MTB Tire Test: Schwalbe Racing Ralph TL-R PaceStar 29x2.25

NOTE: We have a test available of a newer version of this tire: Schwalbe Racing Ralph LiteSkin Addix Speed 2017

The Schwalbe Racing Ralph is probably the most famous cross-country mountain bike tire of all time. Well known for its low rolling resistance while still offering enough grip for most riders. The Evolution line is the best possible, with the highest quality materials and the latest technology from Schwalbe. This tire features a 127 TPI casing with a triple compound PaceStar compound, which is Schwalbe's fastest rubber. Can good old Racing Ralph still live up to its name?

This Racing Ralph Evolution is the Tubeless-Ready version, which means it can be used tubeless but needs a tubeless fluid to seal completely. Although the tire is Tubeless-Ready, I'm using a tube during all tests. This tire is made in Indonesia.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Schwalbe
Model	Racing Ralph TL-R PaceStar
Year	2014
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	11600256.01
TPI	127
Compound	PaceStar
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	57-622
Size Inch	29"
Width Inch	2.25
Specified Weight	535 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	54
Made In	Pro Data
Available Sizes	29x2.25 29x2.10 27.5x2.25 27.5x2.10 26x2.25 26x2.10

Schwalbe Racing Ralph TL-R PaceStar Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	535 grams
Measured Weight	534 grams
Measured Width Carcass	55 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	55 mm
Measured Height	53 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	2.5 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	4.3 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	No Data
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Not Tested
All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

The measured weight of 534 grams is spot on to it's specified weight of 535 grams. With a measured width and height of 55 and 53 mm respectively, it comes very close to the rated size of 2.25. On a 19 or 21C rim, it should even be a bit wider. Although the Racing Ralph is a fast XC style tire, it still has some decent knobs with knob heights of 2.5 mm in the center and 4.3 mm on the edge. This makes it a more all-round tire than the Continental Race King.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (40 ml sealant)
Measured Width	55 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 51-55 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 56-60 = 34 psi/2.3 barHigh Air Pressure (38 psi / 2.6 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 bar 51-55 = 32 psi/2.2 bar 56-60 = 29 psi/2.0 barMedium Air Pressure (32 psi / 2.2 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 bar 51-55 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 56-60 = 23 psi/1.6 barLow Air Pressure (25 psi / 1.7 bar)	19.4 Watts CRR: 0.00582
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 bar 51-55 = 19 psi/1.3 bar 56-60 = 17 psi/1.2 barExtra Low Air Pressure (19 psi / 1.3 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 55 psi / 3.8 bar	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 45 psi / 3.1 bar	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 35 psi / 2.4 bar	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 25 psi / 1.7 bar	Pro Data
The MTB section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Rolling resistance at an air pressure of 25 psi is 23.9 watts. This is slightly higher than the Continental Race King which came in at 22.4 watts. I think this is quite good if you factor in the higher side knobs of the Racing Ralph. When upping the air pressure, rolling resistance eventually drops to 19.1 watts at 55 psi.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	No Data
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	7 Points
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	No Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	No Data
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	No Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Pro Data

Puncture resistance is average with a score of 7 points. Also, worth noting is that the tread of this tire has the same width as the carcass, which should help protect the sidewalls against cuts.

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	No Data
Wet Grip Center	No Data
Wet Grip Edge	No Data
Measured Knob Height Center	2.5 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	4.3 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 MTB grip test rim width = 30.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

So does Racing Ralph still rule? Yes, I think it does. Compared to the Continental Race King, you get increased side knob height, a Tubeless-Ready rated tire and a wider tread; at a cost of 35 grams and an increase in rolling resistance of 1 to 1.5 watts per tire. This is a more all-round mountain bike tire than the Race King for sure. I would consider it as a front tire, unlike the Race King.

The Racing Ralph still is the gold standard in cross country mountain bike tires. It seems to have struck a great balance between rolling resistance, grip, and weight. You can't go wrong with a pair of these.

RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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