Product news: The new Schwalbe Wicked Will combines the aggressiveness of a trail tire with the speed of a cross-country tire. The tire was developed for riders who want grip and traction on the descent, but don't want to do without a fast tire with good rolling properties when going uphill.
The new Schwalbe Wicked Will is fast, but not as fast as a classic cross country tire. In addition, it is aggressive, but not as aggressive as a trail tire - this is how Schwalbe Product Manager Carl Kamper roughly explains the properties of the new downcountry tire. With the tire, Schwalbe is therefore dedicating itself extensively to the trend of 2021. The focus here is on routes from the midday lap to crossing the Alps, preferably with many meters of altitude uphill and downhill. Downcountry bikes are mostly light, descent-oriented cross-country fullies with little spring travel - and Schwalbe offers the right tires with the Wicked Will.
The middle lugs with small ramps on the front edges should ensure easy running. The ramps are arranged in an interrupted manner in order to provide sufficient propulsion at the same time. According to the manufacturer, every millimeter is used for grip thanks to pronounced siping – small indentations on each surface. For a lot of grip in the curve, the Wicked Will has shoulder lugs with long gripping edges, which come from the downhill area. According to Carl Kämper, the new Wicked Will combines speed and grip in one tire and thus positions itself as a multi-talent between Nobby Nic and Racing Ralph.
Schwalbe will publicly present the downcountry tire at the World Cup opener in June in Leogang, Austria. Anyone who wants the new tires will have to wait until spring next year. Only then will the new Wicked Will be available in the 29×2.40 version in specialist bicycle shops. You can then choose from the three carcass constructions Super Race, Super Ground and Super Trail with Addix Speedgrip Compound, the price will be 62,90 euros.
The New Schwalbe Wicked Will: Presented by Rob Warner, Emily Batty, Scottie Laughland and Amoury Pierron [Video]
Website: www.schwalbe.com