First Look: Schwalbe Tacky Chan Tire 6

Developed to meet the needs of their World Cup downhill athletes, the Tacky Chan offers next-level stability while maintaining ultimate traction and grip.

Jason_Schroeder
6/21/2023 12:01am
VitalMTB Schwalbe Tacky Chan 1-3

Schwalbe’s Magic Mary tire has been a dominant force in gravity-focused riding and racing for nearly a decade. Besides casing and compound construction updates, the tread design and tire as we know it has remained unchanged. And for good reasons: the popular knob layout offers exceptional grip and cornering bite in nearly every terrain with ample dead space to clear mud in variable weather conditions. But, like all good things, they eventually change or evolve. Motivated by demands from their top World Cup athletes, Schwalbe has spent the last few years developing its new Tacky Chan model. Built from the blueprints of the Magic Mary and Big Betty, Tacky Chan seeks to deliver peak grip with added stability and control to withstand exceptionally aggressive riding (e.g., Amaury Pierron in Fort William).

Highlights 

  • Intended use: downhill and enduro
  • 'L' shaped shoulder lugs increase lateral support
  • Dual-closed siping on should lugs
  • Ramped center knobs for improved rolling characteristics
  • Longer braking edge for added control
  • Casing options: Super Trail, Super Gravity, Super Downhill
  • Compound options: ADDIX Soft and Ultra Soft
  • Weight (verified): 1346g (29x2.4" / Super DH casing / ADDIX Ultra Soft)
  • MSRP: $104 USD (Super Downhill, Super Gravity) // $98 USD (Super Trail) 
Photo

If you survey Schwalbe's tire range, you'll notice that most models are in the tenure of their existence. A result of being really stinking good at creating tread designs, casings, and compounds that flourish in various environments, Schwalbe doesn't half-heartedly add models to their portfolio. So when the likes of Amaury Pierron, Myriam Nicole, and Thibaut Dapréla came knocking for a more capable tire than the beloved Magic Mary, Schwalbe embarked on a three-year development process to create their next-best gravity-focused tire. 

The goal when developing Tacky Chan was to maintain the grip, traction, and versatility offered by Magic Mary while increasing rolling speed, lateral support, and control. Prototyping and testing began in 2020, and Thibaut first raced the tire at the 2021 World Championships in Les Gets. After countless iterations and adjustments, production samples were raced by Myriam and Amuary for most of the 2020 season, racking up an impressive eleven World Cup victories for Tacky Chan.  

Photo

The new tread design combines elements of the Magic Mary and Big Betty. The ramped center knobs closely mirror those on the Big Betty, while the size and depth of the should knobs resemble those on the Magic Mary. 

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Big Betty + Magic Mary = Tacky Chan

Compared to the Magic Mary, Tacky Chan's center knobs are more ramped and slightly closer together to increase rolling speed. However, there is still plenty of open space between knobs to prevent mud from packing up the tire. The should lugs are 20% more stable to improve lateral stiffness thanks to an 'L' shaped design and use less-aggressive, closed siping. Balancing support and compliance of the side knobs was a crucial component of the tread design, as the Magic Mary's double-siped side lugs debatably lack enough support in high-energy situations. Dialing in the feel of the shoulder knobs took the longest during development, but the final design allows the knobs to conform to the ground and hold a line at top speed. Finally, the braking edge is marginally longer on the Tacky Chan to improve traction and control under braking. 

Photo

Tacky Chan is available in Schwalbe's Super Downhill, Super Gravity, and Super Trail casings in ADDIX Ultra Soft or Soft. 29" models are available in every casing, and 27.5" in Super Gravity or Super Downhill. MSRP depends on casing, with Super Trail models retailing for $98 and Super Gravity and Super Downhill for $104 USD.

We've logged a whopping one ride with the Tacky Chan mounted up front, but plan to knock out more testing as we head into summer and have chairlifts at our disposal. A visual inspection shows promises of a faster rolling Magic Mary with sturdier side knobs and an open design to minimize packing. Like the Magic Mary, the stud-like knobs are prominent and deep, making them better suited for softer soil. We have no reason to doubt any tire Schwalbe develops, and our single ride left us eager to ramp up the speed, hit some proper descents, and see how the Tacky Chan responds when riding at our limits. 

For more information, please visit schwalbetires.com 

Related:
Schwalbe
Tires
Downhill
6 comments

View replies to: First Look: Schwalbe Tacky Chan Tire

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NicoZesty96
1 year ago

Im in the market for a new front tyre, current favourite is the Magic Mary super trail ultrasoft, I love it and I own it already, 

would this be better in something else other than rolling speed, which I don’t care in a front tyre?

VitalMTB 2023 Repeater Powertrain-40 2
Jason_Schroeder
1 year ago

Having only done one run, my impressions of the tire are minimal at this time. But I will say the difference in shoulder knob siping does give the Tacky Chan a more definite and solid feeling in corners. I've ridden Magic Mary's for years and the aggressive siping on the side knobs is great for finding grip, but it can also cause the knobs to flex too much in high energy situations. Otherwise, the feel of the Tacky Chan was similar to a Magic Mary. I rode the tire in loose over hardback conditions.  

5
VitalMTB 2023 Repeater Powertrain-40 2
Jason_Schroeder
1 year ago

Ten ride update: I've had the chance to spend more time on the Tacky Chan and wanted to give insight into its performance. On loose over hardpack terrain and trails that are generally straighter/faster, the tire is rad. It rolls fast, and if you aren't leaning over too far, the gap between the center and side knobs doesn't negatively affect traction. In bermed corners where a lot of force is pushed through the front tire, the side knobs offer a lot of grip and support. Compared to the Magic Mary, Tacky Chan has continued to feel more definite and supportive in these conditions. 

I had the chance to ride the tire in much looser and deeper soil and have been less fond of its abilities. Since the tread design lacks a transition knob and the knobs aren't as deep, I had issues finding traction in sandy turns and tucked my front wheel a few too many times for comfort. It was difficult to tell when the tire would stop providing traction, and the side knobs lacked the ability to flex and conform to the ground. The Tacky Chan just didn't offer the same endless traction in these conditions that have always made the Magic Mary a favorite tire of mine. 

I'm going to save the Tacky Chan for the hardpacked trails back home or machine-built bike park trails, but I will continue to reach for Schwalbe's Magic Mary in mixed terrain and deeper soil. 

2
VitalMTB 2023 Repeater Powertrain-40 2
Jason_Schroeder
1 year ago

I have thought about that, but I think the channel between the center and side knobs would cause the rear wheel to slide into turns before catching on the side knobs. I think it would work decently in the rear in high-energy situations or on hardpack trails, as the stiffer side knobs would again help provide support in high-energy situations. It definitely would have less braking bite than Schwalbe's Magic Mary or Big Betty though.

I gave @tstep one of the two Tacky Chan's I have since he tends to prefer tread designs with a gap between the center and side knobs. He'll report back with his impressions of the Tacky Chan in a month or so in the comments here. I figure that putting out an entire review probably isn't justified, but for anyone who's curious about Tacky Chan, these comments will provide some insight. 

1

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