Commuter tires

[73Eldo]

You bought direct from them? I think all the tires I have bought new have come from a local shop and if I had an issue I would expect to be able to take it back to them.

[Retrorockit]

Schwalbe NA is a PITA to return anything to. i still have the crap HS492 tires. I got a set of Continental 26x1.75 Contact Plus tires. These are also Euro ECE75 Moped rated. I know Conti's automotive tires have some seriously good rubber compounds. I also know that they are very slick when new unless you wash the mold release compound off of them first.
I was running Michelin Pilots on my Turbo PT Cruiser and went to Conti and never looked back. Maybe the same thing with Schwalbe on the bikes.

[Retrorockit]

In some high end tires there are also flat prevention layers. These basically add some thickness under the tread. Also folding the sidewall cords over beneath the tread more times for a belted tire effect The tradeoff due to the added weight is not as big a factor on a fast E bike as added weight in that location is on a pedal bike. There has been a lot of work done on tread compounds in the past few years to improve wet traction without compromising wear.

[Robert07]

Bike tires are made using several layers of rubber. The tread usually goes through a longer and more rigorous procedure to ensure that it has the necessary durability for road performance. Key layers are the nylon casing, the treads, and the sidewall that also has the branding. Another important component is the bead; it is similar to a metal wire in appearance but may also be made of a strong material such as Kevlar.

[Retrorockit]

The 45psi min. pressure on the 26x1.75 size doesn't help either. I was counting on the suspension to deal with that It's a folding Y frame with the battery hanging down, So wheel dia., fork travel , and battery size all come together there. It looked like the smaller tire with sticky rubber would get the job done on a full suspension bike.
It's my first folder, fist full suspension, first mag wheel, and first freewheel bike. I'm just using the frame and wheels for this. I didn't expect the Schwalbe tires to be an issue. It's getting a 52V Luna BBS02 kit with 17Ah battery.

[AZguy]

A "real" tire tread pattern hahaha

Note the numerous thorns and goatheads

[73Eldo]

Looks like I didn't scroll through all the photos. Found one that looks like mine. I would think mine is the biggest they make so worst case for size and spacing if there was going to be a vibration or noise issue. Smaller ones it looks like its all smaller and closer together so should be even more smooth but still not quite a slick which to me seems like a good compromise for a mostly pavement tire.

[73Eldo]

Interesting that they made it that way especially for a 'high speed' tire. Looking at the photos and description I would have bought them and not expected that.

Last summer I picked up a pair of Surly Extra Terrestrials for the 29's wheel set on my fat bike that I occasionally rid on the streets when I need another street bike to loan to friends. I only did one major ride with them on the fat bike and they worked pretty well. This spring when the studded tires came of my street bike I wasn't sure conditions were going to be good enough to go back to the Big Apples which I loved but didn't think they were going to be bad enough for some knobbies then I saw the ET's still on the fat bike wheels hanging there in the rafters. I was thinking they would only be on till I knew there was no more snow and most of the sand was gone but that was like 2 months ago and I am thinking I will leave them on all summer.

The tread spacing on my 29x 2.5 is a little different than the photo, mine I think there is more space between them and maybe the blocks are scaled up a bit? They make slightly more noise than the big apples but no where near as loud something with actual knobs. I don't feel any vibration even when leaning into corners a bit. They are way better than the big apples in things like wet grass or slight mud holes you may encounter on mostly street rides. Ride is a bit softer likely due to the extra size, 2.5 vs 2.35 of the apples. I think I'm gonna keep em on for the summer and if I need the 29's on the fat bike I will put the apples on it.

https://surlybikes.com/parts/extraterrestrial

[Retrorockit]

I unexpectedly had a very bad experience with a Schwalbe E bike tire. I've used Scwalbe for years and always been happy with them. But they made a big mistake on their 26x1.75 Energizer Plus high speed e bike tire. It's the 26x1.75 with the HS492 tread. The center blocks are tapered at the leading edge, and the trailing edge of the next block is part way up the side of the tire. This produces a low spot in the tread every 1.5". Basically they aren't round. I put these on a full suspension bike hoping to improve the ride over my hardtail with Schwalbe balloon tires. Rolling it 20 feet down my driveway was all I wanted to go on these lumpy tires. These made all the suspension and Tannus tire liner work a complete waste of time.



The older HS441 tread doesn't have this problem. There is always rubber on the ground in the center of the tire.
There is also an HS427 Version. That looks OK

[Retrorockit]

From my experience in the trucking industry 2 things are needed to create a heavier duty tire. More air pressure to support the load, and a stronger casing to support the higher air pressure.This does have a little more volume than the BB+ at 2.35" wide which helps also. I wouldn't get this for a single person Ebike. The BB+ is great for that. But for a tandem or loaded touring rig this would be hard to beat.
I'm very happy with the performance of Schwalbes high speed "moped' rubber compound on the BB+ tires.A nice match for a BBSHD bike.

[Retrorockit]

I saw the Pickup after I had my BB+ tires. Double ply carcass for cargo bikes. I haven't had any sidewall problems. it does have the sticky moped tread compound.
I run Schwalbe Kojak slicks on my XC pedal bike. For the E bike they would be OK on asphalt even when wet, but concrete sidewalks with sand would take them down, and any grassy or muddy excursions they would be hopeless.
I see the slick as being for European bikes with power limits, and where riding bicycles in the street is accepted practice.

[ncmired]

Yeah, I think the Pick-Up has potential, and am considering it for another 20" wheel minivelo build (should parts and funding come through).

[73Eldo]

That pickup looks interesting. Looks like the center blocks are smooth and close together so should be reasonably fast and quiet. Side knobs are deeper so will get you good grip when you get into something soft.

[AZguy]

Good stuff... the pump is pretty much invisible on mine too, especially with the dirt "finish" on everything and it's inexpensive enough that even if it did disappear it's just not a big deal... they might be inexpensive but they sure aren't cheap - they feel solid, work well and have a great rep

It'll be interesting to hear back in a year or so ;-}

[ncmired]

Continuing Retro's Big Apple / Big Ben / SuperMoto X vein are two (I believe) relatively new Schwalbe tires - a slick Supermoto in 27.5/650B and 28, which I'm trying out as part of a bike update:

There's also the new Schwalbe Pick-Up, in 20, 26, and 27.5 sizes: