Editors Note: Yeah, yeah…..another year end review! Tis the season! So, here are my favorite things that have passed through the Twenty Nine Inches review process during the past year. I want to point out a few parameters that I used for what I chose here.
1. The product had to be in the review process during the time period of December 2007 through to the end of November 2008. Reviews that are currently in process I did not include and will be eligible for my 2009 Top Ten list.
2. They had to be products or bicycles that I personally used during this period. Nothing any of the other Twenty Nine Inches staff reviewed on their own could be considered for my list. This list doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinions of anyone but me, Guitar Ted.
That said, let’s get on with this……
Number Five: The Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.4″ Tire: Late in ’07 Captain Bob and I purchased some of the first Racing Ralphs to hit U.S. shores. I used mine extensively all throughout the winter and up to the present time on some of my favorite bikes.
Why It Made The List: First off, the Racing Ralph marked as a 2.4″ tire is pretty much a spot on 2.4″ tire with a monstrously large volume casing. Secondly, it is pretty light for such a big knobby. Thirdly, it excells at two things- snow and hardpack riding. Mated to a wide rim like Salsa’s Gordo, and you have trail bike heaven, especially for a rigid single speeder.
My Two Cents: Sure, Racing Ralphs are pricey, but you simply will not find a better tire for 29″ers on snow, (the WTB WeirWolf LT is the only other contender here) and it simply rules on hard to tacky soil on single track assaults. Its casing is so voluptuous and cushy that you would be hard pressed to find a better front tire for your rigid front end. It rolls superbly, and wears pretty well. It would only be better if it did not fall off so hard performance-wise on anything resembling mud, or on “kitty litter” strewn hard packed trail. However; what it does do well, it does exceptionally well, and that’s why the Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.4″er is Number 5 on this years Top Ten List.
Four more to go! Stay tuned!
Another great choice. I’m hoping more 2.4s come soon, any rumors on Maxxis bringing a larger Ardent?
GLG: Yes! I have heard that it is going to debut in early to mid-’09. I should know more soon.
There is also another 2.4″er coming that will be a UST tire.
Man, those Racing Ralphs are awesome tires… a bit pricey, but you gotta’ pay to play with the best, right? I’m really looking forward to the 2.4 Ardent, as the 2.25 version is already one of my absolute favorites, especially after a few months of getto tubeless-induced casing growth!
Cheers my friends,
MG
Guitar Ted, does Racing Ralph tires work tubelless with Stan´s rims and sealant? Pavel
Pavel: I have heard that they will seal up, but I have not personally tried this combination tubeless.
GT-
Was there a reason/concern that you didn’t try them tubless? Or did you just not try them tubeless with a Stans rim?
Thanks for the great sight – great work – Happy Newyear -
NHNiner: Well, if the manufacturer says “no tubeless” when we test tires, we usually abide by that for our reviews. Besides that, I was testing two other sets of tires tubeless concurrently with the Schwalbe review, and at that time, those were the only two wheel sets I had for tubeless tires.
I have added a few more tubeless wheel sets to the arsenal since then, so hopefully that will not be a problem any more.
Thanks for your compliments, by the way.