Schwalbe Durano DD

The Schwalbe Durano DD quickly proved itself as another BICYCLIST-favorite.

This fondo-style tire now boasts a 28C size option, adding to the Durano family of endurance tires. This increasingly popular size is seeing widespread adoption as modern technologies allow cyclists to improve ride characteristics without sacrificing performance. The wider tire sizes make longer rides more comfortable and allow for some more traction on non-paved obstacles; they are

The wider tire sizes make longer rides more comfortable and allow for some more traction on non-paved obstacles; they are a go-to for Gran Fondos. Further improvements in materials and research into bicycle dynamics allow 28C tires like the Durano DD to have strong durability while maintaining a relatively low weight. The Durano family varies in options, but I wanted to try the 28C DD folding tire to test its efficacy for conquering SoCal events.

Quiet, smooth, and fast, the DD proved to be a perfect option for long rides to improve comfort and provide all of the traction needed for fast descents and steep climbs. Power transfer to the pavement is smooth and consistent, particularly on steep hills, without any wasted effort on straightaways.

The tire also provides a fair amount of traction on dirt and powers uphill through light sand. Schwalbe protects the Durano DD with a double layer of Nylon fabric – a ‘level 4’ on their strength scale – which provides an excellent defense against punctures and long-term wear. This tire isn’t quite as light as the competition, but we can sacrifice weight for excellent performance and longevity at a very reasonable price point.

Ralf Bohle founded the Schwalbe brand in 1973 as a re-imagination of his family’s half-century old bike component export business. In 1986, Schwalbe cemented its place in the industry with the release of the Marathon tire – a nearly indestructible option that continues its legacy with several modern adaptations. Check out other examples of Schwalbe ingenuity in this issue on the Marin Four Corners Elite and the Trek XM700+. -VP

($51.44, schwalbe.com)