If you pine for a period correct retro mountain bike build with modern tyre technology, Swiss tyre brand Onza has a compelling new rubber offering.
The legendary Porcupine tyre has been revived. For those who were ardent followers of all things Onza in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the return of this signature tyre will be an inspired moment.
Onza’s original Porcupine was an aggressively profiled tyre which sacrificed rolling resistance for outright grip, with large tread blocks. This new one is much of the same.
The revived Porcupine range is ten derivatives strong, with an equal split of five 27.5- and 29-inch variants. Carcass widths are 2.4- or 2.6-inches in diameter.
A range of compounds are available, allowing new Porcupine customers to choose between durability and grip. Onza has constructed the Porcupine’s tread compound with 45a rubber side knobs, which generate superior grip, whilst the centre tread blocks are moulded from a harder-wearing 60a rubber compound.
Weights are competitive too. The lightest Porcupine is a 27.5 x 2.4 weighing only 780g.
By far the most distinctive aspect of this revived Porcupine are its colourways. Like the original, Onza will be offering a tan sidewall option and you can even have a new Porcupine with white tread.
For those riders who are looking for a highly functional trail and enduro riding tyre, which also happens to outlandishly fashionable, the Porcupine has few rivals.
Onza is aiming to diversity the Porcupine’s tyre compounds and casing options in 2020, by adding even softer tread blocks and a more cut resistant gravity specific sidewall.
The global rollout for these Porcupines starts immediately, with the white tread or skinwall versions available for $70, in 2.4-inch width. All black Porcupines will come to market a touch later this year, retailing for $70.
If you wish to size up to 2.6, that increases the price to $70. Want to have a black tread and skinwall combination? That will be $75. Desire a 29 x 2.6 Porcupine? That will be $75 and increases to $80 if you want a skinwall contrasting casing.
