650b Rocket Ron is rubbish

[LazyTrailRider]

Capricorn, you're spot on about expectations. When I see someone use the word "racing" and then complain about durability, I do an imaginary eye-roll. Being fast enough to actually "race" should automatically disqualify you from complaining about stuff not lasting, because professionals don't complain, they win.

[RockCoach]

Try the WTB Beeline tyre on the back. Looks like a more aggresive small block 8 but impressive grip and rolls very fast. Only available as a 650B tyre.

 

International Trade will have stock at the end on Jan i'm told.

[oneserv]

You should use Racing Ralphs Snakeskins on the back and Rocket Rons on the front. You want fast rolling tyres at the back and high grip tyres at the front.

 

Have done a few Epics and Pioneers with the combination without any punctures or blowouts.

 

Only negative is that the Racing Ralphs last relatively short (slicks) before it needs replacing.

 

 

[SwissVan]

I built a 650b bike and put Schwalbe Rocket Ron tyres on the carbon rims.

 

The front tyre has been no problem. It is grippy and the tyre went on the rims with no effort at all.

 

The rear tyre has been a different kettle of fish altogether. It went on the rim with no problem, but the tyre would go down in the space of half an hour. The sealant was sufficient, the valve not leaking. I would then pump the tyre to 3 bar and shake the wheel vigorously on each side. The side wall would show signs of leaking, as the sealant made small droplets all over the sidewall.

 

This process I repeated daily for 2 weeks, until I was able to go for a 2 hour ride without issue. I even changed the sealant as I thought it was not working correctly.

 

Today I go for a ride and I get a cut on the tyre right next to the rim.

 

This tyre has been the biggest waste of money I have spent on a tyre. When I bought them I wanted a tyre which was reasonably light, grippy and a fast roller. I have for the last 10 years being using Maxxis and wanted a change with the new bike. This has been an extremely disappointing experience.

 

Now, what tyres are reasonably light, tough and fast rolling for racing?

 

 

Tubeless ready should not be confused with Tubeless....:-)

Read the Schwable tech info page

 

http://www.schwalbetires.com/tech_info/tubeless_ready#1

 

Are there disadvantages?

Fitting is more complicated and as such it may be better to leave assembly to a specialist. In certain cases ensuring that the sidewalls are fully sealed could take a lot longer than anticipated. Also changing a tire is more complicated, as the old sealing fluid has to be cleaned out. Caution is generally required as the sealing fluid can easily mark clothing or furnishings.

http://www.schwalbetires.com/images/error3.gifWhen converting light weight tubeless-ready MTB racing tires to tubeless, the process can take up to 3 days of consistent sealing and sealant will seep from the sidewalls of the tires. LIGHTWEIGHT MTB racing tires are inherently thin in the sidewalls and will require extra care.

 

Yep I learnt this lesson the hardway when i went tubeless with Rocket Rons, damn irritating but thats why they are light due to less rubber on the sidewalls (thinner), less rubber = more small holes where air leaks out. As you seal some holes and ride then more open up...

 

Snake skin version is +/- 60g heavier per tyre (basically not worth worrying about 60g per tyre is it...?) and will seal better if you take a bit more time to seal the sidewalls.

 

Otherwise the Rocket Ron is a fantastic tyre imo, better than Ralph but this depends on what type of ground you ride on

[Baron]

I use Racing Ralphs at front and the little bit heavier but stronger Kenda Karma 650B tyres for the rear on Stans Crest ZTR rims and did over 3000km on them with no problems. Used Joes sealant and had no sealing problem.

[goya-goya]

Hi there...

 

Not sure why the OP complains about the tyre when it is the workmanship that will cause the leaks 99.999% of the time... Yea.. The schwalbe range is mostly a softer compound than most... So wearing fast is obvious... I find the grip phenomenal... But that's just for my type of riding...

 

If you guys want learn how to properly fit tubeless I will gladly part with my experience...

 

I fit non-tubeless that have a decent bead... That have next to no sidewalls and definatly no snakeskin and they have only let me down twice in 3 years! .. And truth be told: once was because I bombed the tyre and then complained because the sealant did not work when I got a monster thorn! Haha.. Novice mistake

 

PS... I ride my tyres at 1.8-2.0 bar and I weigh 70 kg... So I do ride a much higher pressure than most...

 

Like I said: take advice from where it comes

 

[Capricorn]

Capricorn, you're spot on about expectations. When I see someone use the word "racing" and then complain about durability, I do an imaginary eye-roll. Being fast enough to actually "race" should automatically disqualify you from complaining about stuff not lasting, because professionals don't complain, they win.

 

same here. But it's quite funny too how badly misqueued the blame is.

[PhilipV]

in the world of tubeless expecting a tyre to be light and have a strong sidewall is a pipedream. conti's protection, schwalbe's snakeskin and WTB TCS are some of the best you'll get at slightly lighter than full tubeless casings that will still withstand some abuse.

 

Fitting tyres with paper thin sidewalls and then moaning about air escaping and cutting sidewalls in are downright unreasonable. Can't have your bread buttered on both sides.

Edited January 6, 2014 by PhilipV

[Iwan Kemp]

I had Racing Ralph TLR snakeskin on the rear, Rocket Ron TLR NON-snakeskin front on my Vipa. Rocket Ron developed a flat on my bike rack! Fixed it, did some jeep track riding for a bit while I was on holiday. First ride back in the Cape was in Jonkers and it didn't make it halfway down. Snakeskin racing ralph is still going strong!

 

Snakeskin TLR is the bare minimum for SA conditions.

[rouxtjie]

I had Racing Ralph TLR snakeskin on the rear, Rocket Ron TLR NON-snakeskin front on my Vipa. Rocket Ron developed a flat on my bike rack! Fixed it, did some jeep track riding for a bit while I was on holiday. First ride back in the Cape was in Jonkers and it didn't make it halfway down. Snakeskin racing ralph is still going strong!

 

Snakeskin TLR is the bare minimum for SA conditions.

Agreed....its the absolute minimum considering our conditions and terrain. If you want to save a couple of grams on the tyres I wouldn't go lighter than snakeskin / conti's protection / maxxis's exo sidewall tech. Full ust is probably better suited and less hasle but are pigs...choose your poison.

[ichops]

I have been using the new Maxxis crossmark tubeless ready tyres. No problems so far.

I only use Crossmark on my 2 race bikes and commuter - maybe be heavier but never had an issue with them

[ilubinsky]

Just read a review on the Weirwolf. Seems to be a good tyre. I am in Josie, any idea who may stock them?

 

When I was looking at tyres, I considered Ritcheys. The weak side walls put me off.

Linden Cycles

[Super Sywurm]

I built a 650b bike and put Schwalbe Rocket Ron tyres on the carbon rims.

 

The front tyre has been no problem. It is grippy and the tyre went on the rims with no effort at all.

 

The rear tyre has been a different kettle of fish altogether. It went on the rim with no problem, but the tyre would go down in the space of half an hour. The sealant was sufficient, the valve not leaking. I would then pump the tyre to 3 bar and shake the wheel vigorously on each side. The side wall would show signs of leaking, as the sealant made small droplets all over the sidewall.

 

This process I repeated daily for 2 weeks, until I was able to go for a 2 hour ride without issue. I even changed the sealant as I thought it was not working correctly.

 

Today I go for a ride and I get a cut on the tyre right next to the rim.

 

This tyre has been the biggest waste of money I have spent on a tyre. When I bought them I wanted a tyre which was reasonably light, grippy and a fast roller. I have for the last 10 years being using Maxxis and wanted a change with the new bike. This has been an extremely disappointing experience.

 

Now, what tyres are reasonably light, tough and fast rolling for racing?

 

As far as I know and I may be wrong, the Rocket Ron tyres is not completely tubeless (they will deflate), same with the Kenda tyres I had. I love my new Maxxis tyres.

[rouxtjie]

As far as I know and I may be wrong, the Rocket Ron tyres is not completely tubeless (they will deflate), same with the Kenda tyres I had. I love my new Maxxis tyres.

It really comes down to which flavour of Rocket Ron you have

 

standard evo

Tubeless ready snakeskin

UST

 

All have the same tread pattern

[Capricorn]

As far as I know and I may be wrong, the Rocket Ron tyres is not completely tubeless (they will deflate), same with the Kenda tyres I had. I love my new Maxxis tyres.

 

everything eventually deflates, even fully tubeless compatible tyres. Context man!

 

The truth of the matter, is that Schwalbe tyres are not fully UST compatible, the requirements of which is that the bead be tubeless compatible, as well as the sidewalls. In Schwalbe's case, they clearly mark their product as TLR, or tubeless ready. This is in reference to the bead which is UST compliant. The sidewalls are not, hence the recommendation to use sealant.

Another truth is that snakeskin is just for sidewall protection. It will not help protect against punctures. If the product is marked DD for Double Defense, it has sidewall as well as puncture protection. The Schwalbe ZX DD road tyre is such an example, and what an excellent tyre it is!

[feetup]

IN ORDER FOR TYRES TO WORK EFFECTIVELY-THEY GOTTA ROLL PEOPLE.

 

IF YOU GONNA SIT ON ROCKY DESCENTS,OR HIT EVERYTHING IN YOUR PATH-YOU WILL HAVE ISSUES.

 

 

RIDE LIKE IT'S YOUR LAST RIDE.

THE RIDERS BEHIND YOU DESERVE IT!