What size Vittoria Mezcal tires did you ride prior? I assume they were the 29x2.35, what did they measure on your wheels?
2 Likes
Looks like the new Schwalbe xc race tyre is not too far away, blacked out name in the short track over the weekend rather than “First ride”.
Racing …? any guesses?
2 Likes
That is amazing!
Joe
1 Like
I think it was already mentioned as „racing ric“ somewhere.
4 Likes
2.35 and they measured exactly that.
1 Like
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.
2 Likes
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.
2 Likes
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.
I have been thinking about doing the same. I ran rays f and r (thanks covid) and did not like them. Will be running a ralph r soon.
In my own experience I’ve found the Ray more secure than the Rekon Race as a front, can’t make any other comparisons though but I washed out the front end and rag dolled myself multiple times in high speed corners with the Rekon Race but never with the Ray. I feel like the Ralph takes a little more finesse to maintain the traction in steep climbs than the Rekon Race, I think it may have more traction overall but the line for when it loses traction seems more sudden.
Thats not based on back to back testing but in switching back and forth between the 2 combos on the same set of wheels and trails over the years.
1 Like
I mounted my Ray/Ralph combo tonight (really smart to put tires I never have used on a day before a race!)
Here are my quick notes;
-Both tires measured at the manufactured specified weight +/- 3g
-Both tires mounted on to my rims with no hassle, by hand (no tools) and inflated with ease.
-The racing ray and ralph share the same furthest side knob location, shape (and I believe depth).
-Brand new out of the box mounted on my 30mm ID Alpha wheelset they measured 2.28" (I am disappointed somewhat on this, I expect after some flex/riding they will land on 2.3")
The tires on my road feel very very fast, like I hardly had to pedal and I was in my 10T, on a side note the Rekon Race 2.4 measured 2.44" on these rims.
I will see how these do this weekend as I will be heading to a mixed condition race (rain forecasted) with some technical sections.
4 Likes
UK too, just going to swap to this combo from RekonRaces, hope it helps cause I hate the wet sniper roots…
I’m guessing wider is still better UNLESS it’s extremely muddy and they need the tire clearance to avoid mud accumulation between tires and frame/fork.
1 Like
XCC race wasn’t muddy… but the course was very wide and smooth.
And Blevins got second on 2.5 captains… so there’s that.
2 Likes
Well, I just on impulse picked up a Ray and a Ralph (2.35) to try out. I’m going to put them on my 30mm IW wheelset replacing some 2.4 Wolfpack Speed that are getting a little worn and I’ve now punctured and sealed.
I’m waiting on Race Kings that I have on backorder that keep getting pushed out, and while these are probably still my primary Leadville / Lutsen tires, I want to make sure I have something on hand and want to have something a little bigger, still good rolling resistance, probably better traction / all around / descending tires than the Race King.
1 Like
Just don’t freak out when they measure 2.25 IRL.
2 Likes
If they are, then they’re just a race king alternative. And, I have a 25mm wheelset I can throw them on too.
But, I’ll mount 'em up, overpressure them and put them out in the sun and see if they stretch out a little.