The Newton MTF is Goodyear’s latest tyre designed especially for top performance and improved grip at the front end. While grip is consistent to a point, it’s not the most assuring tread pattern compared to other brands within the best mountain bike tyres category, and the casing isn’t very well damped.
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Goodyear Newton MTF 2.5in Enduro – Technical details
Goodyear has given the Newton tyre range a huge refresh with a new front and rear-specific combination (we’ve got the front-specific Newton MTF on test).
With these tyres, the brand has drawn upon its motocross experience and this is incredibly clear from the first pedal stroke. This inspiration is obvious in the tread pattern, which uses ramped square blocks that are evenly spaced across the carcass. This tread has been designed for control in a straight line, confidence in the corners and strong braking. Goodyear says that the blocks are widely enough spaced to effectively shed mud, too.
> Buy the Goodyear Newont MTF 2.5in Enduro from Chain Reaction Cycles for £40
The ‘Enduro’ in the name depicts the rubber compound and carcass layup of the tyre. So this model comes with a triple-density 40, 42 and 60a compound with a dual-ply 120tpi casing that’s bolstered with butyl sidewall protection.
In this 29in build, the tyre weighs in at 1,388g. That’s quite the lump.
Goodyear Newton MTF 2.5in Enduro – Riding
Regardless of the MTF’s stiff sidewalls, installation was a breeze. Inflated, the tyre sits very round on the rim combining slightly larger and wider-spaced side knobs with a smaller, unpronounced centre knob arrangement.
What this very round profile and somewhat packed tread results in is a tyre that offers grip rather consistently along its radius at semi-aggressive lean angles. In a way, it feels akin to a Maxxis Assegai.
However, because those shoulder knobs aren’t terribly pronounced, the MTF’s grip isn’t confident through extended, swooping corners. When I’ve needed to depend on these knobs for outright grip, I’ve felt as if I’ve had to nanny the tyre, constantly making adjustments in lean angle as the shoulders constantly and quickly break, then regain traction again. Perhaps a softer rubber would improve performance here.
Thanks to the heavily ramped centre knobs, the MTF rolls rather well, hiding its weight well. Due to the well-packed tread pattern, the tyre braking is powerful as there’s a lot of surface area to dig into the terrain.
During my race season with Team ORCC, I’ve been fortunate enough to test the tyre in a range of conditions, ranging from slop and hardpack to dusty singletrack. The tyre has performed at its best in hardpack, but during wet or dusty conditions it’s another story, as trust levels aren’t very inspiring through off-camber sections.
It does track well in sloppy conditions but can cling onto mud. That said, when the mud isn’t chowder-like, the tyre clears filth respectfully quickly.
While the casing is certainly burly and has coped well when being pushed through shale and rock it doesn’t feel massively compliant. Instead, it tends to bounce harshly in chattery sections. This is the Enduro casing though, so the Trail casing may offer a little more forgiveness.
Goodyear Newton MTF 2.5in Enduro – Verdict
As far as pircing goes, £60 is certainly a competitive number when compared to Maxxis and Schwalbe, both of which offer tyres priced north of £75. However, for that extra £15 you’re paying for much better performance and grip that you can really depend on. Take the Maxxis Assegai as mentioned before, for example. While it is a bit draggy the level of grip it offers is excellent and it’s consistent as you shift it onto its edges.
Then there’s the WTB Verdict, a tyre that’s constantly impressed. The Verdict, however, costs £55, a fiver less than the MTF. This is a tyre that I’ve been more than happy to ride through all conditions with confidence. It rolls well and simply grips with gusto.
Unless you’re a Goodyear purist the MTF 2.5in Enduro is a tough tyre to recommend. That said, it does have its benefits – those being good mud clearance and useable grip in hardpack but it struggled to deliver comparable confidence to many of the best mountain bike tyres on the market.
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The grip the tyre offers isn’t as confident and as plentiful as Goodyear suggests. However, it does shed mud well.
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