The most important facts in brief

The Peyote is only available in 29 x 2.4 inch, but with black or brown sidewalls. Its tread pattern is as minimalist as possible, but should still provide good grip and roll very quickly. It was explicitly developed for use in cross-country races. With a weight of 730 grams, the tires are absolutely suitable for competition.

First impression

The tread pattern is only a few millimetres high on the tread, I wonder if that provides enough traction? The side lugs at least give the impression that there is enough grip in bends.

In use

Tire levers or very strong hands are required for mounting, but the Peyote then sits really firmly in the rim. The tubeless setup is effortless and the tires are absolutely leak-proof at the first attempt.

The fact that the tire rolls very well and quietly is not surprising, nor is the fact that it hardly emits any vibrations. Where there is no rubber, there is no damping - the disadvantage of the low profile. Fortunately, the Peyote is quite wide and the large volume in combination with a low tire pressure compensates for the disadvantage and offers comfort. Even in alpine terrain and at high speeds, punctures were never noticeable and no defects were recorded. Despite the almost delicate center tread, the Vittoria tire offers very good traction in dry conditions when seated. If you have to get out of the saddle on steep terrain and there is more pressure on the front wheel, the rear can lose grip, especially on roots. This does not happen on hard ground, even when sprinting. Even if there is little tread, the braking characteristics are sufficient thanks to the good rubber compound, even on gravel. Cornering grip is generally sufficient on firm and sandy terrain as well as on gravel roads. The faster the bend and the looser the surface, the more important it is to keep a low position on the bike in order to have good grip. The Peyote does not like trails with lots of loose stones and wet surfaces. There is a lack of tread and the tires "float" a little on top.

Conclusion

Vittoria has created a very potent XC tire with the Peyote. Although it has little tread on the tread, its range of use is very wide. This also makes it a good candidate for non-racers who are looking for a fast tire with good puncture protection.

Recommendation

If you want to be on the safe side when it comes to puncture protection, you can combine the Peyote with Vittoria's "Air-Liner Light". The tire insert weighs just 50 grams and provides additional protection against a flat tire or efficiently protects the tire and rim from damage in the event of a puncture.

Price: CHF 77.00 / EUR 77.95

Manufacturer

www.vittoria.com