Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29er TL-Ready Snake Skin: Updated tread design with aggressive shark's tooth U-blocks maintains a low weight and reduces rolling resistance. TL-Ready: Tubeless Ready bead, tire can be converted to tubeless with sealant...
Submitted by
jackiebrown
a Cross Country Rider
from boulder, co
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2012
Strengths: light, rolls fast
Weaknesses: a bit on the pricey side
Bottom Line:
rolls fast and at 570 grams each, they are light. They actually hold air well for such a light tire. Sidewalls have been duable too. Downside is price and weartime on the tread. Great for dry, or wet rocks and sand. Not a good mud tire, but acceptible. All in all, I have been suprised at how well these tires have held up, considering they are a good 100-200 grams lighter than other tires in its class.
Similar Products Used: Renegade, Butcher, Purgatory, Ikon.
Bike Setup: Stumpjumper HT Comp Carbon on American Classic rims.
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Submitted by
Romad_Twitch
a Racer
from San Marcos, Texas
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2011
Strengths: excellent traction, wet rocks, loose gravel, some snow conditions, hardpack, roots, you name it...
Weaknesses: operator Error is the only weakness I've seen with this tire
Bottom Line:
I've been using this tire now for just over a year and a half and I'm on my second set. I've mainly used it for a front tire (the 2.25)I cant even count the times its saved me from sliding out taking a turn too hard or hitting a bad line, its always caught hold and kept me upright. The tread doesn't wear down as fast with the snake skin version so you don't have to worry about spending tons of $$$.
I've raced this tire in the mud, dirt, sand, lots of rock beds where I come from, even rode it in the snow at one race (although it eventually melted where the trail was and turned to mush)
I will continue to use this tire until they either stop making it or I find something better.
Bike Setup: Orbea Alma S10, Mavic Crossmax wheels, XT grouping
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Submitted by
247
a Cross Country Rider
from Philly, Pa
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2011
Strengths: Light, Fast, best grip I ever had.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
These are the best tires I ever had. Light, sturdy, grip as well as anything I have tried. I have tried from Exiwolf to Bontragers to Michelin AT's. I ride from smooth hardpack to Rocky, Rooty trails. They are like having 'top of the line' Michelin tires on your car--nothing better!!
Bike Setup: Fisher Paragon, 2x9 XT, 2010 Reba Race, Elixer R brakes, Chris King headset, X9 shifters/derailer, Salsa Bars, Rocket V saddle, Laser Disc Trail 29er wheelset (with WTB Lite hubs), Bontrager RXL stem and seatpost
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Submitted by
dlongto
a Weekend Warrior
from Golden, CO
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2011
Strengths: Lite, fast, cushy
Weaknesses: lite, expensive
Bottom Line:
Super lite, super fast. I ride Colorado Front Range and have had zero problems with these. They are expensive, but for me i could not see riding 29er on anything else.
Similar Products Used: MutanoRaptor, ExiWolf, lots of different 26" tires
Bike Setup: Raleigh XXIX completely worked over - 21.4 lbs.
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Submitted by
hags707
a Weekend Warrior
from Red Deer AB
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2011
Strengths: Fast Rolling, Light, Great traction(wet and dry), tough sidewall
Weaknesses: Price,???how long they last???(will up date if they wear quick)
Bottom Line:
So far I am impressed will recommend and buy again. This might change if treads wear quickly. Bought these on vacation on the north shore BC to replace stock Bontrager 29-3's and it was night and day with traction.
Bike Setup: 2011 Trek X-Caliber, Ralph Racing 2.25 f/r Snakeskin with tubes
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Submitted by
besnard
a Weekend Warrior
from Memphis, TN
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2011
Strengths: SUPER EASY TO INSTALL, great grip, and very fast rolling..
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
I just bought the 2011 TL Ready Racing Ralphs to replace the Continental Race Kings I've been running on my Jet 9. I had big problems setting up the Race Kings tubeless, had to use tape, burping, not holding air long, etc...
I was able to install the Racing Ralphs faster than it took me to remove the Race Kings and the tubes I've was forced to use.
These are awesome tires in my opinion and I think faster than the Race Kings. After two rides the past two days, there has been no burping, and they have held pressure perfectly.
Similar Products Used: Nevengal, rampage, karma, small block, etc.
Bike Setup: Xc hardtail
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Submitted by
FotoJesse
a Racer
from Gainesville, Fl
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2011
Strengths: Light, fast rolling, supple casing
Weaknesses: low traction, maybe thin sidewalls
Bottom Line:
Not a bad tire, but for my conditions is N. Central Fl there are better choices. I feel like the Maxxis Ikons and the Specialized Renegades make for a better racing tire at similar or lower costs.
Bike Setup: Niner Air9, 15mm Fox F29 Fit RLC, XTRM970 Cranks, XT770 Ders, XT 11-32, Stans 355s/ZTR race wheels with Specialized Renegades, Stans Archs/Hopes training wheels with Schawlbe Racing Ralphs, SLX Brakes, RaceFace/3T/Syntace/Fizik cockpit.
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Submitted by
knottshore
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryland, USA
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2011
Strengths: Light Weight, Fairly Fast, Seals up great Tubeless
Weaknesses: Not For rocky tire eating trails- expensive
Bottom Line:
I ran the 2.4's on a full rigid and liked the cush but never fell in love with the feel of them run tubeless (not what they were designed for). The sidewalls seemed to roll when I had them at a pressure that offered the traction I wanted.
I am now running a set of the 2011 Tubeless ready 2.25's and will soon be giving it a try in snakeskin. They set up super easy tubeless and seem to be just slightly more stout than the previous versions lacking the Tubeless ready stuff.... - they work very well on the rear end even in the past few months wet trails- grippy both climbing and stopping. I have them paired with Nobby Nics up front for now but will be installing a Rocket Ron as soon as the weather allows. I guess I could try the Ralps up front but I prefer a bit more grip than what I run on the rear. Compared to a 2.2 Icon it seems to offer more grip while braking but similar rolling and climbing traction.
While I hate the price (though most current rubber is silly anyway...)they really are a top performing tire that rolls faster than it should compared to it's grip. Use it for what it is intented and you will be pleased.
Similar Products Used: Ignitor, Icon, Crossmark,Ardent, Fasttrack, Captain, Aspen, etc...
Bike Setup: Full Suspension, Rigid & Hardtail- used on all of the above on Stans Flow Rims
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Submitted by
Chain-L
a Cross Country Rider
from South Africa
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2011
Strengths: Weight, but at a cost. Expensive. Offered to replace tyre, so aftersales good.
Weaknesses: Tyre jumped of rim, punctures easily
Bottom Line:
Tyre jumped of the rim on a level district road after 500 km for no apparent reason. Pressure was always within range. Used Stans sealant. Agent said he has seen it happen in the past. Cannot afford the risk, imagine a front tyre coming of the rim on a rocky descent....Will go for a heavier UST tyre for more confidence.
Weaknesses: not enough sidewall or rubber on the tread.
Bottom Line:
The higher volume tires are an incredible asset for comfort and security. More distance between my rims and the hard unforgiving surfaces. Potholes are no match for the RR 2.4s. Great peace of mind knowing the wheels are safe. Also the smooth ride is noticable. I could add that I suspect flat surface speed is improved with the RR 2.4s giving a larger diameter wheel compared to my Maxxis ignitors but more research is needed.
Bike Setup: steel frame hardtail 29er used for commuting and very tame trail riding. I have RR 2.4s on both front and rear.
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Submitted by
Mark_123
a Cross Country Rider
from Roanoke, VA
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2011
Strengths: light weight, high volume, fast rolling
Weaknesses: thin sidewalls (no problems for me)
Bottom Line:
Running the 2.4 on the front since April with over 1800 miles, sidewalls now very thin and showing threads. Fast rolling hookup well. Ran 2.25 on rear for 1000 miles good light tire but wore quick. The 2.4 front is the best tire I have used to this point. 2.25 I used on the rear was nice but not as good a value due to quick wear.
Strengths: Light weight, fast rolling, good traction.
Weaknesses: Don't know yet
Bottom Line:
Great tire for all round racing. Hooks up well and climb very well. Don't hold the mud in wet conditions. Run lower pressures (32psi) in wet technical and they do the job. You would not pick these tires for wet conditions but if it starts to rain or you run into wet sections you will be better of than the rider with a small block 8 or racing slick.
Submitted by
panzer07
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2010
Strengths: Light for size, low rolling resistance, cushy in 2.4 front and 2.25 rear
Weaknesses: durability!!! washes out without warning during hard cornering on dry hardpack with loose top soil - gravel and is very expensive at about $60.00 per tire
Bottom Line:
2 good rides and front - 2.4 version is starting to tear on some of the side knobs - 2 rides! Mabe light but I will trade a bit of weight for skin any day. Had high hopes for these tires after hearing all the hype but the last straw was when front end completley let go on high speed corner that I have railed on Pergutorys before. Maybee a good mudder , remains to be seen but for dry hardpack these tires suck! May try on my hardtail where speeds are not as fast as Rip9
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