



To date fatbike tires have allowed riders to traverse snow, ice, mud, rocks, sand and just about anything else mother nature and old man winter can throw at us. If there is a terrain . . . there is a tire for it.





Those of us who have ventured onto the concrete and asphalt of the urban jungle have done so on the same heavy lugged tires. While great off-road these tires are not super agile, take a lot of energy to spin and they rumble like heavy machinery. Not to mention the wear and tear they take on the unforgiving solid surfaces.





The folks over at Vee Tire have a solution for the urban adventurer and it is called the Speedster. Fatbike Republic was provided a pair of these uber fast, friction fighting tires for review.





THE TIRE





The Speedster is available in two fat size: 26 x 3.5 (reviewed) and 20 x 4.0. The 26 x 3.5 have a folding bead, is tubeless ready with a 120 TPI, and is made from Vee Tire's mid-range Silica compound rubber.





According to the tire experts at Vee Tire . . .





The Speedster was designed for rolling speed and minimal drag on hard pack or paved terrain. The honeycomb center tread provides virtually zero rolling resistance and unbelievable tread life. The honeycomb feature also gives you excellent traction in dry or wet conditions. Large diamond shaped side knobs provide the grip you need in corners, while the tread knobs get smaller towards the center for the ultimate speed and traction. And with its balloon-style structure, you'll feel like you're floating on air.

OVERVIEW

The Speedsters are the least imposing of the entire Vee Tire fatbike tire lineup. Taking a closer look at the sidewall they are indeed tubeless ready and directional . . . although the tread pattern appears more symmetrical.









The tread pattern on this tire is very subdued when you compare it to other fatbike tires. Sweeping chevron sipping on the shoulders create a tight rectangular lug pattern that leads to the center of the tire. And Vee Tire nailed the description of the center "sweet spot" when calling it honeycombed.

The Speedster weighs in at 1106g which is 156g heavier than the claimed 950g.





Tread depth is pretty much non existent, when compared to other off-road specific tires . . . at 1.95mm (0.08") on the shoulders and 1.05mm (0.04") in the center.



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Putting the calipers on the tires (80 mm rim @ 30 lbs) the Speedsters measure in at 3.66" which is slightly larger than the claimed 3.5". The recommended tire pressure for this tire is 8-36 PSI.

FIELD TESTING



This is not an off-road tire. If you intend to take this tire into areas where you need the traction of an aggressive tire . . . you will be disappointed. This is not an off-road tire . . . did I say that already?



The Speedsters were mounted to a Norco Bigfoot Fatrod . . . a first generation Bigfoot, converted to a 1x9 with a Wolf Tooth elliptical chainring. The tires fit quite nicely on the 80mm rims, however they may be a bit of a stretch on 100s.