A Speed pedelec — an electric bike that provides motor assistance up to 45 km/h (or sometimes up to 50 km/h) — places special demands on tires. At those speeds, a standard bicycle tire is not safe enough. You need more grip, stronger sidewalls, better puncture protection and above all: a tire that is legally approved for those speeds. The Schwalbe Super Moto-X with ECE-R75 certification is exactly such a tire.

Why a special tire for Speed pedelecs?

Fast e-bikes fall under stricter European regulations than regular e-bikes. A standard e-bike provides pedal assistance up to 25 km/h and can use ordinary bicycle tires. A Speed pedelec, on the other hand, assists up to 45 km/h or higher and requires type approval, insurance and a license plate. The tires must also comply with the European ECE-R75 standard, which guarantees that the tire can withstand the higher speeds, temperatures and forces generated when riding fast.

A standard tire at 45 km/h can lead to overheating, blowouts or loss of grip in corners. The ECE-R75 certification tests the tire for durability at high speeds, heat dissipation and structural integrity. Tires without this certification are legally not allowed to be mounted on a Speed pedelec.

Speedelec op de weg
A Speed pedelec rides up to 45 km/h — it needs an ECE-R75-approved tire. Source: Stromer.

The Schwalbe Super Moto-X: what makes it special?

The Schwalbe Super Moto-X is a balloon tire with a wide tread specially developed for e-bikes and Speed pedelecs. With a tire width up to 62 mm (2.40 inches), it offers an enormous air volume that acts as natural shock absorption. This means more comfort on uneven road surfaces and less strain on your back and wrists — especially important at high speeds.

Schwalbe Super Moto-X detail
The Super Moto-X with its wide tread and GreenGuard puncture protection. Source: Performance Bicycle.

But the Super Moto-X is more than just wide. The tire combines four key technologies that make it the ideal choice for fast e-bikes:

1. ECE-R75 (E-50) approval

This is the legal approval that makes the tire suitable for e-bikes up to 50 km/h. The tire has been tested at high speeds and meets the strict European safety standard. Without this certification, your tire is legally not allowed on a Speed pedelec.

2. Double Defense with GreenGuard

The combined puncture protection consists of a 3 mm thick layer of special, highly elastic rubber under the tread (GreenGuard) and SnakeSkin-reinforced sidewalls. The GreenGuard layer is made from one-third recycled natural rubber — not only good against punctures, but also better for the environment. SnakeSkin adds a lightweight, flexible fabric layer to the sidewall, making the tire resistant to lateral cuts from curbs, gravel or glass.

Schwalbe Super Moto-X GreenGuard en SnakeSkin detail
The SnakeSkin sidewall protection layer prevents cuts. Source: Performance Bicycle.

3. Addix Performance compound

The Addix rubber compound is Schwalbe's universal mixture for the Performance Line. It combines grip, rolling resistance and durability at a high level. This is important for a Speed pedelec: you want the tire to stick well on wet asphalt, but also last long given the higher wear that fast rides bring. Users report lifespans of 2,000 to even 5,300 km with this tire.

4. Balloon design for comfort

The large air volume of the balloon tire acts as natural suspension. At a low pressure (2 bar) you ride extra comfortably over bumps; at a higher pressure (4 bar) you roll faster on smooth asphalt. This flexibility makes the Super Moto-X suitable for both city trips and longer fast rides. On a Speed pedelec doing 45 km/h, the tire absorbs vibrations that would otherwise stress your entire bike and your body.

Technical specifications

Model Schwalbe Super Moto-X (HS 439)
Wheel size 27,5 inch / 650B (584 mm)
Tire width 2,40 inch (62 mm)
ETRTO 62-584
Tire type Wire bead
Compound Addix Performance
Puncture protection Double Defense (GreenGuard 3 mm + SnakeSkin)
Carcass density 67 TPI/EPI
Min air pressure 2 bar (30 PSI)
Max air pressure 4 bar (55 PSI)
E-bike approval ECE-R75 (E-50) — tot 50 km/h
Max load 145 kg per band
Weight 1125 g
Color Black
Model year 2026
Item number SWA654072 / 11100726.01
Price EUR 23,38 (was EUR 38,90) bij Bike24

Why not just a regular tire?

The difference between an ECE-R75 tire and a regular bicycle tire lies in the construction. The Super Moto-X has thicker sidewalls, a heavier carcass (67 TPI) and a reinforced puncture protection layer. This makes it heavier than a racing tire — 1125 g is not light — but that is the price for safety at high speeds. A regular tire can overheat at 45 km/h, crack or lose grip in corners, resulting in dangerous situations.

Moreover, a Speed pedelec is heavier than a regular bike. The motor, the larger battery and the sturdier frame add extra weight that the tires must carry. With a maximum load of 145 kg per tire, the Super Moto-X is well-sized for a heavy Speed pedelec plus rider and luggage.

Schwalbe Super Moto-X gemonteerd op een e-bike
The Super Moto-X mounted — wide and rugged. Source: Tip Plus Cycling.

Riding experiences from practice

Users of the Super Moto-X are generally very positive. On asphalt, the tire rolls surprisingly easily for its width and volume. The tread makes a soft humming sound on smooth roads, but is considerably quieter than aggressive knobby tires. In corners, the wide contact patch provides a lot of confidence, also in wet weather. Because of the high air volume, the ride feels noticeably more comfortable than with standard tires — vibrations and bumps are absorbed by the air layer, not by your body.

On light off-road terrain — gravel paths, unpaved forest roads — the tire holds up well. It is not designed for heavy off-road use or mud, but for the mix of roads, city and forest paths where most Speed pedelec riders find themselves, it is ideal. Users also report that their e-bike's battery range increases thanks to the lower rolling resistance compared to standard knobby tires.

The puncture protection is another highlight. Multiple users report hundreds to thousands of kilometers without a single flat, even on urban glass and gravel. The combination of 3 mm GreenGuard and SnakeSkin proves very effective in practice, although Schwalbe rightly notes that no tire is 100% puncture-proof — sharp objects like fish hooks or nails can always cause a problem.

Other sizes and variants

The Super Moto-X is available in multiple sizes for different bike models. The most common are:

Size (inch) ETRTO Weight Variant
20x2,40" 62-406 820 g DD, GreenGuard
20x2,80" 70-406 710 g DD, RaceGuard
26x2,40" 62-559 1095 g DD, GreenGuard
27,5x2,40" 62-584 1125 g DD, GreenGuard
27,5x2,80" 70-584 980 g DD, RaceGuard

The 27.5x2.40 inch version I discuss here is the most popular size for Speed pedelecs and heavy e-bikes. For smaller wheels (20 inch) or 26 inch, equivalent versions are available. The 2.80-inch variants use RaceGuard instead of GreenGuard, which is slightly lighter but offers slightly less puncture protection.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • +ECE-R75 approved up to 50 km/h
  • +Excellent puncture protection (GreenGuard + SnakeSkin)
  • +Great comfort thanks to balloon structure
  • +Good grip on asphalt and light off-road
  • +Long lifespan (up to 5000+ km)
  • +Max load 145 kg per tire
  • +Sharp price (EUR 23.38 at Bike24)
  • +GreenGuard partly recycled rubber

Cons

  • -Not lightweight (1125 g per tire)
  • -Limited suitability for mud and heavy off-road
  • -Wire bead — not foldable
  • -Actual width slightly smaller than 2.40" claim

What does it cost?

The price is per tyre, for the current version with ADDIX Green rubber, Double Defense and GreenGuard, size 27.5 × 2.40 inch (62-584).

Click the photo for this model’s official site

Schwalbe Super Moto-X

27.5 × 2.40 inch, per tyre

Prices in other countries

Prices from 10 November 2026, excluding AliExpress. Clicking a price shows today's current price; use “Prices in other countries” to compare countries.

Conclusion

If you ride a Speed pedelec, the Schwalbe Super Moto-X is one of the best tires you can choose. It combines everything you need: the legal ECE-R75 approval for speeds up to 50 km/h, excellent puncture protection with GreenGuard and SnakeSkin, a comfortable balloon design that absorbs vibrations, and a durable Addix rubber compound that lasts thousands of kilometers. At EUR 23.38 per tire at Bike24, that is an excellent investment in safety and riding comfort.

The tire is available at Bike24 Spain in size 27.5x2.40 inch. For other sizes, visit the Schwalbe website or other bike shops.

Sources

Share this article with your friends via:
WhatsApp Instagram

Questions and comments

Ask a question or leave a comment. It appears only after I have approved it.

No approved comments yet.

Your name and message are shown under this article after approval. Your email is optional. If you fill it in, I use it only to reply and never publish it. I keep the data until you ask to access or delete it via my contact form.