The latest addition to Hutchinson’s Cross-Country and Trail range, the Kraken Racing Lab, is the remarkable result of close collaboration between designers, engineers, and XC Hutchinson athletes.
The objective? Develop a fast, agile, and reassuring tire thanks to the addition of high lateral knobs to allow maximum confidence in cornering or rough terrain.
The ultimate goal with the Kraken was also to design a tire that would not be too exclusive, only for XC athletes, but to expand its use to any mountain bike addict and trail lover.
The architecture of the Kraken’s knobs has been inspired by the Skeleton, the ultimate tire in terms of performance. Developed in 29 x 2.30, the volume of the Kraken allows them to go down in pressure to bring a maximum of comfort and serenity in the most chaotic parts.
Hutchinson began the development of the Kraken at the request of some of its Pro- XC champions, including David Valero from MMR Factory Racing. Initially, the goal was to have a fast tire with bigger dimensions and optimal grip, designed for traction as well as speed. From a racing and performance perspective, the Kraken Racing Lab has been created as the ideal complementary tire to the Skeleton, which will be available in bigger dimensions in 2020 (29×2.3). (Kraken in the front and Skeleton in the rear).
During the development phase, Hutchinson’s R&D department pushed the limits of what was possible. The brand’s close connection with the world of high-level competition provided evidence that even pro-athletes were now looking not only for performance but for efficiency.
Tan Wall Edition and Black Wall Edition
Available in two constructions, ultra-light 127 TPI or ultra-versatile 66 TPI coupled with Hardskin bead-to-bead reinforcement, the Kraken Racing Lab will meet the needs of pure performance addicts as well as XC Marathon competitors or Trail enthusiasts. MSRP $79.99.
| Size | Reinforcement | Technology | Compound | Color | TPI | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 x 2.3 | Hardskin | Tubeless Ready | RR XC | Black | 127 TPI | 700 g |
| 29 x 2.3 | Hardskin | Tubeless Ready | RR XC | Black | 66 TPI | 800 g |
| 29 x 2.3 | Hardskin | Tubeless Ready | RR XC | Black/Tan Sidewalls | 66 TPI | 800 g |
Technology
The tread with its Chevron shape comes from Hutchinson’s XC background and has been inspired by the Skeleton. The Kraken maintains this characteristic Backbone which is proven to supply great performance but its overall design has been upgraded to improve traction and braking. To create a more versatile tire, the knobs were built higher and with a greater volume, whilst the Chevron shape has been opened up. The rolling performance is guaranteed by the knobs’ orientation and the continuous height of the central tread.
The intermediate smaller knobs are distributed further apart than those on the central part. Their height, positioning, and shape have been carefully studied to work somewhat like suction cups on tentacles, contributing to the Kraken’s traction. Homogeneously distributed along the surface, the knobs also improve the tire’s puncture protection.
The side knobs of the Kraken are based on the strengths of the Cobra but upgraded. In order to provide maximum confidence in cornering, they’re massive compared to the central and intermediate ones. Those side knobs have also been inspired by the aggressive Griffus 2.5: they are linked in pairs, and their Buttresses run down the sidewall to strengthen the structure during distortion, reinforcing the grip. As the ultimate goal of this agile tire is to provide maximum assurance in all circumstances, the combo Kraken – Kraken is already a favorite of our pro-XC athletes.
The 127 TPI casing is the optimal option when looking for high-performance. Flexible and light to help produce high rolling performance. The 66 TPI casing is the perfect balance between protection and weight, to guarantee performance during regular to intensive use.
In addition to the rubber thickness, Hardskin reinforcement offers additional protection against sharp stones, rocks, and any other hostile material found on rough terrain. This bead to bead shield can be found throughout Hutchinson’s mountain bike range and has been thoroughly proven in XC Marathon races.
Race Ripost XC is dedicated to pure rolling performance. Tightly bonded to the casing, it is hard in the central channel to ensure fast-rolling, softer, and more flexible on sides to provide grip and deformation.
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