SCHWALBE TACKY CHAN TYRE £68.99 - £74.99 (tested)
SPECIFICATION Weight: 1,340g (Super DH 29x2.4in) • Width: 60mm (2.36in) on 30mm internal rim • Casings: Super DH, Super Gravity, Super Trail • Compounds: Addix Ultra Soft (tested), Addix Soft • Sizes: 29x2.4in (tested), 27.5x2.4in • Contact: schwalbe.com
Iam not sure whether to laugh or cringe at Schwalbe’s latest tyre pun. And it’s not only the name that’s unconventional; the tyre itself comes at downhill performance from a whole new angle, which means it rides with a very distinct character. More on that later. Only coming in 2.4in width in two diameters, the Tacky Chan focuses on all-out speed for racing, whereas the majority of rivals target all-round grip and maximum braking traction first, with rolling pace a lesser concern.
Key to prioritising more speed is a narrower width and shallower height than many DH tyres, along with a ramped lug design that’s more spaced out to save weight. Developed with the Commençal/Muc Off Team, the tread also targets steering precision, and has already chalked up over a dozen World Cup DH wins, including several by Amaury Pierron on his way to the 2022 overall World Cup title.
The Tacky Chan is claimed to be around 8% lighter than the brand’s other main gravity tyre (Magic Mary) with a 10% increase in distance between centre lugs. Fewer rubber blocks around the crown shed weight for faster acceleration, as do lower – yet 20% stiffer – shoulder blocks. These edges see L-shaped lugs offset at a significant angle to the rolling direction (more exaggerated than a Magic Mary) and with more siping than other Schwalbe tyres, to better deform and connect to the dirt. Even with its reduced rubber ratio, the Tacky Chan isn’t exactly lightweight – this 29x2.4in Super DH model weighs well over 1,300g.
The lower-profile tread has directional ramps for faster rolling and slightly wider lugs for improved braking traction, as well as a huge continuous grip channel between centre and side lugs. I’ve been told by a leading World Cup mechanic there are aerodynamic gains by not having extra lugs in the transition zone on the front tyre, and although Schwalbe isn’t claiming this in its literature, it could be a side benefit.
The extra speed is noticeable too; I suspected a spaced-out tread pattern and high weight might bobble too much, but Schwalbe’s claims of fast rolling proved genuine. Heavy it may be, but the Tacky Chan has excellent turnover across flatter sections and on climbs, and not only rolls quickly, it also feels lighter to steer and change direction than many DH tyres.
In fact, it’s this precise steering feel that really stands out from its rivals, which exhibit a shared sense of self-correction away from the
