Solid and foam-filled bike tires are theoretically puncture-proof, but air-filled pneumatic tires dominate the bicycle tire industry for many good reasons. SG1 is the most recent innovation in tire puncture protection from WTB, and delivers best-in-class puncture resistance and air retention for high performance bicycle tires that don’t compromise on ride quality.
Mill Valley, CA – October 1st, 2024 - The rapid rise of full-power eMTBs combined with the increasing demands of enduro and gravity riding has led to the acceleration in wear & tear on equipment.. As riders push for longer, faster, and harder rides, the demands on bikes and their components continue to grow. There's no doubt that tires are at the forefront, taking on the toughest challenges head-on. Not to worry though, help is on the way.
WTB has been working tirelessly to meet those demands and is thrilled to introduce the all-new SG1 technology.
Toughest casing yet.
SG1 represents the toughest and most durable protection technology ever to be paired with WTB’s iconic Trail Boss, Vigilante, Judge and Verdict treads, taking the proven dual-ply ‘Tough’ option to an entirely new level.
Inner Peace+ (green), and under tread protection (yellow).
Technical features of SG1 puncture protection
SG1 is a development of our SG tire puncture protection technologies, and features our proven sidewall, tire bead and tread cap protection systems with refinements focused on the specific demands of modern enduro and eMTB riding. SG1 builds on our tradition of creating a reinforcement system that improves handling, grip and stability instead of compromising them.
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Full tread cap nylon shielding
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Rim, bead and sidewall protection
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Reduced sidewall flex
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Pinch flat protection
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Improved air retention
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Air tight, rapid sealing 60 tpi weave
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Flat fibers for significant weight reduction
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Stable even at low tire pressures
The entire tread cap is reinforced by a lightweight puncture resistant nylon layer. This is particularly important when running lower pressures to improve traction, because it increases protection further from the centerline. This gives additional protection against sharp objects hidden in soft surfaces.
Inner Peace+ bead & pinch flat protection
SG1 features Inner Peace+, which is three times the height of our original Inner Peace bead reinforcement. The Inner Peace+ butyl bead insert protects the rim, tire bead and the sidewall, giving better stability in cornering and under compression even at low pressures. The result is superb pinch flat protection and better air retention, without compromising on grip.
Air-tight flat over-locking weave
The 60tpi flat over-locking weave of WTB SG1 makes the tire more air-tight, and also easier to seal in the event of puncture. The tight, flat, weave strongly resists hole enlargement. This increases the likelihood that your tire sealant will rapidly resolve minor punctures and in the unlikely event of a serious puncture makes it easy to fix with a WTB Rocket Plug tire puncture repair kit.
Flat fibers reduce weight and increase puncture resistance
For SG1 tire construction, WTB uses thin, flat nylon fibers instead of conventional round fibers found in many other tires on the market. Flat fibers have smaller gaps between individual fibers, which reduces the amount of fill rubber. This keeps tire weights down while increasing puncture resistance, improving performance and durability.
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How did WTB develop the SG1 tire puncture protection system?
Like all our tire protection technologies, SG1 is a direct response to the evolving demands of bike riders for better performance. Downhill and enduro riding on larger, heavier bikes and the revolution in eBike manufacturing have increased the speed of bikes and the loads that bikes need to endure even in normal riding conditions.
When bikes get heavier and speed increases, it becomes more difficult for riders to maneuver in order to avoid obstacles and respond to changes in terrain. Punctures become more frequent because tires have to soak up significantly more energy, more quickly and frequently than ever before.
Customers started adding tire inserts but this can negatively affect how a tire feels. Our goal with SG1 was to create a tire with the durability of tires with inserts but without compromising ride quality and feel. Research indicates that riders prefer a ‘lively’ tire to one that is excessively stiff and reinforced.
Some manufacturers just make a dual ply tire with four layers in the side wall and six under the tread, but this makes a very stiff tire with inferior ride quality, which needs to be run at low, unstable pressures over rough terrain. Our objective was to make a tire that had class-leading puncture protection, but the supple tire characteristics and ground conformation of a single ply tire without being limited by stiffness.
After experimenting with several different casing constructions including bead to bead protection, we found the perfect combination for increased protection where it mattered most at the tread cap and bead / sidewall transition with flat fiber construction and fewer layers than a stiff dual ply tire. This is SG1, with an effective four layers all round and an additional flexible reinforcing layer under the tread cap, which gives much better trail conformation than dual ply, and also better than a traditional downhill tire.
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Compounds for fast rolling tires with high grip
The exact blend of the rubber compounds used in our tires is of course a secret. What’s not a secret is the performance! Our latest formulations give a noticeable improvement in traction, especially in the wet, as well as increased durability and longevity.
WTB Tritec significantly increases tread life & improves grip.
Our updated Tritec compounds deliver superior tread durability, rolling speed and grip for excellent traction and stability. Tritec tires can be configured for fast rolling or high grip during manufacture by varying the compound across the tire and tread.
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Firm rubber base
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Medium stiff center knobs.
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Soft compound side knobs
Our new Tritec Fast Rolling and High Grip compounds give you tires that last longer and have improved grip even in wet conditions. When you add SG1 puncture protection that’s a win-win-win from our perspective as well as yours.
All new WTB tires are packaged using 100% recycled materials and zero plastic packaging
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WTB tubeless bike tires are compatible with all ETRTO and ISO 5775 rims
Designed and engineered by WTB for superior and dependable air retention and ease of set up compared to other tubeless systems on the market. Our Tubeless Compatible System (TCS) is a patented tubeless bike wheel, rim, tire and sealant system designed to international sizing standards. Every component of WTB TCS can be used with any other tires or rims manufactured to ETRTO and ISO 5775 standards for tubeless bike tires and accessories.
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SG1: A New Era In Puncture Protection For Mountain Bike Tires.
WTB has been at the forefront of bike tire technology for decades, refining our SG puncture protection system to produce the perfect tire for every type of rider and every type of bike. We prioritize performance in our tire designs, and include excellent puncture resistance as a feature, but not the first objective of bike tire design.
Wilderness Terrain Bikes was founded in Marin County in 1982. Our team has generations of pioneers of mountain biking in California working together in pursuit of biking excellence. We focus on bike saddles, tires, wheel systems, grips, and accessories designed by riders for riders.
When you choose a WTB tire, you are choosing a tire that has the performance and characteristics you want, with puncture resistant features that suit your ride. You will find the full range of WTB products here at wtb.com including the latest and best tire protection that doesn’t compromise riding performance! You can also find our products at rei.com or on Amazon.