Schwalbe Radial Tyre choices

[skizzian]

So I've been running Alberts fore and aft on my Orbea Rise
both in the Gravity weight
2.6 front - ultra soft, 2.5 rear - soft
absolutely love them - used in Surrey Hills, North Wales and the Scottish borders - mainly Red trails - pretty mixed conditions and trails
the back (in soft) is wearing out pretty quick and I want to get a new tyre before heading back to Glentress next month

either
a Shredda rear - gravity - ultra soft (thoughts: it might be a bit heavy for my semi skimmed emtb - also a bit too tall for general riding)
and keep the Albert 2.6 gravity on the front
Or
a Magic Mary radial - trail - ultra soft - 2.5 out front (I think it measures the same as the albert 2.6)
and move the Albert Gravity ultra soft to the back (I think it measures around 2.5 so won't be too wide for the bike)
I normally like running the heavier tyre out back...

has anybody ridden either of these combo's ?
looks like I'll be running in ultra soft with both of those combo's
thoughts please
multiple obligations

 

[MickMTB]

So I've been running Alberts fore and aft on my Orbea Rise
both in the Gravity weight
2.6 front - ultra soft, 2.5 rear - soft
absolutely love them - used in Surrey Hills, North Wales and the Scottish borders - mainly Red trails - pretty mixed conditions and trails
the back (in soft) is wearing out pretty quick and I want to get a new tyre before heading back to Glentress next month

either
a Shredda rear - gravity - ultra soft (thoughts: it might be a bit heavy for my semi skimmed emtb - also a bit too tall for general riding)
and keep the Albert 2.6 gravity on the front
Or
a Magic Mary radial - trail - ultra soft - 2.5 out front (I think it measures the same as the albert 2.6)
and move the Albert Gravity ultra soft to the back (I think it measures around 2.5 so won't be too wide for the bike)
I normally like running the heavier tyre out back...

has anybody ridden either of these combo's ?
looks like I'll be running in ultra soft with both of those combo's
thoughts please
multiple obligations

I put mudguards f&r and shreddas on my Whyte for this grim winter in the surrey hills. best winter tyres ever , a bit heavy and hard on your battery but they gave total confidence in what were the worse conditions I've known in 30 odd years,along with W/P trousers and boots it made a very wet winter enjoyable.

 

[big_scot_nanny]

Like MickMTB, shredda F&R has made riding in slop not just do-able, but actual fun. Ridiculous amount of grip in loose, wet, slop, mud, wet roots and rocks etc etc.

Second the opinion that it is a battery killer. It's 1 or 2 gears slower for same power output.

For almost all normal trails, it's complete overkill. Specifically since you mention glentress, it's so slow on hardpack you'd have to get off and push downhill


My recommendation from you options would be Magic Mary front, Albert rear.

(although I will mention, personal opinion from a heavy guy on a heavy bike or even on the normal bike, the MM radial in trail carcass I found extremely wandery and unpredictable when cornering on any surface. Gravity carcass much much better).

 

[irie]

Second the opinion that it is a battery killer. It's 1 or 2 gears slower for same power output.

In the same vein late last year fitted Maxxis Maxxgrip DD Shorty 2 fronts and High Roller 3 rears to our Rails to deal with mud during winter riding. The combination worked really well but the drag was really ugly. Last week was a relief to replace then with our regular Assegai/DHR2 combination.

 

[B-man]

My favorite set ups are.

Gravity Mary in the rear and Trail Mary in the front
Gravity Albert in the rear and Trail Mary in the front

 

[Gila Man]

I run 2.5 Alberts front (ultra soft) and rear (soft). Since I'm in the desert, my riding conditions are always dry with loose and embedded rocks in clay soils.

 

[skizzian]

I went with Shredda Rear, and Magic Mary Radial Gravity on the Front
went out a few times in proper slop in the Slurry Hills - but not so much as the missus doesn't like it too muddy
they ride really well - took a little bit of time to get used to the MM - felt surprisingly quick yesterday on John the Baptist
I'm thinking to maybe switch back to Alberts - but maybe wait until April has been and gone...

 

[TonTonUB]

Hello,

I've run Albert gravity 2.5 FR and REAR in supersoft (on rocky, rooty and abrasive terrain). I did more than 1000 km with each (and the grip was still excellent) on my amflow (full auto mode). I highly recommend them in every aspect.