Road Bike Tire Test: Schwalbe Lugano 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 21.9 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 74 Points
- Static Wet Grip: No Data
- Conclusion: 1.0 / 5 Not Recommended
- Comments
- Schwalbe Lugano 25
(100% is best)
NOTE: We have a test available of a newer version of this tire: Schwalbe Lugano II 2020
The Schwalbe Lugano is the entry-level road bike tire from Schwalbe. This is a review of the 700 x 25C folding version of the Lugano. An even cheaper wire bead version is available as well. After comparing all specifications, the wire bead version should be very comparable to the folding version. The Lugano has a 50 TPI casing, a diamond tread profile, silica rubber compound, and a K-Guard layer for extra puncture protection.
On paper, the Lugano seems like a great tire that should perform well on our tests. Most tires that fit the lowest price category seem to have a 20-30 TPI carcass, no silica compound, and no advanced "K-Guard" style puncture protection. When you combine these specifications with the Schwalbe brand name, which is known for producing excellent low rolling resistance tires, you can only expect the Lugano to be a decent performer.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Schwalbe |
| Model | Lugano |
| Year | 2015 |
| Tire Type | Tubetype (clincher) |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Low |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 11600044.01 |
| TPI | 50 |
| Compound | Silica |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 280 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 115 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
23-622 (700x23C) 25-622 (700x25C) |
Schwalbe Lugano 25 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 280 grams |
| Measured Weight | 275 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + inner tube (100 gr) |
375 grams |
| Measured Width | 25 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 23 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 3.5 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | No Data |
| Unmounted Tread Width | No Data |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | No Data |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
The specified weight of the folding version of the Lugano is 280 grams. I've measured my sample of the Lugano at 275 grams, which is an acceptable weight for a 25 mm road bike tire. The wire bead version is much heavier with a specified weight of 350 grams. With a measured width and height of 25 and 23 mm respectively, the Lugano is smaller than most other 25C tires which come closer to 26/27 mm on my 17C rim.
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | Conti Race28 (100gr butyl) |
| Measured Width | 25 mm (un-round) |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 132 psi/9.1 bar 25-27 = 120 psi/8.3 bar 28-29 = 108 psi/7.4 barUltra High Air Pressure (120 psi / 8.3 bar) |
21.9 Watts CRR: 0.00656 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 110 psi/7.6bar 25-27 = 100 psi/6.9 bar 28-29 = 90 psi/6.2 barExtra High Air Pressure (100 psi / 6.9 bar) |
22.6 Watts CRR: 0.00677 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 88 psi/6.1 bar 25-27 = 80 psi/5.5 bar 28-29 = 72 psi/5.0 barHigh Air Pressure (80 psi / 5.5 bar) |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 25-27 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 28-29 = 54 psi/3.7 barMedium Air Pressure (60 psi / 4.1 bar) |
Members Only |
| The Road Bike section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. 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 at an air pressure of 120 psi is 21.9 watts, which is very high already. At lower air pressures, rolling resistance rises sharply to 22.6, 24.4 and 28.4 watts at 100, 80 and 60 psi respectively.
Something else I noticed during the test is that the Lugano was severely out of round (more than 2 mm). Most tires have this, but the Lugano was bouncing so much that you'll probably notice it on the bike as well. This is a sign of low-quality control.
I must say that I did not expect rolling resistance to be so high. As of this writing, the Lugano has the highest rolling resistance of all tires that have been tested. It´s funny that Schwalbe now occupies the first and last position in the rolling resistance chart. Materials and quality control can make a big difference.
Puncture Resistance Test Results
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 74 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 14 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 3.5 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Unlike the rolling resistance part, puncture resistance seems to be decent with a score of 14 points in the puncture test. This is slightly above most summer tires and much better than the Vittoria Zaffiro which is a tire in the same price class. I must add that the Zaffiro does have a much lower rolling resistance.
Static Grip Test Results
NOTE: Grip test data is only available on tires tested after November 2018. You can find more information about our grip test here: Introducing Grip Testing
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | No Data |
| Wet Grip Center | No Data |
| Wet Grip Edge | No Data |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Schwalbe Lugano 25
(100% is best)
Based on the rolling resistance test results, I just can't recommend the Schwalbe Lugano to anyone. These tires will seriously slow you down; some mountain bike tires even have a much lower rolling resistance. On top of that, quality control seems to be low as the Lugano used for this test was severely out of round. To keep the price low, they probably just don't bin the bad tires.
If you don't want to spend a large amount of money on tires, I do recommend to slightly up the budget and read my reviews of the Continental Grand Prix and Vittoria Rubino Pro. Those aren't that much more but perform close to top-of-the-line tires. They will save you up to 20 watts of power for a pair of tires.
RATING:
1.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Not Recommended