MTB Tire Test: Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip

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  • Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip
Performance compared to all other MTB tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts



Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

NOTE: We have a test available of a newer version of this tire: Schwalbe Racing Ray Super Ground Addix SpeedGrip 2024

The Schwalbe Racing Ray is optimized for front tire use and looks to be somewhat similar to the Schwalbe Rocket Ron that has been around for several years. Schwalbe suggests to pair the Racing Ray with the new from 2019 Racing Ralph (read review) that is optimized for use on the rear wheel. Using front/rear optimized tires seems to make sense for off-road riding as the loads applied to the front and rear tires differ greatly in most off-road use cases.


Ad Buy Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip at Amazon.com


The Racing Ray is only available with the Addix SpeedGrip compound that rolls slightly slower than the Addix Speed compound but offers more grip in return. It's also only available with the stronger SnakeSkin/TLE casing. If you want more choices in compounds and casings, the Rocket Ron still seems to be the way to go as it's available in several LiteSkin/SnakeSkin casings and Speed/SpeedGrip compounds.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Schwalbe
Model Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip
Year 2019
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
Buy At Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number 11601100
EAN4026495843812
TPI 67
Compound Addix SpeedGrip
Bead Folding
ETRTO 57-622
Size Inch 28"
Width Inch 2.25
Specified Weight 625 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 54
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 26x2.25
27.5x2.25
29x2.10
29x2.25

Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip Test Results

Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 625 grams
Measured Weight 615 grams
Measured Width Carcass 53 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 56 mm
Measured Height 51 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 2.6 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 4.3 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 1.6 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall Members Only
All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

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
21.5 Watts
CRR: 0.00644
25.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00749
Rolling Resistance
25 PSI / 1.7 Bar
23.8 Watts
CRR: 0.00713
28.3 Watts
CRR: 0.00848
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.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 22 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle 6 Points
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 1.6 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness Members Only

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 2.6 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


  • Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip
Performance compared to all other MTB tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

When we compare the Racing Ray to the Rocket Ron with the same casing and compound, both tires perform very close to each other in our tests. We do see a difference between high and low air pressures with the Rocket Ron being slightly faster at lower air pressures because of its more open tread pattern. At higher air pressures the Racing Ray is slightly faster because of the center blocks being closer together.


When we look at the suggested Racing Ralph/Racing Ray front/rear pairing, we see there aren't that big of differences between these tires. The Addix SpeedGrip compound on the Racing Ralph (read review) seems to be only slightly slower rolling. When rolling resistance between these tires is so close, we also have to wonder if the difference in grip can truly be noticed in real-life.


Feel free to leave a message about your experiences with the Addix Speed and SpeedGrip compounds as they have been around for almost 2 years now. We're very curious about real-life users that have used the older PaceStar and new Addix Speed and SpeedGrip compounds.


Ad Buy Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip at Amazon.com


RATING: 4.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
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