I just ordered a set of 29x2.35 Super Race, Addix Speed, Ray/Ralph combination in transparent walls.
I am coming from a set of 29x2.4 Maxxis Rekon Race (f/r) which I really didn’t have any issues with unless it was muddy.
I am super exicited about the Ray/Ralph combo and think it is going to be faster than the Rekon Race combo.
I just want to thank all the commenters on this thread that helped me make the most educated decision as to what I think will be best for me. I’m super excited to put these tires on my 30mm ID rims.
I’ve now had a dozen rides (trail and gravel) and two XC races on Ray/Ralph coming from 3 years on Mezcal/Mezcal. I don’t notice the R/R rolling any faster, but the cornering grip, control and braking is noticeably much better. Oddly, I’m setting PRs on downhill segments, which I assume is either the better handling from the tires or my fitness is better .
I will soon be installing the Ray/Ralphs on a new set of wheels which are about 300g lighter and 29id instead of 26id. I’ll be curious if I notice any difference and/or if the tires measure any wider. Currently the 2.35 measures just barely or under 2.30.
I thought I had some data on recon race but it looks like it was ardent race with the maxxspeed compound. Switched out front tire only…not sure if it reaches statistical significance but it’s what I’ve got. (I ran lap 7 because I just couldn’t believe it)
I probably need to try something else besides Mezcal/Barzo. I’ve been riding those or Race Kings the last few years mostly because I’ve picked up a number of them on great sales and I’m used to them. Sort of if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, but a bit more grip in CO front range would never be a bad thing.
Well….I flatted my rear 2.4 Rekon Race with a Tubolight insert inflated to 23psi 5 seperate times over the 5 day Trans-sylvania Epic. It currently has 6 plugs in it. Lol. I think I’ll try the 60TPI version next.
So has anyone tried the Ralph/Ralph combo vs the Ray/Ralph combo? Currently running Ray/Ralph in Super Race 2.35 Fr/2.25 Rr. Bought a set of Hunts to use as Race wheels and was thinking of setting them up with 2.35 Ray/Ralph Super ground Fr/Rr but have seen some using Ralph Fr/Rr lately so was curious about that.
Not sure if there is anything else I should consider, sounds like the Aspens are less grippy, as are the Barzo/Mezcal combo. Maybe the Kendas, not very familiar with them.
Not many of the World Cup XC racers use the Racing Ray. They normally run the Racing Ralph or new “Racing Ric” on the front with a Ralph or Thunderburt on the rear.
I don’t have access to the Ric and don’t feel the Thunderburt would offer enough traction but my question is essentially how the Ralph front and rear compares to the Ray/Ralph combo.
I’ve read/heard that the Ray is good until it isn’t. I recall someone wrote in a forum that it lets go without any warning. Most like a tire that will slip a little before the bigger side knobs catch and that is the “warning strip”. And again, not many pros use it for “some reason”. Your experience with it may differ.
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