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I'm after some light, fairly grippy, tubeless compatible tyres for my hardtail. Planning on doing a couple of short course XC events over the summer, and I'm a stand in for a team at Mountain Mayhem (which invariably means I'll get dragged in!).
I don't need a full on mud tyre (have Bonty Mud X's for that), I don't need a superfast dry conditions only tyre either, I just want something that's kinda good in most conditions, rolls fast(ish), pretty grippy, and it must be able to be run tubeless with some sealant on Stans 355's.
Am I right in thinking all "EVO" versions of Schwalbe's will seal ok in a tubeless setup with sealant? And do I need the EVO version, or will other models suffice?
And what treads? Nobby Nic's front and back, Racing Ralph on the rear, or what about the Rocket Ron's even? Not that it makes much difference, but probably after a 2.25" size (providing it fits in my frame)... I don't skid, but have holed a couple of thinner tyre sidewalls in the past, so...
Main reason for asking is that there's a few places selling these otherwise absurdly expensive Schwalbes for 1/2 price right now, and I've never looked at them before based purely on cost alone!
because On-one are selling them for stupid money i bought a pair of Rocket Rons,. On tarmac i can feel them give a little in corners, but no worse than any other tyre. they do seem to be giving decent traction in the current moist conditions, particularly good for woodland type tracks. I have only done 50miles on them so no comments on durability.
Used them for three years. At MM 2010 used Nic on the front and Ralph on the back. Could easily have run ralph on both as it was dry. '10 versions, run them tubeless on Stans. Can't remember exact spec though. Week after MM rode in Wales and ripped carcass on the Nic so wrote it off. Apart from that they've been reliable.
I have been wondering this too. What is the order of grip out of Nics, and the two RRs?
I assume Nics are the grippiest - then is it the Ron or the Ralph?
Tempted to go Nic all round myself but also wondering if I should try one of the others on the back. Currently running Fire XC Pro.
mboy - have you seen the Snake Skin anywhere? All I can find half price are the normal Evo ones. But also check out Merlin as they do have a deal on a pair.
NN front, RR rear. Wont be disappointed.
Nics are Schwalbe's 'trail' tyre,
Ron's are the wet condition race tyre,
Ralphs are the intermediate tyre,
Freds are the dry race tyre.
The best year round combo I've found for racing, training and trips away has been Ron on the front, Ralph on the back. It'll do for pretty much anything.
So snakeskin is definitely recommended then? Are they much tougher?
How fast are nobby nics? Fast enough on the back, or significantly slower than a racing Ralph?
Nobby Nics are very fast. Great all-round. Shouldn't be saying that though as we're not selling them any more - this deal is cheaper than my trade price!!!
We've had a couple of customers run them tubeless and it hasn't worked. I'm no expert though - I just use the tubeless versions on my bike.
+1 what schmiken says.
the new 2011 evo line comes "tubeless ready", so sealing won't be a hassle anymore.
Try looking at the german sites, they are pretty cheap.
I've trashed 2 Ralphs with torn sidewalls. Both lasted 6 months, so quite expensive really. Work well though.
I normally use Ron/Ralph on XC bikt and Nic/Ralph on F/sus.
I also used a Fred on the back of the XC bike for most of last summer, seriously quick, didn't notice the lack of grip tbh, just the lack of tyre volume.
The 2011 compounds make quite a difference, at least in the beefier tires I tested.
Personally after using Fat Alberts and the shoite I'm having with a pair of racing ralphs I wouldn't touch them, get some Maxxis ones like I'm going back to.
Got 29" Racing ralphs, 'tubeless ready' and with the bontrager rim strips they just wont either hold pressure, or stay on the rim. If I put 30psi they burp, if I put 35psi in they blow themselves off the rim overnight. Had nothing but bother and will be looking for a pair of ignitors soon....
I run Nobby Nic on the front of my full suss all year and either a Racing Ralph or a Nobby Nic on the back depending on teh time of year.
On my HT I have Nobby Nic's front and back as that's what I had in the shed 😆
Personally I really rate them as they are very good at most things and suit my riding style and typical terrain
I've got Ron's arriving on my new race bike so interested to hear views.
As per above, NN Snakeskin front and rear is quick and strong and grippy as hell on the rough stuff. All year round if you dont care to switch them.
Ralph on the rear when things start to dry out and Ralph both ends in high summer. They are light and fast and GRIPPY AS HELL on dusty singletrack, you notice the pick up in speed straight away, just make sure you run them nice and soft. They arent nearly as strong as NN and you do notice the drop in grip when the knobbles start to lose their shape.
Rons are super light and look like a summer race only tyre to me.
Buy them all from bike24.com, very good German shop. UK retail prices are a joke.
http://www.bike24.com/1.php?mid=6;content=7;navigation=1;menu=1000,2,103,104;pgc=0
I couldnt get the 2011 Evo "tubless ready" to go up on my stan flows at all. I think it was down to the fact that i had just the tape on the rim and would require the rim strips in order to run them tubeless.