SCHWALBE 2013 Product News – Rocket Ron II and 650b- by c_g
Recently we have introduced to you the product news’13 by DT-SWISS (here) – now it is the turn of German tire manufacturer SCHWALBE (or more precisely: Ralf Bohle GmbH). The company was founded in 1973 and in recent years has become one of the leading brands in the bicycle tire market … all with the simple mission statement (by Ralf Bohle) “to produce the best bicycle tires“. While the development, marketing department, management, and part of the logistics are located in Germany, the entire production takes place at a site in Indonesia.
Already for 2012 SCHWALBE has expanded its range and now offers all of the best selling tread designs in the 29er format as well – including the 2012er new designs, such as the Racing Ralph 2.0 Tubular (soon to be here in the test) or the Hans Dampf 2.35 (currently in testing).
… but now for the NEWS:
Rocket Ron:
The big news for 2013 is a revised version of the Rocket Ron. Compared to the current model they have changed the block arrangement in the central tread slightly, reducing rolling resistance of this already fast tire by a claimed 15%. They have also optimized the shape of the knobs (now with three fine grooves, instead of the central depression as before) and increased the side knobs support to improve cornering stability on hard surfaces.
In addition, they improved the tire in relation to its tubeless properties by optimizing the tire side walls. This is done to keep the compound distributed more evenly thus reducing the number of air-permeable pores, which have occasionally caused some issues with the current design when converted tubeless.
Here again the visual comparison, between the current version (left) and the revised version ’13er (right):
650b:
Of course, with SCHWALBE tires 650b is an important topic and therefore the new Rocket Ron will come in that new middle format, too – as well as other bestselling models Racing Ralph, Hans Dampf, Nobby Nic and Rapid Rob .
Another positive change: The Performance Series will receive the upgrade of a Compound tread for 2013, which makes them even better value.
There is one negative news also when it comes to 29″er: For 2013, the Racing Ralph in 2.4 width will be erased from the range – whoever likes them, be forewarned.
So much for the 2013 29″er news from SCHWALBE – tomorrow we will continue with our riding impressions of the DT-Swiss XR 1450 SPLINE 29ers wheels, the new SCHWALBE Rocket Ron all on the STÖCKLI Beryl Carbon RS 29 hardtail.
RIDE ON
c_g
ps: While not available for 29″ers (yet ), SCHWLABE head of product management Markus Hachmeyer has developed a “Super Gravity” edition of the HANS Dampf as a all new genre super-lightweight (<1000 g) DH tire. By its special design, incorporating of very stiff and well supported sidewall and a more flexible tread and the Tubeless Ready properties it is claimed to save up to 800 g compared to a conventional DH tires (with tube). The above picture shows a cut section of the existing Hans Dampf (left), the Muddy Mary (DH than conventional tires, middle) and the new “Super Gravity” Hans Dampf (right).
Hi c_g, great to have a local on hand for these Euro releases.
Shame to hear of the demise of the RR2.4, no matter as the NN2.35 actually works better for rigid SS riding.
Any news on ‘Double Deffence’(DD) for the 29er range? Whilst their snakeskin has ‘fixed’ the sidewall slashing issues, I can still cut a snakeskin through the tread in the RR. A DD RR would seem perfect to me.
Ps: the new Rocket Ron looks very much like a Maxxis Beaver to me – another excellent but extremely fragile (in exc) casing.
Missed ‘tyre’ casing.
Ps: what is the intended use of the Rocket Ron? Mud race tyre like a Beaver? Racing Ralph is so wonderfully universal and then the Nobby Nic takes over and really doesn’t feel any slower when used on the front.
Can only see a Rocket Ron as a poorer conditions (wet) brother for the RR which is a handfull in the mud or clay.
I’ve done 3 rides so far on the RR 2.35. I have extensive experience on the RR 2.4 mounted to the same bike(SS Niner One9, Niner RDO fork). The 2.35 is certainly lighter and rolls faster. However, it (vs. the 2.4) does seem a touch smaller, loses a bit of traction in turns over the and over sharp, jarring terrain features sends a bit more shock to my arms.
Shame about RR 2.4 going.
It looks like in 21st century people still believe that wider tyres roll slower (because they “feel” slower?)…
by 2013 we might get to read reviews of some Vee Rubber. Anyone here look at their website? Most of their tires have 6 different sizes in 0.1 increments, and they have so many kinds of tires its a little ridiculous.
@Professed, I do not know about Schwalbe’s intentions, but the Rocket Ron, in its old or new guise, is anything but a dedicated mud tire. I agree the knobs look a bit like the Beaver, but the Ron has much more volume and I suspect the knobs to be lower.
I do not think the Racing Ralph is that universal. I raced both tires and in the end I find myself reaching for the Rons and not the Ralphs. The Rons roll nearly as well (tests prove that) and they have so much more grip.. when things get wet, it continues to shine, while the Ralph becomes hard to handle. I never need a true mud tire. Because of all that and it’s a more ideal tire to use tubeless. You can leave it on your rims all the time.
Nobby Nic is overkill for what I use these tires for. Sure, the added rolling resistance and weight is not that big, but I’d rather do without.
RR 2.4 was a so-so tire, too easy to damage, needed snakeskin, otherwise the 2.25 is a better tire. The current HansDampf is a great tire, I have been riding one for muni over the past two months and it is a dream come true! It’s big like the RR, but with a stickier, still fairly fast rubber, and a resilient casing. I used to really like my Ardent 2.4, but I LOVE my Hans Dampf 2.4 Pacestart. Only downside is the cost, eek!