MTB Tire Test: Schwalbe Racing Ralph TL-R PaceStar

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Schwalbe Racing Ralph TL-R PaceStar road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

NOTE: We have a test available of a newer version of this tire: Schwalbe Racing Ralph LiteSkin Addix Speed 2017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


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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 Ad Amazon.com
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 Members Only
Available Sizes 29x2.25
29x2.10
27.5x2.25
27.5x2.10
26x2.25
26x2.10

Schwalbe Racing Ralph TL-R PaceStar Test Results

Schwalbe Racing Ralph TL-R PaceStar  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

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)

(current protocol)
Conti MTB 29 (225 gr butyl)

(test protocol)
Rolling Resistance
55 PSI / 3.8 Bar
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
45 PSI / 3.1 Bar
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
35 PSI / 2.4 Bar
17.7 Watts
CRR: 0.00531
21.2 Watts
CRR: 0.00635
Rolling Resistance
25 PSI / 1.7 Bar
19.4 Watts
CRR: 0.00582
23.9 Watts
CRR: 0.00716
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

Schwalbe Racing Ralph TL-R PaceStar  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread No Data
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members Only
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 Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle No Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness Members Only

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.


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RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended


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