Schwalbe MTB Tires Explained

Shopping for mountain bike tires can be confusing, as each tire brand has their own names for the sidewall casings, rubber compounds and tread patterns. Schwalbe's tire naming system is no exception with many options of sidewall and rubber for each tread model, however, it's worth learning how these work to pick tires best suited for how you ride.

In this video, Tor explains Schwalbe's ADDIX rubber compound system which offers ADDIX Speed, Speedgrip, Soft and Ultra Soft, as well as their sidewall casings for trail through DH which are Super Trail, Super Gravity and Super Downhill. He also chats with our master mechanic Russ about our favorite tread patterns known as the Magic Mary, Big Betty, Dirty Dan and Nobby Nic.

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The Lost Co

Bellingham, WA

360-306-8827

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0:00 - Intro
0:43 - Overview
1:29 - Casings/Sidewalls
4:03 - Rubber Compounds
6:26 - Magic Mary
7:18 - Big Betty
8:50 - Nobby Nic
10:04 - Dirty Dan
10:56 - Rubber & Casing Combinations

#mountainbike #mtb #mtblife

[louiefriesen]

For Schwalbe tires, my go-to is a Magic Mary Ultra Soft 27.5x2.6 Super Gravity on the front, and Big Betty Soft 27.5x2.6 Super Gravity on the rear. Great for everything, from trails and some XC, to bikeparks and Whistler.

[ThunderStruckMTB]

I love your opening, but that clip of the Knipex pliers being used backwards gives me the heebie jeebies!

[playgroundchooser]

My long travel trail bike (bordering on enduro) came with a pair of Hans Dampfs. I really like them. I'd say the Addix Speedgrip (blue stripe) is pretty equivalent to the Maxis Max Terra (note, not the Max Speed) compound. It has more flex than one would think. I generally run a semi-slick in the back for even less resistance (currently a Kenda Helldiver Pro), but the Hans Dampf in the 2.6 inch size up front has really been a great tire. I find it very predictable, even with the large nobs.
One really cool thing about the Hans Dampf that I haven't seen mentioned in the comments yet: they are bi-directional, so once it starts to wear down a bit; you just flip it around and get 20-40% more tread life!!

[GokkunGuru]

I waited for someone to make this video for ages. Thank you guys!

[Jacob]

I really like these two guys, how they review.

[johnnydangerously]

Got a pair of Mary’s recently, wow ! What a difference 😎👍

[JNineBar]

Great video. I’m a big fan of Dan’s front and rear in the UK winter months

[tahoeebikes]

When you look at the weight most of the Super trails are around 1100-1200 grams still and maxxis exo plus is more like 1000ish. I describe the Super trails equivalent to maxxis DD, super grav - maxxis DH. Schwalbe DH is on another level above maxxis dh!

[wd]

I'm running Nobby Nic 29x2.4 rear and Hans Dampf 29x2.35 Front on my Optic, love the set up!

[jonnysnakes]

Magic mary front and rear super gravity addix soft is my go to, occasionally the dirty dan goes on and definitely like the big betty at the back.
Lately ive had MMs front and back so when i burn out the back i put a new one on the front and old front on the back.

[andrewsteavpack]

Super informative, I’ve felt like I had a good understanding of most bike parts but mountain bike tires have so many variables and make such a big difference between choices compared to road or gravel. I’ve known I want a lower tread pattern for less rolling resistance on my Ibis Mojo Hd4 while maintaining as much grip as possible in corners, but I wasn’t really considering sidewall or compound, going thinner sidewall, bigger tread on my front made so much sense when you guys explained it, my concern with my plan of a faster tread tire in my rear was rim damage but thicker casing seems like the perfect trade off. I’m thinking Nobby Nic rear but still deciding front as Hans Dampf or maybe magic Mary or keep my DHF going for a bit.

Thanks!

[robvanduren]

I put Magic Mary bike park tyres on the front and back of my DH bike. Really good grip and that bike rolls FAST

[walterjr]

I ride a f and r nobby nic 26er on performance casing and adixx ruber(cheapest one) riding good and really good durability!

[trillbill]

surprised to not see or hear mention of the Hans dampf tire

[Pienimusta]

Missing RockRazor, which is semislick rear tyre with big shoulder knobs. Really fast in speedgrip and still offers great cornering.

[josericobaeza]

Buenas tardes!!! Que combo me aconsejaría para una bike de recorrido medio 130 en terreno mixto ?? Mi intención sería poner una Nobby Nic 2:40 en la parte delantera y no se cual poner en pa parte trasera, buscando algo que agarre y traccione bien en terreno suelto algo que no se vaya de peso ya que hago tramos de asfalto grandes. Saludos y gracias

[wilfriedmestdagh]

Hi,
Superb video, very interesting.
Just lacks a summary table for me.
❤

[brentmagerowski]

Right now I’m on nobby nic front and rear love the roll speed plus traction in packed damp root rock conditions here in New England. It def lacks confidence from me in the mud. In mud conditions I’ll throw on a Mary up front since I have it mounted on a spare wheel.
Maxxis lost me with quality control haven’t had any quality issues yet with schwalbe. Great job on the video

[alhypo]

My rear tire wears about twice as fast as my front tire so it would make sense to sense to put an extra soft tire up front or a harder tire in the rear. I might try next time.

[orfeas]

How Schwalbe Nobby Nic and Schwalbe Smart Sam compared? Hal of my ride is on asphalt and half on rocky / louse terrain. What do suggest? Thank you!