The Trailrider, which replaces Avon’s Distanzia line, takes square aim at the big ADV bike category. The name hints toward a level of competency in dirt, but the Trailrider is really a road tire similar in purpose to the Metzeler Tourance and Michelin Anakee. Avon says a few tech tricks set the tire apart, such as a super rich silica compound, a high-tech carcass and 3D sipes. To me, the compounds and carcass features seem pretty standard nowadays, but the 3D sipes did stand out as uniquely forward thinking. According to Avon, the interlocking three-dimensional points hidden inside the sipes improve stability and grip, limit flex, and allow the tire to warm up quickly.