Racing Ralphs, getting lots of punctures

[jatho]

I put a brand new set of Racing Ralphs on my Cannondale about 6 months ago, I've been riding my single speed a lot more so the Ralphs haven't seen much use, I recon around 600km.

 

Anyway, I got a front puncture about 2 months ago at Modders, didn't think much of it, did a race this weekend which had a few rocky sections and punctured the front, fixed it carried on, then punctured the back, fixed it carried on but it had a slow leak but got to the finish after bombing it a couple of times. Got home and thought I'd find the slow leak and fix it which I did, inflated the tyre to around 2.5 bar to check for leaks and noticed the sealant coming out of tiny holes all over the top of the tyres between the tread, not in any specific order sort of riddled across the tyre so its not linked to the tyre design.

 

I have Vredesteins on my SS have done loads of mileage on them even did Van Gaalens on it and haven't had a single puncture, my previous bike with Conti's same thing, had no punctures.

 

Its got me thinking, have I just been unlucky or are Racing Ralphs just not good tyres? The back tyre is basically toast at this point so I need to replace it but I'm hesitant to replace it with another Ralph.

 

I inflate my tyres to about 2 bar, its on a hardtail and I weigh around 73kg. Would like some feedback from the clever hubbers out there.

[DJR]

Not sure what you do, but I haven't had a single puncture on my Racing Ralphs in the last 3 years.

[jcza]

Snakeskin? If so then I'm very surprised.

[rouxtjie]

RR snakeskin with stan's...had one puncture in 2.5 odd years....and plugged it.

[semisub]

I am heavy at 97kgs and have replaced two RR snakeskins in the last 6 months on my back wheel. Both times the sidewalls were damaged beyond repair. I was running at 1.8 bar but have increased to 2 bar. Riding W2W this weekend so we will see how it goes.

[jatho]

Snakeskin? If so then I'm very surprised.

Yup, snakeskin.

[jcza]

RR snakeskin with stan's...had one puncture in 2.5 odd years....and plugged it.

 

Same here - 2 punctures in 2 years and that includes plenty miles.

[rouxtjie]

Yup, snakeskin.

mmmm can't say I have the same experience.

 

Look there are tougher tyres out there, but know that they weigh ALOT more. Choose your poison

[jatho]

Jees then maybe I've just had bad luck.

 

What do you guys inflate your tyres to?

[rouxtjie]

Jees then maybe I've just had bad luck.

 

What do you guys inflate your tyres to?

1.9...but I don't know how accurate it is...you using stans?

[jcza]

Yup, snakeskin.

 

I'm wondering if its not old stock. There was a thread with pictures showing wet spots on the tyres. My previous ones did the same but didn't go flat. I've had no issues, raced them at mankele, van gaalen, attakwas, gravel travel, sabie, j2c etc etc.

[jcza]

Jees then maybe I've just had bad luck.

 

What do you guys inflate your tyres to?

 

I'm 80kg and run them as low as 1.5 but normal is 1.7 for me.

[jatho]

1.9...but I don't know how accurate it is...you using stans?

Yeah using stans.

[yetiboy]

I have also done lots of riding on my hard tail & dual sus both with Racing Ralph snake skin and had no issues. Before the snake skin I had the Evo version I think, and destroyed those really quickly.

[jatho]

I'm wondering if its not old stock. There was a thread with pictures showing wet spots on the tyres. My previous ones did the same but didn't go flat. I've had no issues, raced them at mankele, van gaalen, attakwas, gravel travel, sabie, j2c etc etc.

 

Aaah maybe that's what it is, I noticed the spots before on the tyres but they weren't going down fast, would pump them maybe every 2 weeks, they're definitely worse after this weekend though.

 

I've seen good feedback on the tyres that's what made me get them and was feeling a bit let down but, hopefully I've got a dud

[rouxtjie]

Yeah using stans.

Eish haangaas. I ride vg often and if a tyre can make it there, it passes the "toughness" test in my book.