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Conclusion Adrian Kaether, Editor Test & Technology
Schwalbe's new Romy is an exciting tyre for a broad target group. The predecessor Hans Dampf was popular - if at all - as a rear tyre. Romy is much more versatile. We also had a lot of fun with the front tyre and on demanding, sometimes wet trails. The tyre is still light enough and rolls well. We would also recommend it for long tours, provided there is a decent amount of trail.
The gap in the range
Until now, you were faced with a dilemma when setting up a trail or all-mountain bike with Schwalbe: either you chose a rather tame all-mountain tyre such as the Nobby Nic with good rolling characteristics. Or you could go straight for heavy tyres such as Magic Mary or Albert, which were actually developed for enduro.
It is precisely this gap that Schwalbe now wants to close with the Romy. Schwalbe wants to associate it with the English "to roam". More precisely, it is even called "the" Romy, as it is a woman's name after all. The new trail tyre should offer a lot of riding fun both uphill and downhill - as a versatile all-rounder for tours with challenging trails that works on both the front and rear wheel.
The Romy profile: Aggressive but efficient
The tread design of the Romy reflects this philosophy: aggressive shoulder lugs provide more grip in bends. At the same time, the centre tread remains narrow with a relatively low tread depth for good rolling behaviour and high durability. This mixture is intended to optimally combine control and versatility. The Romy is therefore somewhat lighter than classic gravity tyres from Schwalbe and rolls better. This should be the ideal compromise for trail bikes and all-mountain bikes for which the Nobby was previously a little too tame.
Radial or classic - spoilt for choice
Romy is available in a whole range of variants. According to Schwalbe's new tyre logic (overview here) for both trail and gravity use. The versions with a radial carcass offer a larger contact area for more grip, safety and damping, but also increased rolling resistance. The classic diagonal carcass is the right choice when minimum rolling resistance and maximum efficiency are paramount. By choosing different rubber compounds (mid or soft), you can fine-tune the tyre's range of use.
Between Nobby and Albert: how the Romy sorts itself out
With weights from around 1,000 grams, the Romy is positioned exactly where it belongs: it is around 100 grams heavier than a Nobby Nic, but also almost 100 grams lighter than the Albert, with presumably better rolling resistance. The lightest version Romy Race Pro in 29x2.40 should weigh from 970 grams.
Overview of weights (all soft compound, 29 x 2.4, BIKE measurements*)
- Nobby Nic 29 x 2.4 Supertrail Soft966 grammes
- Romy 29 x 2.4 Trail Pro Soft: 1078 grams
- Romy 29 x 2.4 Trail Pro Radial Soft: 1110 grams
- Albert 29 x 2.4 Trail Pro Radial Soft: 1190 grams
*Don't put the figures on the gold scale. No two tyres weigh exactly the same. Variances of +/- 5 per cent are the rule, not the exception. We have weighed at least two tyres on all but the non-radial Romy Trail, and are using the mean value.
From 44.90 euros: Four versions for every requirement
The Romy is available in four expansion stages of the new Schwalbe portfolio: The affordable Romy Trail (€44.90) is the price-performance cracker with the high-quality soft and mid-compounds that were previously reserved for the expensive Evolution Line. Good grip and reliable puncture protection at an entry-level price are the key features.
The more expensive Trail Pro version (69.90 euros) is available in a wide range of 29 and 27.5 and 2.4 and 2.5 inch sizes. Radial costs five euros extra. If you want more puncture protection, for example on the Enduro rear wheel, you can choose the Romy Gravity Pro (74.90 - 79.90 euros). Romy Race Pro (69.90 euros) is only available in 29 x 2.4 inch and with Mid Compound.
An overview of availability: The Romy is available in the sizes 27.5x2.40, 29x2.40 (also radial), 27.5x2.50 (radial only) and 29x2.50 (radial only) - all as tubeless-ready folding tyres with e-bike approval.
On the trail: first check of the new Romy
At the press camp in Molini di Triora and on our home trails, we were able to ride a few laps with the new Romy. We used both grippy radial variants and classic tyres with a diagonal carcass and soft compound at the front and a faster mid-compound at the rear.
One thing is clear: the Romy is in a different league to the Nobby Nic downhill and gives you much more confidence, especially on the radial. This means you can also keep a good grip on demanding enduro trails. The high shoulder lugs actually provide a lot of cornering grip at about Albert level. At the limit, the grip is never suddenly lost.
Flipping the tyre onto its side requires a little effort due to the different lug heights, but by no means as much as the previous Tacky Chan, for example. The Romy also bites hard on the brakes. Wet stones and roots were no problem, but we couldn't yet test how the tyre performs in deep mud. This is where the closed tread could reach its limits. But the Romy still rolls well. The difference to a more tame tyre like the Nobby Nic or even the Wicked Will on the rear wheel is noticeable.
I was surprised how well the Romy also works on enduro trails. On an aggressive downhill bike, I would use it without hesitation, especially on the rear wheel and perhaps the new Tacky Chan Ultrasoft at the front. But I wouldn't be sad about Romy/Romy either. The Romy cuts a fine figure on a trail bike anyway. Maybe in combination with a faster rear tyre, depending on your preference.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
