21/04/2008
Road
test: tyres Schwalbe Stelvio
Very polyvalent and reliable tyres, according to the changing nature
of inflation pressure
The company
Schwalbe is a well-known German company based in
Reichshof-Wehnrath, near Cologne. As we know today Schwalbe was
founded in 1973, but the roots of the company, or rather its
ownership, date back to the early twentieth century, when the family
Bohle began his adventure in business. The turning point for the
bicycle industry occurred in 1973, when the family bought a Koreas’
company, Swallow-Tires: the current Schwalbe. Over the years the
company has built an excellent reputation, especially among the
cyclists who appreciate products reliable and durable. This,
however, did not prevent Schwalbe to engage even in competitions, as
with the sponsorship of the team Gerolsteiner, and to develop a
range suitable for most sportif cyclists. Today offers a complete
range of tyres, tubes and accessories that cover the entire cycle
market.
The Stelvio range
The Stelvio range is one step below the top level of tyres
dedicated to racing bike and is included in the Performance category
where you can find all the range Stelvio: Stelvio HS 376 (product in
folding version and not), Stelvio HS 350 (for wheels by 26 inches),
Stelvio Plus (with a special protection against punctures), Stelvio
Tubolar (tubular) and Stelvio Light (185 grams declared). In
general, the range Performance is characterised by a good light, but
with a particular emphasis on the duration and on the protection
against drilling. Balanced tyres, suitable for the large fund and
long run cyclists who want lightness, but also a reliable coverage.
It is no a coincidence that Stelvio’s tube are adopted by team
Gerosteiner, just for his compromise reliability and lightness.
The tyre we tried
We tried the tyre Stelvio HS 376 foldable version in classical
measure 700X23. It presents a double surface mixes with that of the
hips that offers more grip and central priority duration. The
surface is virtually slick, even if you have, to touch, a rough and
not perfectly smooth like other products. The casing consists of 67
threads per inch, a value lower than its competitors, (remember that
the higher the number of threads per inch higher the quality of the
product, see the article Tyres or Tubular). The inflation pressure
may range from 6 to 10 bar, a very important value. The weight
declared by the manufacturer is 235 grams, we have detected a weight
of 238 grams and 237 grams for the two tyres. Available in sizes
700x20-23 - 25. In blue, red, white, yellow, black, gray, orange and
silver, for the extent 700X23, while measures 700X20 and 700X25 are
available only blacks.
The road test
The
road test was held in various weather conditions, various inflation
pressures and with different bikes, alternating funds roads in good
condition and very uneven. The assembly of these tyres, or their
removal, did not give any problems. At maximum inflation pressure
permitted, have showed a good glide and a good grip on dry asphalt.
Even with low ambient temperatures grip offered by the Stelvio was
excellent, as is the excellent sealing at high speed, cornering or
braking. They have an excellent communication, in the sense that you
can always understand what's happening "under the tyre" and this
helps a lot, especially when we are approaching the limit. On the
other hand, these pressures comfort offered is virtually null and
with rigid bicycles is very hard to run on disconnected. A behavior,
however, predictable. Even under conditions of wet asphalt taken is
good, although it is better not to exaggerate: in this is good the
tyres communications that helps you to understand when they are
going out of order. In these conditions, if you want to find a good
grip, pressure of inflation should be a little lower, bringing it to
8 bar, so security had on you. On wet you absolutely must get off to
a minimum to get a good grip, otherwise it's easy to incur losses
grip, even without much force. At these pressures the friction
remains good, but not comparable to that offered at most bars, it
turns out, however, that these tyres are "also" comfortable and
suitable in use less racing. The fact remains that on wet they
didn’t offer their best part, in my opinion. In general they exalt
on well-maintained road and inflated to the maximum, where show a
good glide and weight, all things considered, quite content. Inflate
to minors bar highlight a god grip to the ground and a good
comfort, on disadvantage of smoothness.
Conclusions
This is a very good compromise tyre, very polyvalent. He has his
only Achilles heel on behaviour on wet, but in other conditions it
shows a good grip and glide. Excellent communication, which helps to
prevent unwanted and sudden loss of grip.
Values
Smoothness when it is inflated to the maximum bar
Grip on dry road
Comfort when it inflates to minimum bar
Defects
Grip on wet road
Comfort when it is inflated to maximum bar
Is suitable for
Athlete: it’s too heavy for a true agonist, unless you want
anyway priority duration and reliability, which may be a good
training tyre
GF-tourist cyclist: for long distance is a good choice, at pressure
of 7-8 bar you get a good compromise between comfort, smoothness and
road holding in all conditions of asphalt.
Price
The price of 32 Euros, in Italy, though high, is up to the value
of the tyre.
For further information:
Ralf Bohle GmbH
Otto-Hahn-Straße 1
51580 Reichshof-Wehnrath
Tel.
+49 (22 65) 10 90
Web site:
www.schwalbe.com
Luca Salvatelli
