EP 20 // Schwalbe Albert Radial Tires 🤯 (Review)

[@jester6578]

Always enjoy your Freehub reviews, stoked to find out you have your own channel! Looking forward to more content.

[@rickb.1656]

I knew I recognized that voice from somewhere.

[@bearjewmtb4827]

Same!

[@hannes6114]

I instantly knew who it was

[@TheMTBRider96]

i was like, damn this dude shreds and talks like the reviewer on Freehub.. wait a sec

[@trillbill9378]

Just got mine in the mail today!!! Im trying the soft Albert in the rear and ultra soft Albert up front. Stoked to hear your positive feedback. Solid video as always 🤙

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Rad! We're early adopters. I am super curious how much better the orange rear compound would roll! Report back

[@ChristopherBloom]

Hey there, where did you order from?

[@th_js]

Where did you get them?

[@symmetricon1982]

How are they so far? I literally just ordered the same combo.

[@ChristopherBloom]

@@symmetricon1982 where are you guys ordering?

[@jedmtb]

Great review and riding as always, I'm looking forward to trying these.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Thanks!

[@applicablerobot]

I knew i recognized that climbing trail!

[@Alexrohart]

Clicked on this so fast ! As always love your content. I am really interested to try this tyre, or the magic merry radial, haven't decided yet. Where i ride it's a mix of loamy trails and trails with a lot of loose rocks, so i don't know which of the two would be better. So far i haven't been able to find them in France, but i'm guessing we'll have them soon.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

So far these Alberts feel great on loose rock. I think they're a better summer tire than the Magic Marys, but I imagine that might flip in winter as I'm not sure how well the Albert tread pattern will clean 🤷🏻‍♂

[@petedivine]

Great review !!

[@jaybartlett2561]

On my current bike, my DHR II is worn out and I was going to replace it with one of these Alberts. In the front, my DHF still looks pretty good. Think I’ll be OK with just swapping out the rear and leaving the front alone?

[@justinfournier1285]

Love you sharing your thoughts, wish your recent tire choice for comparison wasn’t to EXO MaxTerra Dissector though! 😅 Maybe something like a MaxxGrip DHR DH/DD for more accurate comparison? I’m still waiting for Kryptotal Enduro casing Super Soft fronts. Hope they make it for the fall. I’d love to try some of the Albert but I’m not going to get any right away due to availability, fall is around the corner here in the PNW so will likely want something more intermediate (Radial Mary’s?) and Schwalbe warranty service was absolutely terrible on the first set of tires I tried from them. Hmmmmmm.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I agree it's not a very good comparison, but those are the tires I last had on my bike. So I figured I'd show my hand. I think it speaks to the pedaling efficiency that they didn't feel that slow after running a dissector EXO. However, certainly some of that stability is just going to be inherent in the beefier sidewalls and purple compound. I went back to another bike with DHR/DHF tires (3c terra EXOs) last night and I couldn't believe how unsettled it felt after running these Alberts.

[@justinfournier1285]

@@SpencerAstraPOV Interesting. I dislike EXO for PNW trail riding as they feel more what I’d describe as pingy vs the thuddy that I get out of say a DD. But I have EXO on Ikon, Rekon and Forekaster V2 and a set of DTH at 50psi on my Pump track bike. Those are really pingy. They are light though. They feel so different to me than a DD I wouldn’t even have them on the same bike for PNW riding. EXO+ doesn’t thud like a DD. But then you get into some pretty heavy tires and I’ve contemplated going DH just to try Super Soft Contis. However I can’t stomach the weight penalty on a trail bike. So I’ve never tried a DH. That being said, the radial should have more rolling resistance as a larger contact patch, all other factors being equal so I don’t fully understand what’s going on here. I don’t understand how a larger contact patch with a more compliant casing and softer compound would have less resistance unless it takes less force to deform the casing. How do they hold up to G outs? Like a berm? We need some scientific testing for rolling resistance lol. Amaury might be using the radials which arguably could have contributed to his recent stunning wins, but what he’s doing on a bike is nothing at all like what I’m doing. I’m not even in the same sport lol. He isn’t climbing either though. For the record my baseline is a 2.5” Assegai EXO+ MaxxGrip front and DHR II EXO+ MaxxTerra rear. I also have a bike on Conti Kryptotal Front/ Rear Enduro Soft. My SJ Evo Alloy has a DD rear, and it feels best of what I have on hand but I don’t want to make my Hightower 3 too heavy so have avoided it, it’s in EXO+ but would love more grip from both ends. So I guess the main question is what is the ideal trade off between sidewall damping, weight and support in the corner, without creating too much rear grip unbalancing the front while still having enough longevity to not be ripped apart in a few days. And then the High Roller 3 is hitting the shelves in DD and soon EXO+… And a Kryptotal Front in Enduro Super Soft is rumoured… Schwalbe has a Mary in radial, perhaps I’d do better to try that. Hmmm. 1220g on Trail casing. Need to research if it’s sufficient. Maxxis DH casing is around 1400 vs Mary 1360 Gravity casing. What a time to be testing tires.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@justinfournier1285 I like the details. Good thoughts. FWIW I think the radials seemed to roll quite a bit better than double down. I think the side wall being thinner in the middle helps keep the rolling resistance down. I agree that the thing to asses for rolling resistance is the amount of force to push the contact patch around the tire - not the size of the patch.

[@justinfournier1285]

@@SpencerAstraPOV Fair enough! I think I’ll dig into options and try a set of Radial Mary’s for fall. Would love to hear someone feedback who has tried both version though! It’s not really accurate otherwise.

[@Shadow9OO]

A comparison to the Continental Kyrptotal would be interesting.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I haven't done much research on their tires, which ones should I try out? Any particular compound or casing?

[@DK-wd8ju]

@@SpencerAstraPOV enduro casing Kryptotal F / Xynotal Rear

[@Shadow9OO]

​@@SpencerAstraPOV As you tested the softest Schwalbe compound, I would suggest the Kryptotal tire with also the softest compound, which is called downhill super soft. (There is also a downhill version with a soft compound) Be sure to get a Fr (front) and a Re (rear) tire, as there are differences in the treat pattern. I myself ride the enduro casing, which comes with the same soft compound as the dh tire and was quite impressed, as they last almost forever and provide great grip and control. After watching your video, Im now curious which brand has the better tire.

[@ryansmith7974]

I cant wait to wear out my current tires and give these a try.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

That's kind of funny when you feel that way about your tires. Just waiting for them to wear out so you can get the new new!

[@cygnus6623]

Nice review! Thank you! I saw these on another review recently and was looking forward to seeing more on them on some NW trails. FYI: 'Schwalbe' is German for sparrow, and it's pronounced 'Schwie-ba'.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Hmm, I'll have to look that up. I've been saying it wrong all of these years? 🤣

[@the_real_verschwindiBUS]

German here. Schwalbe means "Swallow" and not sparrow and it is pronounced just without an english "ee" at the end, but with and german e just like in AmErica. The "A" is pronuunced like in "Castle" (british english). So it would look like : "Shwàlbe" -"Schwie-ba" is not correct at all. Hope that helps ;)

[@cygnus6623]

@@the_real_verschwindiBUS yes, sorry that is what I meant. 😀

[@dank3823]

I think you have good taste in tires and their very similar to my own. Seems the radial design is going to change everything.

[@dav31078]

Good review! It would be nice to find something to replace the DHF / aggressor combo. Mostly the aggressor part. I might give the new schwalbes a try. The old ones used to lose corner knobs so fast.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Yeah DHFs are so solid. I still have a soft spot for that tire. With the Alberts, I'm sure the purple compound will shred a bit faster, but right now the grip is feeling well worth it. The worst tire I've ran recently for longevity is the Dissector. That tire shreds so fast.

[@myrideclips5033]

Tacky Chan/hans Dampf would be the most direct comparison

[@dav31078]

@@SpencerAstraPOV true! I have one Dissector coming apart after about 150 miles on it. It was on the front too.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@dav31078 They don't seem to hold up well. I slashed the sidewall on mine. I've never done that before.

[@motocraneguy17]

I normally run a less aggressive rear tire too for the same reason in using it for more of a rudder, but the Shredda only comes in ultra soft. But boy oh boy, these hook up insanely well and don’t mind the little extra rolling resistance. Finally can ditch my inserts now!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Yeah, the grip is pretty noticeable!

[@a8f235]

Definitely interesting, I just hope they will add more options for sizes. I feel it's sad they launch this with 2.6 as only option for the Schwalbert version. Magic Mary has a 2.5 option for radial and Shredda(front/rear) won't be of any interest to me. I just feel to launch it with a size that automatically has more volume than most people use given its size, and that alone will obviously boost the feeling of more grip given you can run lower pressures. It's a bit too cheeky if you ask me(I know a lot of people will claim it's so minor and then you got different ways of measuring tire sizes and what not and most people will just try to claim it won't matter, which is why they launched it this way in the first place. Never think for a second they are the first to attempt to sneek one past...) Anyhow, I am interested, I just think more people need to get'em rolling and squirming and hoppin and poppin, and you know... Get some more feedback out there.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Yes, I actually ran a 2.6" Magic Mary this spring in an attempt to achieve a smoother ride. The tire started to feel too bouncy for me as I entered the summer. In contrast the Alberts feel super ground hugging. More than any tire I've run so far. So you might get the benefits of higher volume without the balloon bounce effect.

[@4Rracing]

Thank you , good review 👍. I’m going to buy Where is this trail? It’s looks fun

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Cougar Ridge in Bellingham WA

[@taol8258]

I really want to try these tires but the casing and size I want is out of stock :(

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@taol8258 I know, they should have made more. The one thing in the bike industry that out of stock 😂

[@thegriff9425]

Hey. Are you the bloke who does other bike reviews on another channel?? Freehub?

[@justinfournier1285]

He is.

[@TheMTBRider96]

i'm very curious about the albert as a front tyre, or i should stick to the mary but on the new chasing

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Yeah report back if you get the Mary

[@TheMTBRider96]

@@SpencerAstraPOV​​⁠well I know the Mary, not in the latest radial chasing, I’d be curious to compare the Albert with it 😅

[@craigmellin6217]

Got a couple rides in the 2.6 front and 2.5 rear in Gravity + soft. I dont understand them...the casing and sidewall feel awesome but the grip not so much...they slip on hardpack big time. I wish rhe knobs were shorter

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Oh interesting, Do you think the compound isn't soft enough? What tire were you coming from?

[@craigmellin6217]

@SpencerAstraPOV ya it definitely could be the compound I guess...which is strange because for maxxis Maxx Terra is plenty grippy, max grip is too soft IMO. I'm coming off Michelin Force and the new michelin enduro MH. Also a xynotal dh casing 2nd softest compound. There are some folks in the mtbr forum with a similar experience.

[@powskier]

Why are you running an ultra in the rear? In the front, yes. But not needed in the rear considering it will wear much faster.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@powskier the were out of stock of soft. But purple feels great braking in the rear!

[@jordanwalker2000]

After running these for a while have your opinions changed at all? I know you ride a lot of different bikes and tires often, so would be interested to hear your follow-up thoughts... if you have any...

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I've been really loving these tires. Especially when grip is at a premium. I think one consideration that I come back to is to keep them aired up higher than normal to make sure you don't bust wheels or make the tire too squirmy. Wet season is just starting so I'm excited to test them out in the slime.

[@jordanwalker2000]

@@SpencerAstraPOV Thanks for the info. I really value your content on here. I am just wanting for these to come back in stock, then I am going to try them as well.

[@vzhickok]

How much more psi are you riding on compared to non-radial tires? I've read people use as much as 5psi more. Do you think the trail (not gravity) in supersoft would be good as a front tire? Why not the soft instead of supersoft in the rear? I think I'd like that one for less rolling resistance and better wear. Let me know how that supersoft rear lasts :)

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Running lower PSI than I would on my Maxxis EXO casings. I do think that it would be nice to try the soft rear for rolling resistance. It was sold out when I ordered.

[@mburke1211]

With the larger contact patch, would you consider going up a little on psi to improve rolling resistance? I just ordered a set, and I'm curious on how to set them up initially.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@mburke1211 That might help on certain terrain! They roll surprisingly well for being heavier casings. I found a PSI calculator for finding that initial settings: www.schwalbe.com/en/blog/news/innovation/now-online-the-mtb-air-pressure-prof/?srsltid=AfmBOorAFzSrRdCJuzZMENmMFBi2VmDgHxNT17L8IOiPXNxAytY53Ekw

[@mburke1211]

@@SpencerAstraPOV Thank you! It looks like they need to add the new radials to the calculator, but this is still helpful.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@mburke1211 Yes, agreed!

[@obi-wankenobi9871]

How is the tubeless experience? The side walls on my last few tyres have all been leaking milk like crazy.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Super good, that intro shot was the first time airing them up. They held air well the first night after not even riding them.

[@DK-wd8ju]

With the new radial tires what combo would you run for St. George, UT terrain? I’m an intermediate rider on a heckler sl light ebike. Thinking Albert’s, but do I go trail or gravity?

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I don't think it hurts to go Gravity!

[@tjfretwell1861]

Are you running the 2.6 Albert in the rear of your Firebird? I am on a Firebird too and the 2.6 just barely clears the frame. I really want to go hit the bike park Albert style - but I worry I might scuff up the frame. I'd rather run the 2.5 in the rear even without the clearance worry but its not available currently in the US. The lower sidewalls on these are indeed very beefy and far stiffer than any Maxxis tire I've ever run. Definltey no need to run an insert with these. I found them difficult to install at first because they are soo stiff. But the trick is to use a bucket.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I went with the 2.5". I was actually happy to see they are supplying that size.

[@tjfretwell1861]

@@SpencerAstraPOV Cool. Did you buy your 2.5 directly from the Schwalbe website? That's the only place I know where we can get them so far. I hope they come back in stock soon.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@tjfretwell1861 Yes, that's where I got mine.

[@toddolson7273]

Are you going to keep running these Alberts?

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

For sure, as long as they continue to feel efficient while pedaling. Grip and ride feel are insane.

[@jordanwalker2000]

I live in Canada, do you have any idea where to buy these? I can't find them anywhere yet...

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I ordered them from the Schwalbe Website 🤷🏻‍♂ Hopefully that works in Canada.

[@chriscalomino5229]

These are the Trail pro no gravity pro correct? Sidewall strength wise what do you think they compare to in the market.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@chriscalomino5229 these are gravity pro. They feel at least as strong as double down to me. I find that the Schwalbe tires are real thick down above the bead and thinner in the middle of the side wall.

[@jaybartlett2561]

Thoughts on the trail casing for someone who is 150lbs, moderate to aggressive riding. Do I gain anything by going with trail vs the gravity casing?

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Yeah probably less rolling resistance with the trail casing

[@jaybartlett2561]

@@SpencerAstraPOV I dig that…

[@jaybartlett2561]

But more prone to puncture

[@porroco]

I will suggest michellin ewild raceline front, i m for the shredda rear, but cant find magic mery gravity pro neither albert for my ebike

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I really want to try out the Shredda!

[@porroco]

@@SpencerAstraPOV yeah, but what to the front, Shreeda front?

[@porroco]

Not in stock

[@jaybartlett2561]

Someone help me find some Albert’s plz! 29/2.5 downhill casing/ super soft

[@aaronblonden6774]

Really excited to try these out. Just had one availible lbs and im going to test it out. first on my burly hardtail on the rear. If sold on it ill try another on the front or go for a mm. You have any more insight to these in typical pnw wet conditions? Im just a couple hours south of this trail myself. Love this new channel fantastic insights cheers!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I just rode in wetter conditions and they felt fantastic! They look like they’d pack up with dirt but so far so good.

[@aaronblonden6774]

@SpencerAstraPOV yeah I went rear same gravity ultra soft. Highly considering the front too. They didn't pack with wet loamy soil. I'm going to ride a zone tonight that's typically got clay which is terrible with a lot of tires. If it does okay, on a hardtail I'm thinking of favoring the same heavy damped casing and doing this tire for the better rolling speed. They seemed to roll great like you mentioned. Really spaced knob mud positive tires never seem as good to me on roots. You can hit them right and then wrong once and nothing grabs. I ride a ton of roots and tech so I'm trying to set more bikes up that way. (Did a bunch of agarro front and noticed more grip on roots but not as good braking performance and they lack the super soft heavier casing in that tire)

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@aaronblonden6774 Great thoughts especially how mud spikes can struggle on roots

[@ostankovalex1176]

with all respect - you can't subscribe twice :D

[@didiermeister98]

Yes you can! You just have un-subscribe inversen… 😅

[@jaybartlett2561]

Pedal faster than DHF/DHII?

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Yeah, I'd say so!

[@jaybartlett2561]

@@SpencerAstraPOV I also ride a Firebird by the way and love it! my rear DHRII has pretty worn down center knobs and the side knobs are all chewed up looking. My front DHF looks pretty good but wondering if i should just replace both at the same time. What options did you pick for the tires you have in terms of version and compound?

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@jaybartlett2561 I went with the gravity pro in the purple compound!

[@jaybartlett2561]

@@SpencerAstraPOV completely out of stock 😖

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

@@SpencerAstraPOV How is the cornering grip and handling when you transfer to the knobs? Does it have any vague spots like the DHF? I'm usually Assegai in the front and DHR in the rear but I'm trying the new Michelin DH16's and they are pretty damn good too! Really wanted to try the 26's but these are really moving up the list of new tires I want to try.