MTB Tire Test: Schwalbe Rick XC Pro SpeedGrip

The Rick XC Pro is a relatively new tire from Schwalbe that we previously tested in the version with Addix Speed compound and transparent sidewalls. The Rick XC Pro is also available with Schwalbe's Addix SpeedGrip compound, and as the name suggests, this version is expected to offer more grip at the expense of some speed compared to the Addix Speed compound.

Visually, the Addix Speed and SpeedGrip versions are easy to distinguish because the Addix Speed version is only available with transparent (brown) sidewalls and a red stripe across the tread. The Addix SpeedGrip version has black sidewalls and a blue stripe across the tread.

If you would like to know more about the Rick XC Pro and Schwalbe's new Pro line of off-road tires, we recommend checking out our initial test of the Rick XC Pro with Addix Speed compound (read our review).

Here, we will delve further into our test results of the Addix SpeedGrip version and how it differs from the Addix Speed version of the Rick XC Pro.

Like the Addix Speed version, the Addix SpeedGrip version is available in the 29x2.25 and 29x2.4 sizes. We tested the 29x2.4 version, and below you will find a direct comparison with the 29x2.4 version of the Rick XC Pro Addix Speed, a selection of Schwalbe's most well-known mountain bike tires, and several tires from the competition that fall into the same segment.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Schwalbe
Model	Rick XC Pro SpeedGrip
Year	2025
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	11654568
EAN	4026495941785
TPI	67
Compound	Addix SpeedGrip
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	62-622
Size Inch	29"
Width Inch	2.40
Specified Weight	760 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	50
Made In	Pro Data
Available Sizes	29x2.25 29x2.40

Schwalbe Rick XC Pro SpeedGrip Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	760 grams
Measured Weight	761 grams
Measured Width Carcass	55 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	59 mm
Measured Height	55 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	2.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	4.0 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.1 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Pro Data
All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (40 ml sealant)
Measured Width	55 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 51-55 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 56-60 = 34 psi/2.3 barHigh Air Pressure (38 psi / 2.6 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 bar 51-55 = 32 psi/2.2 bar 56-60 = 29 psi/2.0 barMedium Air Pressure (32 psi / 2.2 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 bar 51-55 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 56-60 = 23 psi/1.6 barLow Air Pressure (25 psi / 1.7 bar)	19.3 Watts CRR: 0.00579
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 bar 51-55 = 19 psi/1.3 bar 56-60 = 17 psi/1.2 barExtra Low Air Pressure (19 psi / 1.3 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 55 psi / 3.8 bar	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 45 psi / 3.1 bar	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 35 psi / 2.4 bar	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 25 psi / 1.7 bar	Pro Data
The MTB section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	28 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.1 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Pro Data

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	64 Points
Wet Grip Center	Pro Data
Wet Grip Edge	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	2.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	4.0 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 MTB grip test rim width = 30.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

We found surprisingly few differences between the Addix Speed (read our review) and Addix SpeedGrip versions of the Schwalbe Rick XC Pro. The difference in the rolling resistance tests was less than 10%, and in practice, it will be hard to notice the difference. We also see a difference in the wet grip tests, where the average grip of the SpeedGrip variant scores slightly better. We think both tires perform pretty much as expected, although the differences could be a bit more pronounced.

Our wet grip test is conducted on a lightly textures, hard plate, and the grip level on this surface is likely the maximum that the tread can provide before the knobs flex too much. However, we believe that on smoother surfaces (wet roots, very slippery stones) than our test surface, a better gripping compound may have a greater advantage because the grip is not limited by the flex of the knobs. As you can read in our off-road grip test disclaimer, this isn't easy to test, and you will have to rely on the manufacturers for this as well.

The Rick XC Pro in both the Addix Speed and SpeedGrip compound versions is a very strong-performing tire with good all-around properties.

Compare the Schwalbe Rick XC Pro Addix Speed and SpeedGrip side by side.

RATING: 4.8 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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