Schwalbe Rocket Ron Super Ground SpeedGrip tyre review

The Rocket Ron has been a long-running and popular choice in Schwalbe’s cross-country tyre range, with a tread pattern designed to perform in a vast range of conditions, making it suited to tasks from pure racing to marathon riding.

It has been updated with two new carcasses – in line with changes across the company’s entire range – with this Super Ground casing aimed at lightweight trail riding and more all-round use, and a Super Race version designed as a pure race tyre.

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Schwalbe Rocket Ron Super Ground SpeedGrip 29 x 2.25in details

The Super Ground carcass has three layers and an additional wraparound Snakeskin layer for claimed better sealing, lateral stability and sidewall protection. The Super Race tyre forgoes this additional Snakeskin layer for ultimate weight saving.

The Super Ground has the SpeedGrip rubber compound, signified by a blue stripe, for increased grip and damping compared to the less tacky Speed compound (red stripe) on the XC race-focused tyre.

There are 26in, 27.5in and 29in versions available and widths ranging from 2.1in to 2.8in.

Schwalbe Rocket Ron Super Ground SpeedGrip 29 x 2.25in performance

The Rocket Ron is a very capable XC tyre over a wide range of trail conditions from hard ground and rocks to slippery roots and soft mud, making it a solid fit-and-forget option.

The SpeedGrip compound gives reliable grip for good climbing traction on rooty climbs or when slithering through rock gardens. The slow rebounding rubber provides a sure-footed stance at higher speeds over rocks and stones, and it works well at lower pressures to maximise grip and comfort.

The tread pattern, which hasn’t changed on the latest tyre, comprises small rectangle blocks spread evenly across its width, with a cluster forming along the centre line that provides good straight-line rolling speed and braking traction.

The wider spaced shoulder blocks engage confidently when leaning the bike over into corners, too.

It’s a fast-rolling tyre and the non-directional tread pattern works well on the front and rear, but it could definitely be paired with a more aggressive front tyre or lower profile rear tyre depending on your requirements – making the Rocket Ron a versatile choice.

The SnakeSkin casing reinforcement ensures the tyre is durable enough to shrug off heavy-handed riding and being slammed into obstacles.

My test Rocket Ron tyre was easy to set up tubeless and inflate on to my DT Swiss XR1501 control wheels, using a regular floor pump.

Schwalbe Rocket Ron Super Ground SpeedGrip 29 x 2.25in bottom line

For trail riding to pinning a number on, the Rocket Ron is a fast-rolling tyre with good grip in loose, loamy and muddy conditions, and easy tubeless fitting.