MTB Tire Test: Schwalbe Rick XC Pro SpeedGrip
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 19.3 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 28 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 64 Points
- Conclusion: 4.8 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- 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.
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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 | Ad Amazon.com |
| 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 | Members Only |
| 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 | Members Only |
| 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) |
| Rolling Resistance 55 PSI / 3.8 Bar |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3.1 Bar |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 35 PSI / 2.4 Bar |
17.3 Watts CRR: 0.00519 |
| Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar |
19.3 Watts CRR: 0.00579 |
| 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 | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2.1 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 64 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| 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
- Schwalbe Rick XC Pro SpeedGrip
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)
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.
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RATING:
4.8
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended