Welt Profil 1 2009 - Schwalbe2 schwalbe profil 1 2009 SALES sons, and this lesson was to think...

Dear Schwalbe Partner!

Has there ever been a time when

the future for the bicycle industry

seemed so uncertain? Fears seem

to grow daily that the present eco-

nomic and financial crisis will be

greater than anything ever expe-

rienced. Its global extent makes it

hard to foresee the material effects

it will have on the economy, but it

is certainly clear that we shall ex-

perience its painful consequence

for a long time.

But as sure as it began, it is

also certain that this crisis will have

an end. What will help in the mean-

time is considered planning and

management. And this begins with

a forward-looking range of products

and services. For example bicycles,

parts and accessories designed

for everyday leisure cycling that is

enjoying ever greater popularity.

A further opportunity is the trend

of cycling as a means of transport

– this is now happening in countries

that have never previously used the

bicycle in everyday life. These are

but two of only several possibili-

ties of forearming oneself for the

future.

Kind regards

Frank Bohle

PAGE 8PAGE 4

World Cyclist

Tilmann Waldthaler

travelled more than

430,000 kilometers.

Schwalbe tubes stay

inflated longer –

amongst other things

because of their high

butyl content.

2008 was a real boom year for Downhill. Not onlywere there more Downhillers, but there were moreraces, teams and sponsors. Schwalbe has of coursebeen active in Downhill and Freeride for severalyears, but now the brand is sponsoring the internatio-naly successful Yeti/Fox-Factory Team. ”By co-opera-tion with this world class team we have secured apresence at the highest level“, explained Schwalbe

Marketing manager, Michael Kull. Presently Yeti’sWorks Team is at No. 2 in the UCI World Rankings. “Yeti Boss Chris Conroy recognized a good thing anddecided the team would go with Schwalbe to race onand develop new tires“, said Yeti rider Jared Graves(Australia) about the new team sponsor. ”Conroyis always looking out for the best interests of theteam, and I have had another one of those life les-

EDITORIAL World Edition 1 I 2009 � May � 6th year

is a brand of Bohle

Shop Systems are the

trend for dealers.

More and more dealers

are enlarging their

Schwalbe Shop.

PAGE 3

Downhill breakthrough There is no other cycle sport that is growing as quickly or has so much fascination as Downhill.

In 2009, and for the first time, Schwalbe is co-operating with an international Downhill top

team and has two new tires ready for the start of the season.

Aaron Gwin, one of the world’s

best Downhillers, now rides on

Schwalbe.

Fo

to:

Yeti

91570_VN_Welt_Profil 1_09.pdf 1 26.05.2009 14:03:53

2

schwalbe profil 1 2009

SALES

sons, and this lesson was to think outside the box.Now I am more than impressed with Schwalbe. Theyare all about making the best tires they can, and theyhave some awesome designs to get the ball rolling.”Now he considers his new tires to be ”the best rub-ber on the planet”.

Yeti has been an iconic brand since the 80’s and produces exclusively in the USA. The company’s

headquarters is the U.S. state of Colorado – the state,that holds a large portion of the Rocky Mountains. There are 50 peaks over 4,000 meters, that’s a lot of Downhill!

Mid-Season: Two new Downhill tires

Two new Downhill tires will be ready for roll out atthe German ”Dirt-Masters“ Festival in May. WickedWill is the new tire for dry conditions. The successorto the Al Mighty. It has very low rolling resistance andis made for beating ‘best times’. Its side grip is enor-

mous: The strong, pronounced outer blocks develo-ped especially for ultimate performance, side-posi-tioned Curve-Claws bite into the ground and providemaximum inclination while cornering.

Quite contrary Dirty Dan is especially for deepand muddy terrain. The revised, nearly sticky GooeyGluey compound is more durable, but last year it was only available to team riders. In 2009 it has beencompletely replaced by the new Gooey Gluey com-pound. Its grip was trusted by the eleven-times German Downhill Champion, Marcus Klausmann together with the teams Solid and Scott11 in theDownhill World Cup.

Increasing customers for

the specialised dealer

”Downhill is the most extreme kind of Mountainbiking“, said Kull. As with downhill skiing, all thatmatters is the fastest time to the bottom. Even thosewho do not ride Downhill, but who are active in MTBare interested in it, just look at the interest on theinternet. Because Downhill is also ‘Lifestyle’, havingits own fashion, they see each other at competitions,camping together and use chatrooms and internetblogs to communicate. Kull: “At first glance it ap-pears to be a niche market, but the borders betweenFreeride and Downhill are much more fluid. The continuing development and boom in bike parts ismaking these riders into interesting customers forthe specialised trade.“

Downhill

breakthrough

Sam Blenkinsop (20) is

the rising star of Team

Yeti.

Team Yeti’s record

� Jared Graves (Australia) – 2009 Australian 4X(”Fourcross“) Champion. Winner Worldcup,Fort William (Scotland) 2008

� Sam Blenkinsop (New Zealand) – WinnerWorldcup, Schladming (Austria) 2008

� UCI Worldcup Team Ranking 2008

Downhill, Rank 24X, Rank 1

Wicked Will

� For dry conditions, suc-

cessor to the Al Mighty

� Size: 26 x 2.50

� Tread: designed for ex-

tremely low rolling resi-

stance, enormous side

grip, strong, pronounced

outer blocks and Curve-

Claws

� Gooey Gluey Compound

for maximum traction

� Double carcass

� Item code: 11133481

� Further versions to follow

Dirty Dan

� For deep, muddy terrain,

rain and grass.

� Size: 26 x 2.40

� Tread: Open ‚Mud’ profile,

good self-cleaning action,

enormous side grip provided

by Curve-Claws

� Gooey Gluey Compound

for maximum traction

� Double carcass

� Item code: 11133517

Foto

s (2

): Ye

ti


Around 1,000 Schwalbe Shops are in use worldwide.”Many dealers report that their sales of high qualitytires have risen substantially since installing theShop“, said Schwalbe’s marketing manager, MichaelKull. This satisfaction is mirrored also in the higherreordering quantities – in the meantime many retai-lers enlarged their Shop installation. ”Because theShop was conceived on the ’building block’ principleit is so easy to extend“, explained Kull, „and as aresult each dealer is capable of fully exploiting thepotential of their individual selling space“.

The Shop is more than just an easy way to present tires, tubes and accessories. It also assistssalesmen in questions such as: ”If you are changingyour tires, shouldn’t you also think about changingyour tubes, or even rim tapes?“ In addition, with-out the need for sales assistants, the Shop providesinformation about products and where and for whatpurpose they are best designed. It is therefore anideal place to display other Schwalbe sales infor-mation, about Flat-less tires, or the valve examples,cut-tire sample rings and the Airmax that alsobelongs in the Schwalbe Shop – all of which relievessales assistants’ time and supports their efforts.

75 percent of all purchasing

decisions are made in-store

A further advantage is in its flexibility: It can be adap-ted and developed almost infinitely and can be seam-lessly incorporated into almost any surrounding dueto its harmonious colour and construction.

Shop System owners are at the forefrontof marketing: Today, around 75percent of all purchasingdecisions are made in-store – so conclud-ed a study by ”Point ofPurchase AdvertisingInternational“ (www.popai.de). The buyer can be more easilyinfluenced at the Point of Sale, for it is here that the decisionwhether to remain faithful to the brand is made.

Ever more buyersmake their decision only in the shop – therefore it is imperative that dealers

should strengthen their businesses as a communi-cation channel. Also a recent study by Deloitte Con-sulting has forecast that ”In-store communication“

over the coming three years will grow stronger thanany other advertising medium.

”Today’s customer is used toself-selecting products“, saidSales and Marketing Consultant,Andreas Lübeck (Germany). ”Itrequires an open sales systemand anyone who is prepared tochange their business to create a clear structure can only win.Reactionaries are committingeconomic suicide, because inve-sting ten minutes discussing themerits of a low value product isnot cost effect when personnelare so expensive.

A Shop-System offers seve-ral advantages to the specialistdealer: It shouts ‘high qualityproducts’, provides an orderlyproduct display, prompts comple-mentary sales and relieves sales-man time.


SALES 3

Effective Shop Marketing”Point of Sale“ in specialist shops continues to play an ever greater role in consumers’

decision making. And what is at the forefront of this trend: the Schwalbe Shop.

The Schwalbe Shop is not only a high quality

presentation, it also promotes accessory sales.

For more information

please contact

your local distribution

partner.

Shop Check

� Positioning: Highlights from the

range such as high-quality and

fast-moving lines should be placed

at eye-level, while older, or less

popular products should be posi-

tioned below or above the eye-line.

� Current descriptions and prices

should be taken from the label

kit or from the CD.

� Clean and position products

correctly at least once per week

� Always present the best face to

customers. Wired tires: Labels

should be to the front and visually

aligned.

� No other brands.

� Avoid gaps and ensure that the

display is regularly replenished

as it is an important purchasing

motivator. However, be careful

never to over-fill it.

� The Shop is also an ideal place

for the Flat-less and Valve display,

cut tire sample rings, rim tapes

and Airmax.

The Shop

can be extended as

desired. Example: Compact Shop

with two units.


4


4

Not all tubes can offer this: The reason why tubes retain air pressure is determined by their

butyl content and high quality synthetic rubber. And Schwalbe’s quality is second to none in this

respect. Schwalbe tubes are incredibly airtight.

and reliable tube is up to such requirements“, saidCarsten Zahn. In addition the specialist dealer saves alot of space, because they need to carry in stock fewertube sizes.

Schwalbe’s tubes undergo rigorous testing. Eachindividual product is inflated to 150 per cent of its crosssection, it is stored inflated like this for 24 hours andafterwards examined for airtightness. Only then are theitems which have passed this strict and time consuming,

visual examination passed fit for sale. Holger Bürvenich of specialist

dealer “Lindlau am Ring“, Cologne,(Germany) is very satisfied with thesecurity offered by this piece by pieceexamination. ”With Schwalbe tubes we

know we are on the safe side.” Tubes inthe Schwalbe Shop inside the 600 squaremeter, city centre premises are locateddirectly behind the till: ”There we can

offer advice to customers about selecting of the correct tube“.

A further advantage of Schwalbetubes is in the valves: In contrast to valvesoffered by other makers, all Schwalbe

valves are replaceable and additionally thetraditional ‘Dunlop’ cycle valves are therefo-

re able to be pressure-checked – some-thing that other providers cannotoffer. Besides which Schwalbe manu-facture the valve stem and valve footin-house. Thus ensuring individualcomponents are better controlled.

Cheap often ends up

more expensive

Saving money on tubes is never a goodidea. Good quality has its price. ”This is

Tubes are the most sold replacement part in the bicyclespecialist trade, but of course a tube is not just a tube, as there can be immense differences in quality. A highquality tube offers the dealer a good margin and lessproblems with dissatisfied customers.

”A pure rubber mixture is critical to quality“, ex-plained Schwalbe Product Manager, Carsten Zahn. Onlypure materials can ensure an even wall thickness andhigh air retention. Schwalbe uses only the highest qualitybutyl in the production of tubes. This synthe-tic rubber has – contrary to naturalrubber – extremely low air perme-ability. The golden rule is: The higherthe proportion of butyl in the rubbercompound, the more airtight andhigher the quality of tube.

However, butyl can be easily re-placed with inferior, natural rubberand in the face of ever increasing rawmaterial prices, this is what manymakers are practising and makingpoorer quality, less airtight tubes as aresult. ”Tests have shown that someproducts have lost air pressure twiceas fast“, explained Carsten Zahn. (See il-lustration right). ”But we have stayed withbutyl even though the price has more thandoubled over the past years.“

Each tube is inflated to

150 per cent of its cross section

The fact that a tube can cover a widerange of tire sizes is proof of its high elasticity and quality and Schwalbe tubeNo. 17 is such a product. It covers tirewidths from 28 millimeters to 47 milli-meters. ”Only an extremely high-quality

Schwalbe tubes hold

Schwalbe inflates

every tube to

150% then lets

them stand for 24

hours to test their

airtightness.



55TECHNOLOGY5

also valid for bicycle tubes as ‘cheap’ often ends up beingmore expensive in the long run“, said Product Manager,Carsten Zahn. ”The small extra cost of a high-quality tubeis a meaningful investment. A branded tube can enhancesafety and riding enjoyment much better than cheaperproducts.”

Bicycle dealer Thorben Gross took the followingview: ”Someone who visits a specialist dealer expects abranded tube. Why should I save a little money, if at theend my customers are not happy?“, said the owner of‘Bockshop’, Bad Marienberg (Germany). His shop specia-lises in Mountain bikes and racing cycles and exclusive-ly offers Schwalbe products sold from the SchwalbeShop. Apart from the quality he also values thedealer support and good margins. ”Anyone whowants a cheap tube will go to a supermarket.Cheap tubes are not an option in the specia-lised trade“.

air longer

3 bar

4,5 bar

4,75 bar

5 bar

4,25 bar

4 bar

3,75 bar

3,5 bar

3,25 bar

-1,46 -1,30 -0,80

Other brand No-Name Other brand Commercial brand Schwalbe

3,05

3,30

3,543,70

4,20

Schwalbe tubes retain air pressure considerably longer

Different tubes

in the same

tire. Tire size

28 x 1.75 (47-

622). Start

pressure 5 bar.

Loss after 30

days.

-1,70-1,95

In a comparison test various tubes were selected from 2007 production year (tire brands, own brands, no name-products).

The result was clear: On average the other tubes lost nearly twice as much air in 30 days than the Schwalbe tube. Possible

reasons: Less butyl content or poorer quality butyl. Schwalbe is uncompromising in its requirements – despite increasing

world market prices for butyl.



NEWS6 TECHNOLOGY

Whitewall Scooter tires

Classic scooters are expe-riencing a revival and theperfect additions are new

whitewall scooter tires. Schwalbe offerssix whitewall sizes in its all-weatherWeatherman tire that features a silicacompound (DSC) and serrated shoulderblocks for outstanding grip on wet roads,but nevertheless with low abrasion. Theclassic scooter profile (HS 243) is alsoavailable in whitewall in two sizes. Thenew models are available from the spe-cialised trade starting from May.

Ultremo online

The Ultremo R now has a dedicated web-site where all relative information can befound; such as detailed explanationsabout its radial construction, ceramicprotection belt and how the magicallylow, 180 gram weight was achieved.Videos are also to be found on the siteand one reveals how puncture tests areperformed: A sharp point, similar to ametal dart, is placed in the test devicethat easily penetrates a drinks can, yetthe Ultremo R withstands this dramaticassault. www.ultremo.com

On tour: Two new Marathons

Marathon Extreme Marathon Plus Tour

Features

Riding features (Grip,

smooth running, speed) ++ +

Puncture resistance ++ +++

Durability ++ +++

Off-road ability ++ +

Technology Refined Schwalbe Evolution Technology Massive Flat-less technology.

(HD Ceramic Guard, SnakeSkin side walls,

Triple Nano Compound, folding, Evo carcass),

extremely low weight.

Who rides it? Discerning commuter & touring cyclists. Marathon Plus Tour riders want the

Marathon Extreme riders are happy with the safest tires there are. They want

tire’s performance, low weight, outstanding grip. to circumnavigate the globe and have

Also good puncture resistance is important, tires that last an incredibly long time.

the price is secondary.

Why have two new successors to the Marathon XRbeen introduced? Schwalbe Product Manager, Cars-ten Zahn explained: ”These two new models enableus to meet the demands of different customers. TheMarathon Plus Tour is hardwearing and offers ulti-mate puncture safety. The Marathon Extreme, on the other hand, remains as secure as the XR, but with improved handling characteristics, the weightis lower and the tread has considerably more grip onwet roads and muddy tracks.

In contrast to its legendary predecessor, theMarathon Plus Tour is equipped with „Flat-less“technology; the substantial, patented Smart Guardwhich is the safest puncture protection belt for bicycles.

In contrast the Marathon Extreme incorporatesEvo Techonology. ”By adding an all round layer ofSnakeSkin fabric we have achieved a low weight andat the same time very robust structure“, stressedZahn. ”Penetration punctures are controlled by ourHigh Density belt that is now further enhanced by acoating of ceramic particles that defends againstglass shards. We call the combination of HD Cera-mic Guard and SnakeSkin side wall: Double Defense.In addition our latest rubber compound, Triple NanoCompound, is used on the tread for safer handling on wet roads and although it has lower rolling re-sistance and outstandingly higher grip on wet roads it is much more durable.“

Schwalbe has developed two new succes-

sors to the legendary Marathon XR: The

high-tech, folding Marathon Extreme and

the Marathon Plus Tour with massive

”Flat-less“ technology.

The crosshatch pattern on the tire’s side wall clearlydemonstrates, it is equipped with SnakeSkin – but notevery tire that incorporates ”Snake skin“ has such avisible reminder.

SnakeSkin protection consists of a woven fabriclayer inside the tire side wall, but the net like patterndoes not have any in-fluence on the tire’sprotection performan-ce, as it is merely anindicator.

The characteris-tic crosshatch patternis present on the sidewalls of tires whichhave SnakeSkin asstandard such as Fat

Albert, Big Betty and Muddy Mary. Other tires that are optionally available with SnakeSkin like RacingRalph, Nobby Nic or Smart Sam, for technical rea-sons, do not feature an outward indication. Of courseSnakeSkin protection is present nevertheless and isshown with a SnakeSkin label (see photo below).

SnakeSkin inside, but not always seen

Only tires that come with

SnakeSkin as standard have

the recognisable net on the

side wall.

Tires that have SnakeSkin

as an option do not have

crosshatching

… the SnakeSkin logo

indicates its presence


SCHWALBE INTERNATIONAL 7

Schwalbe tires on the

sculpture ”Les Velos“

in Lyon.

(Great Britain) JRM Cycles in South East Londonhas become the first UK retailer to have installednot just one, but two Premium Shop Displaysystems. In common with most UK retailers, shop owner Robert Marcantonio started with justthe one ‘Basic Shop’, which rapidly grew into a‘Premium Shop’. Recognising the benefits, he hasnow added a second Premium Shop that occupiesone complete wall of his London store. Robert, better known as Bob, originally worked on a smallbike stall in London’s East End market until it closed, but was bitten by the bicycle bug and wan-ted to open his own shop. He started by rentinghalf a shop until he could open his very own store.Five years on, still expanding and a Schwalbe de-votee, Bob commented, “As far as tires are con-cerned, the Schwalbe range has it all”.

Ever more bike travellers

in Germany

(Germany) A new study by Trendscope forecasts thatthe German bike travelling market could grow bymore than 20 percent over the coming three years.Each year more people are cycling during their vaca-tions and at present that number already amounts to around 14 million. Trendscope has undertaken the first nationwide study of German bike travellinghabits that demonstrates just how large the existingmarket is and the likely potential growth from whichthe whole bicycle industry can profit. Cycling holidayshave the potential to increase by 18 percent. Takenusing mountain bike and racing cycle vacations it isrespectively 42 and 34 per cent. ”This enormous mar-ket offers specialist dealers lots of potential“, saidSchwalbe managing director, Frank Bohle. TheGerman bike travel market is already an amazingsize: Two thirds of all Germans (around 80 million)make occasional cycle trips and one fifth already tooka cycling vacation.

High fuel prices

benefit bicycle dealers

(USA) At the end of 2008 the US bicycle lobby groupBikes Belong, evaluated a questionnaire that wasreturned by 150 specialist bicycle dealers from 40 dif-ferent states. The question asked: Have higher gaso-line prices encourage more bicycle use in Americaand supported increased sales in US specialist bicy-cle stores? The answer was clear: Yes. According toBikes Belong, 73 percent of respondents said thatsales of complete bicycles had gone up comparedwith the previous year. 84 percent said that accessorysales had increased, while 88 percent said that servi-cing had also risen. The influence of high gas priceson cycling is self-evident, because 95 percent of dea-lers said this was the reason customers gave fortheir purchases. It was also interesting to note thatsales of everyday bicycles rose by 80 percent and 86 percent of the dealers believe that sales of bicycleaccessories and servicing will continue to increase if gas prices remain high.

(Italy) Since the beginning of 2009 Schwalbe has beenthe proud sponsor of Italian ProTour Team Liquigas.The team was founded in 2005, the year that saw thestart of Pro Tour and has since been equipped byCannondale and other top brands. Their riders,amongst whom are Ivan Basso, Franco Pellizotti andRoman Kreuziger have set themselves greater goalsfor 2009: They will compete in, among other races, theGiro d’Italia and the Tour de France. The team will beaccompanied in the races by Schwalbe Race Support,who will daily select the correct tires for the prevailingconditions.

Team Liquigas now rides on Schwalbe Ultremo R.

Schwalbe sponsors

ProTour Team Liquigas

A travel study shows that

14 million Germans use

their bicycle during their

vacations.

JRM Cycles is the first UK

retailer with two Schwalbe

shops in one store.

Schwalbe in the Arts

(France) Between February and April Schwalbe wasrepresented in an exhibition called ”Anything“ in theMuseum of Contemporary Art, Lyon. This event wasan opportunity for the public to experience modernart that introduces some very disconcerting ideasabout objects, paintings, sculptures, etc. in the tradi-tional area of, what is referred to as, ”Beaux-Arts“.Many of these diverse and sometimes unexpectedworks were shown during this exhibition andamongst them one of a young artist from Lyon, XavierMeilhan. His sculpture “Les vélos, 2000” featuredSchwalbe City Marathon tires: The perfect oppor-tunity for Schwalbe to contribute to Modern Art.

NEWS

XXL Schwalbe Shop System in London




”It is not so much the riding, it is the freedom of self-poweredtravel“, says Tilmann Waldthaler. ”I can come and go as I plea-se. I am absolutely as free as a bird. The contact with peopleand nature – it is all unbelievably interesting.“

It all began with a meeting in the Australian bush ”Untilthen I did not know that there were people who wasted theirenergy on a bike, carrying bags and sacks just travelling throughdifferent countries“, explains Waldthaler. ”I thought that theymust either be crazy, or abnormal, until, that is, I met JeanPierre. Quiet with sparkling eyes and an amazing attitude, stan-ding at the roadside next to his custom-made Randonneur, itwas he who inspired me. This day was a turning point in my life and for a start I wanted to make a small tour and two yearslater I was ready for the big time. After a four month long stay

The classic bike race ”Rund um Köln“ (Cologne) this year

started at Schwalbe's German headquarters: Numerous

spectators came to Schwalbe on Easter Monday and expe-

rienced up close the start of the race, while altogether

around 700,000 cycle racing fans lined the route. It was the

1st time in the 101 year history of ”Rund um Köln“ that

the starting line was located at Schwalbe's home town of

Reichshof-Wehnrath, 50 kilometers east of Cologne. There

was live TV coverage of the race and of Martin Peddersens

(Danmark) win. Managing Director, Frank Bohle, was happy

with the company's long term sponsorship of the event: ”The

race was a great opportunity to show off our region and our

support of cycle racing.“

NEWSFLASH

July 4 - 26 2009 Tour de France

Sept 2 - 5 2009 EUROBIKE, Friedrichshafen, Germany www.eurobike-exhibition.de

Sept 21 - 22 2009 OutDoor Demo, Bootleg Canyon, Nevada (USA)

Sept 23 - 25 2009 Interbike Expo, Las Vegas (USA) www.interbike.com

EVENTS

MARKET

Masthead Editor: Ralf Bohle GmbH � Otto-Hahn-Str. 1 � 51580 Reichshof-Wehnrath � Germany � Tel. +49 (2265) 1090 � Fax +49 (2265) 7022 � E-Mail: [email protected] � Internet: www.schwalbe.com

Publisher: Vincentz Kundenmedien � Postfach 6247 � 30062 Hannover � Germany � Tel. +49 (511) 99 10-312 � Fax +49 (511) 99 10-309 Staff Editor: Claudia Müller � Layout: Angelika Hanke

Printing: BWH GmbH � © Vincentz Network GmbH & Co. KG

in the Antarctic I started my first epic bicycle tour in New Zea-land. Step by step I began to extend my daily short daily jour-neys into the world of the crazy and abnormal. Relaxed andunencumbered stage by stage, working here and there as I travelled through Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and India – where I stayed for 18 months and rode amongst the highestmountains in the world. I met with monks who felt themselvesgreater than gods but were poorer than beggars. This, my first,most beautiful and longest journey ended on the North Cape atSpitzbergen – after four years and 55,000 kilometers.“

There followed trips from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego,around the Equator, to the Himalayas and 14 eight thousandmeter peaks and many other expeditions beside. He met hiswife in 1983 in the Sahara. She was on a solo bicycle trip, whenhe saw her tracks in the sand and thought, ‘Who camped here?’.

As an adventurer it helps to have an occupation in whichone can work in many countries, so Waldthaler learned to be a cook and baker and on his early tours and worked again andagain in this occupation. He cooked for researchers in theAntarctic, because otherwise it would have been impossible toget there. In Pakistan he was a movie extra, in India a gardener,lived in a grass hut in Togo for a good year and in Australia cooked for a film crew.

Since 1988 he only cooks for fun and instead finances hisjourneys through sponsors - for whom he tests bikes and parts– lecturing and book sales. ”I am happy that Schwalbe concen-trates the whole company’s efforts on just one product“, hesays. ”Incidentally Schwalbe tires are used by 95 per cent of allthe bike nomads I’ve met along the way.“ (www.tilmann.com)

On tour withSchwalbe: Worldcyclist TilmannWaldthaler.

The Bicycle Nomad Few people have travelled as far as Tilmann Waldthaler.

His tacho reads 430,000 kilometers. For 18 years altogether

– since 1977 – he has been touring on his bicycle. The 66 year

old has eventually found a home in Australia, but he is still

addicted to travel.

8


Welt Profil 1 2009 - Schwalbe2 schwalbe profil 1 2009 SALES sons, and this lesson was to think...

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