Schwalbe
Encyclopedia
Schwalbe is a brand name of Ralf Bohle GmbH, a German
manufacturer of bicycle
, Scooter
and wheelchair
tire
s. The company is a third generation, family owned Mittelstand
business with global reach. Schwalbe produces a wide range of tires for different cycling applications, but is best known for its commuting, touring and utility tyres such as the Marathon range. Bicycles with small wheel sizes such as 16" (Brompton
) or 20" (BMX
) are also catered for, a market ignored by some larger manufacturers.
Schwalbe's Marathon Plus tire has a unique design with a 5mm thick layer of blue colored, natural rubber between the tread and carcass, which protects the inner tube. The thickness of this layer makes the tire almost impervious to punctures by any sharp object of insufficient length to penetrate the layer, such as a thumb tack. There is a weight penalty, but because the layer is so resilient it does not increase the tyre's rolling resistance compared with a quality tyre without protection, so this may be accepted by a cyclist looking for maximum reliability.
Schwalbe is based in Reichshof-Wehnrath near Cologne, Germany, although manufacturing is carried out by its Korean joint-venture, production partner, PT Hung-A, in its Indonesian factory.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
manufacturer of bicycle
Bicycle tire
A bicycle tire is a tire that fits on the wheel of a bicycle, unicycle, tricycle, quadracycle, bicycle trailer, or trailer bike. They may also be used on wheelchairs and handcycles, especially for racing...
, Scooter
Scooter (motorcycle)
A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
and wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
tire
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
s. The company is a third generation, family owned Mittelstand
Mittelstand
Mittelstand refers to small and medium-sized enterprises in German-speaking countries, especially in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Economic and business historians have been increasingly giving Mittelstand companies more and more credit for Germany's economic growth in the beginning of the 20th...
business with global reach. Schwalbe produces a wide range of tires for different cycling applications, but is best known for its commuting, touring and utility tyres such as the Marathon range. Bicycles with small wheel sizes such as 16" (Brompton
Brompton
A Brompton, Brompton, or The Brompton can be:* Brompton, London, England* Brompton Oratory, a Catholic church* Brompton Bicycle, the largest bicycle manufacturer in the United Kingdom* Holy Trinity Brompton Church, an Anglican church...
) or 20" (BMX
BMX
Bicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started...
) are also catered for, a market ignored by some larger manufacturers.
Schwalbe's Marathon Plus tire has a unique design with a 5mm thick layer of blue colored, natural rubber between the tread and carcass, which protects the inner tube. The thickness of this layer makes the tire almost impervious to punctures by any sharp object of insufficient length to penetrate the layer, such as a thumb tack. There is a weight penalty, but because the layer is so resilient it does not increase the tyre's rolling resistance compared with a quality tyre without protection, so this may be accepted by a cyclist looking for maximum reliability.
Schwalbe is based in Reichshof-Wehnrath near Cologne, Germany, although manufacturing is carried out by its Korean joint-venture, production partner, PT Hung-A, in its Indonesian factory.