Description:The superlative competition tire, the Racing Ralph was created to be the fastest cross-country and marathon racing tire around. By tailoring the tread pattern, compound and tire structure so you don’t have to worry about control when the speed ramps up. The arrangement of the specially shaped lugs combined with the different rubber mixtures to create extra grip and traction without adding resistance, making for a super fast tire.
Submitted by
morcre
a Racer
from Melbourne, VIC, Australia Date Reviewed: November 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Too many to mention
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Great cornering grip, predictable handling, works well on bumpy terrain under load with a hardtail. Never had a flat. Reasonably lightweight, Great tyre for the $$$
Weaknesses:
Doesn't like cornering on grass, but this is really nit picking.
This is a great tyre for dry, loose conditions. Very reassuring over tree roots and rocks. I've been racing with this for 3 months now and can't speak highly enough of it. Overall it is almost perfect.
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Submitted by
matwhite0
a Cross Country Rider
from australia Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Old Northern
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Victoria
Strengths:
Grip/ rolling resistance compromise, racing.
Weaknesses:
Sand
Similar Products Used:
The Lot
Bike Setup:
NRS, XT/ XTR/ Mazzochi marathons, snazzy wheels
Bottom Line:
I really really like this (2.25) as a front tyre. It doesnt grip as quite well as some tyres, but does amazingly well for its capacity to roll. Its real strength is for racing, rather than bombing difficult singletrack. By and large, I can maintain momentum better than with any other tyre I have used, and momentum is what it is all about.
Around here we have sandstone and its derivatives, and the RR handles it a treat. It handles rocky, mixed terrain well, and absolutely rails on quality singletrack. Its forgotten to rain around here for about 10 years, so I dont ride in mud and can't comment.
Cheapo it aint, but for me it is worth it...
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Submitted by
Marek
a Cross Country Rider
from Tychy Date Reviewed: April 4, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
centrumrowerowe.pl
Strengths:
I must say this tires are really great, and they helped me in few situations. During all rides (woods, mountains) I had only 2 flat tire so not bad resistance for rocks. They are good on normal roads as well as in the mountains or in sand,
Weaknesses:
After 2000KM had to change for new,last month tried them in mud and they are not bad but honestly i dont reccomend them for very wet Polish mud.
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis Flyweight 490
Bike Setup:
Merida XC Mission Elite
Bottom Line:
This year i will put Racing Ralph 2008 and we will se how they are
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Submitted by
Pertti M
a Weekend Warrior
from Finland Date Reviewed: January 9, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Rolls well Not heavy Predictable handling The tread seems to last
Weaknesses:
Not cheap Vulnerable sidewalls
Similar Products Used:
none that is all that similar
Bike Setup:
rear RR 2.4 on FS bike front RR 2.4 and rear RR 2.25 snakeskin on SS HT
Bottom Line:
I wanted to lighten my bike and decided to give these a shot when the LBS did not have the NN models I was thinking of. Conti Mountain Kings were not there either yet.
I was pleasantly surprised: the low rolling resistance makes it easier to maintain momentum and there is good traction on the woodland trails I have. I just did a ride on frozen ground with a dusting of dry snow and the tyres kept doing their job there too.
Soft and loose surfaces may not be the strong point of RR but at least on loose sand they lose grip in such a predictable way that controlling the slide is easy.
Sidewalls are vulnerable against sharp rocks. The snakeskin version seems to cope better but, at least until now, has not been available in the 2.4 size. Gotta check the 2008 version, at least for rear tyres.
Recommended.
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Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from East London Vincent South Africa Date Reviewed: December 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
shed house
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
VERY fast, VERY light firm but good handling. Excellent for hardpack, town and country and fast dry single track
Weaknesses:
wont handle in wet or muddy conditions at all. But then it wasnt designed to. BE CAREFUL cornering on any deeper sand or wet mud. These tires could have benefitted from just a few more mm's of sidewall for safer cornering!
(I came off bad twice in the wet switched back to Conti EDGE's for mud etc)
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Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney Date Reviewed: December 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$70.00
Strengths:
light weight, fast rolling, surprisingly durable, reasonable cornering grip and great braking traction.
Weaknesses:
Not cheap. Thin sidewalls, though not an issue if you use Stan's.
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis Larsen TTs, Bonti Jones ACX, numerous crappy wire beads...
Bike Setup:
04 Trek Fuel 70... only the frame remains, have changed everything over the years trying to perfect my on-the-cheap X-country racer.
Bottom Line:
I bought this tire 3 years ago to use as a front to lighten my bike and pep up the acceleration, which it did admirably. The shallow tread and racey nature of the tire made me think it would wear out pretty quick, but even though now 3 years later the centre knobs are (finally) loosing their edge, I haven't noticed any problems. My regular club track has steep sleazy muddy chute with a sharp corner at the bottom through 2-3 inch deep chewed up mud... the Ralph takes this on every month and feels completely in control. High speed cornering is excellent, floats over (but somehow grips) pea sized gravel, digs into deep wet sand, doesn't clog in mud and dependable braking traction gives confidence. One thing that happens every so often: in deep dry sandy corners if entered too fast the tire seems to slide and push straight on... I think there is an angle of lean where there is just not enough tread to hook up... but just as I'm trying to pick something soft to land on, it digs in again with those larger edge blocks and the crash is avoided (which is good, but you still loose speed and flow).
I live in the city and only get out to races and trail rides a couple of times a month and I'm only using it as a front, but even so I was surprised how well the tread has lasted: I've club raced it, done numerous 4, 8 and 12 hours on it, and several hundred miles of point to point events over 3 years and it still performs brilliantly even though they are definitely showing their age. I pinched a couple of times when I first fitted them and was experimenting with psi and the side walls got pretty scraped and scratched... but now i use Stan's it's all good. This will be their last season (though I said that last year too), and I might try something else just for a change, but would just as happily use these again. I'm giving 5 chilis for the great all around performance, and 5 for value even though they cost more than most coz they have lasted me so well.
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Submitted by
c'mon
a Cross Country Rider
from Poland Date Reviewed: December 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Przesieka
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
net
Strengths:
quite difficult to puncture
Weaknesses:
poor in wet conditions
Bike Setup:
hardtail/r7/xt/xtr
Bottom Line:
Completely poor in wet conditions, hard to control in light-mud and wet asphalt turnings. Quite good in dry cond. but not as well as the manufacturer claimed it should've been. I won't buy it again.
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Submitted by
hax0r
a Racer
from Poland Date Reviewed: September 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
OTB :)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
came with my bike
Strengths:
Lightweight, easy flat tube change, low rolling resistance, high volume - give extra suspension, good looks :)
Weaknesses:
Lose traction wet on sand and rocks.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Kross Level A6 - truvativ team riserbar, avid single digit 7, rear xt + front alivio, Axon S-RL
Bottom Line:
Good for hard and dry surfaces.
I crashed 3 times using those tires and were about to crash a few more. They easily loose traction when wet or on sand, rocks.
3 crashes cost me one pants to replace, one leg to heal and some major scratches on my gear shifters.
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Submitted by
Connie M
a Downhiller
from Sandy, UT, USA Date Reviewed: May 29, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Sovreign or John's Trail (on the SS)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came on my bike
Strengths:
Corner superbly, and have been way more durable than expected.
Weaknesses:
None. Sounds like they're not good in mud, but I would never ride in mud around here as it destroys the trails.
Similar Products Used:
I normally use Maxxis High Rollers/Mobsters/Minions
Bike Setup:
Bianchi PUSS (rigid)
Bottom Line:
I bought my rigid SS and figured these tires weren't going to hold up for me at all. I'm more of a downhiller, had never ridden a rigid bike, and figured I was going to wind up with a lot of flats no matter what tire was on there, let alone a lightweight racing tire. I also figured the low profile knobbies weren't going to corner well compared to the tires I'm used to.
All I can say is wow. I'm not even riding these on smooth buffed singletrack much of the time. I love riding rocky and rooty terrain. These tires grip well, roll fast, and corner beautifully. I've been riding them several days a week for months and have yet to get a flat (knock on wood). I'm cornering so well, I can finally keep up with the fast guys I ride with in the twisty stuff.
Yeah, it looks like they're going to be expensive to replace, but they're worth it.
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Submitted by
Bret
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: May 22, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
BlackSheep
Strengths:
Very fast tires, excellent cornering traction - these tires inspire confidence. I have the 2.4's, which barely fit my bike, but they make for the best ride I've had on it thus far.
Weaknesses:
These tires are soft and wear fast, but that's to be expected in this type of tire.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire XC, WTB Weirwolf, Maxxis Hansventure
Bike Setup:
IH MKIII w/ X9 drivetrain, hayes 9 brakes w/ mudcutter rotors, thomson post/stem, titec xc carbon bar
Bottom Line:
Worth every penny. As they say in GC, "get you some". Five chilis... hands down.
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Submitted by
Chris Leary
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: May 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
christianleary@msn.com
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light weight, can run low pressures for more grip / less trail buzz. Fantastic speed in the dry.
Weaknesses:
At 30 psi, lugs on edges of the tread have a strong tendency to ping the wheel sideways when faced with rocks. At 35psi in the wet, tyre has a strong tendency to wash out on rock or anything else remotely slippery.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer trailblaster, trailraker; Specialized
Bike Setup:
Turnet 5 Spot, 5 inch travel front and rear, trail/rough xc suspension
Bottom Line:
Great in the dry, go real easy in the wet. I have panaracer trailraker for really wet conditions, maybe I need a half-way house tyre.
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Submitted by
al
a
from dallas tx Date Reviewed: January 17, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
light fast sticky smooth riding no pinch flats (tubeless)
Weaknesses:
quick wear.... thin sidewalls, though no issues as of yet
Similar Products Used:
many tires. this is the highest "hi-performance" tire i've tried
Bike Setup:
racerx with goodies
Bottom Line:
uber-fast racing tire! not sure i'd spend the big $ on them for daily use unless i had money out the wazoo. Excellent all-around performer, great in hard, soft, rocks, you name it. Floats very well at lowish pressure, i run 30psi front 35 rear. Tread does not retain mud. Rubber is soft compound and wears pretty quick. No issues with tubeless setup. 300+ miles without issue thus far. Take it for what it is: a light fast racing tire, not a beat-it-up heavy duty "all mountain" tire. I have not found a condition it hasn't handled, but am always aware I'm on a very thin-skinned, light tire.
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Submitted by
graham taylor
a Racer
from new zealand Date Reviewed: November 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
croesus knob
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Fast Rolling, Light, Reasonable Grip
Weaknesses:
Weak Sidewalls
Similar Products Used:
Schwalbe Nobby Nic, Maxxis High Roller Exception, Specialised Roll X Pro, Geax Blade, Continental Vertical Pro, lots of others
Bike Setup:
Specialised Stumpjumer FS
Bottom Line:
Totally let down by this tyre. Brought specifically for race use - having had good experience with the Nobby Nic. Second time out with the tyre and 10km from the end of a 35k race (5m from the top of the last hill!) and BANG!! - Sidewall completely blown out. Race surface was mostly farm tracks with loose rocks but not the type to destroy your tyres. Had to limp home on combination of duct tape and crossed fingers. Cost me 1/2 hour off my time and a good time in the race. Up till then the tyre had performed very well, and had good grip and rolled nicely, however the weak sidewalls let me down. Will not buy again, as I want a race tyre I can rely on to get to the finish line!
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Submitted by
Soren
a Cross Country Rider
from Zurich Date Reviewed: August 19, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Uetliberg
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
www.bike-discount.de
Strengths:
(2.1") Great in dry conditions. Very low rolling resistance. Low weight. Good acceleration. OK cornering.
Weaknesses:
I have had way to many punctures on this tire. To weak for my taste. Does not work well in muddy conditions. Expensive.
Similar Products Used:
Michelin Wildgripper S. Maxxis Ignitor. Hutchinson Spider. Hutchinson Python.
Bike Setup:
Trek 9.8 hardtail. Crossmax wheels and XTR v-breaks. Michelin latex tubes. 3 bars in dry conditions. About 2.2 bars in wet conditions and in very technical terrain.
Bottom Line:
This tire is an extremely fast roller. It would be a great choice in dry conditions on a fast track if it didn't go flat all the time. It is not the best choice in wet and muddy conditions. Finally it's quite expensive.
A good tire, but doesn't quite meet the competition. I recommend taking a closer look at the Hutchinson Pythons for dry conditions and low rolling resistance, and the Maxxis Ignitors for better mud and technical trail performance.
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Submitted by
Mike
a
from PA Date Reviewed: July 5, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Review for both the 2.25 and 2.4.
Fast roller. Good traction for a fast roller. Hi volume. Reasonable tread wear. Clears mud well.
Weaknesses:
Expensive.
Similar Products Used:
Way too many tires. Reminds me of a Mutano 2.4 (also great tire) but less aggressive, but faster rolling.
Bike Setup:
Used on rigid SS.
Bottom Line:
May replace my all time favorite Mutano 2.4s; a bit lighter, rolls faster, and packs up with mud much less. I run a 2.25 rear at 32 psi and 2.4 front at 30 psi fully rigid hauling 180# plus gear.
I've put a boat load of miles on these tires while only having them for 3 months or so. Zero complaints except the price, but since tires are your most important component I'm willing to spend the extra cash. All around great tire. It's great to have them offered in different sizes for different needs.
Keep in mind the tread is not overly aggressive so I wouldn't consider this an all mountain tire. Great for trail and even better for xc uses. The sidewalls are thin but so far no weaknesses. Super xc race tire.
Folks say this is not a mud tire. I find it does a respectable job in the mud. Too often tires with aggressive tread pack with much far too easily. Before you know it you are rolling a 15# chocolate donught on your bike. Thin, soupy, slick mud... heck no tire works well there. I'd soon take my chances with a fast rolling tire and skills than attempt to lug a pig tire around all day.
The tread pattern is not aggressive but the tires are very high volume. Run them at low psi and you'll get all the traction you need.
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Submitted by
Emanuel
a Cross Country Rider
from WA Date Reviewed: July 4, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
Grip, weight, rolling resistance.
Weaknesses:
Wear, easy to tear, on the expensive side.
Similar Products Used:
Most XC tires avaliable.
Bike Setup:
Specialized S-Work HT
Bottom Line:
These are advertised as racing tires and you better take that seriously. I have lost half of their grip after about 1000 mi. and it's getting worse by the minute.
Only "problem" is - I've never had anything with this much grip before, and I've tried it all! Get another Schwalbe product for everyday use, and use these for racing and your special rides.
It's one of the best tires in the world, if used as they should be - and I see a lot of reviews based on riding conditions that these tires aren't supposed to do.
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Submitted by
Primoz Jeroncic
a Cross Country Rider
from Kranj, Slovenia Date Reviewed: June 19, 2006
Really fast tire with best grip I ever had on hardpack. But as soon as it gets just a little bit wet, it loses all grip. And I mean it loses ALL GRIP! When going downhill it's quite dangerous hitting wet part of track even if it's straight, and if it happens on uphills it's just annoying when wheel is spinning for nothing. And when it goes worse and "bit wet" turnes into mud, it's pretty much useless to try anything except run next to bike.
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Submitted by
jev
a Weekend Warrior
from Netherlands Date Reviewed: May 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
large air volume
Weaknesses:
very bad traction in the front
Similar Products Used:
schwalbe jimmy
Bike Setup:
radon fully
Bottom Line:
These tires came with my new bike, on my old bike I was using Jimmy's. Racing Ralph tires are quite bad in the mud, wetness, leaves, sand ... asphalt is ok. I am switching back to jimmys.
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Submitted by
Swotch Dotkomsky
a Cross Country Rider
from Tenerife Date Reviewed: May 10, 2006
Very smooth ride due to low uncushioned wheel weight. The whole bike becomes an easy springy feeling due to the very low spinning weight. Grip on climbs like chewing gum and stopping like an anchor. Needs 4,0bar/70psi pressure else you snakebite it every mile, but then no flats even riding razor sharp rocks with 150pounds. Lean in fast curves on loose gravel and deep sand and see your sorrow doom coming to you. Learned to stop first as I see those curves.They must be named "Racing" because they are made for the home straights...beginners stay away.
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Submitted by
eric
a Cross Country Rider
from washington Date Reviewed: November 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
anywhere as long as its st
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
super low rollin resistance
Weaknesses:
mud preformance
Similar Products Used:
many others, schwalbe jimmy
Bike Setup:
05 kona kula deluxe w/crankbrother eggbeater ti pedals, ritchey pro mtn stem, FSA Orbit Xtreme pro headset
Bottom Line:
this tire kicks a$$ all day long during the summer and into the fall. great tire for socal and eastern washington
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Submitted by
JmZ
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern IN Date Reviewed: October 19, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Still Looking
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
E-Bay
Strengths:
Light, works great on hardpack
Weaknesses:
Not a sand or mud tire
Similar Products Used:
IRC Mythos, Specialized Dirt Control & Team
Bike Setup:
Lots of toys
Bottom Line:
These are not sand tire. A broken collarbone can attest to that. I have to blame the tires since I can't blame technique, obviously. :)
These tires pushed in sand, but it didn't seem any worse than most othere, until I hit a deeper and dryer sand pit. Tire stopped dead.
On hardpack they were great, they were predictable, fast, light and no undue wear issues. If my rides didn't have sand in all the corners, I might put them back on. Until then I want something with more predictablity in sand.
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Submitted by
Ruud
a Cross Country Rider
from Muiderberg Date Reviewed: October 8, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Amerongen
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$29.00
Purchased At:
www.Bike2build.nl
Strengths:
*Low rolling restistance *Lightweight / strenght *Available in three dimensions and UST
Weaknesses:
*Grip in mud (but is not designed for this) *Braking power *Climbinggrip, especially on loose ground
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis Larssen TT, Schwalbe Jimmy, Schwalbe Fast Fred
Bike Setup:
BRANDS customized ALU 7005 frame, LX/XT set up, Rockshox Pilot XC forks, Mavic XC 717 rims.
Bottom Line:
I have mixed feelings for this tire. I like the low rolling resistance (also on the road) and lightweight of it, but when it becomes a little bit more rough through hard braking or accelerating during a climb it loose it's grip very easy. The knobs are not that aggresive and to round. When it becomes a little bit wet or muddy, forget it, the front tire becomes even very unpredictible and will slip away during cornering. I hate this ! But okay, it's a tire for dry, rocky ground. But than I rather prefer it's brother, Fast Fred. During the year I have used the RR now, I had no flat tire (keep my fingers crossed for the next ride).
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Submitted by
Tim Kingery
a Racer
from Albemarle, NC USA Date Reviewed: September 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Pilot Mountain
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Schwalbe
Strengths:
Light weight
Weaknesses:
Poor traction in all conditions, weak sidewalls, expensive
Similar Products Used:
Pytons, Mythos, etc.
Bike Setup:
Weyless sp, XO/XT, Chris Kings on 717's
Bottom Line:
After riding and racing on these for a full year, I can't find any redeeming qualities in them whatsoever. I know that sounds harsh, but it's the truth. The first part of the season in the southeast was somewhat wet. I quickly found out that the Ralph’s were scary on wet and muddy roots and rocks. I decided to let that go, it's not the type of conditions the tire was designed for. Later in the spring when things finally dried up, I found that the handling did not really improve much. They stick fairly well on hard pack but, when you reach their limit They break loose with almost no warning. That's one bad habit that I really hate. I've raced on Pythons for two seasons and I guess I've become spoiled by the amount of feedback I get from them. I almost always know just how hard I can push them in a turn. I've also had major pinch flat problems with the Ralph’s. I'm a light weight, under 150, hell usually under 140 And until this year I have pinch flatted maybe twice. I've worn tires out and reused the tube. I have flatted at least 10 times this year. I have to run the Ralph’s at 40 to 45 psi so I won't flat. That certainly doesn't do anything to improve their handling. I'm not sure who should by these tires, maybe someone like me Who was foolish enough to believe the hype? My advice would be save $110.00 and buy something that works.
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Submitted by
marco righetti
a Cross Country Rider
from bellshill scotland UK Date Reviewed: September 25, 2005
Favorite Trail:
glentress forest redroute
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
alpine bikes glasgow
Strengths:
2.1 good volume for cushioning and flowing over stuff. grips more than you would believe! feels quite supple. low
$ 39.98
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