Cast was born from the direct experience of gravity athletes, engineers and designers with a specific goal: to develop high-performance tires. actually tested in the field.
The project sees a direct technical collaboration with Pirelli, which supplies compounds and technologies derived from motorsport and the racing world.
Cast covers are designed for the riding modern gravity, with a solid structure, dedicated compounds and a behaviour studied to guarantee grip, support and predictability at high speeds, even in the most difficult conditions.
CAST TECHNOLOGY
Cast covers use compounds and carcasses developed in collaboration with Pirelli, combining Motorsport and Cycling experience.
The tread with V-design It promotes smooth transitions when cornering, stability at high speeds and constant grip on dry, mixed and difficult terrain.
TECHNICAL GRID
| Model | Usage | Sizes | Mix | carcass | Weight | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cast Antagonist Front | DH / Enduro | 29 × 2.4 - 27.5 × 2.4 | SmartEVO DH | DualWall | 29” 1300g / 27.5” 1250g | High grip, precision and continuity when cornering |
| Rear Antagonist Cast | Enduro / DH | 29 × 2.4 | SmartEVO DH | HardWall / DualWall | 1190g / 1310g | Traction, braking and stability |
DRIVING SENSATIONS
I had the opportunity to use these covers for a period of about two months, with the possibility of testing them in practically every possible condition: mud, hard ground, dirt, mixed and even snow.
The verdict is not easy to translate into a few words, because these tires have a very personal soul that must be understood and thoroughly known.
At first glance, they might remind you of other products on the market – especially the front, which is reminiscent of a cover that Greg Minnaar also helped design – but it's important not to be distracted by appearances.
Cast covers have a well-defined personality, which partly recalls the Pirelli philosophy regarding structure and mixes.
Almost all the tires I've tested in the past have a similar construction, with operating pressures very close to each other. And this is where I found the first real difference.
Starting from my usual pressures, I initially found myself with a tyre hard and unmanageable, especially at the front. However, the sensation was different from the classic one of an "over-inflated" tyre: it didn't bounce on the holes generating instability, but when braking the front seemed to have too much grip, almost giving the sensation of being stuck.
Lowering the pressure by about 0,2 atm compared to my standard, the rubber has completely changed its attitude.
And this is where the real test began.
The rear offers a impressive grip, both in traction and braking. It is very stable and, thanks to the more solid carcass, it is able to absorb impacts well. I used it deliberately without inserts to understand how far it could be pushed, and I never had any contact with the rim: a sign that the stability of the carcass works excellently, I would say superior to many other tires.
This increased stiffness, however, translates into a particular sensation at the front, which requires some time to find the right feeling and setting. Once found, the performance is truly excellent: the dense lateral tessellation It creates a continuity that allows the tire to penetrate the terrain and convey confidence when cornering. Cornering is stable, cornering is precise, and behavior remains consistent even at high speeds.
The stiffer carcass also offers greater support on very rough sections and allows you to avoid the use of neoprene inserts, allowing more effective management of the air inside the tire.
When braking, the tyre transmits great safety: the well-distributed central blocks guarantee effective slowing down in all conditions, even in mixed snow and mud.
As mentioned at the beginning, the "Pirelli soul" is found in the consistency of the compound, which is generally harder than other brands. This translates into a tire that goes actively guided, requiring a certain amount of determination to obtain the optimal deformation of the pieces. Precisely for this reason it is particularly suitable for competitive gravity world and to use e-bike, where the weights in play are higher and a more supportive rubber can offer superior performance.
PROJECTED IMPACT
Like any high-end product, these covers also need time and trials to be fully understood. They are not “plug & play” tires, but they have a strong personality which rewards those who are willing to work on pressure and setup.
Once the right balance is found, they offer great stability, high grip and precision, especially for aggressive and fast riding.
These are tires designed for those who love to push hard, for those who seek support on the toughest sections and for those who pedal in the modern gravity world, both muscular and electrical.
