Schwalbe X-One Bite Microskin

With a grippy tread that clears rather well and the ability to run low pressures without burping the tyre, the Schwalbe X-One Bite CX Microskin TLE tyre is a really good choice for training and racing. The tightly packed central knobs keep rolling speeds high and the tall side knobs dig in to provide very good traction.

The king of grip when it comes to the mud of the CX course is undoubtedly low air pressure. The best way to achieve this is with tubular tyres, but they are expensive and not that practical for everyday use. The next best option is tubeless. It's a growing area across cycling; mountain bikers have had the luxury for years. The idea is you remove the innertube, pop some sealant in and you've got yourself an incredibly puncture resistant setup.

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The X-One is an excellent example of why tubeless is great for cross. Removing the innertubes has allowed me to run these down to 22psi without issue. With 60ml of Stans sealant, I've also had no punctures. Mostly this is due to removing the possibility of pinch flats. I did, however, pull out one serious thorn, but the sealant took care of the hole with no loss of pressure.

Mounting the X-One was incredibly easy. Tubeless tyres can sometimes be rather tight and the last bead section is always a struggle. But these popped onto my Maddux rims without fuss. The trade-off to that is usually found when inflating the tyres. A looser tyre won't seat easily and can be a headache to inflate. Using my Bontrager TLR Flash Charger pump, I was able to seat and inflate both tyres without issue. It was a little harder using a standard pump, but with some vigorous pumping, they inflated.

Riding out to my usual CX loop meant a few miles of road riding before the muddy fun began. I therefore started with 60psi in the tyres, and was really impressed with how quick the tyres felt. I'd be happy to use these on my short commute, as it'd give me the option to head off road after work.

As soon as I got to the mud, I let the tyres down to 30psi. I was cautious with the pressure as I didn't want to fold the tyres when cornering. Happily, I was able to get these right down to 22psi for my 65kg weight with no issues.

Part of my loop consists of a steep, grassy climb. If it's been raining it'll cut up very easily. Standing up and stamping down brought the expected rear wheel spin, but while seated I could mash the pedals without any loss of traction.

One area that surprised me was in fast, dry corners. The fantastic grip in the mud comes from the side knobs being very supple. Out on the road, this worked against the X-One, with a few squirms from the tyre. As issues go, it's a minor one at most; I'd certainly rather have a tyre that's better in the mud, especially in the UK.

> Read our guide to cyclo-cross racing

At £59.99 rrp, they are at the pricier end, but I believe the quality of the X-One warrants the investment. I haven't used these extensively on the road so wear hasn't been an issue. I have hit them into their fair share of rocks with no issues at the sidewalls. Durability at this price has to be top notch and these deliver for the riding they'll be subjected to.

Squeezing in at under 400g, the 396g is slightly over Schwalbe's claimed 390g. If weight is a concern, tubeless isn't the best system, but the X-One does slightly better than Bontrager's CX3 at 410g.

If you want a tyre for muddy conditions and occasional road use, the X-One Bite is a very good option. It's not the best for harder ground, but the suppleness and height of the outer knobs grip well in loose mud and clear effectively.

Verdict

Strong yet supple, the X-One Bite TLE is a marvel in the mud