Description:With Albert's spread out tread pattern and stiff lugs you ‘ll have the ability to accellerate out of fast corners and make up speed on the straights.
Submitted by
wannabfast
a Weekend Warrior
from Saratoga, CA Date Reviewed: July 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Demo Forest
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
bikesomewhere.com
Strengths:
Great traction, sidewall protection, reasonable rolling resistance and works well in a variety of conditions.
Weaknesses:
A bit pricey
Similar Products Used:
Nobby Nic, Rampage and Big Betty
Bike Setup:
Stumpy 120, Talas 140, Hopes and XO.
Bottom Line:
Highly recommended. The tire works well on a variety conditions, dirt, fire roads, roots and rocky terrain. I was really pleased that the Albert run with Stans survived the Downieville XC without a flat or rip.
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Alabama Date Reviewed: October 19, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Oak Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$42.00
Strengths:
I'm running the UST version. Great construction, super durable sidewall with the snakeskin. Aired up with no Stan's, bead set very nicely. Totally predictive handling, was an upgrade to the 2.35 Nevegal DTC I took off. Unidirectional tread, clears mud well, nice profile. This has been a super tire for me.
Weaknesses:
Bit pricey, as all Schwalbes are. UST version is advertised at 840 grams. Would like a "tubeless ready" version with the Evolution casing.
Similar Products Used:
WTB Exiwolf, Weirwolf, Kenda Nevegal, Small Block 8, Geax Saguaro
Bike Setup:
5" full suspension trail bike
Bottom Line:
I'm a Schwalbe convert. Great construction, great performance. The Albert has been a confidence inspiring tire. Might go with the 2.35 Fat Albert next go around, leaving the 2.25 Albert in the back.
Would definitely purchase these again.
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Submitted by
Michel
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands Date Reviewed: August 9, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
bike-components.de
Strengths:
This review is for the Albert ALPENCROSS tyre. Excellent grip on loose rocks, very strong no punctures due to raceguard/snakeskin combo
Weaknesses:
perhaps weight (670g), further none
Similar Products Used:
Nobby Nic, racing Ralps, Hutchinson Python, Specialized
Bike Setup:
Orbea Alma Cup Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro
Bottom Line:
I used the Albert and Smart Sam tyres in the new AlpenCross version of Schwalbe and put them on my Stumpjumper fsr.
I used them indeed marathon biking in the Alps. The tyres were excellent...the Albert has excellent grip in front and smart sam has very low rolling resistence, although never slippery and loose gravel. Smart sam can however get slippery on wet tree roots in the forest. After 2 weeks of use in the alps there was no sign of damage and had no punctures.
I can recommend to anyone riding in rocky or mountainous terrain. Ok, they weigh 670g but you will feel very secure and you can ride downhill very fast...
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Submitted by
Alan
a
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: August 7, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$38.00
Purchased At:
bikeimport.ch
Strengths:
Grip Not Heavy Sidewalls very strong (snakeskin 2.25)
Weaknesses:
Rolling resistance and noisy on road Too soft..on road
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis Larssen TT, Schwalbe Nobby Nic, Specialized Pro
Bike Setup:
Specialized SJ FSR, Larssen TT 2.35 front and Albert 2.25 snakeskin rear
Bottom Line:
No more punctures and that already a good news because with the Nobby Nic 2,25 one time out of two I got it. I do still more than 50% on road, so this tire is really too soft for me, offroad has a very good grip.
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Submitted by
Gabi K.
a Weekend Warrior
from Tel-Aviv, Israel Date Reviewed: November 5, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Carmel Mtn, Jerusalem hills
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
shop@harim
Strengths:
Great grip, very stable,large vollume, excels in sigletracks.
Weaknesses:
Not the fastest tire - there is a price for grip.
Similar Products Used:
Hutchinson Mosquito (the worst one I used, Panaracer Fire XC Pro, WTB Wirewolf, Continental Vertical Pro
Bike Setup:
Intense 5.5, RS Pike, Manitou 4-way, full XO.
Bottom Line:
I use the foldable Albert 2.25 rear and the soft compound (front only) in the front, 35 psi front, 40 rear. As a reviewer wrote below, it took two rides until it really "sits down". After 50 km it shows lot of grip, very stable in singletracks, cornering and bracking. The only minus it is not a fast roller you'll feel it in long climbs - but I prefer this in a rocky garden or while flying over fire roads. Compared to the conti vertical pro it is slower but with more grip. Bottom line - if you are on the xc line maybe it is not for you, if you are on the all mountain, singletracks and down - you'll be happy
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Submitted by
Efraim Shams
a Cross Country Rider
from Azor, Israel Date Reviewed: August 25, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Strengths:
Responsive on road.
Weaknesses:
Weak greeoping on trails, pricey, noisy on road.
Similar Products Used:
WTB Exiwolf, Specialized Adrenaline Pro
Bike Setup:
Haro Shift R7
Bottom Line:
I was disappointed. Get the Specialized Adrenaline Pro.
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Submitted by
ramilcp
a Weekend Warrior
from Whittier, CA Date Reviewed: March 12, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar
Strengths:
Light, high volume, good grip rolling and cornering.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
IRC: Kujo DH, Mythos XC F/R, Trailbear; Panaracer: Smoke, Dart, Fire XC Pro; Bontrager SS F/R, Hutchinson Scorpion Airlight, Specialized S-Works Fast Trak.
Bike Setup:
IRO Mia! rigid SS w/ Avid mech discs.
Bottom Line:
I have the 2.25 'Light' version set up as a rear tire. It has great grip on hardpack, as well as wet roots and rocks. Even off-camber pitches are no problem for this tire. It helps inspire confidence on the trails when you know your tires will hook up on most everything.
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Submitted by
re
a Cross Country Rider
from colorado high country Date Reviewed: November 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
weight is light, sidewalls held up
Weaknesses:
side knobs rip off, alot of them! price, hard durometer
maybe i got two really bad tires because they didnt hold up at all. i am truly disappointed after hearing good things about the alberts. the side knobs ripped off, not one but damn near half of them. the tire didnt fail though so the snakeskin inner seems to work. overall however these tires suck compared to whats out there by kenda and specialized. not impressed.
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Submitted by
Superbman
a Cross Country Rider
from The Valley, MA Date Reviewed: August 10, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
45.00
Strengths:
This is for the rear/ snakeskin tire-very good roller, tough sidewalls, great grip
Weaknesses:
none for me
Similar Products Used:
Schwalbe front only
Bike Setup:
Razorback with schwalbe front and rear
Bottom Line:
Finally mated the rear albert to the front only and my riding hasnever been better. This looks like the end of a three year journey to find the perfect new england front and rear tire set up. I use the schwalbe albert front only snakeskin up front and a plain scwhalbe albert snakeskin rear-run them around 35 psi and never slip or slide anymore and still roll fairly quickly--can't beat that. Yee ha!
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Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Hampton, CT Date Reviewed: August 2, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Grip, light weight, strong sidewalls
Weaknesses:
Price
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer FireXC for years and years
Bike Setup:
Yeti 575
Bottom Line:
I got these tires for my 575 because I figured a sweet ride needed sweet rubber and I couldn't be happier. The grip on New England rocks and roots is unreal!!! They are head and shoulders above my old FireXCs. I usually run them between 35-40psi and I have yet to pinch flat. The only flat I did get was from broken glass on the road. They are really light for their volume and durability.
The only downside I see to them is the price. I would love a new pair when these die, but the price may stop me. I was able to trade for this pair, so didn't have to throw down cash.
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Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Rural Retreat, VA, USA Date Reviewed: July 15, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Crawfish
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Universal Cycles
Strengths:
Good grip, smooth rolling. Nice cushion.
Weaknesses:
None really.
Similar Products Used:
Hansventures, Trail bears.
Bike Setup:
Ironhorse Hollowpoint 2003.
Bottom Line:
They have gotten better after breaking in, approx. 30 miles. I did have to play with tire pressure alot at the beginning. Started at 50 psi, rolled good but sacrificed grip. Went to 35 psi, super grip, lots of rolling resistance. Settled at 42 (3 bar). I will keep them here, seems to be perfect balance. I ride very rocky, rooty, wet, muddy, slimy trails, hey, it is southwest Virginia! They are lighter than a lot of 2.25's out there and I needed a well balanced tire for lots of different terrain. It is one tire I would recommend to trail riders.
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Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Tübingen, Germany Date Reviewed: July 12, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
Fahrradladen Tübingen
Strengths:
I was using Schwalbes Jimme for a while but when i wrecked my last one i was looking for something more durable. Im very happy with my albert now. It works well under a wide variety of conditions. No matter if it't dry or wet, the albert provides lots of traction in all situations. I'm riding the 2.25 wire version on my hardtail (rear). Very strong tire.
If you want a tire that works well no matter where you go you should check out the Albert.
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Submitted by
Superb Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Massachusetts Date Reviewed: July 7, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Hannah Swarton's Remove
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Bicycles Unlimited-Greenfield
Strengths:
This is for the Front ONLY Snakeskin 2.25 Albert...I've never had a tire that grips this well on wet rocks and roots and still rolls well.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Fire xc, Cinders, Velociraptors, Conti Traction Pro, Michelin Xtreme, Nanoraptors, etc.
Bike Setup:
K2 razor back..Schwalbe on the front the back is still auditioning
Bottom Line:
Dang-but 2005 has been a wet wet wet and slimy year here in New England...a good gtrippy front tire is what I neede dand it's what I got..I really can't believe how well it grips wet roots and rocks up and down hill--slow speed or fast...now I just need a good compliment in the back! Seriously, if you're tired of slipping and sliding this season and you can't (or don't want to) run a big fat pig of a tire the Schwalbe Front specific albert is a dream come true.
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Submitted by
Christoph Becker
a Cross Country Rider
from Wetzlar, Germany Date Reviewed: June 27, 2005
Favorite Trail:
soil, roots, rocks alpcross
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
TNC Hamburg
Strengths:
Works excellent under ALL (I mean also wet - that's life in Germany ;-))conditions, gives you a very confident and save steering feeling because of its round profile. Takes small bumps (2.3 is the width to go for) very well and literally bites into the trail - uphill and downhill. THE best tire I've ever tried in 15 years of riding. It took me over the alps including 20000 HM and over 550 km under ALL conditions. I think that is the ultimate test for a tire and I was always totally happy with it.
Weaknesses:
Wears a little fast, but who cares this thing gives you the extra amount of adrenalin you beg for on your way down and still rolls relatively easy anywhere else.
Stumpy FSR 2001 with Marzocchi MX Pro ETA and AVID Arch Rival Brakes
Bottom Line:
Let's make this short: GO GET IT unless you are only out for DH or you are a Worldcup XC racer!!
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Submitted by
rj
a
from across the sea Date Reviewed: May 13, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
mhc
Strengths:
This review is for the Albert 'lights' 2.25 tire. This tire rolls, tracks, and brakes very well. It rides light for the size. I have had no problems on rocky terrain, plenty of traction. The tread has held up, they seem very durable so far.
Weaknesses:
Avoid riding on the road with a flat. The sidewalls may be a little thin for the 'light' version, I had a flat and rode maybe a total of 100 yards on pavement. The sidewalls now have thin bare spots. The tire looks 6 months old instead of 3 already.
This is a sweet all condition tire. I have the fat albert on the front to complement the rear. They roll faster and wear longer than the nevegal/blue grooves(2.35).
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Submitted by
Harvo
a Cross Country Rider
from Chattanooga Date Reviewed: February 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$34.00
Purchased At:
Mail Order
Strengths:
Fat 2.3 size. Nice aggressive lugs. Works well in all conditions except rock. Good dead feel over bumps=improved shock absorption.
Weaknesses:
Weak lugs
Similar Products Used:
Conti vert pro's
Bottom Line:
No pinch flats. No flats at all unlike the Contis. I have ripped off 5 rear knobbys in the short time I have had the tires. All trails were XC with loamy soil and rock. Don't use these if your trails are rocky.
$ 34.98
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