Big Betty - the new Freeride tire

Big Betty is the new star of the Evolution Line: A light Freeride tire with great grip for wild riding, but still not too heavy for uphill.

The first Schwalbe tire with a feminine name adds life to the tire range. As the youngest member of the ‘Evolution’ family Big Betty offers completely new characteristics, the highlight of which is Apex technology.

The Apex technology mentioned above is special rubber reinforcement at the bead that, as a bi-product protects against Snake Bites, but primarily adds side stability, even at such low pressures of around 2 BAR (30 psi), so Freeriders can be a little more aggressive when cornering. Apex technology has long been standard in auto and motorcycle tires, however so far only very few bicycle tire manufacturers have ever used it. “And then mostly only with heavier tires”, explained Bohle’s chief tire developer and committed MTB rider, Markus Hachmeyer. For a Freeride tire Big Betty has remarkably low weight of approximately 880 gram. While the Apex technology stabilizes the sidewall, an additional rubber layer increases puncture protection. Contrary to usual skin tires the sides of the high-quality 67 epi carcass are rubberized and so are well defended against sharp edges and jagged rocks.

When riding downhill, - apart from stable handling - above all grip is needed. Serrated shoulder lugs not only do a great job downhill, the uni-directional tread of the Big Betty also holds well in curves. Serrated brake lugs further improve the transmission of the braking forces. Additional features: Strengthened interlocking lugs plus oblong and serrated center blocks allow lines to be held better.

Two compounds: Soft or hard?

Big Betty is offered with two rubber compounds. Gooey Gluey compound is soft, viscous (“gooey”) and almost sticky (“gluey”) and thus particularly grippy. If better wear characteristics are required, then Big Betty is also available with the harder Offroad Racing Compound (ORC). As with all other Schwalbe folding tires, Big Betty has Limited Slip Technology (LST), which substantially reduces tire “slip” on the rim and the resulting valve tear-off.

Further Information:

BIG BETTY