In cross-country mountain biking, every gram, every knob, and every compound matters — especially on Singapore’s diverse XC tracks, where hardpack, roots, and tropical humidity can punish underprepared tires.
The right tire can transform your ride from frustrating to fast, and Schwalbe’s cross-country lineup has been engineered to help you push harder, roll smoother, and grip with total confidence.
Whether you’re targeting local KOMs or aiming for your next podium, understanding Schwalbe’s XC tires, from compound to construction, is the first step to riding at your peak.
Let’s dive in and discover how these purpose-built tires can elevate your XC experience across Singapore’s toughest trails.
Schwalbe XC Tire Line-Up: Compounds, Construction, and Proven Champions
Addix Speed Compound
At the heart of Schwalbe’s XC tire range is the Addix Speed compound, specifically formulated for cross-country specialists who demand every advantage on the trail.
Addix Speed redefines XC performance by maximizing rolling properties (100%) while maintaining impressive durability (95%).
Its trade-off is slightly reduced damping (70%) and grip (65%) compared to a reference compound, but the benefits in speed and efficiency make it the ultimate weapon for racers and KOM hunters on dry, fast tracks.
Construction: Super Race & XC Pro Carcass
- Super Race Carcass: Engineered for absolute performance, the Super Race construction prioritizes weight savings, suppleness, and speed. It is the construction of choice for elite XC racers who put every second on the line.
- XC Pro Carcass: The new XC Pro construction strikes a superb balance between grip and minimal rolling resistance.
Designed to meet the highest demands of today’s cross-country athletes, it features targeted reinforcement zones to prevent SnakeBites while delivering a confident, responsive ride feel.
Proven Lineups
Rick XC Pro
Born to win races, the Rick XC Pro is built for riders who will sacrifice nothing to go faster. Developed with Olympic silver medallist Mathias Flückiger, this tire combines exceptional grip and ultra-low rolling resistance in a way that redefines XC expectations.
Its reinforced transition area between centre and shoulder knobs provides class-leading SnakeBite protection, closing the performance gap between Racing Ralph and Thunder Burt.
Best for: XC Race
Proven in: UCI XCO World Cup
Reviews: Reviewers praise the Rick XC Pro for its impressive balance of grip and rolling speed, with Biketour Global noting it performed flawlessly over 1,300 km of diverse terrain, resisting punctures and offering secure cornering.
Pinkbike highlighted the tire’s reinforced transition blocks, giving riders confidence in sharp turns while preserving a fast, race-ready feel, calling it a next-level upgrade in Schwalbe’s XC portfolio.
Thunder Burt
The Thunder Burt is the definition of speed for dry, smooth XC tracks. Its profile combines countless low-profile studs for fast, silent rolling with sharply edged shoulders for confident cornering.
Designed for maximum pace on hardpack and flowy trails, this tire is a consistent top pick for elite racers and gravel crossovers.
Best for: XC Race on dry XC tracks
Proven in: XCO/XCC World Championships, Unbound Gravel
Reviews: Thunder Burt wins high marks for its blistering speed on dry, hard-packed courses. Singletracks described it as “ridiculously fast” while still maintaining surprising bite on light off-camber sections, and BikeRadar confirmed its lightweight, smooth-rolling performance makes it perfect for fire roads or gravel-style XC events where low rolling resistance is critical.
Racing Ray
Tailored for the front wheel, the Racing Ray is a technical masterpiece for confident steering and braking performance.
Its center tread rolls efficiently while aggressive shoulder blocks bite into corners, making it a top choice on mixed or challenging terrain. Developed directly from XC World Cup feedback, it is an ideal match with Racing Ralph for a balanced XC race setup.
Best for: XC/Marathon
Proven in: XCO World Championships
Reviews: Flow Mountain Bike found the Racing Ray to be an outstanding front tire for cross-country, delivering consistent braking traction and sharp cornering bite while still rolling efficiently on smoother singletrack.
Testers highlighted its stable shoulder blocks that inspire confidence on rooty or mixed-terrain XC tracks.
Racing Ralph
Engineered for rear-wheel drive, Racing Ralph puts down the power with dependable traction while maintaining smooth rolling speed.
Designed in tandem with Racing Ray, its block arrangement optimises acceleration and climbing grip, which is crucial on Singapore’s rooty and punchy trails.
Best for: XC/Marathon
Proven in: XCO World Championships
Reviews: Also reviewed by Flow Mountain Bike, Racing Ralph gets praise for reliable rear-wheel grip on punchy climbs and technical trail sections.
Its tread layout was applauded for boosting acceleration, while the moderate central block profile kept rolling resistance low enough for marathon-distance efforts, giving riders a strong rear-wheel match to the Racing Ray.
Recommended Tire Combinations
| Front Tire | Rear Tire | Purpose | Ideal Terrain |
| Rick XC Pro | Rick XC Pro | Ultimate XC Racing | Dry, firm surfaces, cross-country trails, gravel roads, and some light rough terrain |
| Racing Ray | Racing Ralph | Balanced XC Racing | Mixed terrain, rooty sections, short climbs, light mud |
| Racing Ray | Thunder Burt | Speed-Optimized Racing | Hardpack, dry and fast courses, flowy singletrack |
| Racing Ralph | Thunder Burt | Lightweight Marathon Race Setup | Dry, smooth XC tracks, endurance races with minimal technicality |
| Thunder Burt | Thunder Burt | Maximum speed, minimum rolling resistance | Hardpack, non-technical courses, gravel events, high-speed fire roads |
Conclusion: Your XC Ride Starts with the Right Tires
Whether you’re racing laps at Chestnut Nature Park or grinding through long loops at Ketam MTB Park, the right XC tire setup can be the difference between hanging on and pulling ahead.
Schwalbe’s cross-country range gives you that edge, from the race-bred precision of the Rick XC Pro to the pure speed of Thunder Burt, or the trusted all-round combo of Racing Ray and Racing Ralph.
So, what’s your riding style? If it’s full-gas XC racing, go dual Rick XC Pro. Prefer flowy, fast tracks? Thunder Burt’s calling. Looking for a do-it-all weekend warrior setup? Ray up front, Ralph in the rear.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget the supporting cast that keeps your XC ride smooth and efficient: Schwalbe Doc Blue sealant for tubeless protection, Topeak tools for trailside fixes, an Elite bottle cage for hydration on the go, and of course, the Elite Fly Team MTB to bring it all together.
Your best XC ride yet? It starts right here.
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