Python New Generation
After InterBike last year, Hutchinson ran a full page ad stating that they were discontinuing the Python tire. This was sad news… but upon turning the page, you saw another Hutchinson ad. This second ad was announcing the New Python tire. This was great news! The Python was one of our favorite tires. Oh, it had its weaknesses—namely that it only came in medium and narrow widths, needed better side lugs for improving the cornering characteristics and it wore out fairly quickly. But its strengths outweighed those niggling problems. It rolled very well, didn't weigh very much and had a large volume even though the largest size was a 2.0 inch. The New Python looked to keep these strengths, but improve the areas where the tire came up a little short.

Hutchinson's New Python comes in two sizes, 2.0 and 2.3 (tested) in Airlight, Tubeless Light, MRC High Tubeless (tested) and MRC High varieties. The Airlight and Tubeless light tires are single compound tires to save weight. The MRC High tires feature a 50% rebound rubber in the center to increase the wear resistance and a 40% rebound compound on the edges for cornering grip. In addition to the different tread compound, the New Python has taller side knobs than its predecessor. This, along with the 40% rebound rubber, makes a noticeable difference in the cornering characteristics of the tire. Happily, I can report that the tires roll just as fast as the previous edition.

Our review tires are 2.3 inches wide and they are HUGE. What happens when you take a cross country race tread and put it on a BIG casing? You get the ultimate all day tire. I regularly run these below 25 psi and never above 35 psi. The big tires float over obstacles and loose dirt. They grab on rocky surfaces and hardpack. They help cushion the small impacts that contribute to fatigue over time. The XC race-inspired tread means that you won't be killing yourself just to pedal the dang things. While there is a lighter UST version, ours came in a shade under the claimed 895 grams. While not svelte, they really aren't that heavy for such a big tire and they certainly don't ride as if they weighed much less. The use of a dual compound seems to have paid off. The tread wear seems to have slowed a bit, making the tire last longer, without compromising the cornering grip.

Summary: Hutchinson has taken a great race tire and remade it into a great trail bike tire. Do you like to ride all day? Do you ride in varied terrain, both up hill and down? This might be the perfect tire for you. Though I don't recommend it for mud use, for everything else it works very, very well. The New Python UST retails for $65 in the 2.3 inch version and $60 for the 2.0 inch and Tubeless Light versions.

Bulldog
The Bulldog is another one of this year's new tires. It is a rugged tire with medium-sized lugs spaced a bit further apart. It features the MRC High rubber combination found on the New Python for smoother rolling in the straights and better grip in the corners, though decreased rolling resistance wasn't as much of a design goal with this tire

Like all Hutchinson Tubeless tires, mounting is a breeze. I often mount their tubeless tires with a mini hand pump. Though the Bulldog can handle hardpack, that isn't where it excels. The knobs are spaced too far apart—leading to a somewhat bumpy ride on hard surfaces. The Bulldog is best suited for rough, rocky or loose trail conditions. Here is where it digs in and grips well. I found it great on deep loose dirt and gravel, as well as on large rocks and roots. Cornering was predictable, though not perfect.

As with the large New Python, the big Bulldog runs at low pressures for a nice, comfy, grippy ride. The place where this tread pattern really excels over the New Python, however, is in the mud. Its open tread design does a much better job of shedding the mud to avoid the "growing tire" syndrome.

Summary: The Bulldog is Hutchinson's new "all-around" tire. Weight is 830g for the 2.1 MRC High Tubeless (895 for the larger 2.3 version). If you're worried about weight (but still want a tubeless), then try the 2.1 Tubeless Light version, which weighs a scant 665g. The Bulldog is a good tire for riding in varied conditions—from mud to loose rock. And, because it is a Hutchinson, you can count on the fantastic rim-tire fit found on all Hutchinson tires. The Bulldog Tubeless Light 2.1 costs $60 and the Bulldog MRC High Tubeless 2.1 and 2.3 go for $65.

Jon Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com.
James Sharp looks like an older and wiser version of Jon Sharp.

For more information, contact:
Hutchinson Tires
marketing.cycle@hutchinson.fr