Got a pair of the above from my box of used tyres and thinking about putting them on. I think Ralph on front. What do you reckon ?
Ralph is a good rear tyre, especially if you like doing big skids. I've never been brave enough to try it up front.
Edit: But with your username, maybe a slidey front tyre might be fun.
Double edit: Scotroutes beat me to it.
Ralph is a good rear tyre, especially if you like doing big skids. I’ve never been brave enough to try it up front.
Did you even read the OPs name bro?
NN front, RR rear.
What kind of trails, wet or dry?
Racing Ralph is great on roots wet or dry but hopeless on mud and anything loose, albeit very predictable, treat it with respect and you'll be fine.
Nobby Nic is lethal on wet roots, the nobs slide off, but better on the mud and loose.
Nic front, Ralph/Ron rear.
RR as a front tyre?!? Do you have a death wish?
I had a Racing Ralph front and rear on my Orbea Oiz xc bike. After multiple near death experiences on the first outing any time the front even got close to a rock a Nobby Nic was ordered and put on the front. Even a Nobby Nic seems sketchy when you're used to a Magic Mary up front.
If they're the old style treads then Nic front / Ralph rear. Decent fast rolling XC combo. I used to run these year round on my old Anthem. Didn't do well in the mud but was perfect for natural XC routes in the Dales and NY Moors + Dalby Forest. I would chuck another Nic on the back for winter XC use.
The latest tread versions of both are slightly different beasts. The new Ralph is a rear specific tyre subjectively gives up a tiny bit of speed for better grip and durability. The new Nic has tons more off camber grip than the old one and is more of an all-round fast trail tyre now. In either guise I wouldn't run a Ralph on the front unless Xc racing on bone dry hardpack / tarmac.
Sounds like a miss match to me. The 'normal ' set would be ROCKET RON front and Nobby Nick rear ( or both same depending on conditions). Using Racing Ralphs with Nobby Nicks just seems wrong, either way round (but especially wrong with Ralph on front).
Using Racing Ralphs with Nobby Nicks just seems wrong, either way round
How so? Fast rolling rear tyre with grippier front combo is perfect for dryer / less techy terrain.
Racing Ray is the new front tire to pair with Racing Ralph at the back. I've tried it but prefer Nobby Nic for the extra confidence up front.
Damn, I’ll take Ralph off the front then. Both are the earlier models but Nobby up front seems the choice of many. Oh well. Thanks guys
Obviously dry paths right now but I usually run the same tyres throughout the year.
Liked the first 2 Slider references.
“When I’m sad, I slide”