American Classic add three new tread patterns for fast off-road riding

A MTBer riders over a rock on a singletrack trail
(Image credit: American Classic)

American Classic has expanded its affordable tire range with three new tires including one gravel tire and two MTB tires. The new Grus is a fast-rolling gravel tire while the Cumbre and Terestre are aimed at cross-country.

After a short hiatus, the American Classic brand returned in 2021 with a range of direct-to-consumer tires at extremely competitive prices compared to the best MTB tires and gravel tires. Tries start at $45 and from our experience offer a very impressive performance-to-price ratio. The gravel range was pretty comprehensive on launch and they have gone on to expand the AM Classic MTB tire range to cover downcountry, trail, and enduro riding too.

The new Cumbre and Terestre tires fill in the cross-country mountain bike gap, with two tread patterns, as well as a new gravel race tire as well.

American Classic Cumbre mountain bike tire

American Classic Cumbre mountain bike tire (Image credit: American Classic)

American Classic Cumbre

The Cumbre takes on the role of the XC tire, named after the the Spanish word for "Summit," its low-profile angled tread aimed at fast rolling speeds. American Classic says that the tire works well across dry, dusty, or mixed trail conditions.

The tire uses their signature Rubberforce G tread compounds and Stage XC Armor 120tpi construction. American Classic offers a single 29 x 2.25-inch size which is said to weigh an impressive 690g.

American Classic Terestre mountain bike tire

American Classic Terestre mountain bike tire (Image credit: American Classic)

American Classic Terestre

Designed to be more of an all-rounder tire the Terestre has more tread and sipped lugs to give it more grip when riding technical loose terrain. The blockier pattern should also benefit braking and accelerating performance on softer surfaces.

It has the same Rubberforce G tread compounds and Stage XC Armor 120tpi construction as the Cumbre. Its also only available in a 29 x 2.25-inch size but weighs a touch more at a claimed 745g.

American Classic Grus gravel bike tire

American Classic Grus gravel bike tire (Image credit: American Classic)

American Classic Grus 

Lastly we have the Grus which is designed specifically for the dry and dusty gravel tracks that are commonly seen in gravel racing. The densely packed center section aids rolling speed and flanked by meatier should knobs for cornering grip.

The tire has the Stage 5S Armor construction and Rubberforce G gravel tire compound that we have seen on American Classic's Krumbein. The Grus only comes in a 40mm size and is quoted to weigh 515g.

Pricing and availability

As previously mentioned, all of American Classic's tires priced affordably and the new tires are no different. All three of the new tires retail for just $45 each.

The Cumbre, Terestre, and Grus are all available to purchase now from American Classic's US Amazon store.

Graham Cottingham
Senior reviews writer, Bike Perfect

Graham is all about riding bikes off-road, based in Edinburgh he has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK on his doorstep. With almost 20 years of riding experience, he has dabbled in downhill, enduro, and gravel racing. Not afraid of a challenge, Graham has embraced bikepacking over the last few years and likes nothing more than strapping some bags to his bike and covering big miles to explore Scotland's wildernesses. When he isn’t shredding the gnar in the Tweed Valley, sleeping in bushes, or tinkering with bikes, he is writing tech reviews for Bike Perfect.

Rides: Cotic SolarisMax, Stooge MK4, 24 Bicycles Le Toy 3, Surly Steamroller

Height: 177cm

Weight: 71kg