Schwalbe tires

Due to the GPR sponsorship I was force to run Schwalbe tires or walk the plank. OK twist my arm. My only worry was that they wouldn't be as predictable or reliable as the tried and true Minion DHF. I am running the Muddy Mary 2.5dh triple nano on the DH bike and Wicked Will 2.35fr triple nano on the SS trail bike.
The Muddy Marys were slapped on the bike just prior to SRC winter series #1. I had ZERO rides on the tires prior to the race. I have no idea what pressure I was running, other than it had a good bulge when sitting on the bike. May have been a little hard, but I don't like flats. The dirt conditions were just about perfect for the first race, but there was a mud hole, rocks and a sandy patch. I had no ploblems with traction any where, and they seemed to roll decently. And they seem to be lighter than the Minions. Performed as directed.


of 5. retail price is a little high

The Wicked Wills may be one of the best tires I've used in a while. They are light, strong, roll well and have great traction. My first ride on them was at Ute Valley park in Colorado Springs. In the middle of January, 60 degrees. I encountered ice, slush, snow, mud, dry sand, hard pack, and rocky chutes. These tire did well in all, only packing up when the going got slow in the deeper snow. I never wanted for more traction. They broke loose when I expected, climbed well, rolled fast and shed mud well. I'm thinking I may be getting a DH casing for the big bike.
of 5 great tire. I'm not just saying that!

have to agree with you on the wills.....ran them on the local hill (hard pack sandstone w/ loose outer pack), at fontana super tack and suicide when it was both tacky and now that its dusty (both with pretty agressive rock strewn gardens) and i lover the way they feel. the best part is that the tread still looks new after many hard rides (granted i am running the dh 3c) so i don't think that durability will be an issue. i loved my excavaters but i really am glad that they put a gun to our heads :D . going to try the 2.35 freeride folding 3c's on the rig this weekend and see how they hold up

How heavy are they and are the beads a bitch to install???

really easy to install/ remove, can't pop the bead by hand, but close. for the weight, the 2.5 dh are 1370g and the folding are 970g for 2.5 and 890g for 2.35.........have never been much of a weight weenie so i don't know if thats good or not, but those are the stated weights by schwalbe :D

I was able to get them on by hand and seat the bead with a floor pump. But I wasn't able to get them to seal with slime. So I will be running tubes on the trail bike for now. All their 2011 tires will be tubeless ready. This was the 2.35 wicked will. I will get some proper sealant and try again.

I am not a racer but an aggressive rider and found the Schwalbe's (running Big Betty's) out perform Minions all around except price. my .02