Does it always have to be the most expensive? Bikes in themselves are expensive enough, we think. So is the wear part par excellence: the tyre. The most expensive model with a soft rubber compound and a strong carcass can cost 60 euros. That's 120 euros per set. And how long does it last? Depending on the area of use, not long. Expensive hobby! Surely there must be a cheaper way? Theoretically, yes, because every tyre manufacturer offers affordable versions of their successful models. The difference lies mainly in the quality of the carcass and rubber compound. It's no wonder that specialist dealers and manufacturers recommend the more expensive model: the higher the price, the greater the profit margin. But do the expensive versions really deliver so much more performance on the trail or does the cheaper version do the same?
For our duel, we have selected the Schwalbe Hans Dampf enduro tyre as an example. Once in the Performance version for 32.90 euros per tyre and once in the Trailstar version for 57.90 euros. With a price difference of 25 euros per tyre, you can save 50 euros per set. But should you?
For our blind test, we made the tyre models unrecognisable with paint. The scenario: Two riders, two identical bikes (Giant Reign), same pressure, same trails. As only the expensive Trailstar compound can be ridden tubeless, we put tubes in both tyres and inflated them to 1.7 bar at the front and 1.8 bar at the rear in dry conditions and 1.55 bar at the front and 1.65 bar at the rear in wet terrain. Would we be able to tell which was the more expensive tyre despite the masking?
Practical test: dry
For the descent, we chose our tried and tested test route in Latsch, the Tschili trail. It offers everything you need for a tyre test: angry stone fields, roots and lots of bend combinations. The trail is fun, as are our standard Giant Reign bikes (it's not for nothing that this bike received the downhill recommendation in FREERIDE 2/15). After the first passage (rocky, rough) we stop and swap bikes. We testers still only have an idea of which tyre we are riding. Then comes the second passage (technical, winding, dusty). Then we swap tyres again. At the next stop, we give our tip. After we scrape the spray paint off the tyre label, it turns out that we were both right. The more expensive Trailstar delivers more grip in bends and on rocky terrain, while the cheaper performance compound has less grip with the ground (especially on hard surfaces) and less damping (most noticeable). But both test riders have to admit: The difference is less than expected. You can ride the cheap tyre well!
Practical test: moist
For the test on damp ground, we rode on the Isar trails (mostly forest floor) in Munich. Again two riders, two identical bikes and again our mechanic covered up the tyre label with spray paint. We lowered the tyre pressure to 1.55 bar at the front and 1.65 bar at the rear for the rather tame trail. We put our bikes into the bends and it doesn't take long before one of us smears away. Riding error or bad tyre? We swap tyres, tilt the bikes into turns and after a very short time we're sure of ourselves. For final certainty, we take a look, scrape the paint off the tyre and bingo! The cheap "performance" tyre delivers noticeably less grip and slips away even when cornering slightly on the damp forest floor.
Laboratory test
The laboratory also shows the differences. The cheaper tyre wins in terms of rolling resistance. The harder Performance compound rolls significantly better (27.2 watts at 1.8 bar). In terms of puncture resistance, on the other hand, the expensive Trailstar compound is the winner. Despite an identical EPI value (fabric threads per inch), the softer Trailstar tyre wins in terms of puncture resistance. It has the higher quality carcass. (Laboratory details: see table).
...
Favourable: Schwalbe Hans Dampf Performance
detailsEPI: 67, Dual Compound, 27.5x2.35 inch
Weight754 g (per tyre)
Price: 32,90 Euro
Info: www.schwalbe.com
Cornering grip dry 4 out of 6 points
Cornering grip wet 1 out of 6 points
Attenuation 2 out of 6 points
Expensive: Schwalbe Hans Dampf Evo Trailstar
detailsEPI: 67, Trailstar Compound, 27.5 x 2.35 inch
Weight818 g (per tyre)
Price: 57,90 Euro
Info: www.schwalbe.com
Cornering grip dry 5 out of 6 points
Cornering grip wet 4 out of 6 points
Damping 4 out of 6 points
Conclusion: We secretly hoped that we would be able to recommend the cheaper tyre after this test - but we can't do that. The difference is clearly noticeable. The cheaper performance compound is unpleasant in damp terrain and even treacherous in extreme situations. If you still want to save money, you should at least go for the expensive rubber compound at the front.
What the testers say
Ludwig Döhl: "The test showed that with cheap tyres you significantly weaken the performance of your bike and have less fun. That's why I would save on tyres last, even if good tyres are expensive."
Peter Nilges: "The tyre is the part where you can tease a lot of performance out of your bike with little effort. You should definitely go for the expensive rubber compound, at least at the front."
Laurin Lehner: "In dry terrain, the difference was still limited, but on damp surfaces it didn't take a minute and we knew: the cheap tyre was smearing away. That can be really tricky!"
Interview with tyre specialist Markus Hachmeyer (Schwalbe): "No matter which model or which brand"
Can our summary also be used as an example for other models and manufacturers?
That is possible, because a 30-euro tyre has similar performance differences to a 50-euro tyre. Regardless of the model or brand.
What is the biggest difference between the two tyres tested?
In the more expensive Trailstar compound, the folding core is more stable to make the tyre leak-proof in tubeless use. The carcass is also of a higher quality and the tyre has better sidewall protection. However, the cheaper tyre rolls better due to the harder rubber compound.
Why are bicycle tyres so expensive compared to car tyres?
The quantities are lower for bike tyres, more is done by hand. High development costs also drive up the price. Large quantities of car tyres are mainly produced automatically.
Which biker would you advise to use a favourable rubber compound?
Price-conscious bikers who also ride on dirt tracks and asphalt and don't want to demand everything from their tyres off-road.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
