MTB Tire Test: Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip 28x2.25

NOTE: We have a test available of a newer version of this tire: Schwalbe Racing Ray Super Ground Addix SpeedGrip 2024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

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
Manufacturer part number	11601100
EAN	4026495843812
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	Pro Data
Available Sizes	26x2.25 27.5x2.25 29x2.10 29x2.25

Schwalbe Racing Ray TLE Addix SpeedGrip Test Results

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	Pro Data
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)
Measured Width	53 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)	23.8 Watts CRR: 0.00713
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.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	22 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	6 Points
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	1.6 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Pro Data

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

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.

RATING: 4.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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