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3-Tire-Race-System:
Complete range: Racing Ralph, Furious Fred and Nobby Nic now offer an ideal tire combination for every track, all weathers for both Cross Country and Marathon events. Selecting the correct combination of tires for front and rear wheel can increase total performance on grip and rolling resistance. Depending on how rough, or wet the course is, Schwalbe technician Markus Hachmeyer and Gerrit Gaastra, Schwalbe product advisor, recommend different combinations.
Where does the 3-Tire-System idea come from?
Gerrit Gaastra: From Motocross where there are essentially three kinds of tire: Slick, Rain and Intermediate tires for semi-dry tracks. We transferred this concept to MTB. Furious Fred with its light tread rolls fast and straight over dry tracks, the more sturdy Nobby Nic is the specialist for heavy, muddy terrain and Racing Ralph is the allrounder.
In order to further improve performance, these tires can be combined.
For which conditions do you recommend combinations?
Gerrit Gaastra: The skillful combination of tires can produce more speed in about half of all conceivable weather and ground conditions. In dry weather and light terrain I would combine Furious Fred with Racing Ralph on the front wheel. The rider then keeps his front wheel well under control and can work against under-steer. On the back, where there is almost 70 per cent of the rider’s weight, Furious Fred can use its sensationally low rolling resistance to best effect.
Another example: In rougher areas like in the Alps I fit Nobby Nic on the front - for more braking- and steering-control and on the rear Racing Ralph is better suited.
Alternatively the new Racing Ralph is a very good allrounder and can be used on the front and the back if the conditions are not too extreme – that’s to say: Either too muddy, or too rough.
How does many tires does an X-Country rider need?
Gerrit Gaastra: With two Racing Ralph and one each Furious Fred and Nobby Nic any rider had enough basic equipment for many conditions. But for someone who doesn’t want to compromise and would like to be prepared for any eventuality, two of each tire provides the ultimate possible combination.
Publish Date: 04/09/2007
