A few years ago, the brain trusts at Hutchinson took a close look at the standard clincher tires. They weren’t good enough. The big wig gave a speech that we think sounded something like this, “Gentlemen, we can rebuild them. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's best tubeless tire. The Fusion 2 will be that tire.”
After conversing, compiling and collaborating with all the big dogs in the cycling industry, they came up with a product that will rock the tire world!
With this declaration of better, stronger, faster, they teamed up with companies like Campagnolo, Shimano, Specialized and Roval to design a sealing process, different than the others that came before it. Unlike all the other clinchers out there, the Fusion 2 uses a rectangular butyl-rubber wrapped carbon fiber, instead of the standard round Kevlar bead. The rectangular carbon fuses seamlessly with a specially designed rectangular channel that is inside a select collection of rims. This marriage between the two sections gives you a locked in, air-tight, ain’t gonna slip, won’t blow out seal that is secure even if the tire is flat because the butyl layer wraps itself around the beads to produce an impenetrable seal. Gotta love science! Of course, this is also why the Fusion 2 is only compatible with certain wheelsets like Campagnolo, Shimano, Specialized and Roval. Be sure to check the specs on your rims to be sure they have that rectangular channel.
You may be asking, “Sure, okay, so they’ve got a better seal than other clinchers so I don’t have to worry about a pinch flat, but how’s the ride?” In a word, the ride is awe-inspiring. Unlike most manufacturers, Hutchinson refused to rely on air pressure for form and structure, they instead built up the casing to make the tire strong enough to hold form whether you’re rocking down a steep hill or taking the inside corner. Still soft on the edges for incredible turning, the Fusion 2 Tires have the longest wearing tread in the center so they won’t be breaking down anytime soon. Hutchinson uses a triple compound to enhance acceleration around the corners and to give extra grip for lateral traction. Wet or dry, the Fusion 2 tires will give you a smooth supple ride and a significantly lower rolling resistance over anything you’ve tried in the past.
And, man are they strong, Fusion 2’s are made with Kevlar Pro Tech which was originally the replacement for steel in racing tires and is commonly used in bullet proof jackets and body armor. By using Kevlar, the Fusion 2 Tire is the first tire that could potentially be “bullet-proof”. Yeah, it’s that strong, but it’s not really bullet proof. There is still a possibility of getting a tear from super sharp debris (like a broken bottle or nail. Should you flat you can use a standard road tube inside the tubeless tire if you absolutely need to. Just be sure to pull the removable valve core out before you install it. Or, if you’ve got “the whale” saddle bag installed on your bike, you will have enough room to fold up a spare Fusion 2 to carry with you.
Installation of the Fusion 2 tires is pretty simple, and can usually be done by hand. Although you may want to have a round or smooth-edged tire tool handy just in case those last few inches give you some trouble. If you don’t have a rounded edge tool, don’t use a square edge because it can damage the soft butyl rubber and carbon-fiber beading. They also advise that you use a light soap and water solution to create a stronger seal between the tire and rim. Once the tire is seated into the rim, pump it up and hit the road.
Thank you Hutchinson for taking us into a new dimension of cycling. The Fusion 2 tubeless tires are so impressive that you may never go back to tubes again.
Please Note – To run a tubeless tire you must have a tubeless compatible rim. Check with the manufacturer before purchasing these tires.
Tire Weighs: 295grams
Recommended PSI: 115
Max PSI: 125
Estimated Tread Life: 3500+ miles
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