Ultremo DD's

[anonymous-user]

For anyone looking at tyre options I have just finished off a set of these Schwalbe's. They started off purely as a tyre for crits but I liked them so much compared to 4 seasons that they were used on everything. Overall I would say about 3500 miles for the pair. They have cut up fairly easily and although I have been regularly gluing the larger cuts I knew that they were pretty much done for however it was the sidewalls that have made me dump them at this mileage. A thread is peeling around the lower sidewall and there are cracks higher up, neither have deformed I must add or showed signs of about to do so but it isn't brilliant. Puncture protection has been pretty effective with only two flats overall. Both of these have been in recent weeks and on roads covered in flints, to be fair the tyre has got quite a flat on it now so they aren't going to be at their best. They might be ok for a bit longer but I dont think it's wise looking at the damage and taking into account the diminishing returns that they will deliver.

Would I recommend them, overall yes but the sidewall issue IMO shouldn't happen. Any tyre can cut if you ride over something and bearing in mind these have been through a crappy winter followed by a crappy summer, crits, club rides, Oxford to Ireland etc they are fairly tough. Grip wise for me they are awesome wet or dry and give a really secure feeling I was very tempted to stay with the brand for this alone. The GP4000's are going to have to be pretty good but loads of people have recommended them so I am looking forward to seeing what they are like. There you go. A good although reasonably expensive all rounder that rolls well and feels like a race tyre.

Good Points
Grip, stonking.
Feel, turn in is brilliant.
Rolling, seem good to me but will report on the 4000s's and see what the difference is?
Tough

Bad Points
Expensive, paid about £37 quid each for them at the time which is too much money.
Sidewall wear, not really acceptable given the age and mileage?
Cut quite easily and if you are unlucky and get a big cut the tyre is going to be finished.

[Jimbo.]

I have them on my SS/FG in 25mm format, and have had *exactly* the same problems with the sideways breaking up, threads hanging out etc. Several reports on BikeGaydar, etc. Schwable ste. Anyone remember the Ultremo sidewalls failing and ballooning out?

As you say they feel OK and roll along nicely for a "toughened" tyre. BUT the breaking up inspires zero confidence, so I'm skidding mine around until they die, whereupon they'll be replaced with some Conti GP 4 Seasons.

re. the GP4000S' (note the u/c S as part of the name, rather than the plural!), they're great! A little more grip, a little faster rolling, feel a little nicer, lighter and a touch more fragile...as you'd expect from any high-end race tyre, really...

Edited by Jimbo. on Thursday 19th July 18:01

[anonymous-user]

Jimbo. said:

I have them on my SS/FG in 25mm format, and have had *exactly* the same problems with the sideways breaking up, threads hanging out etc. Several reports on BikeGaydar, etc. Schwable ste. Anyone remember the Ultremo sidewalls failing and ballooning out?

As you say they feel OK and roll along nicely for a "toughened" tyre. BUT the breaking up inspires zero confidence, so I'm skidding mine around until they die, whereupon they'll be replaced with some Conti GP 4 Seasons.

re. the GP4000S' (note the u/c S as part of the name, rather than the plural!), they're great! A little more grip, a little faster rolling, feel a little nicer, lighter and a touch more fragile...as you'd expect from any high-end race tyre, really...

Its a shame as it put me off the race Ultremo and I think it would be a decent tyre. My GP4's have got vertical splits in the sidewalls and cut quite severly in a couple of places. They dont roll that well and I am not a fan TBH. Another rider in the club has the same issues and he switched to Gatorskins which have been fine. I'd still recommend the DD's but wouldn't pay retail for them knowing the issues.