Nope. Again the results of the two tires overlap. If we could see the (wheel sensor, not GPS) measured distances, then we could compare avg speeds and maybe the results wouldn’t overlap. But we still wouldn’t know if the difference was due to line choices, braking diffences, etc.
But surely ignoring the lap times, you should have an idea what tire you prefer on that course.
I disagree because there are too many variables at play considering he’s riding a MTB tail loop (assuming it’s somewhat technical).
Let’s say one tire is faster in a straight line there’s a lot of turns, roots, loose descents, climbing. Any speed gains in the straights could easily be insignificant in the resulting lap times. Our maybe one tire is faster but only because the grip in the turns is better. How are we to know if any diffences are due to the tires and what aspect of the tire made it better?
MTB testing is way more complex and variable than on the road or gravel. And what’s the best tire for one course or even one rider doesn’t necessarily apply to others when we consider that higher rider confidence will reduce braking and improve performance.
I like the idea of the on wheel sensor, I’ll implement that. As far as variables, it’s not super technical. There are some tight corners but I only have to feather the brakes in one place. In my runs with big meaty knobs that corner like on rails my conclusion is that they feel so good because you are going so slow. You can’t really feel the slowness but the stopwatch tells how bad they are at rolling. (Talking about the maxxis dhf and specialized butcher specifically).
Joe
Ive noticed on IG that a few pros are still using them front and rear for training, then switching to Aspens to race.
Yup, I’m in the US and I ordered mine via a shop in Milan (Yes Italy). Sorry, but I bought them out of 2.4s!
I like this thread, so many different perspectives.
After 2 season on Aspen 2.4 EXO WTs I switched to Pirelli 2.4 RCs. I know they are supposedly slower via BRR but my perception is faster than the Aspens. The Cornering grip is much better, and they seem to claw over roots more cleanly. Here in the MN/WI area, they have been a welcome change.
As I was doing laps yesterday it occurred to me….i don’t need a wheel sensor because I’m hitting the lap button at the beginning and end so the distance is always exactly the same. Not earth shaking but thought I’d mention it.
Joe
Thank you!
Now I don’t know if you had shared this data in this manner already in this other forum somewhere. If so - it would have been so easy to just give the direct link or to replicate into this post like you did now to give all the readers here the chance to be on the same page. Or there wasn’t and now we have this nice data point available for the first time to look over. That’s cool. And I mean it.
Interesting!
No, I won’t repeat all the caveats and other technicalities we have as information here in this thread and on similar ones (Gravel Tires) in the Trainerroad Forums not only by me and by others.
I was about to enter your values into a spreadsheet but @huges84 already gave a good job on this.
I, too, would be very hesitant to give a ranking for your tested tires from the spread and the minuscule fraction of a second differences.
But I concur that your testing at least showed that for your roll downs, the Kenda Rush should be nearer if not equal to the Race King Performance than the pure rolling resistance results suggests.
So yes. Now we have another data point. People still can draw reasonings about it, like @huges84 showed, but now it’s way more informative than just e.g. “Ye, I did roll down tests and the Kenda Rush is equally fast (or faster) then the Conti Race King”.
Maybe, but small differences in line choice (even if you perceive it to be the same each time) can add up. That can’t be ruled out unless you have the distance data to support the distance being the same.
It would also allow you to compare average lap speeds (total distance / total time, NOT average of the speed readings) which would be more precise than just times since it would factor out small length differences.
It’s pretty narrow single track, I can’t imagine there is any difference over each run. Or maybe any significant difference, if one lap is .1% longer it’s way within the other noise.
On a separate note…Here is an example of the problem of tire testing. These laps were run on a climb on a straight road all at 230 watts. Same bike, same rider, same weight, same tires, same “no wind”, same everything (except temperature) and the runs got faster and faster.
Joe
I would agree with Joe that over the course of a 14 minute lap on single track. Any difference in distance from line choice as well outside the noise and margin of error of any of this instrumentation. I think the only thing that can be reasonably concluded about distance Would be to assume it’s the same each time. Wheel speed sensor on a mountain bike tire is definitely not precise instrumentation
Welp - Racing Ralph lasted two days in Bentonville. Which, I thought it would be a miracle for it to last while I was here! Did great in CO for the week I had it. Got an Aspen this morning and held up at Slaughter Pen. Will rip it on the Lil Sugar loop tomorrow then Coler after. Rolls great. Kinda want it for the front now.
FWIW the Ray/Ralph combo is scary fast. Felt faster than my Mezcal combo from the past.
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.
Let us know how you like the Ray/Ralph combo compared to the Rekon Race.
It should be way faster. It’s a great choice!
Joe
It will be a faster combination on the steel drum/pavement…no doubt.
Real world testing
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)
Joe
