In April, ready for the Sea Otter Classics in Monterey (California), Schwalbe has perfected two new Downhill tyres working for the first time with an internationally renown top Downhill team, Yeti.

The Yeti/Fox Factory team is an institution in the Downhill scene and this iconic, American ‘bike-smith’ has had many famous riders among its Downhill team and their current riders, Jared Graves and Sam Blenkinsop are absolute world leaders, who have been riding Schwalbe’s Wicked Will and Dirty Dan since the first World Cup in South Africa at the beginning of 2009.

Wicked Will is the new tire for dry conditions. This successor to the Al Mighty has very low rolling resistance. „We optimized, it for beating ‘Personal Best’ times“, said Schwalbe Marketing’s, Michael Kull. Nevertheless, Wicked Will has tremendous side grip: The strong, pronounced, ‘Curve-Claw’, outer blocks provide excellent lateral grip, allowing extreme inclination in curves.

Quite contrary Dirty Dan is especially for deep, muddy terrain. The revised, almost sticky, Gooey Gluey compound is more durable, but last year it was only available to team riders. In 2009 it has been completely replaced by the new Gooey Gluey compound. Its grip is trusted by the eleven-time German Downhill Champion, Marcus Klausmann together with both team Scott11 and team Solid in the Downhill World Cup.

For several years Schwalbe has been active in Freeride and Downhill and has been supporting the international Yeti/Fox-Factory Team since the beginning of 2009. At present this bike, factory team from Colorado stands at number two in the UCI World rankings. Yeti started life in the Eighties manufacturing entirely in the USA. „By cooperating with this world-class team we have secured ourselves a presence at the highest level“, explained Michael Kull.

Wicked Will and Dirty Dan are available only from specialist dealers at 52 Euro. For further information: Hwww.downhilltires.comH – Schwalbe’s specialist website for Downhill.

The tires at a glance

Wicked Will

• For dry conditions, successor to the Al Mighty

• Size: 26 x 2.50

• Tread: designed for extremely low rolling resistance, enormous side grip, strong, pronounced Curve-Claw outer blocks

• Gooey Gluey Compound for maximum traction

• Double carcass

• For deep muddy conditions, rain, grass

• Size: 26 x 2.40

• Profile: Open mud profile, good self-cleaning action, Curve-Claws provide excellent grip

• Gooey Gluey compound for maximum traction

• Double carcass