These Schwalbe One Evolution Line tyres offer pretty much everything you need from a quality race tyre: a supple compound that grips in the wet or dry while still offering decent durability. Rolling resistance is good, too, in fact the only thing lacking is the tubeless compatibility found on more expensive models in the range.
- Pros: Loads of grip; seem tough for a race tyre
- Cons: Pricier than some very good competition
Many of the test bikes that turn up at road.cc towers come equipped with Schwalbe tyres as standard, so I've ridden many of the models for thousands of miles and have always been impressed.
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The One we have here sits below the Pro One, which is tubeless ready and has a slightly stickier compound, but that doesn't mean the standard One is the weaker cousin.
Its Onestar compound is reasonably soft and tacky, which provides plenty of grip and gives you real confidence entering bends or roundabouts without having to scrub off much speed in the process.
In the dry you have to be pushing really hard and at quite an acute angle to the road to get them to break traction, and they do well when the road surface is wet too.
I'm not convinced the tread and whole rotation thing bring anything to the game; you aren't going to aquaplane on a bike, and they tyres would be better off just being slick, letting the compound do its work.
I've probably covered about 400 miles on this test and they barely look scrubbed in, and going by other sets I've ridden durability is pretty good considering they are a performance tyre.
The V-Guard puncture protection strip has done its job, and while I have a few little nicks to the rubber I haven't had an issue with any punctures.
I found the Schwalbes easy to fit to a few different wheelsets I had on test, from wide rims to thin, and they popped on with just a bit of thumb leverage on all of them.
Schwalbe offers the One in a range of sizes from a skinny 23mm through to 30mm, with 25mm and 28mm in between. The 25s are available in a range of colours too, if you fancy a bit of coordinating, and there is even a tan wall option if that's your thing.
A price of £52.99 isn't astronomical for a race tyre, but the One does find itself up against some tough opposition. One of my favourite tyres, which the Ones replaced, are the Panaracer Race Evo 3. The Schwalbes are about 50g heavier, which is noticeable, though they are more robust. Grip levels are about the same, and side by side there is little in it, but to equip the bike with the Panaracers would save you about £26.
> Buyer's Guide: 34 of the best road cycling tyres
The 50 quid Maxxis High Roads offer excellent grip and durability to match the Ones, but they are nowhere near as supple.
Overall, the Schwalbe One Evolution Line tyres are fast rolling and grippy, and also offer decent durability. Normally, you have to choose two out of the three.
Verdict
A very good all-round race tyre that grips well and will take some abuse
Make and model: Schwalbe One Evolution V-Guard tyre
Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
According to Schwalbe, "The name alone indicates how significant this tire is for Schwalbe. With a sporty tread design, excellent Race-Compound and quality workmanship, the Schwalbe One sets a new benchmark in terms of quality and Performance. Originally developed for competitions, we have made this outstanding tire wheelchair accessible by using our WheelStar compounds. Schwalbe One is fast and reliable at the same time. The great puncture protection comes from the V-Guard, made from a special fabric, which is very light and extremely cut resistant."
A solid, dependable all-round race tyre.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Schwalbe lists:
PROTECTION: V-Guard -an extremely cut-resistant high-tech fibre makes it possible to ensure, even on very light tyres an extraordinary high level of puncture resistance
SIDEWALLS: LiteSkin which offers light, thin sidewalls, for weight saving and reduced rolling resistance
COMPOUND / TPI: OneStar triple compound developed just for the ONE range / 127 TPI
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
7/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
8/10
Rate the product for value:
4/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
They offer race performance without the fragility that tends to go with such tyres.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Loads of grip.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Pointless tread and rotation markings.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
There are some offering similar performance for less, but that doesn't mean the Schwalbes are overly expensive.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes, especially if you can find a good deal.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
There are some very good tyres out there for less, but although it's a touch steep on price the Schwalbe One Evolution Line is a very capable all-rounder.
Age: 40 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed
Or from another of their works: "if you are not completely satisfied with this product, you've been had".
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