SCHWALBE WICKED WILL
£62.99
SPECIFICATION Weight: 847g • Sizes: 29 x 2.4in only • Contact: schwalbe.co.uk
Last time we reviewed this new Schwalbe tyre was over a year ago. Since then, due to industry supply issues related to the pandemic, it’s been literally impossible to buy. But that’s all about to change with fresh stock now on its way from the German brand.
In the meantime, the down-country sector that this tyre targets has also become more evolved and relevant, so we’re taking the opportunity to update the review and report back on an issue we had with the bead snapping on one of the original test tyres.
Wicked Will is designed to roll and climb at close to XC tyre speeds, but also offer enough cornering and stopping grip for safe descending at the higher speeds modern short travel full-suspension bikes are capable of.
Only available in 29x2.4in, it packs extra beef compared to Schwalbe’s other XC models and sits between the Racing Ralph and Nobby Nic in the range. It basically combines the tread depth of an XC tyre with the block proportions of a trail/enduro tyre.
Available in Super Race, Super Ground or Super Trail casings, these grow in thickness, toughness and weight. Race is therefore the most supple and Trail offers the most lateral support for berm rippers. The Will blows up with a pretty squared-off shape for an Xc-leaning tyre, and all models use Schwalbe’s second hardest and fastest-rolling (of four) rubber formulas called Addix Speedgrip.
Shoulder blocks are aggressively siped to help spread the rubber on contact and deliver ‘long’ edges for more grip. Central braking knobs are lined up in alternate sets with an interrupted leading ramp that reduces rolling resistance and also a little square-edged rubber centre ‘window’ in each ramp – the idea being that, with only block edges supported, it allows the middle of the blocks to dig in for propulsion and extra climbing traction.
The Wicked Will totally delivers on the speed claims; it’s really rapid on all surfaces and literally zips along – a real buzz if you’re used to lugging draggy enduro tyres around. Traction is about as good as you can expect from a minimal-treaded tyre and it even holds decently in the wet until deeper slime comes into the equation.
A bit like Schwalbe’s Nobby Nic, it can feel a little springier, more chattery and less damped than some rivals, but there’s a sensation of extra control under braking and at more acute lean angles over the taller-blocked Nobby. In dry or summer conditions, Will makes a ton of sense and really pays back hard cranking efforts, plus it rolls faster and brakes more aggressively than most semi-slicks, even if they might have a slight edge in terms of pure cornering bite. Kenda’s Karma does handle mixed conditions better, though.
Aggressive riders will need to run the Super Ground version above 30PSI on the rear for enough support against cornering forces, but at these pressures, we’ve had no further problems with a replacement tyre, following the apparently freak issue when we snapped a Kevlar bead last year.
Long term wear life has been really good too.