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SOC15: Onza mixes up a stickier, less bouncy rubber with Visco Labs

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Onza has a new, super sticky rubber compound developed by Visco Lab in Switzerland.

It’s starting with the new GRP 40 DH compound made to performance in the gravity disciplines, which includes enduro these days. The compound has a slower rebound, which makes for a more consistent feel and better traction since the rubber stays in contact just a little bit better. It’s a bit softer than the 45 and 55 Shore-A rubber used in their other casings, equivalent to about a 40a.

Check out the slow-motion bounce comparison and more below…

The video compares a higher durometer (first clip) to the new GRP 40 DH compound, which bounces substantially less. In person and with multiple drops of each, it was very evident.

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It’s used as a single compound because it makes for more precise manufacturing process so the quality of each tire is better and more consistent than if they were trying to blend compounds.

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It’ll come on the Ibex, Citius and Greina tread patterns, all 2.4″ wide for 27.5″ and 26″ tires.

Pricing will be the same as their standard compound tires, around $90-$105 depending on model. All of those have their DH casing when you opt for the GRP 40 rubber. Available in mid-May.  Eventually the new rubber compounding will make its way to trail and XC, too.

As of this post, OnzaTires.com wasn’t working, but they’ll be available in the U.S. through Bike Fettish.

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James S
James S
8 years ago

$90 to $105 for normal sized tires? Did I miss the memo about the rubber shortage or something? Are these tires really twice as good as all the wonderful tires you can buy for half as much? No thanks, I’ll stick with Maxxis tires. At least until Onza makes a 27.5+ with old school Porcupine tread…

RP
RP
8 years ago

A new rubber compound will drive the cost up. Seems like a novel idea and at this point any slight advantage in downhill can mean the difference in a podium finish.

Lawrence
Lawrence
8 years ago

For a guy that haven’t check the pressure on my bike tires for weeks, I’ll say all this “tech” is well wasted on me.

Duck
Duck
8 years ago

Unless I missed something, the Maxxis high end tires go around $100 retail as well, so how’s that any different?

gringo
gringo
8 years ago

@Duck, if you are paying 100 clams for a tire, then you my friend are not a very savvy shopper.

Maxxis High Roller 2, 27.5×2.3 go for about 40 bucks here. Same for Scwalbe Magic Mary with Super Gravity casing.

Onza Ibex 27.5 x 2.4…..65 bucks.

Roy
Roy
8 years ago

Do they have it in 26+?! As a World Enduro Series wanna be duking it out in mid pack age class local a $100 tire is as mandatory as motorcycle tie downs to show off my dialed bike in the back of my truck. I can’t believe you guys are not all over Wiggle and Chain looking to import these game changers…

Rubber queen
Rubber queen
8 years ago

lol the drop test

Chris S.
Chris S.
8 years ago

If anybody wants some I still have some Arrow racing 3.0 in a soft compound from 2004!

derp
derp
8 years ago

the pays $100 for a maxxis??? or any tire for that matter? My limit is $50 and it has to be a very special tire for me to do that

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