First Look: The new Schwalbe Nobby Nic – In 26″, 27.5″ & 29″

After we spotted the all-new Nobby Nic tire on Nico Lau’s winning bike of Round 2 of the EWS in the Tweed Valley [Check here], Schwalbe have now officially presented their newest tire available in all three wheel sizes.

The new Nobby Nic is offered as the tire with the widest range of applications. From fast XC tracks to off-camber EWS-Stages, the new tire is ready to face any challenges. Markus Hachmeyer, Schwalbe’s chief R&D engineer stated: “It‘s not the fastest Cross-Country tire, not the toughest Enduro tire and also not the most grippy mud tire, but if you are looking for a tire that works in every situation, a tire that is never the wrong one, when it doesn’t matter what the weather is like, and no matter what kind of terrain is awaiting you, there is no better choice than the new Nobby Nic”. The Nobby Nic replaces the popular but slowly outdated Fat Albert.

New technology and new ideas were developed to increase the tire’s performance. Including new SnakeSkin, Tubeless-standard and tread pattern.

SnakeSkin

The new SnakeSkin is based on a strong monofilament fiber. This is supposed to make the sidewall up to 19% more cut resistant and also more airtight when setting the tire up tubeless.

Tubeless Easy

Tubeless Easy is a compromise between a normal tyre and a tubeless tire and replaces the old “Tubeless Ready” versions. It is supposed to be as easy to mount as a non tubeless tire, but requires tire sealant.

Tread Pattern

To achieve the broad range of applications of the new tire, Schwalbe’s engineers had to rearrange every single block on the tire. Size, shape, surface, position are all completely new, as is the embedded tire dimension in the tread pattern.</

Rubber Compounds

The Nobby Nic comes with several rubber compounds, EVO and Performance Line. In the EVO-Line there are two different versions, the PaceStar which has less rolling resistance, and the TriStar which has increased grip. The Performance line is the reasonably priced version.

Dual Chamber System

Even though Nico Lau and Scott Laughland have been spotted with two valves per wheel, the dual chamber version will not be available during the launch in autumn 2014.

Sizes

The Nobby Nic will be available in all the wheel dimensions. The width of the tire ranges from 2.1″ to 2.35″ in the 26″ version, from 2.25″ to 2.35″ in 27.5″ and 2.25″-2,35″ in 29″.

All shapes and sizes

Nico Lau was able to win his first EWS race on this new tire, so will it transfer his victorious qualities to the average rider? We are looking forward for some first ride impressions.

More information on www.schwalbe.com

Words: Sebastian Gierulski | Pictures: Schwalbe

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