Schwalbe Performance Line – Mountain bike tyres for heavy use

The Schwalbe Performance Line is a relatively cheap tyre series, focused on durability. According to Schwalbe, this influences grip, but you get durability instead.
Kees looks at the differences between this line and the Evo line, and tested the Rocket Ron edition of the Schwalbe Performance Line.

The Schwalbe Performance Line is offered as the value for money series. Excellent quality and meant to be used often.

Personally, I love to get the best of the best, but the money I spend should be in proportion to the quality and durability of the tyre.

With that idea in mind I looked at the Schwalbe Rocket Ron Performance Line. I have been using Schwalbe tyres for years, but always from the Evolution Line. What is the difference between those, and is it noticeable?

Differences Schwalbe Rocket Ron Performance Line and Evolution Line

To keep things clear, I’m going to look at:

• Tread
• Rubber compound
• Carcass

Tread

These two tyres have exactly the same tread. It is versatile and satisfactory for many mountain bikers. The tread is characterised by the studs that are far apart.

It has a round shape, which sounds logical but there are many tyres that have a more flat or pointed tread. This tyre is pre-eminently suitable for the woods.

Rubber compound

The compound of the Performance Line is the Dual compound. This means that two kinds of rubber have been used: one for the sidewalls and one for the tread.

Because of this, Schwalbe can optimally use the best qualities of the rubber. One of the two compounds can adjust its shape and the other offers plenty of grip in the corners.

The Evolution Line goes even further than that with a third compound. These tyres have a carcass that adjust to the conditions.

The middle studs are soft to offer grip, and the outer studs are slightly harder for good grip in the corners.

Performance line carcass

The carcass of a tyre has the most influence on the riding qualities of that tyre. There are 4 levels and the difference is measured in Treads per Inch(TPI).

The carcass consists of woven threads and the finer the thread the smoother the carcass.

The cheapest tyres have a TPI of 20 or 24. This is rough and not suitable for the woods. It is perfectly fine for a city bike, though.

Most standard tyres by Schwalbe have a carcass of 50 TPI. These are mostly the treaded tyres fitted to cheaper mountain bikes.

The Performance Line tyres have a carcass of 67 TPI and the Evolution Line 127 TPI. The last are recommended for races.

My experience with Schwalbe Performance

Mounting the tyres went smoothly. The tyre is easy to place on the rim, and they felt dood directly after inflating them.

The tyres are not Tubeless ready, so I added inner tyres. It went all so fast, that I wanted to replace the inner tyres with latex anyways.

It was possible, but cost more effort than with tyres that are tubeless ready. During the first ride I noticed that the Performance Line definitely holds up compared to the Evolution line.

Grip is the most important feature of the performance tyres. Add that to a low rolling resistance and an excellent weight. The tyres didn’t disappoint me during the rides.

Yes, I do notice differences with the Evolution line. But when push comes to shove I think Schwalbe made up a perfect slogan for the Performance Line: excellent tyres for heavy use and value for your money.

If only I hadn’t a soft spot for the best of the best, this tyre would always be on my bike.