Editor’s Note: Schwalbe is hitting the 29″er market with two new treads in 2010 and our European correspondent, “c_g” has them in hand for test/review.
New Schwalbe 29er tires – NOBBY NIC 2.25 and ROCKET RON 2.25 on test, by “c_g”
Ok you guys have been spoiled (or tormented) with my long reviews recently – this time will be different – though the topic is no less interesting. Schwalbe´s upcoming release of their most popular XC tread patterns NOBBY NIC and ROCKET RON in 29er format.
These particular tires (in 26”) have been hugely successful here in Europe because of their wide range of trail conditions they were able to handle and the low rolling resistance … but they were also known to be fast wearing. The release in 29er format can be seen as a strong indication that 29ers have officially arrived here in Europe – some may even go as far to call them mainstream (ok that is taking things a little too far). Schwalbe has had several tires in their 29er line up for years but apart maybe from the Racing Ralph (high volume, lightweight, mostly dry conditions) they all had been very niche, specialty tires: the Little Albert 2.1 (full tread but skinny), Furious Fred (super light and super fast but, but prone to punctures). But here in Europe many have been waiting for more all-round suitable tires to follow.
And here they are!!! The NOBBY NIC 2.25 and ROCKET RON 2.25. These new 29er tires have just been delivered to me and here are my first observations.
Both tires share the same Schwalbe top of the line triple compound tread technology which is supposed to optimize generally contradicting requirements of high traction and low rolling resistance by applying different compounds in different places of the tread.
Both tires are labeled to have a 2.25” (57 mm) width. With SCHWALBE´s reputation for “overstating” the size of their tires, it will be interesting to see the real width of them mounted and inflated.
ROCKET RON is the XC Race oriented tire which is known to handle a remarkably wide range of trail conditions and features super low rolling resistance. This racy orientation is shown in the light sidewalls and the low overall weight of 515 and 512 g (my two samples). The casing on the ROCKET RON is Schwalbe´s most supple 127 tpi casing. The Rocket RON mounted with a tube immediately had a 53 mm width ……and will likely do some stretching over time.
Fig 1 showing the 29er Rocket RON racing tire on the scale
The NOBBY NIC (also goes by the second name of “allgrounder”) is more touring oriented, thus having a taller, more aggressive tread pattern and features the tougher 67 tpi casing plus reinforced sidewalls (called SNAKE SKIN). Consequently the weight is higher but still respectable at 646 and 652 g. Mounted with tube on a 19 mm (inside width) rim it started out at a narrow 51 mm but had stretched within a night pumped to 2.5 bar to 53.5 mm – let´s see how big it gets when done tubeless.
Fig 2 showing the Nobby Nic – the more aggressive tread is obvious
All SCHWALBE MTB tires from the Evolution line are said to be tubeless ready from this spring on and I am very curious to see about this side of the NOBBY NIC and the ROCKET RON as well.
Stay tuned for more…
Awesome, all these Schwalbe choices!
A pair of Schwalbe Supermoto 29″ tires is ready for me to collect, I now just need to make time to pick them up. Will be sure to pass on my experiences. As the 1-kilogram Big Apple 2.35″ alrady works fine as an off-road rer tire for my kind of riding, I wonder how far I can take the SM (same tread, but Evolution carcass) as a rear, and even as a front. The 26″ version is popular on sea dune trails, to not erode the trails too quickly, but ride even more quickly. We know all tires get better in 29″, soo…
Like the Racing Ralphs. Waiting to see how the Rocket Ron compares.
I’m not a fan of the Schwalbe tires, however I think it’s a good sign that they are coming out with more 29er tires.
Always liked the Nobby Nic, as well as Fat Alberts on my Bionicon, would love to test a set in 29′er persuasion, Maybe Mike (GG) can help out.
I want a Rocket Ron in Snakeskin.
By May.
Please!
I bought both of these at Sea Otter. The Rocket Ron is very fast and super light. I have it mounted up front. It washed on some hard stuff and completely lost it on wet rock. The Nobby Nick out back, is not as fast rolling as I would like but it grabs the dirt with authority. Off-camber, rocky, steep areas were not a problem. Not once did it break free. It has some tall nobs so I expect it to wear well. I’ve noticed many other tires in this weight range shave the nobs down to save weight thus reducing their effective lifespan.
I have both tires mounted on my Stan’s 355 rims. The Nobby Nic mounted well tubeless (floor pump) and sealed up perfectly, no leaks whatsoever. The Rocket Ron would not seal. It had numerous holes in the casing and the bead would not seal up no matter how much sealant was exposed to them. To run the Ron tubeless, definitely wait for the snake skin version. But it is super light and it sheds mud (or cow poo) very well. Overall I am happy with them but can see the Ron’s sidewalls failing at some point. Buy the Nick but wait for the toughened up Ron.
Hi there GT, long time lurker, first post! Been waiting for these. I’m currently running a 2..4 MTN king fr and 2.2 mntn king rear tubeless on arch’s. Love the front, so so on the back. 2 questions. have they stretched more than the 53.5 mm’s? are you measuring the casing or the knobbies? Basically, how does the 2.25 Nobby Nic compare in width to the 2.4 and 2.2 mntn kings? If it’s close to the 2.4 conti then I’d consider trying them front and back. The 26″ versions of the new nic I tried seem to roll a little better than the conti, grip well and save some weight.
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks
I have the rocket ron 29×2.4 as a front tire. I run that with a hutchinson python 2.1 rear (measures as a 1.6…). Deffinitely the best combination that I’ve tried so far. only washed out the front tire a few times, mostly on really firm hardpack. Really confident in this front tire. It lets me race at a course I havent seen in a year and be one of the faster guys out there. Great self-cleaning too, almost never holds mud. I haven’t flatted it yet. Very impressive tire.