Gravel Tyre Review: René Herse Corkscrew Climb - Bold and Knob-Heavy Semi-Slick Gravel Tyre Receives Innovative Assessment
René Herse Introduces the Corkscrew Climb Semi-Slick Gravel Tyre
René Herse, a renowned name in cycling, has launched its latest offering – the Corkscrew Climb semi-slick gravel tyre. This rugged, versatile tyre is designed to deliver a balance between speed, grip, and versatility, making it an ideal choice for riders tackling varied conditions.
The Corkscrew Climb stands out in the semi-slick market with its chunky knob design. It boasts a bold, knob-heavy tread, featuring a 17mm-wide slick centre and large square knobs, inspired by René Herse’s Hurricane Ridge and Oracle Ridge models. This design gives the tyre a rugged and trail-ready appearance, aligning well with the trending incorporation of mountain bike tyres in gravel racing.
The tyre is available in the 700 x 44 size, measuring around 44.65mm wide on typical gravel wheels. It comes in four casing options, each varying in weight and price: Standard (517g, $82), Extralight (481g, $96), Endurance (552g, $96), and Endurance Plus (564g, $104).
During testing, the Endurance casing proved robust, contributing to no punctures even after extensive riding on various challenging surfaces, including cracked pavement, hardpack gravel, muddy trails, and rocky terrain. The tyre offers strong grip, even in muddy conditions, and maintains good sealant retention and pressure stability in a tubeless setup.
In dry summer conditions on fast, non-technical courses, faster, less-knobby tyres like the Schwalbe G-One RS, the Cadex AR, or René Herse's slick options such as the 44mm Snoqualmie Pass may be more suitable. However, for bikepacking or routes with mixed terrain and trail sections, particularly in the Pacific Northwest's long rainy season, the Corkscrew Climb is a solid option.
The Corkscrew Climb tyre features a patent-pending design with a slick centre, a row of half nobs, two rows of large, rectangle knobs, all the same height, and a rounded profile. This design aims to provide confident traction in wet and technical terrain, a smooth tubeless setup, and the brand's signature supple ride feel.
The tyre's minimal chevron tread is meant to improve braking performance. It will be available in four casing options and two different sidewall colours.
Since its launch in January, the Corkscrew Climb has garnered high demand, reflecting solid market interest. While it may not offer a tangible advantage over René Herse's "dual-purpose knobs," such as the 44mm Manastash Ridge TC, in all situations, it offers a compelling option for riders who value control and comfort over marginal gains in speed.
For those seeking a tyre capable of handling a wide range of gravel and trail conditions with confidence, the Corkscrew Climb is a rugged, semi-slick gravel tyre option that blends efficient rolling with strong off-road traction and puncture protection.
- Riders seeking technology-based gadgets to enhance their gravel cycling experience might find the Corkscrew Climb's patent-pending design, featuring a minimal chevron tread for improved braking performance, appealing.
- pairing their gravel bikes with the latest sports-focused technology, such as heart rate monitors or power meters, may further elevate their gravel cycling performance, complementing the versatility offered by the Corkscrew Climb semi-slick tyre.
