Geax is a name that typically slips beneath most people's radar when shopping for new tyres, but the Italian firm has recently updated its range with a couple of new additions that look like it could change all that. BM has gone in for a closer look…
The Barro Race has been designed specifically for XC racing in dry and hard packed conditions, so the carcass carries a low profile tread for fast rolling. Large side knobs on the 2” tyre should provide extra traction in corners while the low weight, 380g for the lightest version, should ensure they get up to speed damn quick. A tubeless version is also available, weighing 550g but getting a softer compound rubber for a bit of extra stickiness.
At the other end of the riding spectrum is the DHEA, the company's DH tyre. A heavy duty casing with reinforced sidewalls shrugs off rocks, and the meaty tread pattern with ramped central knobs and pronounced side knobs should hook up well in a range of situations. Two tread compounds, 60 and 50 durometer, are available in either 2.3” or 2.5” widths. The 2.30 High Performance tyre weighs 790g, which to us looks to be a good all-mountain choice.
The Saguaro 2” or 2.2” looks to do the XC/all-day crossover thing with a fast rolling tread (due to a central strip of uninterrupted knobs) mixed with Geax's Rails Design for the side knobs. Butyl inserts beef up the sidewalls and is available tubeless.
Finally, the Lobo Mas Loco is billed as a tyre for “hard punishment and adrenaline rides,” and achieves this with a Cross-Bones" casing reinforcement, as well as the de rigeur heavy duty case and a double hardness compound. Sounds like it's ideally suited to jumping and general freeriding antics then. Available in 2.5”.
More information on the Geax range at www.geax.com. Available from www.upgradebikes.co.uk.
