XC racing has developed rapidly in recent years. Jumps, rock gardens, mighty banked turns and root passages adorn today's World Cup courses. The best example will follow at the next World Cup stop in the Czech Republic next weekend in Nove Mesto. "The tyres for these modern tracks have to roll particularly easily and still be reliable and durable. The tread must work perfectly on a wide variety of surfaces in all weather conditions. Cornering, acceleration, grip, rolling resistance and braking performance must be perfectly balanced," says Markus Hachmeyer, Product Manager at Swallow. With two new MTB tyres - the brand new Racing Ray and the new edition of the Racing Ralph - the North Rhine-Westphalian company wants to take its fast racing tyres to a new level.
Racing Ray - aggressive tread pattern as front tyre
"The perfect solution was only possible by developing special tyres for the front and rear wheels," explains Hachmeyer. As a thoroughbred front tyre, the Racing Ray is designed to ensure precise steering behaviour, reliable cornering and confidence-inspiring grip well into the limit range. The shoulder lugs support a direct riding style even in extreme cornering. Despite the "coarse" tread, it should roll smoothly and quickly over the almost continuous centre bar. The overall open tread pattern guarantees good self-cleaning in muddy conditions. The Racing Ray is equipped exclusively with Addix Speedgrip Compound. The Racing Ray will be available in 26, 27.5 and 29 inch (2.1 and 2.25 inch width). According to Schwalbe, the 29er in 2.25 inch width should weigh 625 grams.
Racing Ralph - the classic reissued for the rear
At first glance, the new Schwalbe Racing Ralph appears more powerful than its predecessor, but it should still have similarly low rolling resistance. The solid blocks in the centre and the well-supported lugs on the shoulder and in the transition area offer numerous gripping edges for traction and propulsion. This, together with the open gaps, ensures better grip on roots and edges as well as good self-cleaning. As the rear wheel has a much greater influence on rolling resistance, the fastest Addix compound (Speed) is naturally used. Although the new Racing Ralph was designed as a rear wheel specialist, it can also be ridden on the front wheel on dry, hard surfaces.
Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2018 - the models
- 26x2.25 - 67 EPI - Evo, TLE, Snake Skin - 565 grams
- 27.5x2.25 - 67 EPI - Evo, TLE, Snake Skin - 590 grams
- 29x2.1 - 67 EPI - Evo, TLE, Snake Skin - 595 grams
- 29x2.25 - 67 EPI - Evo, TLE, Snake Skin - 625 grams
Both new Schwalbe tyres will be available in stores from July 2018. Price: 57.90 euros.
