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Schwalbe Rocket Ron Tires
September 17, 2009
This year I hit the local trails a lot more than I had in the previous 2 or 3 years. I now have 2 mountain bikes so it just seemed like the thing to do. On my 26 inch wheel bike I was running the Schwalbe Rocket Ron, also known as the HS 406 for all you technical detail people out there. This has got to be the best mountain tire that I have ridden. The traction is amazing, especially for a tire with relatively small lugs.
The Rocket Ron uses Schwalbe's Triple Nano Compound which seems to just grip the dirt, even in mud these tires provided great traction. The tire is similar to the popular Racing Ralph but with lugs spaced slightly further apart.
I found the tires really showed there strength on steep decents while braking. When fully on the brakes the tires hold the soil a lot more than most tires, which made tricky manovers that much easier.
The grip that these tires provides is the upside but the durability is a bit of a downer. The softness of the tire compound means that these tires are going to wear down a lot quicker. I ride on the street to get to the trail, which is probably not the best idea with these tires, as they will wear down a lot faster. Schwalbe does not rate them that high in terms of puncture protection, but I never had any flats.
The Schwalbe Rocket ROn is a fast rolling, amazing traction tire that is great for any novice or pro. I used it as a cross country tire but in the 2.25 width it would make a pretty good all mountain tire as well.
Price: $86 CDN
Details: A great all around off road tire
Pros: amazing traction, great at shedding mud
Cons: Not the most durable tire
Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars
Perdos
Reviewed by: Ryan