Hard Enduro Gummy Tyre Buying Guide
Start with the terrain you ride most, then compare tyre construction, size and your mousse, TUbliss or tube setup.
Mixed trail riding
Compare these options for mixed rides, with grip, support and wear considered together.
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IRC VE-33S Gekkota Rear Gummy Hard Enduro Tyre
Price range: $209.95 through $229.95In stock -
Shinko 505 Cheater Rear Gummy Hard Enduro Tyre
Price range: $165.00 through $170.00 -
SYH-245 140/80-18 Rear Gummy Medium Sticky Hard Enduro Tyre
$139.0010 left in stock
SYH-245 Medium Sticky is our versatile SYH starting point. Shinko 505 is aimed at intermediate and hard terrain; VE-33S is another option to compare. Read each model’s details for its construction and intended use.
Slippery & technical terrain
Compare options for wet rocks, roots and slow, demanding sections. The SYH-250 Super Sticky has also worked well on wet, slippery rocks in APW rider testing.
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Kenda K774 Ibex Rear Gummy Hard Enduro Tyre
Price range: $174.95 through $199.95 -
Maxxis New Enduro Super-Soft Gummy 140/80-18 Rear Tyre
$199.95In stock -
SYH-245 140/80-18 Rear Gummy Super Soft Hard Enduro Tyre
$139.00In stock
SYH-245 Super Soft, Kenda IBEX and Maxxis Enduro Super-Soft approach technical grip with different constructions. Kenda recommends the IBEX for low-speed use below 64 km/h. Softer does not mean the same feel or wear across every model.
Loose & soft ground
Compare tread patterns for loose surface material and softer trails.
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Shinko 525 Cheater Rear Gummy Hard Enduro Tyre
Price range: $169.00 through $170.00 -
SYH-250 140/80-18 Rear Gummy Super Sticky Hard Enduro Tyre
$139.00In stock
SYH-250 has performed well on wet, slippery rocks as well as dry soil and loose leaf litter in APW rider testing. Shinko 525 Cheater has a more open pattern for softer, loose and loamy ground. Compare the full range of conditions you ride.
Mousse vs TUbliss
Choose a setup by its feel, fitment and maintenance—not tyre size alone.
Standard mousse
NitroMousse Platinum · 10–12 psi feel
An all-round foam-insert option for trail and enduro riding. Select the exact Nitro part number for your tyre and rim.
Soft mousse
NitroMousse Plushie · 6–8 psi feel
A softer feel for slower technical terrain. Mousse figures describe feel, not air pressure you inflate.
TUbliss
Adjustable tyre-chamber pressure
A high-pressure inner bladder locks the bead; the separate tyre chamber lets you tune pressure. Check rim dimensions and maintain both chambers.
Mousse feel figures are approximate equivalents. Match a full mousse to the exact tyre brand, model, size and rim width using the official NitroMousse fitment chart. For TUbliss, confirm rim size: 18 × 1.85–2.15 inches rear or 21 × 1.60 inches front; follow its fitment and maintenance guidance. TUbliss is for off-road use only.
Can I combine a mousse insert with TUbliss?
Purpose-designed combinations exist, including the NitroMousse 5150. This is a separate product designed for TUbliss; a conventional full mousse is not automatically the right insert. Confirm the exact product, tyre and rim combination with us before ordering.
What about tubes, rim locks and tyre pressure?
A tube, full mousse and TUbliss are different setups. Follow the tyre, rim and system manufacturers’ instructions for fitment, bead condition, rim locks, lubrication and pressure. There is no single low tyre pressure or rim-lock count that suits every tyre in our range. Tell us your exact setup if you need help.
Also compare MrWolf Mousse Balls MB-2000 for a modular rear mousse option; confirm tyre fitment and the manufacturer’s ball-count recommendation.
More help choosing your tyres
Compound, carcass and riding level
What is a gummy hard enduro tyre?
A gummy tyre uses a softer rubber compound designed to grip surfaces where a conventional off-road tyre may spin or slide. The flexible tread blocks conform to rocks, roots and uneven ground, helping the tyre find traction across difficult terrain.
However, compound softness is only part of the story. Tyre performance also depends on carcass construction, sidewall support, tread footprint and tread pattern. The tyres we stock are selected as complete packages to deliver usable grip, stability and rider confidence.
Choosing the right compound
Super Soft
A super-soft gummy compound provides maximum traction on wet rocks, slippery roots, steep climbs and slow technical sections.
It is suited to riders who want the strongest possible grip in extreme hard enduro terrain. The softer compound can wear faster if it is regularly used on high-speed trails or hard, abrasive ground.
Recommended option: SYH-245 Super Soft rear tyre.
Medium Sticky
A medium-sticky compound provides a balance of grip, durability and versatility. It still offers strong traction on technical terrain but is better suited to mixed riding conditions.
This is an excellent choice for weekend riders, club-level competitors and riders who encounter a combination of rocks, dry trails, roots and general enduro terrain.
Recommended option: SYH-245 Medium Sticky rear tyre.
Super Sticky
The SYH-250 uses a super-sticky compound and a different tread pattern for technical terrain. In APW rider testing it has worked well on wet, slippery rocks, roots, loose leaf litter and dry soil.
It is a good option when the riding conditions are loose or dry and you want the tyre to clear the surface and find traction underneath.
Recommended option: SYH-250 Super Sticky rear tyre.
WHICH TYRE IS RIGHT FOR YOUR RIDING LEVEL?
Beginner and developing riders
A predictable tyre can help a developing rider maintain momentum and build confidence. The SYH-245 Medium Sticky rear combined with the SYH-249 front is a versatile starting point for mixed trail and technical riding.
Weekend and recreational hard enduro riders
Riders encountering a combination of climbs, rocks, roots and general bush terrain can choose between the SYH-245 Medium Sticky for balanced performance or the Super Soft version for maximum technical grip.
Experienced and competition riders
Experienced riders tackling technical terrain can compare the SYH-245 Super Soft and SYH-250 Super Sticky for wet rocks, roots and difficult climbs. The SYH-250 has also performed well in loose leaf litter and dry soil in APW rider testing.
Why tyre construction matters
A soft compound cannot perform at its best without the right supporting construction. The carcass and sidewalls affect how the tyre flexes, maintains its footprint and responds during climbs and cornering.
At APW Enduro Tyres, we focus on the complete tyre—not just the rubber compound. We select tyres that combine gummy compounds with engineered carcasses, supportive sidewalls and proven tread patterns to produce dependable grip across demanding terrain.
Shinko 505 vs 525 Cheater: which terrain suits each?
The 505 and 525 Cheater both use a sticky trials-style compound on a motocross-style carcass. Their tread patterns give them different strengths; choose around the ground you ride most often.
| Rear tyre | Terrain to compare it for | What separates it |
|---|---|---|
| Shinko 505 Cheater | Dry, harder ground and technical single-track | A hybrid option for riders balancing sticky grip with a knobby tread. |
| Shinko 525 Cheater | Softer, loose and loamy ground | A more open tread pattern than the 505. |
For mixed rides, consider where you most need extra drive rather than choosing by compound alone. Power delivery, carcass support, tyre pressure or mousse feel and sustained wheelspin also influence grip and wear. Our four-stroke observations below include both models.
Check 505 Cheater sizes and availability or 525 Cheater sizes and availability. Choose your exact size on the product page; the same model name does not guarantee the same fit on every bike.
Manufacturer details: Shinko 505 Cheater and Shinko 525 Cheater.
Four-stroke tyre choices & getting the most from a gummy
Choosing a sticky tyre for a four-stroke enduro bike
Four-stroke and two-stroke bikes deliver power differently, which can affect how gummy tyres wear. Riding style, terrain and tyre setup also play a part.
Based on our testing with friends who ride four-stroke enduro bikes, the IRC VE-33S Gekkota, Shinko 505 Cheater and Shinko 525 Cheater are our preferred options for 4T riders. These offer a hybrid approach to sticky grip and durability. We’ve had good results with them on four-strokes, including better wear than the softer gummy options we’ve tried.
Getting the most from a gummy tyre
Gummy tyres tend to find their best grip with controlled wheelspin, giving the carcass and soft knobs a chance to conform around rocks and roots. Sustained wheelspin on abrasive terrain can trade some of that soft tread for drive.
Every rider has their own approach, and sometimes a burst of wheelspin is exactly what the situation calls for. It’s a balance between finding traction, keeping momentum and tyre wear.
Choosing a front tyre
Choosing a front hard enduro tyre
Front tyre grip is essential for confident steering, braking and cornering. A hard enduro front tyre must provide predictable feedback without feeling unstable when the terrain becomes rocky or uneven.
The SYH-249 90/100-21 Front Medium Sticky tyre provides confident steering and cornering grip across rocks, roots and technical trails. It can be matched with any of the rear tyre options depending on your preferred terrain and compound.
Browse all front tyres and confirm the exact size, rim and insert fitment.
Comparing IRC models? Read our GX20 vs JX8 vs VE-33S guide.