off-road.cc

The Michelin Wild AM Competition Line is a fast rolling tyre aimed at mixed or soft ground. Unfortunately the tread lacks grip in the wet, and it's vulnerable to damage on rocky trails. They seat easily but struggle to hold air when run tubeless at low pressures – it's best left to the rear wheel only, and even then only for dry, hard surfaces.

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The Wild AM Competition Line is a multi-compound tyre that comes in three widths for 27.5" – we tested the middling 2.6" version – and a single, 2.35" width for 29ers. If features Michelin's Trail Shield carcass (the middle ground of sidewall strength in the Michelin range) with a 3x60 TPI casing. This 'competition' version weighs a lowish 916g, thanks perhaps to the small-blocked tread.

They're easy to install: I managed one tubeless first go with just a track pump, though the second on the same 30mm rim needed a pressure-canister assist. They immediately held air overnight and were ready to ride.

They don't cope well with low-pressure running, though. I was surprised how quickly I could burp them on rough trails and, although I never managed to unseat them fully, hard riding could leave obvious signs of leakage.

The Wild AM is intended for dry, mixed terrain use, and it's best as a rear tyre. The tread blocks are 5-6mm high, and despite the fairly large gaps, the tyre is quite fast rolling.

As a front tyre it lacks the bite on the outer edges to hold a reliable line, and traction feels tenuous at times – I found myself needing a more cautious cornering approach. It's arguably most at home at trail centres with a solid surface... so long as it’s dry.

I found it lacked real bite in woodland loam surfaces, and whilst it's at least consistent in cornering to the point of sliding, it doesn't inspire confidence on anything damp or wet.

It's not especially durable either. Rough, rocky terrain caused noticeable damage to the tread and sidewalls, with slashes and tears on the tread blocks. 

Overall, I wouldn't run this tyre on loose, wet ground or very rocky trails, as it's neither grippy nor robust enough to inspire confidence. Even in dry dirt or loam it's merely okay – and even then I would never recommend it as a front tyre. The Michelin Wild AM Competition Line doesn't really rise above average in any department, and falls rather short in many. 

• bike.michelin.com

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