Overview: Goodyear’s return to MTB tires with a purpose
Goodyear has long dominated on the road and in the car segment, but its entry into mountain biking with the Wrangler MTF and MTR represents a thoughtful push into a crowded field. The goal was clear: create a gravity-ready tire that could handle varied terrain—from dusty summer days to slick roots and rocks—without sacrificing ride quality or reliability. The result is a tire family that blends aggressive tread with smart design choices aimed at stability, grip, and predictable handling across conditions.
Design and technology: what sets the Wranglers apart
The Wrangler lineup borrows from popular gravity tire cues but applies Goodyear’s own tweaks. The MTR rear uses a 2-3-2 tread pattern, featuring a row of three central knobs flanked by well-supported side lugs. The alternating pair helps shed debris while allowing the knobs to conform to irregular surfaces just enough to maintain traction. On the front, the Wrangler MTF switches to a 2-2-3 layout, increasing space for debris clearance and reducing mass while maintaining grip where it counts.
Both tires ride on an Enduro casing that emphasizes sidewall support, a boon for riders who want protection without resorting to inserts. The rubber compound, Grip3S, is tuned to stay tacky and confident in mixed wet and dry conditions. In practice, that translates to confidence on greasy roots and slippery rocks alike, helping riders push lines with less fear of sudden slides.
Size and option variety cover typical modern setups: the Wrangler MTF is offered in 29″ with 2.4″ or 2.6″ widths, while the Wrangler MTR comes in 27.5″x2.6″ and 29″x2.4″. There’s also a Downhill casing and an ElectricDrive variant designed for higher-load eMTBs. Weight figures sit in the mid-range for gravity tires, with the 29×2.4 MTF around 1,095 g and the MTR about 1,315 g, depending on width. Street price in Canada sits at about $124.99 CAD per tire, a competitive figure in this category.
On-trail performance: in the real world
During fall and winter tests, the Wranglers proved versatile. In loose, chunky dirt with dry rocks, the tires offered reassuring support and bite, allowing confident cornering and late braking without excessive squirm. Enter a shaded switchback and the story evolves: the same tread blocks that gripped on exposed dirt maintain traction on damp surfaces with a touch of siping that helps the knobs conform to moist, uneven ground. The result is a tire that doesn’t merely survive tricky sections but invites you to ride harder, later, and with more trust in the front-end response.
In mixed conditions—wet rock, greasy roots, and variable mud—the Wranglers kept pace. The combination of the sturdy sidewalls and the responsive grip of Grip3S helps keep a rider’s momentum without resorting to aggressive pressure just to stay upright. It’s a different feeling from lighter racing tires; this is about controlled speed and predictable transitions, especially crucial when the trail drops away or demands precise line choice.
Weight and rolling resistance aren’t the Wranglers’ strongest suits, but Goodyear emphasizes control and durability over featherweight speed. The broader benefit is a confident ride where the tire’s behavior is predictable across the trail’s fastest straights and its tightest switchbacks. For riders pushing eMTBs, the ElectricDrive variant adds reinforcement without losing the tire’s overall balance.
Real-world verdict: who should consider these tires?
The Wrangler MTF and MTR excel for riders who want a tire that behaves well in both dry and wet conditions, prioritizes grip and control, and delves into difficult terrains with confident handling. They’re not the lightest option on the market, and they don’t roll as quickly in a straight line as dedicated lightweight race tires. But they compensate with a stable, predictable ride, generous sidewall support, and a tire that remains composed when the trail throws its worst at you. For gravity riding, enduro sessions, or riding eMTBs where durability and confidence are paramount, the Wrangler line is a compelling choice that sits comfortably among the best in class.
Bottom line
Goodyear’s Wrangler MTF/MTR tires stand out by delivering robust grip across diverse terrain, backed by a durable Enduro casing and a tacky Grip3S compound. They may not be the lightest or fastest rolling option, but they offer a balanced, confident ride that can handle anything from dusty summer trails to slick, rooty descents. If reliability and predictable handling on challenging terrain are your priorities, these Wranglers deserve a closer look.
