Spotted: Prototype Schwalbe Radial XC Tires Raced on the Cross-Country World Cup

Radial tire construction in mountain biking changes performance through casing angles that cannot be seen from the outside or inside. Schwalbe cross-country radials are identified through prototype labeling and team logistics rather than visible inspection. Prototype tires may carry a “First Ride” marking, while a white “Tech Notes” box on the sidewall records internal variations for mechanics and engineers. Many in-development XC tires show this box, and only a few include tracking numbers, suggesting details may be finalized. Team trucks and organized crates reveal specific radial models, including Rick Radial V3 and Ron Radial, described as fast-rolling, lightweight XC tires.

"One of the most interesting and confounding things about the rise of radial tire construction in mountain biking is that you can't actually see it from the outside. The angle of the casing inside a tire makes all the difference in the world - as we've come to learn by riding modern radials. But you simply can't tell anything is different by looking at the tire - either from the outside or inside. So how do we know that Schwalbe cross-country radials are here?"

"Schwalbe often likes to label their all-new prototype tires with " First Ride " on the sidewall. But when they are trying to be a little more sneaky, or just changing up something inside, a little white 'Tech Notes' box on the sidewall provides a good spot for team mechanics and tire engineers to keep track of variations that could otherwise be overlooked. Pretty much every in-development Schwalbe cross-country tire we saw this weekend featured this white box. But only a rare few got a tracking number."

"Now, we head to a well-organized team truck. We're no snitches, though, so no need to call out who mis-typed Thunderbird for Thunder Burt. Keeping equipment for a professional XC race team organized certainly isn't easy, so this team has stackable crates to keep them all straight. Thunder Burt, Rocket Ron, Racing Ray, and just Rick. But what's especially notable are two of the bottom crates: Rick Radial V3 and Ron Radial with maybe a 6 or 7?"

"Undeniably, those are two of Schwalbe's fastest-rolling, lightweight XC tires. And when we previously asked Schwalbe about whether the same radial construction that has revolutionized their trail & gravity tires, would"

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