New Life For Twenty-Nine Plus?

WTB Ranger 29 X 3.0

The feeling I had for a long time here was that 29+, the size championed first by Surly with their Krampus trail bike, was a dead end, mostly, and that there were no really good tires out there supporting the size was a good indication I was on the right track. Then Trek came out with their Stache 29+, and I feel that kind of kept the life in the tire size, but still, no one else was biting. Surly was definitely supporting it, but without some other major brand name tire companies getting behind the size, I feel that it was only a matter of time before the size was a forgotten niche, kind of like 650B tires back in the 90's/early 00's.

That's why when last week a new 29+ tire was introduced, I was brought to attention. No, it wasn't anything by Vee Rubber, and yes, they make tires in this size, but historically anything they do hasn't been a good indicator that the market is behind a trend. So, I don't pay a lot of attention to Vee Rubber.

No, this tire is from WTB, and that should make you think. Why? Because lots of bicycle brands spec WTB tires on their models, and if WTB is making an oddball tire for sale in their line, it is my opinion that something is happening on the OE side that makes this profitable for them. So......

While the Ranger is a cool tire, and I wouldn't mind trying them out in the 27.5 X 2.8 size on my Fat Fargo, perhaps, I think the 29+ version of this model might point to something coming in 29+ soon from a brand tied to bike packing, or one that wants to be. That's my take on this tire.

Time will tell.........