Schwalbe Johnny Watts (and other Schwalbe SUV tyres) User Club

[smorgasbord]

PSA: These are on sale today, along with some other Schwalbe tires.

On sale where?

 

[AvalancheRun]

On sale where?

Direct from their site: https://www.schwalbetires.com/e-bike-tires

Side note: I saw Scott bikes specs the Johnny Watts with tan walls (I love that look). Not sure where those can be purchased though.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I accidentally bought the non tubeless version of the Schwalbe Marathon Almotion and it worked one rim well the ride was great. but with a tube in it its nothing fantastic. so I bought the tubeless version rides like a whole different tire it rides like a marathon plus. trying a Teravail Rampart Light & Supple Tire feels better then any tire we had on the tandem that was actually tubeless.

 

[smorgasbord]

I have the 27.5 x 2.8 original JWs. They've been great, but it looks like that size isn't offered in the newer version. I really want that extra width.
I did find one source for the originals, but at $100 a pop I'm hoping for something better priced. I won't need new tires until next summer is my guess, but having the new versions not support the 2.8 width is concerning to me.
Suggestions, including alternatives, welcome.

 

[smorgasbord]

The Eddy Currents look good if I was exclusively off road, but my riding is a mix of pavement and trails and I like the smooth running of the Johnny Watts.

 

[smorgasbord]

I found them for $65 shipped.

How long do tires last in storage?

 

[TrevorB]

I wouldn't worry about an expire date on bike tire. Heavily trailer tire YES where blowout is possibility.

 

[smorgasbord]

Zoom in and you will see expiration date on the tire.

I looked at 3 of our tires and couldn't find anything that looks like a date. This marking appears to be in the same location as your date:

All 3 tires have the same marking.


Anyway, since the new JWs aren't made in the size I want, I'm going to order these since while the ones we have will be fine for this season, I doubt they'll make it through next season.

 

[peterh_nz]

I looked at 3 of our tires and couldn't find anything that looks like a date.

March 2019?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

March 2019?

It makes sense. I had a look at my Schwalbe winter tyres and it read "Made in Indonesia 1907". In my opinion, bicycle tyres have a long shelf life, and they get worn by riding before the rubber becomes very old itself.

 

[smorgasbord]

It makes sense. I had a look at my Schwalbe winter tyres and it read "Made in Indonesia 1907". In my opinion, bicycle tyres have a long shelf life, and they get worn by riding before the rubber becomes very old itself.

1907?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

1907?

July 2019?

 

[DTCsjoerd]

Does anyone know if the JW 365's are more noisey than the normal JW's? The thread seems very different from the OG JW's, it also doesn't mention "whisper-quiet" on the product page.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Does anyone know if the JW 365's are more noisey than the normal JW's? The thread seems very different from the OG JW's, it also doesn't mention "whisper-quiet" on the product page.

According to my brother, JWs are totally silent while JW365s are "whisper noisy" or almost non audible.

 

[California Flash]

Very quiet tire. Excellent in winter. See my post on December 8, 2022.

 

[DTCsjoerd]

Thanks guys, i just ordered the normal JW's. Do they grip decently on wet pavement?

 

[California Flash]

I called Schwalbe.....they said the normal JW's are not as grippy as the 365's but should be fine in the wet. The 365 is more grippy because it needs to remain more flexible in lower temps.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thanks guys, i just ordered the normal JW's. Do they grip decently on wet pavement?

Yes. However, be careful below 10 C, as regular JWs are proven to slip on a cold wet pavement.

JW365s are not the warm season tyres but are even capable of riding in snow.

My brother (background) making circles on a snowy off-road surface to warm up (JW365)

 

[BlackHand]

Thanks guys, i just ordered the normal JW's. Do they grip decently on wet pavement?

Yes the regular JWs are fine in the wet and in the cold. I've ridden through the last several winters in Seattle with them. I feel far more confident on them then with the Super MotoX I had previously.

They aren't winter tires obviously but I've had enough morning commutes at or below freezing to be comfortable on them.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Yes the regular JWs are fine in the wet and in the cold. I've ridden through the last several winters in Seattle with them. I feel far more confident on them then with the Super MotoX I had previously.

They aren't winter tires obviously but I've had enough morning commutes at or below freezing to be comfortable on them.

You have been lucky or never made a more complicated maneuver on them. Regular JWs become hard at low temps, and the traction becomes limited. My brother once tried to make a U-turn on a cold, wet, and slick surface, which resulted in a collapse so violent his Garmin sent a distress signal to his son! As my brother was at those times actively commuting, he swapped the regular JWs for JW365, and rode on the latter for three cold seasons (when there was no ice). He also thinks JW365 would wear fast during the warm season.

It all depends on the weather type in a given area and is very similar to the choice of winter car tyres or riding on multiseason ones. For instance, a sane Polish driver would use winter tyres while multiseason ones are a popular choice for Denmark.

I can only re-iterate JWs are the warm season tyres while JW365 are recommended for cold weather.

Regular JWs when first installed.

@DTCsjoerd: I assume you have not ridden your Cube on the stock Smart Sams yet? As you have already decided to make the swap, all I can say is store the Smart Sams in good conditions. You might later discover how badly you need them