The Speedy Trail Slayer: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.6″ Review

The magic bullet of tires is highly subjective depending on trail conditions, riding styles and personal preferences.  Lucky for us we have flavors to fit nearly every riding style including some exceptional ones that seem to do it all.   The new 2.6″ Schwalbe Nobby Nic is the latest size of one of my personal favorites to offer that edge.

Details:  Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.6 Addix Speedgrip | $80-$98 | Weight: 862.3 grams (avg of 3) | Sizes: 27.5 and 29 (tested)

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Our friend Barrett from Red Wolf Mountain Bike Tours provided an initial review and detail of the new Addix rubber compound here: Initial Review: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.6.  Basically, the new Addix compound is formulated for more grip in a longer lasting and faster compound.

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Is the 2.6″x 29 Nobby Nic the holy grail of fast trail tires that bites?  It should be since it’s the only one that is currently available!  The increased air volume and footprint of the oversized 2.6″ Nobby Nic appears to be leading the charge to find the sweet spot of tires.   Maxxis and others have announced their 29×2.6, but have yet to release presently.

Riding the 2.6

Schwalbe tires, in general, I feel work best for riders that ride light and don’t try to push the low air pressure limits.   With that said, that is what the 2.6 allows you to do with the extra volume.  At 145lbs I’m running 18psi front and 19 rear with no problems and feel that I can hit the lines as fast as I want without hitting rim.  I run 3-5psi more with the 2.35″ Nobby Nic on the same 34mm internal Ibis 938 rims.

Increased footprint with added tire volume most definitely gives some added confidence and wicked traction.  Wet roots, rocks, and leaves all feel a little grippier.  I find myself breaking later and pushing harder into the corners with traction to spare.

The tire claws at any terrain.  The ability of this tire to perform in any terrain really is amazing.   I haven’t really found a condition that this tire doesn’t excel in other than maybe sharp rocks.  If your local terrain has sharp rocks, you might look towards something that has a little more protection.

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Handling is a little more responsive than the previously tested 2.8″ Nobby Nic .  When pushed on hardpack there is less tire flex since you need to use more pressure and have shorter 2.6″ sidewalls.  I’d probably downsize to a 2.35 if all I rode were smooth and buff xc trails to save some weight and rolling resistance.  The 2.6″ Nobby Nic is my preferred tire for my mix of rooty, rocky and sometimes loose terrain.

Positives

• Low weight and rolling resistance
• Very predictable with great traction in loose, dry or wet
• Oversized footprint conforms to roots and rocks for extra traction and stability

Negatives

• Puncture resistance in rocks when really pushed by aggressive riding
• Expensive – 2.6″ sizes aren’t available in lower-end models yet.

While riding aggressively in the rocks and roots I did puncture two rear tires.  Both were a result of riding the edge of tire pressure too finely.  One was simply a puncture in the tread and the other was a snake bike that put a hole in the tread and bead.

I definitely prefer the 2.6″ Nobby Nic to the previous 2.35’s on my Ibis Ripley in rough terrain.  The Ripley’s shorter travel is quickly overwhelmed while attempting to hang with friends riding bigger travel bikes on rough descents.  The added grip of the 2.6″ gives me the confidence to hang corners a little faster and float through the rough with more sure-footedness.

Purchase the Nobby Nic here: Competitive Cyclist

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