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Editor’s conclusion
Schwalbe opts for the radial Johnny Watts A logical step: greater comfort and better grip are compelling arguments. However, only practical experience will show whether touring cyclists will have to accept a potentially higher rolling resistance in return. A version with a traditional diagonal carcass is no longer available. We’ve already ordered some tyres to test and will be reporting on them shortly.
Mountain bike tech for everyday use
Until now, radial tyres have mainly been associated with the performance MTB sector – where they provide better traction and control on challenging terrain. Schwalbe is now applying this technology to the Johnny Watts, targeting the booming SUV e-bike segment. These bikes are used both for everyday riding and occasionally on light off-road terrain, and are therefore expected to benefit particularly from the advantages of Radial tyres. The key feature: the radial construction provides up to 30 per cent more contact area and adapts much better to the ground.
What does this mean in practice?
A larger contact patch also means better inherent damping. Bumps, kerbs and rough surfaces are absorbed more gently before they reach the rider. This is intended to improve safety and comfort, particularly on e-bikes with higher average speeds. The tyre sits more steadily on the ground, providing greater control and reducing fatigue – this could be particularly noticeable on long rides or rough trails.
However, the increased contact patch also has its drawbacks. When it comes to rolling resistance, radial tyres usually perform slightly worse than traditional bicycle tyres with a diagonal carcass. It is possible, however, that Schwalbe can keep these drawbacks in check with the help of the rubber compound. In any case, the developers do not anticipate any significant disadvantage in terms of rolling resistance. Incidentally, when it comes to the rubber compound, the Johnny Watts primarily uses Schwalbe’s Green Compound, which incorporates carbon black from Schwalbe’s tyre recycling programme.
The profile remains the same; tubeless is new
There will be no changes to the tried-and-tested profile concept (here’s our review of the previous Johnny Watts model). Tightly spaced central tread blocks form an almost continuous tread surface for quiet, low-resistance rolling on tarmac. At the shoulders, the tread pattern opens up with generous, MTB-style side blocks – for secure cornering grip even off-road.
A new feature is its tubeless capability (TLR): the Johnny Watts can now also be ridden tubeless, which further enhances comfort, grip and puncture resistance, and even reduces rolling resistance. A practical bonus: the tyre is now compatible with modern hookless rims.
Three versions, a clear focus
Schwalbe offers the HYBRID Johnny Watts in three versions for different uses. In addition to the Johnny Watts TLR there is also the Johnny Watts Plus with extra puncture protection and the Johnny Watts 365 for particularly long-lasting performance and good grip, even in cold and wet conditions.
- Johnny Watts TLR: The Tubeless-Ready version with RaceGuard puncture protection and ADDIX Green rubber compound (recycled carbon black from our own tyre recycling programme), RRP €49.90 >> available here
- Johnny Watts Plus: All-round protection with an extra-thick GreenGuard puncture-resistant layer, similar to the Marathon Plus, as a clincher tyre, RRP €43.90 >> available here
- HYBRID 365 Johnny Watts Plus: All-season version with ADDIX 365 compound as a folding tyre, RRP €52.90 >> available here
The tyre is available in 27.5 and 28/29-inch sizes, in widths of 2.35, 2.60 and, for the Plus model, also 2.80 inches. All versions are also approved for high-speed e-bikes (E-50), whilst the 2.80-inch version is approved for E-25.
Adrian Kaether
Editor