The emergence of a new MTB segment is not uncommon these days and “Down country” became a thing a few years ago when manufacturers started making their race bred XC-bikes a bit more capable and less scary by increasing the suspension travel and in some cases altering the geometry toward the new long-and-slack trend.
Tyre manufacturers seem to have caught on as well with the introduction of the new Schwalbe Wicked Will or Maxxis Forekaster. Vittoria beat them to the game though with the Syerra, which was released a year ago. Dubbed their “DWN.CTRY” tyre itself only available in 29x2.4” or 62-622 in metric and one 4C rubber compound using Vittoria’s graphene technology. For this segment, 26 and even 27.5” are dead as it has been for XC for years.
Vittoria have used grey sidewalls on their TNT protected tyres and tan on the models with no sidewall protection, but the Syerra is different. It’s all black with rather pronounced and frankly controversial red graphics on the sidewalls. Perhaps it’s a fashion statement trying to make the tyre “cooler”, I don’t know, but if it is it’s a failed statement. In the Vittoria line-up, the Syerra sits between the XCish and frankly excellent Brazo and the trail/enduro Mazza.
My set measures almost exactly 62mm mounted on 27mm IW rims and came in at a rather porky 845g and 890g. Not far from the claimed 850g but come on! These are not enduro tires so why all the extra rubber? Shave 150g and keep the pattern and these would be perfect!
Riding impressions
The Syerras, like all Vittoria offerings, are extremely easy to mount tubeless. A hiss of air with a compressor seats the bead and they hold air even without sealant.
The tread pattern is somewhat of a mix of the V-shape Mezcal center thread and Mazza side knobs promising decent rolling speed and good cornering grip. This is exactly what you will be greeted with out on the trail. They are not Mezcals - in the good or bad, but I was pleasantly surprised the rolling speed is still very good and grip is excellent when compared to full-on XC tyres like the Schwalbe Racing Ray/Ralph or Vittoria’s own Mezcal, Peyote or even the Barzo.
Ride feel reminds me of DH-casing tires. Run normal pressures, these are about as supple as an elephant in a porcelain shop and feel somehow dead with very little trail feedback. I run mine at 1.3bar/20psi in the front and back and still think the front could maybe dropped a littler lower. Regardless, when you get used to the feel these are really nice even in the wet. The knobs are pointy enough to bite into the trail in loose or loose over hardpack conditions but still perform quite well on rocks. The pattern also sheds mud quite well.
Conclusion
Apart from the weight these tires are hard to fault. Grippy, roll well and seem to hold up well enough, they make my Mondraker F-Podium DC feel like I would describe a down country bike should feel like.
Grip: 4.5/5 considering the tyre category
Rolling speed: 3,5/5 not xc but no slugballs either
Installation: 5/5 as all Vittoria tires
Overall: 3,5/5 shed some weight and tone down the graphics to make these perfect!
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