Schwalbe Ultremo ZX Evolution Tyres

SV Gary
SV Gary Posts: 21
edited February 2014 in Road buying advice
I have had a pair of Schwalbe Ultremo ZX tyres (red/black) on my Specialised Secteur for around 500 miles and both tyres are starting to crack at the red black interface and I do not feel comfortable riding on them now, especially on a fast decent with hard braking at the bottom. I have complained to Schwalbe who agree that these tyres should not be failing after such a short mileage but they cannot offer me any warranty replacement direct, I have to go through the distributor. The problem is, I bought these online and I can't remember where I got them from early last year. So I am left with a set of tyres that are failing well before they should and no recourse.

Do you think Schwalbe are being unreasonable?

Anyone else seen these sort of failures on these tyres?

Comments

  • bobones
    bobones Posts: 1,215
    Any pics?

    I only got around 1500 miles from a set of Ultremos and even then I was constantly having to boot little bulges and nicks in them. I went through 3 sets before moving on to something more durable and less costly.
  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    I seem to remember this being a problem with the coloured versions. Talk to the UK distributor, not the retailer.

    The old HD version also had longevity issues, but the new V-guard version seems fine.
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  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    I think you need to work out who you bought the tyres from since the contract is with them, even on a warranty claim. I really rate the Ultremos. I rode on ZXs last summer and swapped to DD (on 25) for the winter... cannot see me going back now.
  • SV Gary
    SV Gary Posts: 21
    Photos of tyres here

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/51510662@N08/12432714845/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/51510662@N08/12432716555/

    My problem is I can't recall where I got them from!

    Anyone else had these issues?
  • mpatts
    mpatts Posts: 1,010
    My first pair bulged and split - the second not a problem.
    Insert bike here:
  • glasgowbhoy
    glasgowbhoy Posts: 1,341
    Had the same issue last year,

    contacted Will at Schwable here in the UK, sent them back to them directly and issued with a set of the new R1 tyres.

    There seemed to be a manufacturing problem with the Ultremos.

    PM me if you want the email address
  • Carlyrox
    Carlyrox Posts: 12
    If purchased online you will have paid by card? Phone your bank and provide them with as much detail as possible - month of purchase, price of purchase etc. hopefully these will then provide you with the retailer.

    Regards.

    Keith.
  • SV Gary
    SV Gary Posts: 21
    Mmmm - it is Will at Schwalbe UK who is refusing to swap them under warranty?
  • curium
    curium Posts: 815
    SV Gary wrote:
    Photos of tyres here

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/51510662@N08/12432714845/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/51510662@N08/12432716555/

    My problem is I can't recall where I got them from!

    Anyone else had these issues?

    Saw the first photo and thought I'd ride on them - he's just fussy...

    Saw the second photo and thought Fuck!

    I've ridden several pairs of ultremos and they've always cut easily but have never looked like those in the second photo.

    Incidentally, I bought a Cube from Tweeks Cycles last March which came with Ultremos. Several months later Tweeks contacted me to say that Schwalbe had recalled the tyres on my Cube and sent me a replacement set :roll:
  • william-fingerdo
    william-fingerdo Posts: 23
    Have used plenty of ZX tires and have had good luck with them (Black only). Some of the old ZX tires started to have small thin rubber come apart on the sidewall. The newer tires have purcahsed has stopped doing it. But I just purchased the new ONE tires, better, much better tire.
  • izza
    izza Posts: 1,561
    I also just use the black ones.

    No side splitting, however, when they were released Schwalbe made a big thing of putting the puncture protection lower within the carcass construction. I'm finding that although I am not getting more punctures I am getting more more cuts/knicks that need superglue after a ride. This is seeing me more uncomfortable to ride them sooner in their lifespan.

    I really enjoy the ride, comfort and traction - its just a shame that the tyres may get replaced due to a reduction in the lifetime.
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    izza wrote:
    I also just use the black ones.

    No side splitting, however, when they were released Schwalbe made a big thing of putting the puncture protection lower within the carcass construction. I'm finding that although I am not getting more punctures I am getting more more cuts/knicks that need superglue after a ride. This is seeing me more uncomfortable to ride them sooner in their lifespan.

    I really enjoy the ride, comfort and traction - its just a shame that the tyres may get replaced due to a reduction in the lifetime.

    Buy the DD version next time around. All the ride quality of ZX but without the major drawbacks of cutting up quite so easily and with improved durability. I bought some in 25mm for the winter and will probably not change now, even in the summer.

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