Ultremo with the R-Factor

Ten percent lower rolling resistance, reduced risk of punctures and at just 180 grams the lowest weight of any professional racing tire on the market: Schwalbe has again improved the Ultremo through the application of three new innovations. The result of which is the new Ultremo R.

The “R”-Factor reflects the innovative additives that have been introduced into the Ultremo: Radial construction principle, Triple Compound with nano-sized particles and patented puncture protection with ceramic particles. The tire first made its debut in 2006 and within months it became the ‘must have’ racing tire and nowadays it is ridden by two ProTour teams. The top of the range model is distinguishable by its silver and white graphics on the tire’s side walls, while the red “R” signifies its new characteristics.

The Ultremo’s ‘R’ means radial, the construction principle that enables the tire to incorporate a protection belt, “We didn’t included it as an afterthought – diagonally under the tire tread -, but rather inbuilt it radially. That means: the cross-weave of the HD Ceramic Guard is at 90 degrees and zero degrees relative to the direction of tire rotation. The threads running at zero degrees correspond to the belt of a radial ply tire”, explained Schwalbe technician Markus Hachmeyer. This radial construction contributes – along with the new compound – to reducing rolling resistance by around ten percent.

Patented Protection belt with ceramic particles – thinner than any other fabric in the world.

The “R”-Factor features an improved protection belt. High Density Guard is a unique technology, developed for the Ultremo in cooperation with American firm Warwick Mills. Warwick holds 14 international patents for its high density woven fabrics and is the world leader for innovative industrial textiles. “No other protection belt used in bicycle tires is nearly so thinly woven”, said Hachmeyer. Use of this technology enabled the Ultremo to not only remain light, but also to achieve a far greater level of puncture protection.

Also new is the coating of ceramic particles: Tiny shards of glass that become lodged in the tire and which slowly work their way through a protection belt are stalled when they come into contact with the ceramic particles and because ceramic is harder than glass the shards are blunted.

“The use of these High-Tech materials and of the radial construction principle puts the Ultremo R into a class of its own”, said Markus Hachmeyer. “Only by using our High-Density Technology was it possible and practical to incorporate a protection belt radially into a bicycle tire. In this way the tire retains its shape and both internal friction and consequently rolling resistance are reduced”.

Nano-Technology improves grip and rolling resistance.

The tread compound has also profited from new particle technology. A special, new polymer of nano-sized particles has made a crucial improvement. Instead of the former “gigantic” 200 nanometer particles, they now measure only ten nanometers, i.e. 0,00001 millimeter. Or to illustrate it better: A nanometer is to a meter, what a football is to Earth. This decrease in size has two fundamental advantages: The internal friction of the rubber is reduced, which in turn lowers rolling resistance. And many small particles provide a greater surface area than fewer, larger ones – the result of which is more contact area and therefore appreciably better grip. The outcome is an outstanding All-round-Compound used in the tread center. Underneath this lies an extremely easy rolling base layer compound. And on the tire sides is a grippy shoulder compound. “All three make up the unique Triple Nano Compound”, explained Hachmeyer.

The Ultremo R is available from specialist bicycle stores by the end of 2008. As well as black the tire shoulders are also available in white, silver, pink, red, yellow and blue. There is also an optional “Double Defense” version: An additional fabric layer(SnakeSkin) which protects the tire’s shoulders and side wall – useful for the ‘Spring Classic’ races and tough courses.

Further Information

Ultremo ‘R’

Ultremo ‘DD’