Schwalbe are one of the tyre manufacturers who have really jumped on board with tubeless and the Pro One is the German manufacturer’s latest and greatest rubber.
The benefits of tubeless tyres are three-fold. Firstly, the absence of an inner tube means the risk of puncturing is reduced because there’s no tube to pinch. If the tyre itself is cut, then sealant inside works its magic to seal it – as long as the cut isn’t too substantial.
Secondly, the tyre can be run at a lower pressure, again because there’s no tube at risk of pinching. Plus, generally speaking, tubeless tyres are more comfortable than a tube and tyre combo. Finally, most manufacturers claim their tubeless tyres are faster than a conventional clincher – in fact Schwalbe say the Pro One is the fastest tyre they’ve ever made.
There are downsides, though, in that choice of tyres and tubeless compatible wheels is still fairly limited – although growing – and inflating a tubeless tyre isn’t as simple as a regular clincher, with some rim and tyre combinations needing an air compressor to initially seat the tyre.
Schwalbe have sought to solve that with the Pro One by developing a high-tensile micro fibre called MicroSkin, which is vulcanised together with a rubber compound and the carcass to make for fairly simple installation. Out on the road, the Pro one is simply superb. They’re fast, impressively gripped and supremely supple and comfortable. If you’re sold on tubeless then the Pro One is the best tyre available.
