Spotted: Prototype Schwalbe Radial XC Tires Raced on the Cross-Country World Cup

Schwalbe’s innovative radial tire construction has quietly made its way into the cross-country mountain biking scene, as revealed by sightings at the recent World Cup event in Nové Město. Unlike traditional tires, the radial design’s internal casing angle is not visible externally, making it difficult to identify without insider knowledge. However, careful observation of professional teams’ equipment and sidewall markings, such as the discreet white ‘Tech Notes’ box, has confirmed that Schwalbe is actively developing and testing radial versions of their popular XC race tyres, including the Rick and Rocket Ron models. The presence of these prototype radials in team setups marks a significant development, especially given Schwalbe’s earlier scepticism about applying radial construction to cross-country racing. While radial tyres have been praised for increased grip without a rise in tyre pressure, the trade-off has traditionally been higher rolling resistance, which is a critical drawback in XC racing where efficiency is paramount. The fact that top teams are now experimenting with these tyres suggests that Schwalbe may have made advances in balancing grip and rolling resistance to meet the demands of elite cross-country competition. Notably, XC World Champion Jenny Rissveds was spotted riding a custom-painted Canyon Lux World Cup CFR bike equipped with Schwalbe’s radial tyres during the event. Her mechanic’s detailed notes indicated the use of 2.5-inch Thunder Burt Radials with foam inserts and remarkably low tyre pressures, highlighting a tailored approach to optimise performance on the dry, dusty course. Rissveds’ strong second-place finish in the XCO World Cup round underscores the potential of this new tyre technology in real racing conditions. The introduction of Schwalbe’s radial tyres to the XC World Cup paddock could signal a shift in tyre technology for cross-country racing, blending the enhanced grip benefits of radial construction with the lightweight and low rolling resistance characteristics demanded by racers. As these prototypes continue to be refined and tested by leading athletes, the broader adoption of radial tyres in XC competition may soon follow, potentially reshaping tyre choices and race strategies in the discipline.