Tire Technology
Big Apple
Air suspension built-in. The Big Apple started off the Balloonbike trend ten years ago: Comfortable cycling without using complicated technology! Air cushion tires are used as natural suspension. Inflated to around 2 Bar a Balloonbike rolls really easily and with a full suspension effect. A normal tire with a width of 37 mm must be inflated to a rock-hard 4 bar, in order to roll similarly well.
Performance Line / Wired
| ETRTO | Inch | Protection/Execution | Color | |
| 50-305 | 16 x 2.00 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex |  |
| 50-355 | 18 x 2.00 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 55-406 | 20 x 2.15 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 50-406 | 20 x 2.00 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 55-507 | 24 x 2.15 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 50-507 | 24 x 2.00 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 55-559 | 26 x 2.15 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 60-559 | 26 x 2.35 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 50-559 | 26 x 2.00 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 60-622 | 28 x 2.35 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 55-622 | 28 x 2.15 | RaceGuard®, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
Active Line / Wired
| ETRTO | Inch | Protection/Execution | Color | |
| 50-203 | 12 x 2.00 | Kevlar® Guard, Active Line, SBC | Black-Reflex | |
| 50-254 | 14 x 2.00 | Kevlar® Guard, Active Line, SBC | Black-Reflex | |
| 55-559 | 26 x 2.15 | Kevlar® Guard, Active Line, SBC | Black-Reflex | |
| 55-559 | 26 x 2.15 | Kevlar® Guard, Active Line, SBC | Brown-Reflex | |
| 55-559 | 26 x 2.15 | Kevlar® Guard, Active Line, SBC | Creme-Reflex | |
| 55-559 | 26 x 2.15 | Kevlar® Guard, Active Line, SBC | Graphite-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar® Guard, Active Line, SBC | Black-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar® Guard, Active Line, SBC | Brown-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar® Guard, Active Line, SBC | Creme-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar® Guard, Active Line, SBC | Graphite-Reflex | |
Big Apple Plus
Now enjoy Balloonbike comfort with extra safe 3 mm GreenGuard puncture protection.
Performance Line / Wired
| ETRTO | Inch | Protection/Execution | Color | |
| 55-406 | 20 x 2.15 | GreenGuard, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 55-559 | 26 x 2.15 | GreenGuard, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2,00 | GreenGuard, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
Big Ben
Big Apple got a brother. The comfort is the same, but the Treade and the optics are clearly focused. Also available in the classic colors of cream, brown and grey.With ECE-R75 certification for fast E-bikes (55-406, 55-507, 55-559, 60-559, 55-622)
Performance Line / Wired
| ETRTO | Inch | Protection/Execution | Color | |
| 55-406 | 20 x 2.15 | RaceGuard, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 55-507 | 24 x 2.15 | RaceGuard, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 50-559 | 26 x 2,00 | RaceGuard, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 55-559 | 26 x 2.15 | RaceGuard, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 60-559 | 26 x 2.35 | RaceGuard, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | RaceGuard, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
| 55-622 | 28 x 2.15 | RaceGuard, Performance Line, Endurance | Black-Reflex | |
Active Line / Wired
| ETRTO | Inch | Protection/Execution | Color | |
| 55-559 | 26 x 2.15 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Brown-Reflex | |
| 55-559 | 26 x 2.15 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Creme-Reflex | |
| 55-559 | 26 x 2.15 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Graphite-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Brown-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Creme-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Graphite-Reflex | |
Fat Frank
Looks seductively good on any Cruiser. Now as an affordable Active Line version. The new colour variant with brown tread and white sidewall is particularly attractive.
| ETRTO | Inch | Protection/Execution | Color | |
| 60-559 | 26 x 2.35 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Black | |
| 60-559 | 26 x 2.35 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Black-Reflex | |
| 60-559 | 26 x 2.35 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Brown-Reflex | |
| 60-559 | 26 x 2.35 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Creme-Reflex | |
| 60-559 | 26 x 2.35 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Graphite-Reflex | |
| 60-559 | 26 x 2.35 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Brown/Whitewall-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Black-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Brown-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Creme-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Graphite-Reflex | |
| 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | Kevlar®Guard, Active Line, SBC | Brown/Whitewall-Reflex | |
Super Moto
The Big Apple for competition. Without a puncture protection belt. The beach, dry tracks and naturally the street: These are the places it is at home. Now with new tread design and also as a 29er!
| ETRTO | Inch | Protection/Execution | Color | |
| 60-559 | 26 x 2.35 | Evo, Evolution Line, PaceStar | Black | |
| 60-622 | 29 x 2.35 | Evo, Evolution Line, PaceStar | Black | |
The correct tube
SCHWALBE tubes all have a group number and the table shows which tube fits which tire.
The valve
Air pressure plays an important part in Balloonbikes. The correct inflation pressure determines the maximum comfort. In the classic bicycle valve (DV) it is difficult to attain the correct pressure, so we suggest using tubes with either Sclaverand (SV), or Auto valves (AV). Tubes with Auto valves can be easily inflated at a gas station.
Air pressure
How much to inflate a tire to achieve maximum comfort depends upon the rider’s weight and luggage. Comfort is also a subjective and personal issue, but our recommendation is: 2.0 - 2.5 bar.
Heavier rider or luggage weight will require great inflation pressure.
| ETRTO | Inch | Weight | Preassure | Load* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12" | 50-203 | 12 x 2.00 | 320 g | 1,5-4,0 | 70 kg |
| 14" | 50-254 | 14 x 2.00 | 360 g | 1,5-4,0 | 70 kg |
| 16" | 50-305 | 16 x 2.00 | 370 g | 2,0-5,0 | 70 kg |
| 18" | 50-355 | 18 x 2.00 | 470 g | 2,0-5,0 | 75 kg |
| 20" | 50-406 | 20 x 2.00 | 535 g | 2,0-5,0 | 80 kg |
| 55-406 | 20 x 2.15 | 555 g | 1,5-4,0 | 95 kg | |
| 60-406 | 20 x 2.35 | 575 g | 1,5-4,0 | 105 kg | |
| 24" | 50-507 | 24 x 2.00 | 650 g | 2,0-5,0 | 100 kg |
| 60-507 | 24 x 2.35 | 750 g | 1,5-4,0 | 130 kg | |
| 26" | 50-559 | 26 x 2.00 | 740 g | 2,0-5,0 | 130 kg |
| 55-559 | 26 x 2.15 | 770 g | 1,5-4,0 | 130 kg | |
| 60-559 | 26 x 2.35 | 830 g | 1,5-4,0 | 140 kg | |
| 28" | 50-622 | 28 x 2.00 | 820 g | 2,0-5,0 | 135 kg |
| 55-622 | 28 x 2.15 | 840 g | 1,5-4,0 | 140 kg | |
| 60-622 | 28 x 2.35 | 895 g | 1,5-4,0 | 145 kg |
* Maximum Load