New Schwalbe gravel tyre: Through the winter mud with the G-One RX tyre
Sandra Schuberth
· 10.12.2024
Schwalbe's new addition is in good company with the all-rounder G-One R and the semi-slick G-One RS, which is designed for speed. It completes the gravel line, as it is made for rocky and muddy terrain where a lot of grip is required.
Schwalbe G-One RX Pro - the new profile
Individual elements of the tread pattern of the new Schwalbe G-One RX gravel tyre may look familiar, as they can be found on other Schwalbe tyres in one way or another. The central boomerang design, which has already proven itself on the G-One R, also ensures low rolling resistance and grip on steep climbs on the new gravel tyre - with more pronounced knobs. On the outside, elongated outer blocks for lateral grip alternate with curved outer blocks for improved traction. The latter were adopted from the X-One R cyclocross tyre. In the centre are drop-shaped intermediate knobs, Schwalbe calls them tear-shaped (and hopefully means tears of joy) with a long contact area for strong grip. Wide gaps between all the knobs ensure that the tyre cleans itself.
Protection through new carcass
Schwalbe uses a newly developed carcass construction for the entire R-Line. Three carcass plies on the sidewall are designed to protect against punctures and cuts, while a widened V-Guard puncture protection belt improves the puncture protection of the tread. The arrangement of the individual plies is new, which reduces rolling resistance, according to Schwalbe. The Addix Race rubber compound has also been optimised to be faster. In short: Schwalbe speaks of more puncture protection with the same tyre weight paired with a faster rubber compound.
What does the Pro label mean for the other G-One tyres?
At the same time as the launch of the new tyre, Schwalbe has also revised the other tyres in the G-One line and given them updates (rubber compound, casing construction, available sizes) - and the entire line has been given a Pro label. The small blue "pro" identifies the tyres that stand for exceptional performance, according to the press release.
Presentation of the new G-One RX at Schwalbe headquarters
At the end of September, Schwalbe invited us to subject the new tyres to an initial practical test - and to get to know its company headquarters. Ralf Bohle GmbH is based in a small town called Reichshof. Reichshof is located in the Oberberg district not far from Gummersbach in North Rhine-Westphalia. If that doesn't ring a bell: about 60 kilometres east of Cologne.
On the first day of the two-day press camp, there was a guided tour of the Schwalbe brand world, in which not only the company's history was impressively presented. It also showed how a tyre is made and what it takes to make it.
Felix Jahn is the grandson of the company founder and, as Corporate Social Responsibility Manager (CSR Manager), has been responsible for a topic that has long been important to the company for a good two years. He explained, for example, why Schwalbe relies on fair trade rubber and where the recycled carbon black, which is produced in the tyre recycling process by Schwalbe and BASF, is used in the tyre manufacturing process.
After this tour, which resembled a museum tour with all kinds of interactive elements, we continued on to the tyre manufacturer's test laboratories. Tyres are put through their paces at the test stands. There is a test stand where puncture resistance is examined, one where the tyre's resistance to rebound is tested, and endurance tests are carried out with subsequent examination under a microscope and more.
The laboratory was followed by the Aerothane production, which takes place entirely in Reichshof, and we were able to catch a glimpse of one of the warehouses.
How the new Schwalbe G-One RX Pro gravel tyre rides
But enough of the preamble, let's get down to business. Let's get on the bike. The Schwalbe team has ordered sunshine and summer temperatures. Something went wrong with the delivery. 17 degrees and a high chance of rain. Mud and puddles made the test ride less comfortable, but they offered much more suitable conditions for the new gravel tyre. The calculated air pressures were noted on the top tube of the test frame. Before setting off, the tyre pressure was checked.
The small, but fine test circuit had it all: Tarmac, wide gravel paths, forest tracks, single trails, rocky descents, steep climbs and mud. You could be forgiven for thinking that the tyre had been specially developed for this tour. My test bike, a Rose Backroad, was fitted with 45 millimetre Schwalbe G-One RX Pro tyres. I always felt safe with these tyres and could perhaps have ridden with even less air pressure.
The first test ride left a promising impression. More detailed test rides will follow and allow a more comprehensive conclusion to be drawn.
Facts & figures on the Schwalbe G-One RX
- Tyre widths: 40, 45, 50 millimetres (28")
- Weight: 520, 570, 615 grammes
- Colour variants: transparent side panel & black side panel
- Price: 74,90 Euro
Available models of the Schwalbe gravel tyre
Schwalbe G-One RX
Focus on off-road use with more grip in difficult conditions.
- Sizes: 35, 40, 45, 50 millimetres (28")
- Weight: 455, 485, 545, 610 grams
- Colour variants: transparent & black side panel
- Price: 74,90 Euro
Schwalbe G-One RS
The best choice for tarmac and hard gravel - with a full focus on maximum speed.
- Sizes: 35, 40, 45, 50 millimetres (28")
- Weight: 410, 454, 515, 585 grams
- Colour variants: transparent & black side panel (black not in 35 & 50 mm)
- Price: 74,90 Euro
Schwalbe G-One R
All-rounder, fast on tarmac, but also good off-road
- Sizes: 35, 40, 45, 50 millimetres (28")
- Weight: 455, 485, 545, 610 grams
- Colour variants: transparent & black side panel (black not in 35 & 50 mm)
- Price: 74,90 Euro
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
