The lightweight 320 gram Racing Ralph Cyclocross tire carries the same essential tread pattern and design as the famed mountain bike version. The speed and grip afforded by the tread pattern lend themselves to a tubed tire at moderate pressure for traction more often found at lower pressures in tubeless tires. You choose the Evolution series tires for the highest quality materials, craftsmanship and technology in a race tire. This Liteskin sidewall version is surprisingly supple, yet has more sidewall protection than a pure rubber sidewall.

As with all of it's high end racing tires, Schwalbe utilizes the triple compound PaceStar rubber composition in the Racing Ralph. You get the firmest compound on the center knobs, the supple medium rubber in the casing, and the softest in the outer edge knobs for maximum grip. When running low pressures the shape of the tire changes at ground contact, from a rounded profile to a wider, flatter surface that now has more active grip and more overall traction. As you lean into a turn, this conforming shape stays on the ground, even while the edge force from the rim wants to push it away. Granted it is harder to run low pressure in a non-tubeless ready tire. Patience and the right sealant can be combined to make this lightweight tire tubeless, but this is not recommended by Schwalbe.

Predictability at speed and much better grip than appearances would indicate makes such a fast rolling tire a good descender on hardpack. Even in loose material, this tire will hold you in place. While it may not be an ideal mud or soft surface tires, the fact of the matter is that although knob spacing is tight in the center, it widens at the edge, and it doesn't cake up much, so don't worry if conditions change, you can still push the Ralph to perform. If you are racing to win this season in California, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada or in any place where things get hard and dry, the Racing Ralph LiteSkin is a great option for you.