RUST magazine: RUST #44
Just in time for Christmas – it's RUST #44! It's a 120-page wonder, that's bringing you the best in enduro, rally, adventure and even heritage riding. And with a long seasonal break ahead it's great reading just when you need it
Just in time for Christmas – it's RUST #44! It's a 120-page wonder, that's bringing you the best in enduro, rally, adventure and even heritage riding. And with a long seasonal break ahead it's great reading just when you need it
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LATEST GEAR<br />
Stuff<br />
flat so stuck with the road pressures<br />
of 36/42 (2.4/2.9bar) and rode that bit<br />
steadier. The tyres felt to perform just<br />
as well. Pinch flats, where you get<br />
little (or large) cut in the sidewall, are<br />
the most common kind of puncture<br />
I’ve seen on super-advs and while<br />
you can typically plug these on the<br />
trail you are faced with immediate<br />
tyre replacement, so I take it easy<br />
anytime the rocks look at all sharp<br />
and menacing.<br />
Finally, let’s talk on-road practicality.<br />
First, I have to say I was very<br />
impressed with the low road-noise<br />
these tyres generate. Some knobbly<br />
tyres make the sound of a Sherman<br />
tank, but the AX-41s roll pretty quiet<br />
for a tyre of their type and that’s good<br />
especially for long distance work.<br />
Secondly, I was impressed with their<br />
durability. I got up to 3500 miles on<br />
them before the long termer had to<br />
go back. Looking at the wear to that<br />
point I’d say there was well over 4000<br />
miles available from the rear with a<br />
lot more yet to be gained from the<br />
front. But as well the rear AX-41 hadn’t<br />
squared off despite the long highway<br />
miles, which meant the handling was<br />
still good, too. Now there are higher<br />
mileage 50/50 adventure tyres out<br />
there, but that durability typically<br />
comes at the cost of grip, and for me<br />
I don’t think I’d like to be trusting<br />
£17,000 of super-adv to such a tyre<br />
(false economy).<br />
In all, the Bridgestone AX-41s<br />
impress. In every measure of<br />
performance they’re a match for<br />
the other premium tyres. Unless<br />
you tested them back-to-back it’s<br />
impossible to say unequivocally<br />
whether these are better, or some<br />
other tyre. But if I’m riding an<br />
expensive adventure bike for sure I’d<br />
be very happy to fit the AX-41s, for<br />
performance and for security. Top<br />
tyres!<br />
Jon Bentman<br />
100<br />
www.rustsports.com