New Schwalbe touring tyres: Kojak & Land Cruiser for everyday use and touring

Editor’s conclusion

​No spectacular innovations, but solid everyday tyres for clearly defined uses. At under 30 euros, the Land Cruiser Plus is a fair deal for trekking beginners. The Kojak has yet to prove its premium urban credentials – €38.90 is a bit on the high side for a tyre with no folding or tubeless options. However, the Kojak could pay for itself with its exceptionally smooth rolling performance and attractive appearance.

Kojak: Urban tyres with a scale-like pattern

The Kojak is Schwalbe’s answer to modern urban bikes and Light Assist e-bikes. Its most striking feature is the continuous scale-like pattern that characterises both the tread and the sidewalls. This is designed to combine reliable grip when accelerating with stable cornering and low rolling resistance.

The tyre comes with RaceGuard puncture protection and the ADDIX Green rubber compound – Schwalbe’s most sustainable compound, made with recycled carbon black from the company’s own tyre recycling programme. With an RRP of €38.90, the Kojak sits in the mid-price range. It’s available in sizes from 24 x 2.60 inches to 28 x 2.35 inches, though only as a clincher tyre. Those who prefer a lighter option will be out of luck.

>> Versatile, affordable and sustainable: the Schwalbe Green Marathon put to the test

Land Cruiser: The Pragmatist

The Land Cruiser has always had a down-to-earth feel. Schwalbe is also positioning the new version as a versatile trekking tyre – with a narrow central tread pattern for low rolling resistance on tarmac and wider side lugs for off-road grip. At 23.90 euros, the base price is certainly attractive. However, this only includes basic puncture protection (K-Guard) and a Green Compound.

Plus version: Even greater puncture protection

For an extra 5 euros (RRP 28.90 euros), you can get the Plus version with additional rubberised sidewalls, a 3 mm-thick puncture protection insert and a reflective strip on the side (compliant with the StVZO). The design is based on Schwalbe’s “puncture-proof” Marathon Plus tyre for maximum puncture protection. The range of sizes is impressive: from 24 x 2.00 inches to 28 x 2.15 inches (the Plus version even goes up to 2.65 inches). Here too, only clincher tyres are available – you won’t find any folding versions.

Category: Solid mid-range

Both tyres cater to clearly defined segments in the everyday and touring markets. The Kojak aims to be stylish and fast, whilst the Land Cruiser takes a pragmatic approach and scores points for its fair value for money.