Hutchinson Python Tubeless Light
By James Sharp

Confession time: I love riding new tires. It’s true. The right tire choice can make a ride a terrific memory of railing the corners and bombing the straight sections. Make the wrong tire choice and you’ll be scrambling for traction. No two tires are alike and now with tubeless making inroads, even the tube and tubeless version of the same tire don’t ride the same. With so many tires out there, there is one for about every condition Mother Nature can throw at you.

Some time ago we reviewed the UST version of the Python by Hutchinson. At the time we determined that the tire was excellent for any rider who spends time in dry or rocky conditions. We felt that it was a fast rolling tire that had plenty of grip. This is all still true. So why are we revisiting it? The tread is still the same; the performance is still the same. The weight, well, the weight is different.

One of the biggest drawbacks to UST is the fact that the tires weigh so darn much. In some cases the tire is more than 250 grams more than their tubed counterpart. That is a whole road tire heavier . . . ouch. That is a lot of weight to be putting out at the very edge of the wheel, where it counts the most. For 2004, Hutchinson is introducing a lighter version of the UST Python. At 630 grams, it is a whole 100 grams lighter than its predecessor. That’s not a bad weight for a tire of this size (2.0 inches) and it is great for a tubeless tire this size.

As great a tire as the Python Tubeless Light is, there are some things that I feel hold it back. First and foremost, the Python is a race tire. This is really a shame, since it could be a great all around summer tire. It isn’t good in mud, but it hooks up in just about anything else. What would I change? Make the tire 2.1 or 2.2 inches wide and give it some meatier side lugs. It would still roll fast and be reasonably light, but with bigger side lugs it would instill confidence in the corners, something it doesn’t do now at speed. As is, though, the Python UST is still my choice for long epics, provided the trails aren't too sloppy.

Summary: Hutchinson is fast showing the world that it knows how to make a tubeless tire. We have never had a problem with one of their tubeless tires seating or holding air. Now they have reduced the weight and kept the price the same at $49.99. The Python is a good race tire, it feels fast and hooks up in all but mud, but it could be a great all around tire with a few tweaks. The Scorpion is another good tire that Hutchinson includes in their Tubeless Light line. Together, these two tires should satisfy most of your tubeless needs and save you some weight.

James Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.

For more information, contact:
Hutchinson USA
Phone: (888) 664-8824
http://tires.hutchinson.fr/