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Hutchinson has unveiled the Python Race and Python 3, the latest generation of its Python range of XC tyres.
The Hutchinson Python range has been a mainstay of the XC racing world since its launch in the 1990’s.
The original tyre was piloted to an Olympic gold medal in 1996 by Paola Pezzo at the first ever games to feature XC MTB.
Later iterations have since been ridden to multiple World Cups and National Championship victories.
Development of the next generation Python range began in 2022 and was a direct response to Hutchinson sponsored teams and athletes asking for a tyre that was better suited to modern XC riding. The sport having gone through significant changes over the past few years with evolving bike geometry, improvements in suspension and importantly, wider wheels.
A decision was made to create two new tyres, Python 3, a successor to Python 2 and the Python Race, oriented towards efficiency and performance.
Both take the DNA of the Python range and bring it up to date with new tread designs and a construction specific to the modern era of wider rims and higher volume tyres.
Both new tyres use an evolution of Hutchinson’s long standing RRXC compound.
This sees a move to a Bi-compound construction with a harder compound in central sections to assist with rolling speed and softer side compound for increased deformation and grip.
The new tyres both carry the Hutchinson Racing Lab moniker, signifying that they have been handmade in France and developed in conjunction with elite athletes.
The Python Race is a product of Hutchinson’s partnership with the Decathlon Ford Racing Team and has been developed specifically for the demands of elite level XC racing.
As part of the Racing Lab programme, the team has been racing and testing various prototypes since the 2023 season. Assessing different construction methods and rubber compounds to determine which is the optimal combination of performance, weight and comfort.
The outcome is a 600g tyre, the fastest rolling tyre in Hutchinson’s MTB range. When mounted on 30mm wide rims it has a 60mm volume, giving incredible levels of traction and deformation.
The Python Race features the RRXC compound, a 3×127 TPI construction, a 1.5mm central tread and more prominent side knobs for increased grip in corners and a degree of puncture protection.
Python 3 is a direct successor to the Python 2 and original Python. A versatile tyre with an emphasis on speed, grip and comfort, designed around modern, wider XC rims.
Based on the Python’s signature design, there is an updated, wider central tread design that maintains continual ground contact for increased braking surface and bite, while still providing ample space for mud clearance. Side knobs are less clustered than the previous generation, allowing for increased grip and more progressive handling
Like the Python Race, it has been developed alongside the Decathlon Ford Racing Team and utilises a bead to bead Hardskin protection layer.
Python 3 also features the RRXC compound but matched with a 3×66 TPI casing that balances flexibility and weight.
RRPs and sizes
The Python Race is available in black only and exclusively in a 29” x 2.4″ size and will retail for £59.99/€69.99
Available in Black and Tan Wall editions, the Python 3 is available in both 2.3″ and 2.4″ sizes weighing 780g and 810g respectively and will retail for £59.99 / €65.99.
More affordable, non-Racing Lab versions of the Python 3 will also be available from May in a range of sizes.
These forego the Hardskin puncture protection for Sideskin reinforcement and will retail at £18.99/€19.99 for the Tubetype version and £41.99/€45.99 for the Tubeless version.
Hutchinson tyres are distributed in the UK and Ireland by Windwave.
