Hutchinson Wyrm 2.4 tyre review
After 825 miles on the Hutchinson Wyrm 2.4 mountain bike tyre, it’s time for a long term review. That’s plenty of time to form an opinion!
I suppose the fact I’ve ridden this tyre for so many miles speaks for itself in many ways.
Hutchinson kindly sent me a set of their downcountry Wyrm and the Kraken tyres in their top Racing Lab spec for review. I ended up running a Wyrm up front and the Kraken at the rear which, has proved to be an interesting combination.
The tyre(s) reviewed here are the Racing Lab versions, kindly provided by Hutchinson for testing.
Racing Lab? That’s the term Hutchinson apply to their top spec hand made French tyres.
These work out a little lighter and have Hutchinson’s Hardskin protection – that’s the waffle threads you can see on the sidewall which extend bead to bead, providing puncture protection. They are triple compound tyres, with the centre a 60a durometer and 50a on the sides, over a 65a base.
Initially, things got off to a slow start.
First up, Hutchinson sent them in tan walls and if I’m honest, I didn’t see myself running tan walls. How wrong I was!
Once set up on my Bird, I decided I absolutely love the look of the tan walls, they make the whole bike look lighter, which of course means faster.
Second, I was slow to put miles on these tyres because the Bird itself needed attention. A complete bearing change for a start, plus various drivetrain tweaks in the name of routine maintenance.
Once I had everything up and running it turned out to be a good summer of riding…
Setting up the Hutchinson Wyrm tubeless
I am now pretty experienced with setting up tubeless tyres but some are definitely easier than others. I’ve had all sorts of struggles with my gravel bike and in setting up my Bird for the winter season using a different brand.
I had no trouble at all setting up the Hutchinson Wyrm on my Hunt Trail Wide wheelset. I tend to use a Beto air blaster for extra oomf but actually the tyre snapped into place very easily.
This was a little surprising as the tyre carcass – while strong enough to just about stand up on its own – is nothing like as rigid as other brands. Perhaps that hints at how these these tyres turned out to ride. I find floppier tyres harder to install but the Wyrm is made to tight enough tolerances to air up with very little effort.
That’s always a definite plus point in my book!
Once on the 30mm (internal) Hunt rim, the Wyrm has a clear rounded shape and is quite a large volume for a 2.4. I would say pretty much bang on the advertised width.
An alternating pattern of V-shaped knobs down the centre is backed up by chunkier knobs to the side. Each knob is split and siped to allow maximum flex for grip, but overall the tread pattern is pretty low profile. Mind you, it looks positively fulsome next to the Kraken!
Riding the Hutchinson Wyrm
Over spring, summer and in to the autumn I have really enjoyed my experience with the Hutchinson Wyrm and plan to stick with it next year.
The Wyrm is billed as an all-weather tyre, but I feel it’s best if that weather happens in the summer! The low profile tread is not going to be much help in the depths of a Surrey winter, but it has held up better than expected in recent riding as the autumn draws on.
Let’s face it, greasy mud over still firm hardpack is a tough gig.
The big 2.4 volume and rounded shape means there is always rubber in contact with the ground.
There are no gaps around the tyre that make you momentarily hold your breath, waiting for the side knobs to engage. Combined with a 66 Tpi carcass the tyre feels supple with plenty of grip for fast cross country riding and trails.
At 950g, the Racing Lab version is pretty light for a 2.4 29er too. A Hardskin re-inforced sidewall creates a nice waffle pattern which has held off any cuts and abrasions despite a summer riding bone-hard, flinty Surrey Hills trails.
No punctures to report with the Wyrm.
I’ve not had the front wash out at all, but as the roots have got wetter and the mud a bit deeper there has been the odd wiggle. Even so, that breakaway has been smooth and easy to catch and braking has been consistently reliable.
In summary
Overall, the Hutchinson Wyrm 2.4 gets a big thumbs up from me. Hutchinson are promoting this tyre for both XC Trail and Downcountry riding, which I think is fair.
I find the Wyrm suits my riding style really well, and while I am happy to lean on the front tyre quite hard, I prefer flow trails. If you are more gravity orientated or like to shred I’m not sure it’s really for you, at least as a front tyre.
I really like the look of the tan walls and the performance over 825 miles has been remarkably consistent, giving a lovely balance to the bike as a whole.
That balance is underlined by what seems a very low wear rate as the Wyrm still appears like new. Despite my comments above, I’ll admit my front tyres are not generally over-taxed although a look at my hardtail suggests otherwise!
I am curious to try the Wyrm paired with a Hutchinson Griffus 2.5, using the Wyrm on the rear. I reckon I’d sacrifice a little outright speed but gain a wider operating margin. That said, if your riding is about having fun while going fast, the Hutchinson Wyrm is well worth your time.
And it makes a welcome change from the ubiquitous Brand That Shall Remain Nameless!
About the author
Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.
Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.
An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.
If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.
There are 11 comments on ‘Hutchinson Wyrm 2.4 tyre review’
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Elliot says:
Nice looking tyre, but the idea that 950g is light must be some form of gaslighting, considering the low tread and ‘downcountry’ intentions 🤔
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Posted on October 17, 2024 at 9:24 am
Matt says:
After running 27.5 WTB Vigilante 2.5s on my hardtail (about 1230g for a smaller tyre), 950g is positively svelte!
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Posted on October 17, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Elliot says:
Best not look at the WTB review on Pinkbike…1653g!!! Madness!
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Posted on October 17, 2024 at 12:47 pm
Matt says:
I saw that. The inescapable influence of e-bikes I think.
We will soon be in Lloyd’s fat bike tyre territory!
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Posted on October 17, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Tony says:
Nice looking tyre, especially in tan wall. How much do they cost? MTB tyres are crazy expensive.
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Posted on October 17, 2024 at 10:55 am
Matt says:
Not sure if you are asking rhetorically but the current RRP is £59.99 I believe.
Shop around!
And yes, completely agree MTB tyre prices are mad.
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Posted on October 17, 2024 at 12:22 pm
John R says:
Do they do the tyre in a classic all black version? Nothing I own would look acceptable with tan walk tyres.
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Posted on October 17, 2024 at 1:18 pm
Matt says:
For those who like things none-more-black, there is an all black version too.
Trying to think what bikes you have JR and on this occasion I think you are right, I can’t imagine tan walls matching any of them!
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Posted on October 17, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Related: Just arrived - Hutchinson tyres for review - Mutterings - Muddymoles - mountain biking in the Surrey Hills and Mole Valley
Guitar Ted says:
Interesting comments regarding the tubeless set up. I have some Hutchinson gravel tires, the Touaregs, and they set up really easily and hold air for weeks. Better than a tubed tire!
Trouble is that Hutch pulled everything the sell out of the USA, so I guess I’ll have to look elsewhere. But I had to read your review because I was curious if Hutchinson was still doing great things. It sure seems that they are.
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Posted on October 19, 2024 at 8:23 pm
Matt says:
Hi Mark, I can definitely confirm the Hutchinson quality is still there and they do hold air well, although lower pressures with MTB tyres helps that.
What a pity they are not available State-side. I guess making the economics work while supporting such a vast region is tough. Lesser known brands need advocates and expertise at a local level but with LBSs getting squeezed that all gets harder to find. Then you are at the mercy of online sales where experiences can be wildly variable – with reputations at risk for getting it wrong.
I would be interested to run Touaregs on my Cannondale if the opportunity arose, currently have 42c S-Works Pathfinders from Specialized, which have been excellent and notably better than the old 38s I had.
However, 45c for the Touareg would be on the limit for my v1 Topstone frame, maybe I would have to drop back to 40c. Not necessarily a bad option with the bike being used for commuting with mudguards.
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Posted on October 19, 2024 at 10:53 pm