Schwalbe G-One RS Pro gravel tyre

£74.99 This speedy off-road rubber impresses in almost all scenarios

- Oscar Huckle

The G-One RS Pro is Schwalbe's fastest off-road tyre. It sits in their top-of-the-line gravel-race range, alongside the G-One R Pro all-rounder and the G-One RX Pro, which is essentially a souped-up version with the most aggressive tread pattern of the three. That leaves a hole for a hardpack tyre, and this is where the RS Pro fits in.

It features a striking tread pattern, with a semi-slick design in the middle. The side knobs, meanwhile, alternate between large teardrop shapes and three smaller ones in between, the middle of which is positioned slightly closer to the tyre edge.

Schwalbe's new Race Pro construction is used for the 67tpi (threads per inch) casing, which is said to offer lower rolling resistance, improved comfort and better puncture protection than the Super Race design it replaces.

The German brand have also widened the tyre's three-layer sidewalls, along with the V-Guard Vectran puncture-protection belt.

Also updated is the Addix Race rubber compound, with Schwalbe claiming a 10% reduction in rolling resistance, plus improved shoulder grip.

The tyre is available in 700c x 35, 40, 45, 50mm and 55mm widths with black (some sizes) or 'transparent' (all) sidewalls. There's also a 650b x 45mm option. The 50mm tyres on test weighed 581g each on my scales. That's 24g lighter than claimed, and less than the G-One RX Pro (617g) or the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H (652).

Tubeless pump required?

I first set up the tyres tubeless on a pair of WTB KOM i27 wheels on a Kona Ouroboros, using Muc-Off sealant. Both were easy to install on the 27mm-wide (internal) rims. I couldn't get them to seat with a track pump, but did on the first attempt with a dedicated tubeless pump. They inflated to 51.5mm wide at 25psi.