Road Bike Tire Test: Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 16.3 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: No Data
- Static Wet Grip: No Data
- Conclusion: 2.0 / 5 Not Recommended
- Comments
NOTE: We have a test available of a newer version of this tire: Schwalbe One V-Guard 2014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 | Pro Data |
| Available Sizes |
23-622 (700x23C) 25-622 (700x25C) |
Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 25 Test Results
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 | Pro Data |
| 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 barUltra High Air Pressure (120 psi / 8.3 bar) |
Pro Data |
| 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 barExtra High Air Pressure (100 psi / 6.9 bar) |
Pro Data |
| 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 barHigh Air Pressure (80 psi / 5.5 bar) |
16.3 Watts CRR: 0.00489 |
| 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 barMedium Air Pressure (60 psi / 4.1 bar) |
Pro Data |
| 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
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | No Data |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Pro Data |
| 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 | Pro Data |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Pro Data |
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