Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 28c. Ride report

[toosahn]

Very unscientific report here, but I really like these tires. I just had a wheelset built for me: A23s laced to my Campy Record 10 hubs, and these Schwalbes really run big on these rims. More of a true or bigger 28c tire than any I've ever used.

I like the fact that they slicks. I like that they are lightweight (235g). Only time will tell how durable they are, but Schwalbe claims they are made to last longer than most training tires and they also have a puncture protection layer.

Regardless, they roll very quiet, very smooth and soak up bumps better than my Pasela TG's or Tservs. Again, this could be a combination of wider rims and these tires so your mileage may vary.

Downside is the price: $48 each. But if you are looking for a true 28c tires, that's lightweight and has some puncture protection, check these out.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UrS8jNTtMLs/T58wCiQ_V2I/AAAAAAAAGcE/hZLn_5FQHUI/s800/IMG_20120430_173316.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6fLFtTOifek/T58wYZWxUTI/AAAAAAAAGco/-4lyXC99-F0/s800/IMG_20120430_173600.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ir2XsDHG3XA/T58w1iR5DcI/AAAAAAAAGc4/zJ6CmtgL8Hc/s800/IMG_20120430_173506.jpg

[buldogge]

I've been transitioning from Conti GP4000s to Ultremo ZXs as needed. I have both 25c and 28c...

I really like how they ride, and they have held up just fine to my urban commute...FWIW.

-Mark in St. Louis

[MattTuck]

Can I ask a personal question?

What is the combined bike/rider weight? and what pressure are you running these tires at?


Thanks for the report!

I'm ready to get off my fred flinstone rock tires... aka conti gatorskins!

[toosahn]

I'm running at 80-90 psi in the front and 90-95 psi in the rear.

I commute with my bike so the combined weight will fluctuate depending on my load (0-25lbs). Therefore the combined weight will fluctuate between 190-215lbs.

I haven't ridden the bike loaded with a 25 lbs backpack yet so that will really tell me how much the ride has improved.

[dave thompson]

Can I ask a personal question?

What is the combined bike/rider weight? and what pressure are you running these tires at?


Thanks for the report!

I'm ready to get off my fred flinstone rock tires... aka conti gatorskins!
I run the ZX 28mm tires on my Milholland with the wide A23 rims. I'm around 195~200, the bike about 22 lbs and inflate the tires 85~90 psi. Wonderful! The same setup will be used on a new bike I'll have in a couple of weeks.

[MattTuck]

toosahn and Dave,

Thanks for the info. I am thinking these might be a good choice for my next tires.

[monkeybanana86]

These tires seem to be popular. How do they do in the rain? My favorite commuters are armadillos and gatorskins. I tried to venture out so I got some cheap $18 bontragers slicks and those slip like crazy in the rain.

[toosahn]

So far so good. I really like the profile they have on the A23s. Very rounded and progressive. I like the fact that the sidewalls aren't much weaker than the main tread (like Paselas). It evens out the transition between straightline and cornering.

Overall, excellent tire that I would buy again (hopefully not for at least another 2000 miles).

[eddief]

the best riders I have ever been on...after mostly Pro Race 3. me 190 at about 90 psi.

[binouye]

I've now got 1000 miles on the 25c version, also on A23 rims. I usually keep them about 90 psi (150 lbs), and I like their ride a lot. They also seem to be holding up very well. I got a pair on deep sale from PlanetX UK, along with some other bits -- their shipping (to the US) is fairly expensive, but for a larger order it worked out to be worth it. Ribble has them for $37 right now, and their shipping charges are much lower.

[Waldo]

I'm running at 80-90 psi in the front and 90-95 psi in the rear.

I commute with my bike so the combined weight will fluctuate depending on my load (0-25lbs). Therefore the combined weight will fluctuate between 190-215lbs.

I haven't ridden the bike loaded with a 25 lbs backpack yet so that will really tell me how much the ride has improved.

OMG, a frame that size and combined weight as low as 190! You're a beanpole redefined. I mean that as a compliment.

[chwupper]

$48 for a Schwalbe tire is relatively inexpensive! The website lists them "from $79.85". How did you get this price?

ps -- ribble's prices are listed in pounds, not dollars :)

[toosahn]

From my local bike mechanic. Ribbles prices are cheaper at the moment if you buy two.

[Rueda Tropical]

http://www.worldclasscycles.com/clincher_tires_only.htm

They have the ZX at 51.95

They also stock Veloflex and the Deda RS corsa

[chwupper]

http://www.worldclasscycles.com/clincher_tires_only.htm

They have the ZX at 51.95

They also stock Veloflex and the Deda RS corsa

Wow -- thanks for the link!

[Dromen]

Just bought a pair on Ribble web for $73.44 pair with some other stuff. Shipping for all, $7.50

[toosahn]

^^^that's the best deal.

These tires are really great. Well worth the $10-15 premium over Pasela TGs and leagues better than the 28c GP 4seasons I had on before. They have a firm, damped feel to them, rather than the spongy cake feeling of the Paselas and the the rock hard feeling of the GP4seasons.

I don't think there is another 28c tire out there that is close.

[professerr]

I second the favorable vibe on these Ultremo ZX 28s. For reference, I ride various Vittoria tubulars and, previously, Rolly Polly or Ruffy Tuffy clinchers. The Ultermos are vastly superior in all aspects (except perhaps puncture resistance -- but I rarely flat) to the Ruffy Tuffies and Rolly Pollies -- not a big surprise there. It is harder to compare to tubulars since the wheels are different, but I definitely prefer them to my big 27mm Vittoria CGs on GP4s. They feel faster to me (who knows if they really are), and they feel more supple and grippy-er. They are great on a bumpy fast descent.

The 25mm, btw, seem much, much smaller. In fact, the 25mm Ultremo was smaller than my Vittoria 23mm Open Corsa I had on my front for a while.

[mistermo]

Will the 28 Ultremos mounted on an A23 or C2 likely fit on a standard road bike with carbon fork/standard brakes? Or is it likely I'll have to size down to a 25? Thx!

[forrestw]

I'm glad to hear this, I've had great experiences with Schwalbe's ultremo DD and R1.1 and was planning to order some ZX's for this summer.

[dave thompson]

Will the 28 Ultremos mounted on an A23 or C2 likely fit on a standard road bike with carbon fork/standard brakes? Or is it likely I'll have to size down to a 25? Thx!

On A23 rims, my 28mm Ultremos measure about 30mm wide.

[Sandy]

Anyone purchase from Ribble before? Their prices seem really low. I decided to purchase 3 of the tires mentioned and then noticed this thread. I will buy them from Ribble (THANKS for the tip) as long as I know there has been some positive experience dealing with them.


Any Ribble buyers? (Dave Thompson- Ribble, not Ripple the wine :):))



Sandy

[Dromen]

my first time with ribble. but other UK purchases have been uneventful.

[dave thompson]

Anyone purchase from Ribble before? Their prices seem really low. I decided to purchase 3 of the tires mentioned and then noticed this thread. I will buy them from Ribble (THANKS for the tip) as long as I know there has been some positive experience dealing with them.


Any Ribble buyers? (Dave Thompson- Ribble, not Ripple the wine :):))



Sandy

Oh, not the wine? Disappointing.

I've purchased from Ribble, including the very same tires that this thread is about. Pricing of course, also their service is very good. Will do again.

[eddief]

I have 25mm between Ultegra brakes on Ouzo. With brakes open, need to yank tires out. Not too hard, but a little pull. Ouzo clearance is minimal to a bit scarily tight. On my Roubaix there was more fork clearance, but brakes were still a pull through.

Will the 28 Ultremos mounted on an A23 or C2 likely fit on a standard road bike with carbon fork/standard brakes? Or is it likely I'll have to size down to a 25? Thx!