on the market. With its Assegai-esque tread pattern, it's no great surprise it bites in a similar manner - like a flipping pit bull with a Frisbee! Since the lug height is a touch lower on the Grappler, I expected it to give up a little sooner than the Assegai in extremely loose or muddy conditions. However, since those knobs are also less tightly packed the increased negative space on offer means the Grappler actually clears muck more effectively, and I rarely had it clog up on the trail. I'd actually argue it's a better tyre in softer conditions than its Maxxis counterpart.
Additionally, those slightly shorter lugs mean the Grappler rolls noticeably easier than the Assegai on firmer surfaces, in fact even in this stickiest MOPO format, it's a surprisingly decent roller. While it wouldn't be my first choice as a rear tyre, or for long pedally days, it is certainly quicker than expected, only really feeling sluggish on tarmac or extended flatter terrain - I've since swapped in a faster rolling rear in the form of Ethirteens very own All Terrain tyre also in Mopo compound and it makes for a noticeably nippier combo now the trails have dried up. I'd be interested to try out the Grappler in the firmer Endurance compound on the rear as I imagine it would still provide plenty of mechanical grip but roll more swiftly on flatter terrain as well as lasting longer.
Performance is stellar on hard pack and rock slabs too thanks to those well-supported 'not-too-tall' knobs and mega tacky but not squirmy Mopo compound. The plentiful siping also helps, allowing the outermost section of the tread to conform and adhere to the terrain whilst the base remains firmly solid and stable for a totally predictable feel in all conditions. Cornering control is top notch too, with consistent, dependable grip at all lean angles thanks to those pyramid transition knobs and large well-supported side lugs. The accordion sipes seemed to work as advertised, allowing for added compliance without sacrificing stability or folding when properly loaded up in aggressive turns. This tyre shreds corners as well as anything else on the market in all but the sloppiest of conditions where I did have it slide out a few times, although it's always quick to hook up again.
Braking traction is superb even when properly hauling on the anchors, slowing things down quickly and effectively and confidently holding its line even when pushed to the limit - This thing brakes like a champ!
On to the carcass and e*thirteen's latest Enduro casing has proven itself to be more than a match for the best of the rest when trails get serious. The 2-ply 120tpi carcass along with the Apex sidewall strip to ward off rim strikes, makes for a very robust and supportive tyre that has brushed off some big hits and square-edge rock strikes without flinching. At the same time, the tyre has a lovely damped ride feel thanks to that higher thread count and slow rebounding rubber, resulting in a muted control enhancing ride quality that's really noticeable as speeds pick up and tracks get rougher.
I've also been testing E13s heavy duty Downhill casing in a different tyre that uses a dual-ply 72tpi carcass and a taller and stiffer sidewall apex strip and while it is pretty much bombproof, the ride quality is much more wooden with less grip and control than the more supple enduro casing on the Grappler until speeds are proper DH level. I'd say the Enduro casing falls somewhere between Doubledown and Super Gravity in terms of toughness and at 1175g in its 27.5 format, the weight is pretty decent for such a burly enduro capable tyre.
While I had little reason to doubt the durability of the Grappler in terms of the casing, I was a little concerned the soft Mopo rubber would wear out as fast as Mo Farrah's insoles. However, as was my surprise at the reasonable rolling speed of the Mopo compound, I'm also pleased to say it is wearing very well too. Granted, some of my test period was during the UK winter when trails were softer, slower and more forgiving, but trails have now firmed up and become far more abrasive and wear is still pretty minimal. Some of the edges are just beginning to soften, but there's zero undercutting, chunking or tearing of the lugs - in fact, wear is very even across the tread. Sidewalls are also holding up brilliantly, with no weeps or cuts and I haven't suffered a single puncture or pinch flat in 4 months of testing (that's gone and jinxed it hasn't it?!)
e*thirteen Grappler 2.5in Enduro Mopo - Value and verdict
There are now bucketloads of brilliant tyres available spanning all disciplines nowadays and thanks to the popularity and extreme demands of enduro racing, tyre development has really evolved in this segment.
The Grappler's most obvious contemporary is its 'brother from another mother' the ultra-popular Maxxis Assegai. It's certainly a fantastically grippy tyre and it excels in mixed conditions with a tenacious and predictable bite at all lean angles especially in the stickiest Maxxgrip compound. It's available in 4 casings - Exo, Exo+, Doubledown and full-blown DH and 3 compounds - dual compound, Maxxterra and Maxxgrip which should cover most riders' needs. However, not all compounds are available with all casing options - unlike the Grappler, so if you want the burliest casing you are stuck with the stickiest and fastest-wearing compound which is OK on a DH rig but limits the appeal for Enduro and trail riding where pedalling is on the agenda. The Assegai is also notoriously sluggish, especially in the softer compounds and weights are a tad on the high side which compounds the problem further. The Assegai is also a good chunk more expensive than the E13 tyre at £85 in the DoubleDown variant.
Next up at £65 is the recently released Continental Kryptotal Front. another mixed-condition tyre that closely resembles the Assagai. After a few patchy years, Continental have really upped their game with their latest generation of tyres with a series of World Cup podiums to their name already. The Kryptotal is the brand's mixed conditions specialist, and it too has certainly taken some design cues from the good ol’ Assegai.
The Super soft compound is the brand's gummiest rubber and is most comparable to the Mopo compound and it too offers a decent rolling speed for the grip on offer. Conti offers the tyre in a trail, Enduro and dual-ply DH casing, but again doesn't offer all compounds in all casings, meaning if you want the stickiest rubber paired with a light or middleweight carcass you’re out of luck. Weights are however very competitive with even the full-fat 6-ply DH option weighing in at 1220g in its 2.4 x 27.5 guise, which is comparable to many brands' enduro tyres.
Alternatively, at just £57.49 the Hutchinson Griffus 2.5 Hardskin Racing Lab is a more wallet-friendly option that still serves up impressive performance across the board with a rare 5-star rating from Liam. While it looks very much like the venerable Maxxis Minion DHF, Liam felt it outperformed it in a few areas, with a sublimely compliant yet supportive casing, slightly taller shoulder knobs and a comparatively stickier compound. It does size up rather large for a 2.5 though making for some clearance issues on some frames if used on the rear.
To sum up, with a UFC analogy, e*thirteen has entered the ring swinging with the Mopo Grappler. Grip levels are insane in all conditions bar complete slop, and the Enduro casing is nigh on perfect for aggressive riding with robust supportive sidewalls and a wonderfully calm and connected ride feel.
The Grappler Mopo has quickly become my new favourite front tyre, easily competing with the top dogs, and in most cases beating them into submission. As a high-performance fit-and-forget option for enduro or DH racing or aggressive trail riders looking for a super dependable grip monster of a tyre, it's hard to look past the Grappler. Recommended.
