The Vigilante is another new tyre from WTB, which is slowly moving away from its traditional V-shaped treads – squint and you can still make out the hint of a V on this tyre though.
The inspiration and intention for the Vigilante is European enduro racing – fast, technical, loose trails where any sort of weather can occur. WTB pro racer Mark Weir has been a key figure in this design, and it’s most definitely one that rewards an aggressive and fit rider.
The tread is extremely grippy, with a wonderful predictability and reassuring feel to it. It has a lovely progressive performance – you always know where you are in terms of the limit. When the tyre does break away it’s gradual rather than sudden, and the carcass is a spot-on compromise of support, durability and feel.
The shoulders aren’t all that pronounced, but the Vigilante performs really well when cornering or when attacking off-camber trails at speed. Braking performance is excellent too.
It’s perhaps a bit too draggy to use as a rear tyre on drier, firmer terrain, but as a front tyre it’s a top all-rounder for aggressive enduro racers and trail riders alike.