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Average Rating
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3.94/5
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# of Reviews
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35
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MSRP
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$ 39.98
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Weight
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More Products from Schwalbe
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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.
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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 | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from East London Vincent South Africa
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2007 | | Favoriate 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! | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Jones, Continental EDGE's, Hutchinson Mosquitos, MAXXIS SwampThing. | | Bike Setup: | 10KG Stevens WAVE, X9, REBA SL | | Bottom Line: | Fly in dry, Fall in wet!
(I came off bad twice in the wet switched back to Conti EDGE's for mud etc) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
c'mon
a Cross Country Rider
from Poland
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2007 | | Favoriate 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hax0r
a Racer
from Poland
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2007 | | Favoriate 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Connie M
a Downhiller
from Sandy, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2007 | | Favoriate 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Leary
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2007 | | Favoriate 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
graham taylor
a Racer
from new zealand
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2006 | | Favoriate 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! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Soren
a Cross Country Rider
from Zurich
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2006 | | Favoriate 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Primoz Jeroncic
a Cross Country Rider
from Kranj, Slovenia
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | speed and grip on dry hardpack, wear | | Weaknesses: | no grip at all on wet terrain | | Similar Products Used: | all sorts of tires | | Bike Setup: | Alu 7005 frame, Manitou R7 forks, Deore LX equip., Magura Julie brakes | | Bottom Line: | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Swotch Dotkomsky
a Cross Country Rider
from Tenerife
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Monte del Agua | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$29.00 | | Purchased At: | Hamburg | | Strengths: | Weight, puncture resistance, wear | | Weaknesses: | grip on loose gravel & sand | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos,Trailbear | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Prophet 600 stock specs 2,25er RacingRalphs | | Bottom Line: | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric
a Cross Country Rider
from washington
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2005 | | Favoriate 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 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JmZ
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern IN
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2005 | | Favoriate 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.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ruud
a Cross Country Rider
from Muiderberg
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2005 | | Favoriate 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). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Kingery
a Racer
from Albemarle, NC USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2005 | | Favoriate 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.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marco righetti
a Cross Country Rider
from bellshill scotland UK
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2005 | | Favoriate 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 rolling resistance. | | Weaknesses: | none so far only tried it today in a race in dry conditions | | Similar Products Used: | pana cinder 2.25,2.1 and 1.95 and speed blasters,conti vapors (not so good)explorer ss (excellent),about to get michelin xcr dry. | | Bike Setup: | 05 trek top fuel 100 | | Bottom Line: | i feel that nothing beats the grip of panaracer cinder tyres but the 2.25 and 2.1 are too heavy for racing and the 1.95 are too narrow and harsh so i wanted a big volume (2-2.1) tyre for racing in order to flow over stuff and have low rolling resistance and the racing ralphs do just that...the knobs are not big at all but give much more grip than what you think they would....perhaps the knob design layout is responsible for such grip!
i would not hesitate to recommend these tyres | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rene Hoepelman
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Beach, California
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | dirt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS and Ebay | | Strengths: | Imported, Fancy Name, Something different | | Weaknesses: | Someone needs to send this company some new rulers
| | Similar Products Used: | I dunno a bunch | | Bike Setup: | cross country | | Bottom Line: | I thought this was going to be the "end all" of tires. I personally like to ride on 2.25 inch tires and been a faithfull fan of Intense System 4's the past year 1/2 or so.
Then I heard about Schwalbe Racing Ralp with a 2.25 inch tire that is 300grams per tire lighter then my current Intense system 4's. 2.25inch tires that weigh less then most 2.1 inch tires!! How can this be?? I figured flimsy sidewalls but all the reviews were better then decent.
Bike stores dont usually stock them. They are special orders and usually they are back ordered at that. They are in the high end cost range with a name you cant pronounce until you say it a hundred times. Im thinking these must be the greatest invention since carbon fiber.
I get my hands on a pair after 2 weeks of waiting. Wrap the tires around my rims and was truly disappointed. Shame on you Schwalbe. They are nothing more then 2.1 at best. I have two sets of these and there are no mistakes all 4 tires are 2.1 inch
How do they handle... well just as good as any other 2.1 inch tire on the market. If you need white lettering buy Specialized. Sorry Schwalbe but you get the one chili for lying to the american public. Keep your tires in Germany we dont appreciate, need or want your buisness. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CraigT
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange, CA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Old Camp-Luge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Light Wieght-Low Rolling Resistance | | Weaknesses: | WARNING! Tire DELAMINATED!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Panracer Fire Pro, Pythons. | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Truth, XTR | | Bottom Line: | MY new Schwalbe Racing Ralph had a catastrophic failure today. I was 10.3 miles into a 17 mile-3500 ft ascent ride, when the rear tire delaminated. It was disfigured so badly, it wouldn't even roll through my seat stays! The tube was completely exposed and herniating. Needless to say, I did a lot of walking this evening. I like the tire, it's light and fast, and grips adequately for such a low rolling resistance. Unfortunately, I like to ride not HIKE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tibet
a Cross Country Rider
from Belgium
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Geert Nicleas | | Strengths: | Extreme grip in mud and clay, and on downhill rides. | | Weaknesses: | wears out rapidly when driven on ashfalt. | | Similar Products Used: | none like this. | | Bike Setup: | Cube LTD 1 | | Bottom Line: | Great tyres, they could do something about the wearing out though. Recommended to mudders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JP
a Cross Country Rider
from Oulu, Finland
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Starbike.com | | Strengths: | This review is for the widest option (2.40).
Low rolling resistance. Grips well on dry and hard-packed soil. Offers slight "suspension" due to massive volume. Looks. | | Weaknesses: | Using adequate pressures works flawlessly in smooth terrain; with very low pressures may show fragility and unstability due to skinny sidewalls. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing quite like these. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale 1fg single speed w/ minor updates | | Bottom Line: | Low in weight and rolling resistance, high in volume. A true performer in dry conditions. Not for loose or slippy surfaces (though the widest version does reasonably well in loose sand and gravel).
Riding a fully rigid single speed, I appreciate the suspection effect the high volume tires offer. Even though the 2.4 inches sounds and appears like a lot of width for long-distance xc/marathon flavoured rides, IMHO it's really a pick for those w/o suspended forks.
I have no prior experience of high volume tires nor tires this high in quality, so I don't dare to rate Ralphs as outstanding. Great they are though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Barton Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Fast as lightning,hardpack tire | | Weaknesses: | It's not made for wet weather genius | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude | | Bottom Line: | awesome,it is all I need. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel Freyss
a Cross Country Rider
from France
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Strengths: | light, good rolling resistance, stronger than expected | | Weaknesses: | poor traction at low speed and in the mud, slips when wet | | Similar Products Used: | IRC Mythos, Geax, Specialized,... | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | works well on hard-packed fire roads, but I prefer the Mythos for technical trails and for the occasional rain. They would be excellent if they were not so expensive. Certainly good for races when speed is required but not the best choice for an all-around tire when the rain starts falling. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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