Schwalbe Racing Ralph UST 2008 Tubeless Tire

DESCRIPTION

  • Size: 2.1 2.25
  • Performance: EVO
  • Compound: Triple
  • Weight: 590g 650g

  • USER REVIEWS

    Showing 1-10 of 10  
    [Jun 25, 2010]
    richdirector
    Weekend Warrior

    OVERALL
    RATING
    4
    VALUE
    RATING
    2
    Strength:

    Very fast rolling - good grip and seems to shed mud well. Used it at man-made course Glen Carron which has flinty rocks. Overan a corner slightly and cut through sidewall

    Weakness:

    That sidewall - have a tube in it at the moment as Stans didnt seal it - will inside patch it this week - hopefully that will sort it out - otherwise a lot of money for the experience.

    Hopefully patch works otherwise not worth the cost to me.

    Similar Products Used:

    Larsen TT UST (on my singlespeed - quite similar slightly more grip and slightly more drag)

    [Feb 26, 2010]
    YeahWhatever
    Cross Country Rider

    OVERALL
    RATING
    1
    VALUE
    RATING
    3
    Strength:

    Lightweight

    Weakness:

    Nearly impossible to mount to a rim. Tolerances are too tight

    The tire looks great, but I tried to mount two different sets to Bontrager Race Lite wheels, and they were nearly impossible to mount on the rim without damaging the wheel. I took it to a local bike shop and they couldn't mount it either.

    Similar Products Used:

    Kenda Nevegal

    [Oct 07, 2009]
    BubColorado
    Cross Country Rider

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    4
    Strength:

    2.25s are fat and fast. Good for dry, rocky and loose conditions, which is what we have here in Colorado.

    Weakness:

    price and availability perhaps

    Having ridden a Kenda Nevegal(rear) - Blue Groove(front)(both 2.1s) set-up for a couple of years, I wanted something a bit faster rolling and lighter. The traction of the Kenda set up was great, but the Ralphs are noticeably faster and have a bit more volume. The Blue Groove inspired more confidence on downhill corners, but the Ralphs are better than I expected in that regard. I have had zero punctures since I put these on 6 months ago (knock on wood) and the tread is still fine. The Nevegals seemed to wear faster. Great tire for Colorado!

    Similar Products Used:

    Kenda Nevegal/Blue Groove

    [Jul 27, 2009]
    Anonymous
    Racer

    OVERALL
    RATING
    4
    VALUE
    RATING
    3
    Strength:

    Good traction on dry surfaces (hardpack, slick rocks), low rolling resistance, confident cornering, moderately durable (no serious puncture issues)

    Weakness:

    Once conditions deteriorate...change tires, these are fair weather tires and will not get you over slick rocks, roots or through muddy sections ect. Also, while I have not had any unexpected punctures, the treads are wearing down fast. Cost, these are expensive!

    These tires definitely have a place in the arsenal. If you are looking for a fast tire to use on buffed out trails, this is your tire and you would be hardpressed to find a better tire for easy conditions. If your terrain is gnarly or slick, get something more aggressive.
    I am 175lbs and do not puncture often, and when I do, the Stan's seals them without incident. I run low pressure (28psi in back and 25 in front) even in the roughest terrain.
    The tread is wearing fast enough that the bean counters amongst us may want to reserve these as a race day only tire because of the wear issues in combination with the high cost.

    [Jul 15, 2009]
    mjsmeyer
    Cross Country Rider

    OVERALL
    RATING
    1
    VALUE
    RATING
    1
    Strength:

    None

    Weakness:

    Punctured and useless including rip in sidewall on second ride (200km). Not in least bit durable - seems the same with all Swalbe tyres

    Expensive rubbish

    Similar Products Used:

    Usually use panaracer FireXCpro. Wanted to try a faster rolling summer tyre

    [Jan 08, 2009]
    cheesehead
    Cross Country Rider

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    Strength:

    fast rolling, grip, riding at low psi, braking, cornering. Everything related to socal riding, and handeling well in rocky areas. Resistance to punctures by cacti.

    Weakness:

    you want it to last forever, but you know it won't.

    I love tires, maxxis I loved them, weirwolfs I loved them. Where those (for me) left off the RR 2.10 front, and rear picked up. They corner soo well. Braking on a dime. I had the ignitors front, and rear, they slipped a bit in the front. The cornering is the first thing I noticed. I can take corners so tight, and fast, and be under control. I run front, and rear at 27psi, I am 190lbs with sealant. My riding has picked up to a new level that I cannot believe. I want to ride all the time. I can't wait to put them on my 29er, when I have that finished.

    Similar Products Used:

    maxxis, weirwolf

    [Oct 23, 2008]
    DailyRider
    Cross Country Rider

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    Strength:

    Smooth Rolling, very low resistance, true 2.25", great traction in hard, loose over hard, and hard w/rocks

    Weakness:

    Maybe wear, but worth it!

    I've been looking for a smooth, fast tire that handled my terrain. I've found them and at 2.25" they are the fattest fastest tire out there. The rear might rear quickley (notice difference between rear and front after 2 weeks of daily riding), but well worth the ride.

    Similar Products Used:

    Hutch Python, Michelin XCR Dry, Intense Tubeless, Conti Explorer UST, Maxxis Larsen TT & Ignitor

    [Jul 21, 2008]
    Anonymous
    Downhiller

    OVERALL
    RATING
    3
    VALUE
    RATING
    3
    Strength:

    Fast Rolling, Awesome tyre in forgivving terrain.

    Weakness:

    3 punctures in 40km easy terrain

    I got these tyres with my Merida. I took them to the Knysna Oyster Festival and rode in first of all dry terrain for 50km. No issues at all. A real WOW ride.

    I then did the Petzl Adventure Night Bike a couple of days later. This was a 15km Mud Bath. I could not really test the tyres as everyone pushed most of the way. We were in knee deep mud as we had floods the day before. Whenwe were riding it was slow and with not much control.

    Took them out this past weekend into the South African bush. 40km trail with the first 20km being "deep" sand. I had to deflate my tyres to 2bar just to ride this stuff. Just looking at a rock just on 15km into the ride I got the dreded snakebite. I punctured another 2 times within the next 20km. I finished 7th in the race.

    Conclusion: This tyre is great as long as you can keep air in the tyre. This tyre will cost you time as soon as you come close to any type of rock or thorn.

    Would not buy them again. Fast rolling is not worth the 15min I spend repairing punctures.

    Similar Products Used:

    None yet

    [Jun 01, 2008]
    juan
    Cross Country Rider

    OVERALL
    RATING
    4
    VALUE
    RATING
    3
    Strength:

    Light, low rolling resistance, good grip.

    Weakness:

    Casing durability/strength

    Definetively a step forward in XC racing tyres. Extremely light (2.10), very low rolling resistance and quite good grip on dry terrain. Downside is durability. After only 70 km (most of it racing), my rear tyre splitted in the tread area. While negociating a rocky section the tyre blew due to a 4 cm cut. Never had this problem before with any tyre. I still give 4 chllis due to its great performance. But use it only for racing in purpose built trails.

    Similar Products Used:

    IRC Mibro, Schwalbe Nobby Nick

    [Mar 12, 2008]
    Dominic

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    4
    Strength:

    Hello Schwalbe! These are the new Nevegals with better traction, less rolling resistence and lighter. The new design is incredible. It makes the tire fast, fast, fast! It corners great with the new U-turn tech. Everything is pointing to these being the best allaround tire available.

    Weakness:

    Price! Got around that with Chad's help. The fact that the 2.25 is more like a 2.10. They weren't out sooner.

    A great tire even for the $80 but the "best" rubber if you pay $50!

    Similar Products Used:

    Maxxis, WTB, Kenda

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