Bontrager has upped its tyre range for 2010 with several interesting new models, including the XR2 here.

It’s attempted to make tyre selection, never a straightforward process, easier with a new naming convention. The newly launched XR2 is designed for XC riding and racing, as the XR in the name denotes, while the 2 describes the ‘knob rating’ of the tyre. The lower the number the less knobbly and more suited to drier and faster riding conditions.

The XR2 then is intended as a versatile fast rolling tyre and uses an arrangement of closely spaced long centre blocks with ramped leading edges to make it ideal for ‘hardpack or loamy’ terrain. There’s enough space between the central blocks and those at the edges to allow mud to clear easily so it can cope when the trail gets mucky and loose. Scooped block edges help find traction in looser/wetter conditions.

Six variations of the XR2 are available ranging from a 2.1in 625g wire bead clincher to a 2.3in 675g team issue folding TubelessReady. Prices vary from £19.99 to £32.99. Check out www.bontrager.com for the full low-down.