René Herse Corkscrew Climb tyre review: A bold, knob-heavy take on the semi-slick gravel tyre

After three years of research and development, René Herse, known for its high-performance bicycle tyres and components, launched its first semi-slick tyre model back in January.

Semi-slick designs are commonplace in gravel cycling, and René Herse readily acknowledges its late arrival to the category, stating: “we have a lot of respect for pioneers who came before us. We also have a healthy degree of scepticism when faced with groupthink and innovations that don’t make sense. That’s why, until now, there hasn’t been a semi-slick gravel tyre in the René Herse program. Simply put, the established way to make semi-slicks resulted in tyres that were neither particularly fast, nor did they grip particularly well.”

While the knobbed René Herse tyres are praised for their speed, Heine revealed that in internal testing, they discovered that under high power outputs, the knobs can flex and squirm slightly, leading to power loss. While this isn’t much of a concern for most riders, it does become an issue for athletes like Ted King or Brennan Wertz, who are taller, heavier and frequently produce outputs of more than 500 watts during races.

Rene Herse tyres have generally reviewed well, so we were keen to put this new addition to the test.

Rene Herse’s first-ever semi-slick tyre is named after the biggest climb of the old SBT GRVL race course: the Corkscrew Climb. The 2025 edition of the race was moved to a new 37‑mile closed loop circuit in Hayden, CO, and did not feature the climb. Rene Herse’s sponsored athlete and national gravel champion Brennan Wertz did win the 2025 race, but he did so on the Barlow Pass slicks, instead of these semi-slicks – opting for a narrower tyre and pure speed.

The Corkscrew climb is a 44mm tyre with the same large square knobs as seen on the Oracle Ridge, and pairs them with a slick centre. It’s certainly beefier than most semi-slick gravel tyres on the market but among the rise of mountain bike tyres used in gravel races, these seem almost tame.

When looking at the Corkscrew Climb tyre, there are a few main patent-pending design features that stand out:

there’s a slick centre with a minimal chevron tread that, Heine says, is meant to improve braking performance;
a gradual transition from slick to knobs thanks to a row of half nobs anchored to the slick centre;
two rows of large, rectangle knobs that are staggered for noise-cancelling benefits. Heine says the large knobs flex less and are faster than smaller knobs;
the centre and knobs are all the same height.
a rounded profile.

I’ve had the opportunity to test ride a variety of René Herse tyres models over the years, and I’m generally a fan. The supple casings provide a remarkable ride feel but also reliable traction and superior comfort over rough terrain. I’ve found that both the traction and speediness often belie the tyre width or tread pattern. By that, I mean that the slicks have more grip than one would expect and the knobs and width don’t feel sluggish when you hit the pavement.

I’ve been riding these tyres on and off since the beginning of the year, giving me the chance to try them in everything from snow and thick mud to dry, dusty summer conditions.

Visually, the Corkscrew Climb immediately sets itself apart in the semi-slick category, which is typically defined by closely spaced, low-profile tread patterns. In contrast, this tyre combines a 17mm-wide slick centre with generously spaced, square knobs lifted directly from René Herse’s Hurricane Ridge and Oracle Ridge models. The result is a semi-slick that looks far more rugged and trail-ready than most of its peers. But as mountain bike tyres are becoming increasingly common in gravel racing, this bold tread suddenly fits right in.

What matters more to me is ride feel, traction and grip. Even if the Corkscrew Climb isn’t significantly faster than its fully knobbed siblings, the slick centre provides a broader contact patch on paved and hard-packed surfaces. That translates into more grip through the centre, while the large outer knobs are called into action during cornering, keeping you planted when things get loose.

The René Herse Corkscrew Climb is an unusual but thoughtfully executed semi-slick that strikes a good balance between speed, grip and versatility. With confident traction in wet and technical terrain, a smooth tubeless setup, and the brand’s signature supple ride feel, it’s a compelling option for riders tackling varied conditions, particularly those who value control and comfort over marginal gains in speed.

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René Herse Corkscrew Climb tyre review: A bold, knob-heavy take on the semi-slick gravel tyre

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