When you’re in the market for a new Enduro tyre, there are plenty of brands to choose from, but chances are Vee Tire Co. isn’t one of the most obvious candidates, but we expect that this is going to change very soon.
For the past decade, or near enough, Vee Tire Co. has manufactured high-quality rubber for all disciplines of cycling. The Thailand based manufacture began producing BMX tires, Fat Bikes were next, before the company moved into the mountain bike segment sponsoring big-name freeride legends and UCI downhill teams.
Teams and riders running Vee Tire Co. rubber in 2021 include The Brigade DH team, Commencal Nobl, Phil Atwill, the Sunn French Connexion enduro team not to mention world pump track champion Tommy Zula. With this type of talent on board, it’s hardly surprising that Vee Tire Co. make some damn impressive rubber for gravity riders.
Vee Tire Co. Attack HPL Review – Design
New for 2021 is the Vee Tire Co. Attack HPL, an enduro tyre that Vee developed to offer fast rolling resistance, better braking performance and overall grip in a wide variety of trail conditions.
HPL actually stands for ‘Hardpack Loose”, and Vee claims the tyre is ideal for bike parks, hardpack natural trails, and loose over hardpacked, but as we found during our tests, the Attack HPL offers so much more in so many varied conditions making it an excellent all-rounder.
Vee has designed the Attack HPL with a rounder profile than say their Snap Trail, thus giving it a progressive transition when leaning the bike over in fast, loose, sharp turns. This is perfect for front wheel use, and depending on the time of year and where you ride, the HPL offers amazing predictability and performance on the rear also.
The tread pattern of the Attack HPL features a large tread block located centrally in the tyre, this is followed by two evenly spaced blocks at every other interval. The aim of this central tread design is to offer greater rolling resistance on acceleration while also digging in for enhanced braking. The largest centre tread is ramped to further improve rolling resistance and is straddled on either side by two smaller angled knobs to that generate grip while leaning the bike into corners for consistent and predictable traction.
Side knobs are alternated between a simple bloke and an ‘L’ shaped tread, each featuring sipes, 2 on the block and 1 on the ‘L’ tread, for better traction on wet surfaces. These side knobs follow the round profile of the tyre ensuring a consistent feel across the range with no loss of traction while switching from upright to a hard, banked position.
The tread design is important, but compound and construction can make a break a tyre, luckily Vee has this dialled in too. The Attack HPL is available in both Enduro and Gravity core construction. Enduro is a single-ply tyre while Gravity is a dual-ply tyre aimed at more aggressive riders. The weight difference between the two is around 100g for a 29er wheel.
Vee’s own Top 40 rubber compound is used for the HPL, it’s the same rubber compound that the WCE and Snap Trail uses and was first offered to WC riders. While we can’t test this for ourselves, Vee states that Top 40 measures a 42a durometer rating making this a very tacky and malleable rubber. Squeezing the tread knobs with your fingers shows just how tacky this rubber is, and also demonstrates the high damping nature of the rubber, with tread slowly springing back to shape after deformation.
On the trails, this makes the Attack HPL a very sticky set of tyres and one that rewards riders who enjoy pushing their riding to the limits on aggressive terrain. The damping characteristics of the rubber add a calming effect to the ride and helps to ensure the rubber is always in contact with something, grabbing hold of whatever it touches for maximum grip.
Vee Tire Co. Attack HPL Review – The Ride
The Vee Tire Co. Attack HPL impressed us right off the bat. The tyre was easy to install tubeless and seated perfectly with a track pump. The Enduro core version of the tyre which we tested, is lightweight but offer great puncture protection throughout our test period not once letting us down.
The on-trail grip of the HPL is almost endless, and the tread has proven that it’s more than capable in dirt, mud and slimy rocks and roots. The only time the HPL feels out of its depth is in very muddy conditions but then most tyres would. The soft rubber and high damping make calm handling at high speeds, and with some of the best braking performance we have come across, the Attack HPL likes to drive fast and brake late for high-speed hijinks.
With rapid rolling resistance the Attack HPL isn’t just a downhill duty tyre either, and we happily climbed with an HPL front and rear with no noticeable disadvantages.
Vee Tire Co. Attack HPL weighs and prices
- 29 x 2.5 Gravity Core, Top 40 – 1350g – MSRP $70.00
- 29 x 2.5 Enduro Core, Top 40 – 1150g – MSRP $65.00
- 27.5 x 2.5 Gravity Core, Top 40 – 1270g – MSRP $70.00
- 27.5 x 2.5 Enduro Core, Top 40 – 1080g – MSRP $65.00
Vee Tire Co Attack HPL Overall
One of the best performing, confidence inspiring and fast tyres that we have ever ridden.
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