After three years of analysis and improvement, René Herse, identified for its high-performance bicycle tyres and elements, has launched its first semi-slick tyre mannequin.
Semi-slick designs are commonplace in gravel biking, and René Herse readily acknowledges its late arrival to the class, stating: “we’ve got quite a lot of respect for pioneers who got here earlier than us. We even have a wholesome diploma of scepticism when confronted with groupthink and improvements that don’t make sense. That’s why, till now, there hasn’t been a semi-slick gravel tyre within the René Herse program. Merely put, the established technique to make semi-slicks resulted in tyres that had been neither notably quick, nor did they grip notably nicely.”
With its all-new Corkscrew Climb mannequin, René Herse guarantees to ship “not simply one other semi-slick” however moderately a tyre that’s meant to be the most effective of each worlds: quick like slicks, grippy like knobbies.
Model proprietor Jan Heine tells Biking Weekly that the Corkscrew Climb was developed in response to the calls for and insights {of professional} gravel racers.
“We’re fortunate to get direct suggestions from our racers…They love the pace and sturdiness of our casings—that’s why they selected our tyres. They like using slicks on most programs, figuring that the least tread additionally has the least resistance. But when it’s muddy, they want knobs. For that, they’ve been utilizing our dual-purpose knobbies.”
Whereas the knobbed René Herse tyres are praised for his or her pace, Heine revealed that in inner testing, they found that beneath excessive energy outputs, the knobs can flex and squirm barely, resulting in energy loss. Whereas this is not a lot of a priority for many riders, it does grow to be a problem for athletes like Ted King or Brennan Wertz, who’re taller, heavier and continuously produce outputs of greater than 500 watts throughout races.
And so, the design workforce went to work. Three years later, the result’s a 700 x 44mm semi-slick tyre with a slick centre for effectivity, three rows of huge knobs and a rounded profile for traction. The tyre is called after the most important climb of the SBT GRVL race, the Corkscrew Climb.
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“A couple of years in the past, Ted King gained there on our slicks, however the brand new Corkscrew Climb can be even better-suited to this ultra-fast course,” commented Heine.
The tyre design is completely different sufficient from different market choices that 4 completely different patent filings shield it.
A patent-protected design
(Picture credit score: Rene Herse)
When wanting on the Corkscrew Climb tyre, there are a number of predominant design options that stand out:
– there’s a slick centre with a delicate chevron tread that, Heine says, is supposed to enhance braking efficiency;
– a gradual transition from slick to knobs because of a row of half nobs anchored to the slick centre;
– two rows of huge, rectangle knobs which might be staggered for noise-cancelling advantages. Heine says the massive knobs flex much less and are quicker than smaller knobs;
– the centre and knobs are the identical top.
– a rounded profile.
(Picture credit score: Rene Herse)
René Herse has filed for 4 completely different patents to guard its design, together with:
1: the gradual transition
The gradual transition from its slick centre to massive shoulder knobs is supposed to offer predictable traction and dealing with when coming into a nook – on- and off-road.
2: The anchored half knobs
As acknowledged above the primary row of knobs are about half the scale of the opposite knobs and connected to the slick centre tread. That is meant to supply stiffer knobs with higher traction beneath excessive energy. Much less flex of the knobs additionally reduces rolling resistance.
3: A rounded profile
Regardless of its massive shoulder knobs, the Corkscrew Climb tyre maintains a rounded profile as a result of the radius of the tread is considerably bigger than the radius of the tire casing. This curvature places extra rubber on the street when leaning right into a flip for higher traction, whereas the aspect knobs keep off the bottom when using in a straight line, minimising rolling resistance.
4: noise discount
Whereas not distinctive to this mannequin, the staggered knobs are supposed to create overlapping noise frequencies that partially cancel one another, making René Herse tyres quieter than knobbed tyres of competing manufacturers.
Specs & Availability
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
The Corkscrew Climb tyre will probably be out there beginning mid-Jabuary immediately from the René Herse web site and its stockists.
As with most René Herse fashions, the tyre will probably be out there in 4 casing choices and two completely different sidewall colors.
- Measurement: 700 x 44
- All casings are tubeless suitable
- Casings, weights, costs:
- Normal: 517g, $82
- Extralight: 481g, $96
- Endurance: 552g, $96
- Endurance Plus: 564g, $104
First Experience Impressions:
(Picture credit score: Anne-Marije Rook)
Like so many high-end, area of interest manufacturers, René Herse (previously often known as Compass Cycles) is a model that elicits sturdy opinions—its loyal fanbase swears by the efficiency of its merchandise, whereas critics are fast to voice their considerations.
I, for one, am a fan of René Herse tyres as a result of their exceptionally supple casings, which not solely present a outstanding trip really feel but additionally dependable traction, a low rolling resistance and superior consolation over tough terrain. I’ve discovered that each the traction and speediness usually belie the tyre width or tread sample. By that, I imply that the slicks have extra grip than one would anticipate –even on the occasional singletrack detour– and the knobs and width don’t really feel sluggish once you hit the pavement.
That stated, they’re not with out their challenges. There have been studies of inconsistent high quality and blow-offs, and, personally, I keep away from the Extralight casing because it tends to be extra susceptible to punctures and sidewall weepage. Moreover, if you happen to’re continuously swapping tyres, some René Herse fashions will be tough to remount and seat as soon as they’ve been used. They’re additionally very spendy.
However, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The trip high quality is just that good, and I usually have a set or two in my rotation, whether or not it’s a set of the 31mm Orondo Grade, 38mm Barlow Move or 48mm Oracle Ridge.
I used to be intrigued to see the model enterprise into the semi-slick class and eager to attempt the brand new rubbers myself. I dwell within the Pacific Northwest, and it’s that point of 12 months when rain falls by the bucket masses and gravel rides flip into big mud fests. Well-liked semi-slick fashions like the favored Schwalbe G-One RS, Specialised Pathfinder and Panaracer SS merely don’t reduce it in these situations. The knobs are too small, too low and spaced too tightly for the mud, grime and slippery floor transitions.
With massive, generously spaced knobs, the Corkscrew Climb tyre appears far beefier than any of its rivals within the semi-slick class. It pairs the rectangle knobs as seen on the Hurricane Ridge or Oracle Ridge fashions with a 17mm-wide slick centre that contains a very delicate chevron tread.
For my check set, I opted for the Endurance casing. The tyres got here in barely underweight and measured a moderately slender 44mm on 21mm inner width rims. A wider rim (25mm or extra) ought to enable the tyre to develop to its full width.
The tubeless setup was a breeze, and to date, the tyres have held air very nicely.
My preliminary rides had been restricted however coated an excellent mixture of surfaces: clean and cracked pavement, hardpack gravel and downright sloppy trails. The grip is definitely there, even within the muck, and the tyres roll nicely. Quieter additionally than the Oracle Ridge tyres I’d often trip in these moist situations.
The Corkscrew feels quicker than its all-knob siblings, although that’s purely anecdotal at this stage.
I’ll by no means produce the sort of energy output of riders like Ted King or Brennan Wertz. I, subsequently, can’t declare to have truly, tangibly, skilled the power-diminishing flex of knobs that these semi-slicks goal to handle. However, being nicely acquainted with René Herse tyres, the Corkscrew Climb tyre does really feel prefer it has a contact extra rigidity than its all-knob or slick siblings. Nonetheless supple, simply ever so barely much less comfortable. After all, tyre strain, rim materials and rim width all play an element right here, in order that’ll give me one thing to play with within the coming winter months.
Whereas I’ve but to place important mileage on this tyre, my first impressions are beneficial. It’s a fast-rolling tyre that delivers dependable cornering traction in moist situations. However present fashions—each inside and out of doors the René Herse lineup—supply related advantages. So the query is: does this semi-slick design surpass the model’s “dual-purpose knobs,” that are additionally touted as equally quick on pavement and filth?
In striving to ship ‘the most effective of each worlds,’ there’s at all times the danger of compromising efficiency in a single space—or each. I sit up for logging extra rides on the Corkscrew Climb tyres and discovering out whether or not this new mannequin can dwell as much as its promise.
