Bontrager just unveiled an all-new downhill tire developed by tire guru Frank Stacy and the athletes of Trek World Racing, dubbed the G5. Proven by Trek World Racing’s Aaron Gwin throughout the 2012 World Cup calendar, the G5 blends Stacy’s knowledge of tread and compound design with the performance demands of the two-time-defending World Cup champion. Built specifically to maintain consistent, predictable traction at top speeds over the gnarliest of conditions, the G5 works best in loose terrain, regardless of whether its bone dry or pouring rain. Riders will instantly notice the new tire’s highly predictable nature when getting sideways through rough corners.


“Bontrager has invested an incredible amount of R and D in tire design in the last year and the G5 is a prime example of the huge payoff we're seeing from it,” said Frank. “Collaborating with Trek World Racing gave us the feedback of world-class athletes who can constantly push the tires to their limit, and are always searching for that little bit more.”

The G5 got its first win at the Fort William World Cup this year, when Gwin needed predictable cornering traction for the course’s notoriously varied terrain. After just one practice run on the new tread, Gwin kept the G5 prototype on his rear wheel for his race run and rode it all the way to the top step of the podium for his first win at the legendary World Cup track. He continued the G5 momentum, riding them on both the front and rear to wins at Mont Saint Anne and Windham.


“It’s not often that a company allows you to design a product exactly the way you want it,” said Aaron Gwin about the all-new tire. “Bontrager gave me that opportunity with the new G5 tire and it turned out to be the best tire I have ever ridden.” Hey Aaron, when you win as many World Cups as you have, a company better let you design a tire or something.

The Bontrager G5 will be available this fall.