Resurrected Cycling Brand Launches 5 New Gravel Tires
A first look at the new American Classic gravel tire lineup
by Dave Malwitz
Under new ownership, the American Classic cycling brand returns making rubber, not components. Founded the same year that E.T. hit the big screen (1982), AmClassic is back with an on-trend gravel and road tire lineup. On Wednesday, Sept 15 2021, the new American Classic is up and running, selling a collection of five new gravel tires that cover the current tread pattern spectrum quite well. The company sent over 3 of the new treads for a closer look ahead of today’s launch. From left to right are the Wentworth, Udden and Krumbein gravel tires all in 650b x 47. Also available are the Kimberlight and Aggregate, which look a lot like the popular Pathfinder and G-One gravel tires respectively.
Sizes, Colors & Tech
All 5 gravel tires from AmClassic will be available in 3 sizes, and either black or tan sidewalls. Sizes at launch include 700x40, 700x50, and 650x74. Since I just received these I haven’t done extensive testing yet in terms of performance and durability, but first impressions are that these tires are lightweight with tacky rubber. The tan color is attractive, with a similar shade to what we’ve seen on some WTB sidewalls. Holding things together is the Rubberforce G compound, which the company says will provide excellent abrasion resistance, high tensile strength, and good tear and cut resistance for off-road riding and exploring. For flat protection, they have what’s called Stage 5S for bead-to-bead puncture and tear resistance with a “specially engineered microfiber composite tread compound”.
Good Deal
The biggest news here may be the pricing, with all 30 gravel tire SKUs available for just $35 each thanks to the brand’s consumer-direct focus. Not only that, all tire purchases are backed by the American Classic Road Hazard Replacement Policy, which offers customers the opportunity to get a one-time tire replacement at 50%-off in case the tire can no longer hold air due to a puncture or tear. This is a pretty amazing deal given that tire punctures can happen quite often in gravel. Doing some quick math, it means you could end up running two sets of tires for a total of just $105 plus shipping/handling after the first pair fails. After just spending $92 for a single Rene Herse, these budget-friendly offerings will surely be a welcome sight for many gravel riders.
Availability
The American Classic tire collection will initially be made available in the USA only with a direct-to-consumer model through the brand’s Amazon marketplace store and website. In addition to the 5 gravel tires, 2 road tires and a commuter tire are also available.
Learn more at AmClassic.com