Press Release 17.06.2024
Schwalbe combines development and innovation work in the Schwalbe LAB
Technological milestones for tires, tubes and recycling systems have been created in this way
Schwalbe is now pooling its research and development work under the name Schwalbe Lab. In the Schwalbe Lab, the family-owned company works together with athletes to refine new technologies. Over the past decades, various milestones have been achieved in this way.
Holger Jahn, COO at Schwalbe: “Every innovation starts with our firm conviction that even the best tire can be made even better. This requires precise analysis, a vision - and the courage to tackle new ideas. This is the origin of Schwalbe, which is how the first Marathon was created over 40 years ago. And this confidence drives us to this day: Our Schwalbe Lab will continue to set the pace for innovative products in the future.”
Technological milestones such as the tubeless setup as the standard for maximum performance on the road bike, pave the Schwalbe way. Patrick Lange won with the Pro One TT in Hawaii 2017, the first Ironman triumph without a tube in the tire. Another example: Working together with the pros in the Downhill World Cup, the Tacky Chan was developed as the fastest downhill tire in the world and debuted in 2023.
However, Schwalbe's research and development work goes even further. The Schwalbe Recycling System - the only holistic recycling system to date in which material is recovered from old tires to produce new ones - was also developed in the Schwalbe Lab. And the next innovations of the future are already in the works. The Schwalbe LAB stands for new standards in all areas.
THE TWO MODELS IN DETAIL
Albert
When developing the Albert, Schwalbe's developers used the findings from the development of the Tacky Chan. The basic question: What should a tire look like that gives me a lot of security in every situation? The shoulder lugs from the Tacky Chan were adopted and ensure extended braking edges, durability and good transferability of lateral forces. Overall, the tire is more closed and rounder. There are only two different lug types. Carl Kämper, Product Management & Development MTB: "We have much more rubber on the ground and several lugs that are constantly in contact with the ground. In combination with the larger contact area of the radial tires, this gives you exceptional control when riding, whether braking or accelerating. The tire adapts extremely well."
SHREDDA
Nothing is impossible? The Schwalbe Shredda sets completely new standards in terms of grip! The tire comes with a front and rear version and was specially developed for technically demanding trails with the e-MTB. The front tire scores with the greatest tread depth that Schwalbe has ever produced: 10mm on the shoulder and 8mm in the middle.
Visually, the tire is reminiscent of a motocross tire. While the center lugs stand like pyramids on the tire (stability and abrasion resistance), the angled shoulder lugs deform and close when riding. Even when turning in and leaning a lot, the tire still provides a lot of control. The tire not only offers advantages on uphills, the tread depth with the open tread design ensures good interlocking, especially on soft ground. The tire is therefore ideal for transferring momentum on soft ground despite the higher weight of an e-MTB.
Robert Mennen, Product Manager MTB: "When developing Shredda, the goal was to master technical trails! The long lugs transfer the steering forces even on steep uphill sections." This is why the profile of the tire looks so powerful, the focus here is clearly on function.
The tread depth of the Shredda Rear is slightly lower - the extreme protrusion of the many lugs is noticeable here. Individual lugs are reinforced with bridges to guarantee even more stability and durability. Mennen: "With the shoveling effect of the many lugs, we get the power on the ground - both when braking and accelerating."
Further information
Schwalbe UK LTD
Press Office
Hortonwood 30 | Shropshire TF1 7ET Telford
Phone: +441952602680 | press@schwalbe.com
www.schwalbe.com/en