Road Bike Tire Test: Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 25

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Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 25 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

NOTE: We have a test available of a newer version of this tire: Schwalbe One V-Guard 2014

The Ultremo ZX Evolution 700 x 25C V-Guard was the high-end, all-round road bike tire from Schwalbe, suitable for racing and training. The Ultremo ZX has a triple compound RaceStar compound, which is optimized for grip, rolling resistance and long service life. V-Guard means it has an extra puncture resistant layer that helps prevent flat tires but obviously adds rolling resistance. There is a version without the puncture resistant layer available from Schwalbe as well: the Ultremo ZLX.


Since the beginning of 2014, Schwalbe has a new top of the line road bike tire: the Schwalbe One. Read our review of the new Schwalbe One here. The One has a much lower rolling resistance and seems to be a big improvement over the Ultremo.

Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specifications
Brand Schwalbe
Model Ultremo ZX
Year 2014
Tire Type Tubetype (clincher)
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range Med
Buy At
Manufacturer part number 11600036.02
TPI 127
Compound RaceStar
Bead Folding
ETRTO 25-622
Size Inch 28"
Specified Width (mm) 25
Specified Weight 215 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 130
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 23-622 (700x23C)
25-622 (700x25C)

Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 25 Test Results

Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 25 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 215 grams
Measured Weight 229 grams
System Adjusted Weight
(tire + inner tube (100 gr)
329 grams
Measured Width 25 mm (un-round)
Measured Height 23 mm (un-round)
Total Tire Thickness Center No Data
Total Tire Thickness Sidewall Members Only
Unmounted Casing Width No Data
Unmounted Tread Width No Data
Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) No Data
All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

This tire also can't touch it's specified weight of 215 grams with a measured weight of 229 grams. Volume wise, this tire has a real width of 25 mm on a 17C rim, which means it's a true 25C tire, but it's a bit smaller when compared to most other 25C tires.

Rolling Resistance Test Results


Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube Conti Race28 (100gr butyl)
Measured Width 25 mm (un-round)
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
22-24 = 132 psi/9.1 bar
25-27 = 120 psi/8.3 bar
28-29 = 108 psi/7.4 bar
Ultra High Air Pressure

(120 psi / 8.3 bar)
14.1 Watts
CRR: 0.00423
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
22-24 = 110 psi/7.6bar
25-27 = 100 psi/6.9 bar
28-29 = 90 psi/6.2 bar
Extra High Air Pressure

(100 psi / 6.9 bar)
15.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00450
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
22-24 = 88 psi/6.1 bar
25-27 = 80 psi/5.5 bar
28-29 = 72 psi/5.0 bar
High Air Pressure

(80 psi / 5.5 bar)
Members Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar
25-27 = 60 psi/4.1 bar
28-29 = 54 psi/3.7 bar
Medium Air Pressure

(60 psi / 4.1 bar)
Members Only
The Road Bike 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.

The Ultremo ZX can't compete with other road bike tires in the same class when solely looking at rolling resistance. At an air pressure of 120 psi, rolling resistance is 14.1 watts. At an air pressure of 100 psi, rolling resistance is 15.0 watts. Dropping pressure to 80 psi results in a rolling resistance of 16.1 watts. The Ultremo ZX gets outclassed by cheaper tires like the Vittoria Rubino Pro and Continental Grand Prix in the rolling resistance test.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 25 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread No Data
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle 12 Points
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle No Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness No Data
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle No Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness Members Only

The Ultremo ZX also isn't able to do anything exciting in the puncture resistance test. With a score of 12 in the puncture resistance test it sets an average score and doesn't impress.

Static Grip Test Results


NOTE: Grip test data is only available on tires tested after November 2018. You can find more information about our grip test here: Introducing Grip Testing

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average No Data
Wet Grip Center No Data
Wet Grip Edge No Data
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100
Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm

Conclusion


I find it hard to judge this tire. Rolling resistance isn't very low and puncture resistance isn't very good, it doesn't really stand out in anything. It might have a small disadvantage in the rolling resistance test because it's a true 25 mm tire while most other 25C tires are a bit bigger. Maybe it has great wear and grip, but that's for others to test.


When focusing purely on rolling resistance and puncture resistance (which is what we do at Bicycle Rolling Resistance) you're better off buying a Continental Grand Prix or Vittoria Rubino Pro. Those tires score better in every test and you even pay less as a bonus.

RATING: 2.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
Not Recommended


Comments



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