Schwalbe Table Top Tires - Review

Posted: Sep 9, 2008

Schwalbe, along with Timo Pritzel have produced one heck of a nice street tire. The Table Top tire is an extremely light, street designed tire that features a simple, yet highly effective tread pattern. The Table Top tire is a functional tire, that does what it's supposed to, and it does it well.

Pics and video inside.

Schwalbe is known for making a wide variety of tires that are functional for all types of riding. Having ties in the Road, Mountain, and BMX tire industries Schwalbe has the resources to produce tires that are functional in all aspects of riding. A few months ago we got a pair of the Schwalbe Table Top tires, and they are definitely hardtail worthy.



Weighing in at 572 grams per tire, the Table Top is only slightly heavier than a medium slushy from the gas station. The Table Top was basically designed as a 24" or 26" BMX tire. It features close knobs that are small, and evenly placed for traction at any angle. They come in a folding version to keep the weight down, and are rated up to 65 PSI. This pressure rating not only helps the tires stay mounted on the rim, but it allows you to keep them rock solid for ultimate traction, and limited tread roll over. By limiting tire movement on the rim you basically eliminate any losses you may have from this, for example loss of pop when bunny hopping due to the tread folding. The rubber compound Schwalbe used does not lean to much, however under hard impacts it does move over a bit, simply just to grab traction.

Compared to the stock tires I removed from the bike to make space for the Table Top tires, there are very noticeable differences. First off, the construction is noticeably stronger. Even at a solid 60 PSI the stock tires felt as if they gave away when cornering hard. The rubber compound must be slightly softer, as the knobs were more prone to rolling over. The Table Top tires feel a noticeable amount stiffer and reliable during general riding practice.

The Table Top tire must be made with a hard rubber compound (I was unable to get an answer on the durometer), because I have been riding these tires for about 3 months now, and they are showing little to no signs of wear. With the flat and small tread pattern they don't produce a lot of rolling noise or resistance, so they produce a very nice commuting tire when they are not at the park, or out hitting the streets. Compared to the stock tires they roll noticeably faster, and longer. This is probably mostly effected by the much shorter, slimmer knobs, making less rubber contact on the road at any given time.


The Table Top tire would be a great addition to anyone's street or dirt jump bike due to its folding bead, rubber compound, light weight, and PSI rating. You should be able to get a hold of some Table Tops through your local shop, or through Schwalbe.com.