Introduction
Goodyear is a storied name in automotive tires, and its foray back into mountain biking tires is turning heads. The Wrangler MTF and MTR aim to fuse the brand’s toughness with modern trail demands. While early attempts didn’t instantly redefine Goodyear’s reputation in the MTB space, this latest pair stands out for tackling a wide range of conditions with real confidence. From dusty summer days to slick roots and rocks in fall and winter, the Wranglers show versatility that many gravity-oriented tires claim but don’t always deliver.
What makes these tires compelling is a thoughtful balance of tread design, casing, and compound. The Enduro casing provides solid sidewall support without requiring inserts, and the Grip3S rubber compound offers a tacky, confidence-building grip on variable surfaces. Goodyear positions two different tread geometries for front and rear, which is a smart move when you’re balancing braking, steering, and mid-corner control on aggressive terrain.
Design and Tread
The Wrangler MTF and MTR share a gravity-minded philosophy but diverge in tread pattern to optimize front-end grip versus rear-end stability. The MTR’s rear-specific 2-3-2 pattern emphasizes a row of three central knobs that pair with well-supported side lugs. The alternating two-knob rows give space for debris to clear and allow each knob to contact the surface with a touch more conformity. By comparison, the MTF front tire uses a 2-2-3 arrangement that increases debris clearance and trims a bit of weight without sacrificing grip or predictability.
Both tires ride on Goodyear’s Enduro casing, noted for its supportive sidewalls that can run slightly lower pressures without the tire feeling squirmy. The result is a tire lineage that leans into grip and stability over raw rolling speed. The Grip3S compound enhances tackiness, which surprisingly pays off on greasy roots and damp rock as conditions switch from dry to wet on a single ride.
Sizes, Options, and Weight
Goodyear offers a practical spread of sizes to cover common MTB setups. The Wrangler MTF is available in 29-inch diameters with 2.4-inch or 2.6-inch widths. The Wrangler MTR comes in 27.5×2.6
