With the arrival of the wet autumn weather I removed the Aspens after a few crashes and went back to a new set of Racing Ray/Ralph 2.35. The bike feels (emphasis on “feels”, I can’t measure this) faster to accelerate, but much more nervous over any irregularities, even at very low pressures and much less comfortable. But on wet conditions, specially if any clay is involved, things are much safer with the Racing Ray up front. Although, in proper deep mud they’re no better than the Aspens and the Aspens were packing much less with mud.
I really wish Schwalbe would do a proper 2.4 or 2.5 version of the Ray/Ralph, it seems to me that pure volume is what makes the 2.4 Aspen an exceptional dry conditions tire
Like a 2.35 over a 2.4 or a 2.25 Conti for example? Or same tire just different sizing? If I want the Ray/Ralph combo and I know they only come in 2.35, I’m not going to pass on them because Aspens are 2.4s. Now if the Ray/Ralph combo was 2.25 and there’s a 2.35, I wouldn’t even think of the 2.25 regardless of the conditions.
My totally non scientific assessment is that the Ray works better on wet, greasy over hard conditions than the Aspen purely because it has proper lugs. I find the Aspens to be murderous in those conditions, to the point of sliding around even going on a straight line.
On actual deep mud I find the Ray no better than the Aspens, maybe even marginally worse
I tried running the Ray/Ralph combo, just couldn’t get used to the grip. I’m running Wicked Will f/r now, but they are wearing pretty fast.
Thinking of switching to something else on my next purchase.
Aspen/Aspen
Aspen ST/Aspen
Both of these have served me very well
I’ve also run a combo that’s maybe a little counter into intuitive but was inspired by Russell Finsterwald a few years ago. Aspen (f)/Rekon Race(r). The thinking is that the Aspen actually does corner pretty well, but has so much open space between lugs that it’s a little bit more flat prone. The Rekon Race has a little bit more tread across the body and is a touch tougher, so it stands a better chance in the rear. I ran this at Leadville and was very happy with it in 2022 but have switched since to primarily just aspen iterations front and rear
I like 2.4 Rekon Race front with 2.4 Aspen rear. For me, the Rekon Race corners better than the Aspen. The only downside to the Rekon Race is it is heavier than the Aspen.
Picked up a set of Rick XC Pros and initial thoughts are positive. Definitely better traction than RK 2.2 and, if I remember correctly, they’re better than Aspen 2.4s. They lean over and corner much more predictably than both these tires. Trail conditions were dry with a fair amount of loose leaf/needle over top. Ran 14 psi front/rear and that seemed perfect for my 135 lb weight. So far so good. Will be interested to see how the roll on bicyclerollingresistance.com’s drum. They felt fast and quiet in the parking lot.
Let us know how wide they measure after you mount them on your wheels. If you’ve been using the Ray on the front I’m sure you will get along fine with the Rick XC.
That’s pretty amazing. I’ve gone through multiple 2.35" Ralphs on 30mm IW rims inflated to at most 23psi (I weigh 175lbs nkd) and they never get to 2.35".
Unless the rider is heavy 30psi is pretty hard
I wish there was a 2.4" Race King with maybe slightly larger side knobs similar to how the tread changes on the 2.35 Ikon vs smaller versions of the Ikon.
I spoke with the gentleman at the Conti Booth at Big Sugar last weekend about the new tires. It was the same guy who was at the booth at Unbound. I flat out asked him if he had any prototypes he could show me and he laughed, but said no… He did confirm what others have been saying in terms of new XC tires coming. I asked him if a launch in Spring 2025 would be the timeframe and he said that seemed about right.
They are also expanding their offerings on the gravel side. They are looking to fill some gaps in the line up with a fast tire in the 50mm range.
I just received ENVE’s new M5 Pro wheelset. I have to work this weekend, so won’t be able to ride, but hoping the weather holds up the following weekend. Going to put something a little more chunky on them given it leaf litter season. Thinking the Kenda Karma2 Pro.
