MTB Tire Test: Schwalbe Hans Dampf TrailStar

The Schwalbe Hans Dampf with TrailStar compound is the first tire I'm testing that makes use of this grippier compound. In the last couple of years, I've tested a lot of Schwalbe mountain bike tires which nearly all used the PaceStar compound. The PaceStar compound is a great compound that combines a low rolling resistance with a decent amount of grip and durability. The TrailStar compound is optimized more towards grip than rolling resistance, but how much speed are you really giving up?

When checking Schwalbe's website, they indicate the Hans Dampf with TrailStar is rated a 3.0 out of 6 on their speed scale. The Hans Dampf with faster PaceStar compound, on the other hand, is rated a 3.5 out of 6 on their speed scale. The half point lower rating on speed seems to indicate there is only a marginal difference between the PaceStar and TrailStar compounds.

After testing both the PaceStar and TrailStar versions of the Hans Dampf, I can tell you that the difference between these compounds is immense. Read on to find out that the difference between these compounds isn't just a half point on a scale of 6. If you're interested in the review of the PaceStar version of the Hans Dampf, go here: Hans Dampf PaceStar. If you want to compare all data of both these tires, go here: PaceStar Vs TrailStar.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Schwalbe
Model	Hans Dampf TrailStar
Year	2017
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	11600298.02
TPI	67
Compound	TrailStar
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	60-522
Size Inch	29"
Width Inch	2.35
Specified Weight	850 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	50
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	29x2.35 27.5x2.35 26x2.35

Schwalbe Hans Dampf TrailStar Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	850 grams
Measured Weight	840 grams
Measured Width Carcass	56 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	60 mm
Measured Height	55 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	3.8 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	6.0 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	1.9 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Members Only
All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Both the Hans Dampf TrailStar and PaceStar have the same specified weight of 850 grams for the 29 x 2.35 version. My sample comes in slightly below the specified weight at 840 grams. Both tires measure exactly the same: casing: 56 mm, max width (knobs): 60 mm, height: 55 mm.

The tread pattern of both the TrailStar and PaceStar is exactly the same. The center knobs on the TrailStar measure nearly the same at 4.0 mm. The edge knobs have a height of 6.0 mm. The sidewalls have a thickness of 0.85 mm which is spot on to most other Schwalbe mountain bike tires with SnakeSkin sidewalls.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (40 ml sealant) (current protocol)	Conti MTB 29 (225 gr butyl) (test protocol)
Rolling Resistance 55 PSI / 3.8 Bar	Members Only	Members Only
Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3.1 Bar	Members Only	Members Only
Rolling Resistance 35 PSI / 2.4 Bar	35.0 Watts CRR: 0.01049	38.5 Watts CRR: 0.01154
Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar	40.0 Watts CRR: 0.01199	44.5 Watts CRR: 0.01334
All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Rolling resistance of the Hans Dampf with TrailStar compound is very, very high. At the low air pressure of 25 psi / 1.7 bars, rolling resistance comes in at 44.5 watts which is 17.4 watts more than the Hans Dampf with PaceStar compound (27.1 watts). At the higher air pressure of 55 psi / 3.8 bars, rolling resistance comes in at 34.9 watts which is 13 watts more than the PaceStar version (21.9 watts).

These tests indicate that the difference in rolling resistance between the TrailStar and PaceStar compounds is more than 60%. I'm surprised by this huge difference as the ratings on Schwalbe's website indicate a difference of just a half point on a scale of 6. It would be nice if the ratings on manufacturers websites would get closer to the truth as people are basing their tire choices on these kinds of ratings. A rating of 2 out of 6 would be more honest for the TrailStar version, but I guess that's out of the question for the marketing department.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	33 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	8 Points
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	No Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	1.9 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	No Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Members Only

Puncture resistance comes in close to the other tires as well. The sidewall score of just 5 points is a bit on the weak side for a SnakeSkin tire but could be the result of the softer compound.

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	No Data
Wet Grip Center	No Data
Wet Grip Edge	No Data
Measured Knob Height Center	3.8 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	6.0 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 MTB grip test rim width = 30.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

The difference in rolling resistance between the Schwalbe PaceStar and TrailStar compounds is immense. This doesn't have to be a bad thing as you might get a lot of grip in return for the higher rolling resistance. The main problem I have with this tire is the false rating on Schwalbe's website. Schwalbe indicates there is only a half point out of 6 (8%) difference in rolling resistance between the TrailStar and PaceStar versions of this tire while my tests indicate a much bigger difference of 60%.

If you're deciding between the TrailStar and PaceStar compounds, keep in mind these big differences. A PaceStar on the rear and TrailStar on the front might be an ideal combination as the front wheel contributes the least to the total rolling resistance as there is less load on the front wheel. To compare both the Hans Dampf with TrailStar and PaceStar compound side by side, go here: PaceStar Vs TrailStar

RATING: 2.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Not Recommended

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