FIRST LOOK: Schwalbe Eddy Current eMTB tyres
We have fitted up some Schwalbe Eddy Current eMTB tyres - and here's why.
The growth of eMTBs in Australia and around the globe is huge. And why not? An eMTB takes away one of the biggest inhibitors for riders to have more fun in the sport – specific fitness! And while here at AMB we will always love out analogue bikes – those with digital toys to play with are increasingly awre that some of the normal bike parts just don't quite cut it when going large on a long-travel eMTB.
Bike designs and component designs are often based on system weight. The system being the bike, the rider, and their gear. Now when your bike starts to weigh over 22kg everything begins to change.
Take a look at the Eddy Current's on Paul ven der Ploeg's Giant Trance E+
Most eMTBs use plus-sized tyres – so 27.5 x 2.8". The bigger bag gives you the big contact path that a heavier bike needs for traction, and the bigger tyre paired to a wide rim (usually 35mm internal or maybe a bit more) should give you plenty of stability.
But a plus tyre doesn't always have the sidewall support for such a heavy bike – the current batch of sidewalls and casings don't quite work for those who really want to ride an eMTB hard. And that's what the longer travel eMTBs are designed for. Riders have dropped to downhill casings on 2.5" tyres, but this drops the bottom bracket height as well. It's a sub optimal solution.
The Schwalbe Eddy Current hits the trail as a 1.48kg tyre, with a heavy sidewall, bead reinforcement, tread blocks that look like they're from a motorbike, and the Addix Soft compound.
We pulled the Minions of our BMC Trail Fox AMP test bike and set these up tubeless. They beaded up with no worries, and added about 500g per tyre.
There are 29x 2.6" front and rear models available, and also a 29×2.4" front, so it depends on what eMTB you are running.
