S&M Speedball Tire Review (2025)

The S&M Speedball tire is built for street, park, and dirt (usually as a rear tire for trails) riders who want speed, grip, and durability.

With a low-profile, micro-knurled tread pattern and a smooth centerline, these BMX tires minimize rolling resistance while offering solid traction on turns, wallrides, etc.

The multi-edge S&M shoulder tread gives extra grip while strong sidewalls provide added pinch-flat protection for those who prefer to run lower PSI.

However, that extra protection is excellent if you grind a lot, so you don’t need to worry about damaging the tire, even if you’re grinding something rougher.

The Speedball is available in multiple sizes and adapts to different riding styles, making it a versatile and reliable option.

It’s great for small and big bikes – whatever you prefer, Speedball is up for the challenge.

S&M Speedball Tire Review

1. Design & Performance

The S&M Speedball tire is engineered to roll fast and grip where it matters.

It’s slick but not too slick, just right, and that’s what I really enjoy in a tire.

And the “SM” detailing on the side is just epic.

• The 20-inch version is optimized for street riding, thanks to its unbroken center strip, which reduces rolling resistance.
• Moreover, the 22-inch, 26-inch, and 29-inch versions feature a broken center tread, making them a great choice for dirt, street, and park shredding.

I told you earlier, whatever riding style your heart desires, the Spedball is ready for it.

Still, if you’re heavy into trails, I’d recommend it as a rear tire, but for the front, get the S&M Mainline tire.

The smooth centerline ensures you don’t loose speed, while the shoulder tread provides extra bite in turns.

These tires deliver stability and confidence, whether you’re sending gaps, flowing transitions, or hitting dirt jumps.

At one point, I actually thought S&M would discontinue these, but luckily, I was wrong!

Nope, these tires won’t go anywhere, and there’s a good reason for that – they work and last a long time.

2. S&M Speedball Tire Key Features

• Low-profile, micro-knurled tread: Reduces rolling resistance and increases speed.
• Multi-edge S&M shoulder tread: Provides extra grip during turns. Smart and cool-looking detail.
• Strong sidewalls: Helps prevent pinch flats at lower PSI.
• Smooth centerline (20-inch version): Optimized for street riding.
• Broken center tread (22, 26, 29-inch versions): Ideal for dirt, street, and park setups.
• Multiple widths and sizes: Available in 20”, 22”, 26”, and 29”.

3. How S&M Speedball Tire Rides

The S&M Speedball tire offers a fast and smooth ride with extra grip where it matters most.

The slick centerline makes it feel effortless on manuals, fakies, and transitions, while the textured shoulder tread keeps you locked in on turns.

For street riders, the 20-inch version provides a quick, responsive feel, making it easy to pop tricks and control slides.

The wider 2.40-inch version offers more stability for those who want a bigger footprint on ledges and rails. But it also absorbs the impact on landings more, making it more body-friendly.

Pro tip: If you like to run low PSI, I recommend getting wider rims, 38 mm to 40 mm.

For trail and park riders, the larger 22-inch, 26-inch, and 29-inch versions with the broken center tread deliver extra control on dirt and transitions, making them an excellent all-around tire.

4. Real Rider Feedback

• “Super fast and grippy. The best tire I’ve used for street riding in the past 15 years (I tried 10+ different tires).” – Jake R.
• “Great balance of speed and traction. Holds up well even at higher speeds both in parks and streets!” – Matt C.
• “Love how smooth these feel on transitions. The wider size makes a big difference in stability. Plus, I really like the look, especially the “SM” detailing on the side.” – Chris D.

5. S&M Speedball Tire Specs

• Price: $44.95

Conclusion: Should You Get the S&M Speedball Tire?

The S&M Speedball is a fantastic choice for fast, smooth, and grippy BMX tires.

Its slick centerline keeps rolling resistance low, while the shoulder tread grips just enough when needed.

The 20-inch version offers a quick and responsive ride for street riders, while the larger sizes cater to trail, dirt, and park riders who want a tire that performs across multiple terrains.

With solid sidewalls for pinch-flat protection, multiple sizes, and proven durability, the Speedball is a tire that delivers on speed, traction, and longevity.

It’s a fantastic tire to opt for if you want a versatile tire with solid grips and smooth rolling performance.

Yo! 🤘

Further reading:

• Best 2.2″ BMX tires
• Best 2.4″ BMX tires
• S&M Mainline tire review
• Cult X Vans (Wafflecup) tire review