Preview: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2015

Back to an old nemesis.

Schwalbe is back with a revised version of the Nobby Nic tire, a hugely succesfull trail tire. This is the third generation, and I guess Schwalbe would say its their best yet. Last time I had the Nobby Nic strapped on, it pretty much disintegrated, I thought it was a useless piece of shit  as pointed out in my review. For whatever reason (well I guess its because they finally admitted that the old didn't work), Schwalbe did an entire remodeling of how the knobs are positioned....again. So have they finally nailed it?

26" performance line 2.1"

Claimed weight; 515g
Actual:526g
Close enough imo.

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Current Generation3 to the left vs  Generation2 to the right.

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My initial experience is positive. The knob position finally makes (more) sense, and the tire is performing at an acceptable level. I have been using it alot in the wet, conditions where Schwable tires usually fail to deliver in my experience compared to the competition.

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Side knobs are finally pushed more out, to allow more of a channel-like distribution. I say more, because Schwalbe is not quite there yet.
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I still strongly advocate the open channel system, that Maxxis, Specialized and Michelin has done for years. The Nobby Nic is aaalmost there.

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So how will this tire perform? Will it die like the old Nobby Nic did, or will it be flawless? How does it performs as tubeless tire, and is it mistake swallowing, all that, and more coming in a review soon. Stay tuned.