Overview Schwalbe tyres 2027: New Schwalbe MTB tyre range - what you need to know

Conclusion Adrian Kaether, Editor Test & Technology

Until now, selecting the optimum tyre has required a great deal of specialist knowledge. Schwalbe is taking a bold step towards user-friendliness and is also taking the opportunity to tidy things up considerably. The result is a clearer structure. Tech innovations such as Romy or the new Gravity Pro carcass and Ultra Soft compound are aimed at professionals, while beginners get more performance from the more affordable versions. The portfolio has also become greener. A really successful all-round package.

An end to the profile odyssey

With the sheer mass of MTB tyres, it's easy to lose track. For trail bikers alone, Schwalbe has so far had five profiles, three carcass versions and three rubber compounds, depending on the count. A lot of choice is basically a good thing for the very different requirements of mountain biking. But without meaningful orientation, even professionals are often overwhelmed. This is exactly where Schwalbe comes in and radically simplifies.

The new strategy: instead of sorting primarily by tyre tread like Magic Mary, Nobby Nic, Hans Dampf and Co., Schwalbe puts the cart before the horse and starts with the Intended use on. Schwalbe is therefore now dividing the MTB portfolio into three clearly defined product families - Gravity, Trail and Race, each of which corresponds to a tyre casing. There is no need to understand in detail what this means for the tyre construction. More importantly, each family stands for a specific mountain bike application and forms the starting point for tyre selection.

In addition, there are recommendations within each of the three tyre families, depending on your personal focus. Schwalbe chooses descriptive terms such as "racer", "all-rounder" or "Explorer" to then suggest very specific tyre combinations in terms of rubber compound and tread. For example, particularly light and fast rolling for the Racer, fast at the rear with more grip at the front and good puncture protection for the Explorer and so on.

The three MTB tyre families at a glance

Gravity - The name says it all: it's all about maximum safety, uncompromising stability and comprehensive control for extreme enduro and downhill use. A clear downhill focus, hence Gravity. The idea is clear. When it comes to the limit, you have to be able to rely on your equipment. The Gravity tyres are heavy and roll moderately, because that's not what matters here.

Trail - All tyres for trail and all-mountain use can be found here. The optimum balance of puncture protection, grip and weight is in the specification. The trail tyres are intended to be versatile candidates for uncomplicated riding fun on a mountain bike and should cover most touring applications.

Race - It's all about minimum weight for maximum speed. The tyres are consistently designed for efficiency and speed. However, the conversion of the XC tyres to the new Race family will not take place until 2027, which is why exact details of the tread patterns and compounds are not yet available.

That's new, that's out: Romy, Radial, Downhill carcass

The family names correspond to the underlying carcass constructions. In other words, the specific construction of the tyre with TPI number, Apex puncture protection and so on. The previous five carcasses are now just three: Super Race, Super Ground, Super Trail, Super Gravity and Super Downhill become Race, Trail and Gravity. This should make orientation easier, but of course also means that Gravity now has to cover Super Gravity and Super Downhill. Trail must inherit Super Ground and Super Trail. Schwalbe's innovative radial carcasses are now available in even more versions in both the Trail and Gravity segments.

Schwalbe is also making significant changes to the tread pattern. Hans Dampf and Big Betty have had their day. The new Romy tyre (detailed here) is the successor to the Hans Dampf as a powerful trail all-rounder, but should be able to do much more downhill. The Tacky Chan enduro and downhill profile has also been noticeably adapted. As has the gravity casing, which is also available with a fundamentally revised Ultra Soft Compound (first review here). The E-MTB Tyres Eddy Current is only available for the rear, but now also in radial as well as the new Tacky Chan and Romy profiles.

Goodbye Addix: The rubber compounds

The compounds have also been simplified: the term Addix has been dropped. The previous Speedgrip rubber (blue stripe) will simply be called Mid in future and will serve as a versatile all-rounder with low rolling resistance and maximum durability. This is joined by Speed (red stripe) for maximum rolling efficiency and Soft (orange stripe) for more grip on trail and enduro tyres. The new Ultra Soft compound (purple stripe) has been completely redeveloped and is designed to offer maximum grip even in wet conditions.

Schwalbe Line and Pro Line: Upgrade for the affordable versions

Schwalbe will be offering two variants within each tyre family in future. The Schwalbe Line is the direct successor to the Performance Line. But "basic" doesn't sound like enough here, because the Schwalbe Line now also has the highest quality rubber compounds (Mid and Soft). Previously, the Performance Line rolled on its own low-cost rubber. Although it lasted a long time, it offered moderate wet grip and lacked confidence at the limit. With the Schwalbe Line, you have to do without some choice and radial constructions. However, at a price of 44.90 euros, the "simple" Schwalbe tyres are now apparently a really good option.

Schwalbe Pro Line (formerly Evolution Line)

The Pro versions are the successors to the tried and tested Evolution Line and deliver the best performance thanks to the latest materials and state-of-the-art technologies. Here you will also find all the tech innovations such as the new Ultra Soft Compound and radial carcasses. With an RRP of between 69.90 and 74.90 euros, the Pro tyres are positioned at the previous Evolution level, for the highest demands in use. All Pro tyres are also equipped with 100 percent Fair Rubber.

Less CO2: the fruits of recycling

An important detail in passing: carbon black makes tyres black, grippy and resistant and is therefore essential in tyre production. Schwalbe uses recycled carbon black from its own tyre recycling in all compounds, except for the new Ultra Soft. According to the manufacturer, this saves 80 per cent CO2 equivalent compared to conventionally produced carbon black.

Schwalbe MTB tyres 2027: A brief overview

• New logic with clear application areas: Race, Trail, Gravity
• New profiles (Romy, Tacky Chan)
• Old profiles sorted out (Big Betty, Hans Dampf, Eddy Current front)
• High-end compounds also for the affordable Schwalbe Line
• Use of recycled carbon black for all MTB tyres

>> Trail tyre test winner: Schwalbe Albert Radial and Nobby Nic

>> Radial different: Schwalbe revolutionises tyre construction

>> How recycling works: Schwalbe launches circular economy for tyres