VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 and Attack FSX in the test – grip for the masses?

Mountain bike tires are always a hotly debated topic and more and more new players are entering the competition and measuring themselves against the giants of the industry. Such as VEE Tire Co. with their Snap WCE MK2 and Attack tire combination. We have put the black gold to the test for you and will show you whether it has what it takes.

While tires from Continental, Schwalbe, Michelin and MAXXIS can be found in large numbers on the trails of the world, models from VEE Tire Co. are rarely seen. The Thai brand actually has its roots in the car and motorcycle tire industry. It has many years of experience in researching and developing profiles, casings and rubber compounds. VEE Tire Co. is now pushing ever harder into the MTB market and has also been used in the DH World Cup for some time. The Thai company already has a wide range of different tires on offer: from models that are designed to work equally well on any terrain to specialists that are designed to excel even in the most adverse conditions such as mud.

We tested the VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 and Attack FSX. The Snap is marketed as an all-rounder in the VEE Tire Co. portfolio and promises to cut a fine figure in all conditions. As an all-rounder, it can be used both at the front and the rear. It uses an open profile with widely spaced studs to ensure good self-cleaning. The Snap WCE MK2 is only available in two sizes, 29 and 27.5″, both 2.5″ wide, and starts at €59.95. The selection of carcasses is also limited. The GXE Core is a 1.5-layer carcass for trail and enduro use that uses apex inserts and bead reinforcement to prevent punctures. The more robust DH Core carcass was developed for the high demands of the DH World Cup and has a 2-layer structure. Like the GXE Core casing, the DH Core casing also features apex inserts and additional bead reinforcement. In addition, the Synthesis sidewall technology promises to fend off sharp rocks and edges and offers additional protection through the use of a special fabric. The VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 is only available in the softest Full40 rubber compound. At 1,378 g in the thick DH Core compound, the 29″ VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 is at the upper end of the robust enduro or DH tires in terms of weight.

The VEE Tire Co. Attack FSX is designed for rough and fast terrain. Like the Snap, it is available in 29 and 27.5 inches, both sizes are limited to 2.5 inches wide and the soft Full40 rubber compound. The knobs are significantly flatter and wider than the Snap. The center knobs are heavily beveled, which is intended to reduce rolling resistance. In addition to the GXE Core and DH Core carcasses, you also have the option of choosing the Gravity Core carcass with the Attack FSX. This offers VEE Tire Co.’s highest level of protection and relies on a 3-layer structure including Synthesis sidewall technology. With the robust DH Core carcass, the Attack FSX in 29 inches weighs 1,420 g.

We tested the tires from VEE Tire Co. for several months on different terrain and under changing conditions. From our flowing home trails to rooty and loamy single trails to rough downhill and bike park routes, everything was there. The tires were mounted on different carbon and aluminum wheels and we tested both the slightly thinner GXE Core carcass and the thick DH Core carcass, always necessarily in the soft Full40 rubber compound. With the tires from VEE Tire Co. you won’t win any KOMs uphill, especially not with the robust DH Core carcass, but the climb is just a means to an end on an enduro bike anyway. The DH Core carcass is comparable to the MAXXIS Doubledown.

On the trail, both the Snap WCE MK2 and the Attack FSX are very predictable at the limit. They offer a lot of grip and if you push them too far, you know in advance when they are about to slip, so you are not surprised as if you were suddenly on an oil slick. You quickly get used to the tires and they encourage you to aim for the difficult highline. The studs on the tires reliably dig into forest clay and stick to it as if glued, always offering a lot of grip, even when braking. Even in wet and slippery conditions, the combination of VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 and Attack FSX offers plenty of grip and you never have the feeling that they are slipping unexpectedly. The large shoulder studs on the Attack FSX offer just as much grip in technical corners as they do in fast berms.

The tires withstood all the stresses we subjected them to unscathed and unfazed: be it sharp stones, roots or the G-forces that you might feel when a rocket launches and hits a berm. Despite the soft rubber compound, the tires do not wear out within a few days on the bike, but impress with their good durability.

Our conclusion on the VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 and Attack FSX

The VEE Tire Co. Snap WCE MK2 and Attack FSX tire combination excels in a variety of scenarios. The tires offer predictable handling and plenty of grip on all surfaces, even in wet conditions. They inspire confidence, encourage you to go longer without braking and try the most difficult lines. They survived everything we threw at them unscathed and offer a high level of puncture protection.

Strengthen

• predictable limit
• lots of grip, even in wet conditions
• excellent puncture protection

Flop

• slightly higher rolling resistance

Did you like this article? Then we would be delighted if you supported us with a monthly contribution. With your support, you will help to secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Mike Hunger Photos: Peter Walker