Bikes Blog
Assessment: Hutchinson’s Python 3 & Python Race Dwell As much as the Hype
Apr
Sizzling off a podium end in Mairiporã, Brazil, Hutchinson is displaying off two new XC mountain bike tires. The design is new, however the identify and the pedigree return a few years. Put together for the all-new Hutchinson Python 3 and Python Race XC mountain bike tires.
Hutchinson Historical past
Let me catch you up in case you’re new to the Hutchinson Python vary. The design and identify has been round for years and in lots of colours (shade treads had been cooler within the 90’s).
The Python has depth in racing, claiming gold on the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 underneath Italian rider powerhouse Paola Pezzo.
Iterations have come and gone, however remnants of the unique Python tread design stay clear. The most recent model of the Python made its lustrous return underneath the Decathalon Ford Racing Workforce on the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Collection in Mairiporã, Brazil. Rising American famous person Savilia Blunk (try her bike profile right here) rode it to a 2nd place end.
Meet Hutchinson’s New Python Vary
Alongside the brand new Python 3 launch is a World Cup-level model of the Python Race. Don’t let the naming idiot you; each are efficiency centered designs. The Python Race doubles down on much less tread and extra pace for these World Cup programs.
Let’s dive deeper…
Subsequent Era Python Improvement
Improvement of the next-generation Python vary started in 2022 and was a direct response to Hutchinson-sponsored groups. The athletes had been searching for a tire higher suited to trendy XC using, altering course designs, and adapting to evolving tech.
Wider rims and larger-volume tires are widespread within the prime tier of XC mountain bike designs. Hutchinson leaned into these newer developments, choosing a voluminous design.
The design staff agreed on two new tires, Python 3, a flexible successor to Python 2, and the Python Race, oriented solely in the direction of effectivity and efficiency. Each are harking back to the Python predecessor however usher it into the brand new world of cross-country mountain bikes. Most significantly, the brand new designs enhance trip really feel and rider satisfaction (nicely, I preferred it…extra on that later).
The place does the Python 3 fall within the Hutchinson mountain bike line?
For these aware of cross nation choices from Hutchinson. The brand new Python Race is for hardpack and dry race circumstances, making it the quickest rolling tire within the quiver. Subsequent is the Skeleton for hardpack, the Kraken for dry and slight downcountry vibes, after which the brand new Python 3 (if had been happening tread alone). There are numerous extra tires they provide, you’ll be able to verify them out right here.
Cross Nation Compound
The up to date Python vary employs an evolution of Hutchinson’s long-standing RRXC compound. The brand new compound pivots to a Bi-compound building with a more durable compound in heart sections and a softer facet compound for elevated deformation and grip.
The brand new Python 3 and Python Race tires slot underneath the Hutchinson Racing Lab, that means they’ve been hand-made in France and developed along side main elite athletes. This idea is just like the Hutchinson BlackBird Tire we reviewed right here.
Hutchinson Python Race
The Python Race immediately outcomes from Hutchinson’s partnership with the Decathlon Ford Racing Workforce. The staff requested a tire that would deal with the perfect at elite-level XC racing. One thing that might assist their pursuit of World Cup medals and success at Hutchinson’s house Olympic Video games in Paris this summer time.
Since its inception, the Phyon Race has seen many prototyping and design adjustments, leading to a high-speed tire. As a part of the Racing Lab program, the staff has been racing and testing numerous prototypes because the 2023 season.
The design staff assessed totally different building strategies and rubber compounds to find out the last word mixture of efficiency, weight, and luxury. The tip result’s a class-leading 600g tire constructed solely for pace, the quickest rolling tire in Hutchinson’s MTB vary.
Now let me let you know, this isn’t a “trip to the paths and the bar after tire,” however a race day tire. We haven’t ridden this design, however we’ve got seen it, and it’s spectacular. The mixture of enormous quantity and low profile knobs are proper on pattern with the successful tires within the World Collection of Mountain Bike.
The Python Race options the RRXC compound, a 3×127 TPI building, and a brilliant low profile 1.5mm heart line tread for pace—extra aggressive facet knobs for elevated grip in corners and a level of puncture safety.
Python Race
- Obtainable: Could
- Choices: Black solely
- Sizes: 29″ x 2.4″
Value: $75.00/£60.00/€70.00
Hutchinson Python 3
The Python 3 is a direct successor to the Python 2 and authentic Python. It is a do-it-all tire and now, a race-it-all tire (IMO). The concept was to enhance the Python’s pace, grip, and luxury. The canvas was broader XC rims Mavic CrossMax wheelset with a 30mm inside rim width, the precise mannequin the Decathalon Ford Workforce rides.
The tread design is predicated on Python’s signature tread however up to date with some tweaks. The design staff opted for a extra complete heart tread design to take care of floor contact for elevated braking floor and chew whereas nonetheless offering room for mud clearance.
The facet knobs are extra staggered than the earlier technology, permitting for elevated grip and extra progressive dealing with.
For practicality, the design boasts bead-to-bead Hardskin safety, making it a really versatile tire. The design hopes to strike a steadiness of pace, grip, consolation, and practicality — I feel they hit the nail proper on the pinnacle, however extra in my impressions.
Python 3 additionally options the identical RRXC compound because the Python Race however is matched with a 3×66 TPI casing that balances flexibility and weight.
Suppose you’re not searching for the lightest and most tech-heavy model of the Python 3. Non-Racing Lab variations of the Python 3 will even be accessible. This design drops the Hardskin puncture safety for Sideskin reinforcement and can retail
Python 3
- Obtainable: Now
- Facet wall choices: Black and Tan Partitions,
- Obtainable Sizes: Python 3 is obtainable in 2.3″ and a pair of.4″ sizes, weighing 780g and 800g* actual weight,
- Value: $75.00/£60.00/€66.00
Python
- Obtainable: Now
- Facet wall choices: Black
- Value: Tubed model: $25.00/£19.00/€20.00 and $52.00/£42.00/€46.00 for the Tubeless model.
Hutchinson Python 3 Experience Assessment
I’ve spent an honest period of time on Python 3, contemplating the hostile mountain bike climate circumstances on the East Coast. I used to be in a position to expertise Python 3 first in its pure habitat in France, on some rocky and barely damp trails.
Once I first mounted my demo bike, I seen the tire’s voluminous dimension and spherical profile. A lot of tires have a barely greater cornering facet knob and provides a flat prime sort of form. It’s by no means fully spherical, however the Python 3 is spherical.
Dial in Interval
With a 2.40 tire, I discover it barely onerous to get the proper stress; I both go too excessive or too low. I began my trip with 20psi entrance and 21psi rear — too excessive. One thing didn’t really feel proper after using my first sector on the rocks. The grip was there and I wasn’t sliding, however the deformation and delicate supported really feel of a 2.40 wasn’t. I dropped the stress to 18psi entrance and 19psi rear which was the magic quantity(I’m round 160lbs with gear). I felt the assist, the “float over the rocks” sensation a 2.40 ought to have, all with a superb grip and dust shedding the Python 3 promised.
Over the day, I discovered myself an increasing number of assured within the cornering of the tire. I used to be sheepish at first, one thing in regards to the decrease facet knobs, I suppose, however after a while, I felt proper at house, railing turns.
On My House Trails
Once I received house, I mounted the Python 3 on a set of Mavic Crossmax SL Ultimates I’ve in for assessment (they’re significantly quick; assessment coming). Mounting, inflation, and seating had been uneventful. I might seat the tires utilizing my flooring pump and had zero points getting the tire on and not using a tire lever. The tires inflated to a plump 2.38-ish dimension, barely smaller than the two.40 sizzling patch.
On my Thomus demo, the max tire dimension for the body is 2.40, and the Python 3 matches properly. It had simply simply sufficient room to clear mud, and get out of true with out hitting the chainstays.
Look clever — I just like the tan facet partitions, which carry a pop of shade to the carbon black wheels.
There are fewer rocks and extra grime on my house trails, so I used to be wanting to see how the Python 3 would maintain up and shed mud as claimed. Like my time in France, I felt some confidence within the bigger tire. I sometimes trip 2.35, however these really feel a lot bigger, or I’ve been spending an excessive amount of time on my gravel bike. Both means, the bigger tire dimension boosted my confidence. I pumped the tires to my 18-19psi from earlier rides and was content material with the outcome.
Combined Actual World Situations
Using to and from my house trials, the tires had been sooner than anticipated on pavement and double monitor. They had been very comfy consuming up small rocks and roots within the forest. The way in which the 30mm inside rim width pairs with the sizing of the Python 3 could be very good. Whereas cornering, I felt on prime of the tread, and really accountable for the bike. The tires have a supple trip, and the carcass conforms properly to roots and path bits.
The mud-shedding and dust efficiency is top-notch. The traditional Python tread has a slight tugboat design that helps pedaling traction in mud. The brand new barely staggered blocks and new compound permit the mud to flake off simply whereas sustaining a stable grip general.
Ultimate Ideas
I stay very impressed with the Hutchinson Python 3 tire. It’s very versatile however leans in the direction of combined and barely damp using. I discovered it to be a implausible spring situation tire.
How will you test it out? So far as distribution, I not often see Hutchinson at our native outlets. It’s onerous to buy a tire with out touching and seeing it your self.
For those who’re searching for a tire that performs nicely in all circumstances and has a really cut-resistant casing, give the Python 3 a strive. I extremely suggest it for riders who desire a single tire for the season and worth trip really feel and tire suppleness.