"Eddy current" is the name of Schwalbe's first tire specially developed for e-mountain bikes and Carl Cämper, Product Manager at Schwalbe, says: "An e-mountain bike weighs 22 to 25 kilograms, and with up to 75 newton meters, the torque is almost as high as on a motocross bike. Due to the stronger forces, we have borrowed from trial and motocross tires, such as the stable lugs, more rubber and larger widths." Cämper immediately delivers the more astonishing news: "In addition, there is a radical size concept with different wheel sizes on the front and rear wheels for maximum performance."

Roll over better at the front and steer precisely

Front 29 x 2.4 inches, rear 27.5 x 2.8 inches is the ultimate motto for Schwalbe. The large 29-inch front tire Eddy Current Front offers direct steering characteristics and better rollover performance than smaller tires. With its open tread and aggressive lug arrangement, Eddy Current can not only be braked and accelerated energetically, but also steered precisely.

The additional power of the motor comes into play on the rear wheel. According to Schwalbe, the tire must be able to dig deep into the ground when braking and convert the full power of the motor into propulsion even when stationary on steep climbs. The large contact area of the 2.8-inch wide Eddy Current Rear with the massive lugs in the middle of the tire provides the necessary traction. As a plus-size tire, it also automatically offers good damping properties. When cornering, it stays securely on track thanks to the massive shoulder lugs, allowing the rider to explore their own limits.

Also visually harmonious

"The two tire sizes combine their advantages to create a coherent overall concept. The visual differences in size are not as glaring as expected: the larger outer diameter of the plus-size tire at the rear harmonizes very well with the 29-inch tires at the front. There are already some bikes with this size concept," says Kämper about the new wheel size dogma. It is not completely dogmatic after all: "However, we are also bringing out a 27.5-inch front tire and a 29-inch rear tire," announces Kämper.

The new rubber is equipped with Schwalbe's most stable sidewall, the Super Gravity carcass, and the rubber compound is Soft Compound. Five fabric layers on the tread and four on the sidewall are designed to provide reliable protection against punctures and punctures. As befits today, the tire is suitable for tubeless use. And: as its tread is not directional, it doesn't matter in which direction it is mounted.

Eddy Current will be available in specialist bike shops from the fall. The dimensions available are 29x2.4 and for the Plus sizes 29x2.6 and 27.5x2.8.

Ride has already tested the "big at the front, small at the back" concept

It will be exciting to see whether Schwalbe manages to push the size mix on e-mountainbikes. So far, only a few manufacturers have opted for this 29-27.5 mix, such as Flyer. Ride ran a test with wheel sizes on e-mountainbikes at the beginning of 2018 - and even went one step further with the 26x2.6 and 29x2.3 combo.