Not really on thread but a German friend saw my bike in the kitchen and started talking about my tyres.
Apparently Schwalbe is German for swallow (as in the bird). But more interestingly she confirmed how to say it correctly. It always amused me the funny ways people say Schwalbe.
She was also telling me what Hans Dampf means. Apparently it is the image of a man who always attends the most important parties and is always the centre of attention, men aspire to be him… or something like that. I’m sure a German speaking STWer can tidy that one up. A fitting name given, that in some people’s eyes, it became the tyre that everyone wanted and can be seen at every trail centre.