Schwalbe's new radials

TommyF

TommyF

Well-Known Member
Just had my first ride on a set of Albert Trail Pro radials. All I can say is WOW, that was the biggest transformation of ride quality and traction I've ever had on any set of tires. Mounted them up on my Tallboy, they only come in 2.5 so a little on the large side which put them very close to my lower link. Immediately you notice the ride quality, super smooth, almost like my suspension was improved, the tire just stays in contact with the surface at all times. I'm running super soft up front and soft in the rear. Trail chatter is muted big time and these things hold a line through chuck like a razor. It's as if my Tallboy now rides as good as or better than my Switchblade. Grip is ridiculous, just point them anywhere and they go exactly where you want. I was hoping their weight wasn't going to slow me down, 2 PR's and a 2nd best on a climb tells me I'm good. A bit of a heavy tire, but they allow you to rip through just about anything with confidence. I'm running them 4psi higher too, 28R and 24F, you can feel a slight bit of radial squirm at low speeds but that feeling goes away when things speed up.

Give these a try, you won't be disappointed.
 
Yup, they're pretty awesome. I have them on the SJ and rode them in Moab first, was thinking that once I got back to the East coast maybe I wouldn't be as impressed as I was there in Utah. Not the case at all!! In fact, riding on my Epic with non-radials feels weird to me now. Wondering if it's worth switching, if even for the front. I'm running a Nobby Nic in the front so the weight difference is almost nothing (about 30 grams). Rear I have a Wicked Will, so it would be 400grams heavier to go with one out back.

EDIT- I think I'm going to do it. The WW is for the summer, in the winter I run NN front and back, so I'm used to the weight.
 
jdog said:
Feedback in the shop is solid. They are a hair slow in the gravity.. The trail casing is really good. You must ride higher than normal pressure or they feel slow.
Click to expand...
I've actually heard that about schwalbe tires in general. The run higher pressure thing.
 
I'm going to add to the review here and mirror the same. These tires are great. They quiet the trail chatter and grip is nuts. Feels like a new bike. The rolling resistance is yet to be determined because of super dry loose conditions but the corners have been more fun and the climbs have slipped less. I came off of very worn versus tires.
 
A little update... I just got back form a week of EPIC riding in Quebec. Brought the Tallboy and my newly acquired Shuttle AM. Before I go any further, put Quebeck on your short list of places to hit. AMAZING !!!

The networks have climbing trails and many super fun ways to get down. Lots of ebikes due to the climbs.

Day 1 - Im on the Tallboy at Empire 47, nice long climbs on very well groomed trails, not once did I feel like these tires were holding me back. Then the fun part starts on the way down. The radials bite into the trails and hold on with amazing grip on the dirt and the slabs. I bombed that bike down some crazy fun stuff and never once felt the tires lose traction at my level of riding, can't wait for the contis to wear out on my other bikes so I can make the switch to these radials.

And I'll mention this one more time, put Quebec on your short list of places to ride. The trails are ridiculously fun, very well built and the forest surrounding them are beautiful.
 
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