WTB Exposure TCS - a 'fast adventure road tyre'

WTB calls the Exposure a ‘fast adventure road tyre’, which, niche nomenclature aside, seems like a pretty fair assessment of it. It isn’t a performance tyre, nor is it a gravel tyre, and it doesn’t even really fit into the standard endurance tyre category as it offers a bit more than that in terms of potential terrain, in the wide option anyway.

Originally an off-road company, WTB doesn’t produce any pure road tyres so these are about as roadie as their range goes.

For this review, I tested both widths of the tubeless-ready Exposure, the 36mm and the 30mm. The 36mm tyres arrived fitted to the ENVE Fray that we used for the Gravel v Allroad article, and I put a few miles in on them, but as 36mm is a bit extreme for allroad and wouldn’t fit in some frames, we switched them out for the narrower version. This was also done in part because on the ENVE 3.4 SES wheels, the 25mm inner rim width caused the 36mm tyres to swell up to measure 39mm, which is definitely into gravel bike territory rather than road; even the 30mm was 33mm when fitted.

Construction

As well as two widths (36mm and 30mm), the tubeless Exposure is available with black sidewalls featuring SG2 puncture protection or tan sidewalls without the protection, which is a bit lighter. Both versions have WTB Dual DNA rubber.

I tested the tan wall option without the extra sidewall puncture protection, which gives the tyres claimed weights of 403g (36mm) and 314g (30mm). I weighed the samples at 382g and 330g, respectively, so not too far out. The tan sidewalls certainly felt very supple in the hand without the puncture protection.

Dual DNA construction means that there are two rubber compounds: a harder, more durable central area for longevity and low rolling resistance with a softer, grippier rubber on the shoulders for more assured cornering. The shoulder rubber is also very slightly textured, although I can’t imagine that it actually increases traction by much.

The suggested minimum and maximum pressures for the tyres are 35-65psi for the 30mm and 30-55psi for the 36mm, which are quite low, so keep an eye on your pressure gauge.

The ride

Although the 36s arrived already installed, when I replaced them with the 30s, it was without any great trouble. They slotted onto the rims fairly easily and then inflated just as quickly. Air retention has been OK, but a few pumps of air before each ride (as is very often the case with tubeless) has been the norm with both widths of the tyre using WTB’s own sealant.

It was certainly slightly odd riding a road bike and looking down to see a 39mm expanse of rubber ballooning out in front, although there is no denying the comfort and peace of mind it gave on poor road surfaces. A bit like riding a gravel bike on tarmac, I simply didn’t have to worry about avoiding cracks and potholes. I even ventured off-road on it, and along smooth but unsurfaced trails, it was fine, albeit lacking a bit in stopping power.

However, at 400g and 39mm, it was never going to be the quickest road-going option, so I was happy to swap it for some more appropriate rubber before a week’s riding in Spain. At a measured 33mm, the 30mm tyre was a great all-round option; still with plenty of supple cushioning but a bit lighter and better handling.

The eastern area of Spain around Calp and Denia has become a favourite training ground for pros, so I was never going to trouble the top ten (or top 100) on the famous climbs whether on ‘fast adventure’ road tyres or not, I also didn’t feel held back by them either - they didn’t sap energy or the will to live in the way that some tyres can. I posted similar times up climbs that I had done on previous trips (2.5km still to go for me on Coll de Rates when Tadej Pogačar would have finished!). Again, the volume and sturdiness of the tyre were great when taking some less-than-perfect service roads or cutting between the almond groves on their cracked concrete tracks.

The combination of wide-yet-supple tyres on the ENVE Fray made for relaxed riding, assured descending and provided perfectly reasonable climbing speed, although don’t forget that the SG2 puncture protection option would add weight and very likely reduce the suppleness.

There are lots of potential users for this tyre thanks to its worthwhile combination of very reasonable speed and durability; Trans-continental adventurers might be WTB’s headline market, but commuters, weekend bikepackers and country lane explorers would all do well to consider it. The 36mm would also be perfect on a second set of wheels to convert a gravel bike into a road machine.

Of course, there are lighter, faster tyres - don’t expect to see them on the WorldTour anytime soon - but for the rest of us, they are an interesting option.

Value and conclusion

The fatter version was good on local rides around the Peak, with poor tarmac and plenty of potholes, whilst the 30mm option is a great general-purpose tyre. The prices are on the premium side at £70/$69.95 for the SG2 version and £60/$65.95 for the as-tested non-SG2 model, but longevity and ride quality should offset that in part at least.

Ultimately, I won’t be replacing my Pirelli P-Zero Races on my best bike with the Exposures, but if I commuted or was heading off on a road-biased bikepacking trip, then the WTB Exposures would be the perfect tyre.