New Schwalbe Racing Ray and Ralph XC tyres

New Schwalbe Racing Ray and Ralph XC tyres

Two brothers from a racing family

Jack Luke / Immediate Media

Published: May 23, 2018 at 11:00 am

Schwalbe's new Racing Ray and updated Racing Ralph tyres are designed to be used as a front/rear tyre combo for XC racing.

With the increasing challenges and variability of modern XC courses, Schwalbe wants to create a balance between “cornering, acceleration, grip, rolling resistance and braking performance".

Schwalbe claims to have designed specific treads for the front and rear tyre, providing the riding characteristics required at each end.

We saw them in the flesh while riding the new Cannondale F-Si Hi-MOD. Sadly, the riding conditions were so claggy that the tyres felt too overwhelmed in the mud to draw any real first ride conclusions. However, our resident XC bad man Joe will be getting a pair in for testing, so keep your eyes peeled for a review soon.

New Schwalbe Racing Ray

The new Racing Ray is for the front Schwalbe
  • Front-specific tread
  • Aggressive tread with pronounced, stable side blocks for reliable cornering
  • Relatively closed centre tread for good rolling characteristics
  • Designed with edges facing along the length of tyre for cornering grip
  • Only available with Addix Speedgrip compound

Schwalbe Racing Ralph

The updated Racing Ralph is for the back Schwalbe
  • Intended for use at the back, though can be used at the front in dry conditions
  • Updated tread pattern from the old version
  • Large blocks in the middle for good traction
  • Lots of square edges for propulsion and grip
  • Good rolling with an even bearing surface
  • Available with Addix Speed compound

The new tyres are tubeless-ready and will be available from July priced €57.90 each (international pricing TBC).