The 'turbo' of spike tyres. With 361 spikes it bites firmly into icy roads. The tungsten carbide core of each spike is clad in weight-saving aluminum. The scales stop at 995g, yet the tyre remains sporty and agile. In order to ensure that spikes are permanently fixed, tyres should be run in for about 40km on asphalt, while avoiding any fast acceleration or heavy braking. Can it also be ridden on a normal road? Without any problem, but if the road is only rarely covered with snow the resulting tyre noise may prove annoying.
And it won't slide out in cornering? No. The spikes 'claw' really well into normal asphalt roads and even fast cornering is not a problem. Aren't spikes illegal? Bike tyre spikes are no problem. Only motor vehicles spikes are prohibited in some countries, because they damage the road. Fast E-bikes are however considered motor vehicles.
What is the lifespan of the spikes? All Schwalbe spikes have a core made of extremely hard wearing tungsten carbide, so they can cover a few thousand kilometers. It is normal for the spike edges to round off and for them to become more deeply embedded. What are the tyres' limitations? In deep snow even spike tyres won't help.
- The 'turbo' of spike tyres.
