Product News / Tyres: Schwalbe is cleaning up its MTB portfolio – and expanding the range at the same time. There are five new carcasses to choose from in 2021, the Nobby Nic is also getting a new profile and the venerable Big Betty is making a comeback.
The search for the right tire for a mountain bike is now very complicated: Different widths, profiles, carcasses and rubber compounds, it's easy to lose track. The tire giant Schwalbe has also recognized this and is cleaning up the portfolio for 2021 and ensuring a clear classification of the tires. With five new carcasses - optimized for the respective areas of application and also clearly recognizable by the name.
Addix becomes Super and with the suffixes Downhill, Gravity, Trail, Ground and Race, these can be assigned directly to the corresponding area of use. In addition to the new carcasses, Schwalbe is also introducing two new profiles. For the downhillers comes the Big Betty back and trail riders can find out about a new version of the classic Nobby Nick looking forward to it, which we have already been able to test.
The carcasses have been optimized in numerous development hours and tests for the individual areas of application. A good tire is not only characterized by the profile, but also by the combination of profile, carcass and rubber compound. “Together with the rubber compound and the profile, the carcass determines the properties of the tire, comparable to the human skeleton. You can't see the construction, but it supports and holds everything together. The carcass has a massive effect on handling, it defines the performance, puncture resistance and weight of the tyre. It is therefore extremely important to drive a carcass that is tailored to the respective application.", says Carl Kamper, product manager for MTB at Schwalbe. "The best profile and the optimal rubber compound are of little use if the carcass doesn't match."
The five new carcasses at Schwalbe 2021 at a glance
Super Race – speed with souplesse
In no other discipline is the focus on rolling resistance and weight as extreme as in cross-country and marathon competition. The Super Race construction also sets standards in suppleness - no other carcass glides so silkily over the ground and thus provides traction in abundance. The turn-up construction is characterized by a light material mix - with two carcass layers plus RaceGuard puncture protection under the tread and three carcass layers on the sidewall to protect against cuts and snakebites.
Areas of Application: Cross-country, marathons
Available tires: Thunder Burt, Rocket Ron, Racing Ray, Racing Ralph
Super Ground - everything in the flow
These tires feel comfortable on any terrain, on flowy trails as well as on long tours. The construction guarantees drivers a harmonious synthesis of protection, lightness and optimal running properties. Three carcass layers under the entire tread and the SnakeSkin fabric running from bead to bead ensure a finely balanced ratio of safety and weight.
Areas of Application: Tours, Alpine Crossing, Trail
Available tires: Thunder Burt, Rocket Ron, Racing Ray, Racing Ralph, Nobby Nic, Jumbo Jim
Super Trail – the versatile one
Almost as versatile as a multifunctional tool: Super Trail enables use from intensive all-mountain and trail rides to enduro. The stable construction - two carcass layers on the sidewall, three layers under the tread - combines moderate weight and low rolling resistance with high cornering traction and puncture resistance. Bead-to-bead SnakeSkin fabric and an apex provide added protection.
Areas of Application: Enduro, All Mountain, Trail
Available tires: Nobby Nic, Rock Razor, Magic Mary, Hans Dampf, Eddy Current, Big Betty
Super Gravity – as indestructible as it is supple
Where not everyone dares to go, where riders and routes demand everything from the material, where bikes have a lot of suspension travel - that's the territory of the Super Gravity tires. An extremely stable construction with four carcass layers plus SnakeSkin fabric from bead to bead protects the tread and the highly stressed flanks. As in the downhill version, a modified apex protects against punctures and provides lateral rigidity. Nevertheless, the tire remains exceptionally flexible due to the mixed turn-up construction and conveys a smooth driving experience.
Areas of Application: Gravity, freeride
Available tires: Big Betty, Dirty Dan, Eddy Current, Hans Dampf, Magic Mary
Super downhill - uncompromisingly stable
For the bravest and most aggressive, for whom no jump is too extreme, no descent too steep, no obstacle too rugged. Like no other construction, Super Downhill stands for uncompromising stability and performance, developed for the Downhill World Cup. Six carcass layers protect the tread even at very low air pressures. The sidewalls are extremely reliably protected against cuts and punctures by a combination of four carcass layers and a SnakeSkin fabric layer. A newly designed apex protects against punctures and increases lateral stiffness
Range: Downhill
Available tires: Big Betty, Dirty Dan, Eddy Current, Hans Dampf, Magic Mary
Big Betty - The Legend Returns
The Big Betty was already a very popular downhill tire in the 90s and early 2000s. The Schwalbe team riders asked for an addition to the Magic Mary. Therefore, Schwalbe developed the new edition of the Big Betty with extra strong shoulder lugs, long, supported braking edges and excellent self-cleaning. Available in Super Downhill - or Super Gravity construction with Addix Ultra Soft or Soft compound. Downhill WorldCup rider Nina Hofmann tested the prototypes for months and was thrilled: “The extra strong shoulder blocks give a lot of cornering grip. And the arrangement of the center lugs ensures on the one hand super easy rolling and on the other hand, thanks to the additionally supported braking edges, maximum performance even when braking. Big Betty on the rear wheel and Magic Mary in the front is my new downhill combo!”
Nobby Nic - The third edition of the classic
Nobby Nic, the light "all-grounder", is increasing its performance for its unique range of uses in the third generation: Tour, All Mountain, Trail, Down Country, Cross Country. Schwalbe gave it an aggressive profile design with pronounced, significantly more stable shoulder lugs. They allow precise guidance right up to the limit. Overall, the new profile provides more dynamics, both when accelerating and braking and when it comes to side grip. Self-cleaning has also been significantly improved for stronger performance even in wet conditions. Its large fan base has the choice between the Super Trail construction with Addix Soft and the Super Ground construction with Addix Speedgrip.
First ride: The new Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2021 in the first test
Test: Schwalbe is presenting a whole range of innovations in the MTB sector for the coming season. Among other things, there is also a new edition of the all-rounder Nobby Nic, which we have already been able to try out on a few test laps. Schwalbe gave us the new Nobby Nic in size 29 x 2,25″ with the Super Ground carcass […]
Both new tires will be available from August and cost between €59,90 and €67,90, depending on the version.