These are on the heavier side (1.7kg), but Adix Speedgrip is a pretty low rolling resistance rubber, so for sure worth a try.
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Schwalbe Studded Al Mighty 4.8 Tire
Lars_D
41 - 51 of 51 Posts
Great piece of info. Thanks!
Yep, that's what I did. Only my front tire is studded.
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52 Posts
I've had a set of these tyres (studded version) since November and last weekend used them on the Fat Viking 150km race in Geilo, Norway. I normally run Jumbo Jim 4.8" most of the year and have previously used Vee Snowshoe XL with studs when it get icy.
The Al Mighty are a huge improvement over the Vees, both in grip and rolling resistance. The race was run on a mix of groomed XC trails, gravel, road and a frozen lake. I crashed only once when I overcooked a turn and went into soft snow at the side of the trail totally my fault and not the tyres! On the lake and road ice they were faultless, and didn't feel draggy on the harder surfaces.
I set them up ghetto tubeless on Mulefut 80 rims using a 20"x2.6" split tube and they popped right in place and hold air perfectly. I didn't add any sealant (carried some with me in case of leaks) but had no issues, even when I dropped the pressure low for softer snow sections. They seem to size up similar to the 4.8" JJ and fit fine in the back of my Salsa Mukluk with the dropouts in the forward position.
Overall I'm super impressed with these tyres and it's great to see Schwalbe still investing in fat bikes (still wish they hadn't dropped the liteskin JJ though). Would definitely recommend for anyone wanting studded tyres, and I'm sure the non studded version would also be a great trail tyre in the spring/autumn!
The Al Mighty are a huge improvement over the Vees, both in grip and rolling resistance. The race was run on a mix of groomed XC trails, gravel, road and a frozen lake. I crashed only once when I overcooked a turn and went into soft snow at the side of the trail totally my fault and not the tyres! On the lake and road ice they were faultless, and didn't feel draggy on the harder surfaces.
I set them up ghetto tubeless on Mulefut 80 rims using a 20"x2.6" split tube and they popped right in place and hold air perfectly. I didn't add any sealant (carried some with me in case of leaks) but had no issues, even when I dropped the pressure low for softer snow sections. They seem to size up similar to the 4.8" JJ and fit fine in the back of my Salsa Mukluk with the dropouts in the forward position.
Overall I'm super impressed with these tyres and it's great to see Schwalbe still investing in fat bikes (still wish they hadn't dropped the liteskin JJ though). Would definitely recommend for anyone wanting studded tyres, and I'm sure the non studded version would also be a great trail tyre in the spring/autumn!
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2,810 Posts
I've had some time on the AM's now, and even went back to the Jumbo Jim now for a race. The Jims are custom studded, so it might not be the comparison most would hope for, but here goes.
The Al Mighty's are a damn good all around tire. Grip is honestly up there with the best I've ridden, drive traction being better than the Jim and on par with the VEE XXL. Grip is far less pressure-sensitive than the Jim. Volume is right one with a Jumbo Jim 4.8 or a Bud/Lou, but these are 26"only...27.5 not available. Rolling resistance isn't that far off the JJ at higher pressures, but as pressures drop, the rolling resistance picks up more quickly than the Jim. At 4 PSI, the difference is noticeable. It's honestly better than any other tires I've ridden though.
The only thing I wish for is an additional row of stud pockets on every other shoulder lug, for when the tire is leaned way over. It's fine 99.5% of the team, but I will probably drill pockets and add some XL studs for the front tire.
The Al Mighty's are a damn good all around tire. Grip is honestly up there with the best I've ridden, drive traction being better than the Jim and on par with the VEE XXL. Grip is far less pressure-sensitive than the Jim. Volume is right one with a Jumbo Jim 4.8 or a Bud/Lou, but these are 26"only...27.5 not available. Rolling resistance isn't that far off the JJ at higher pressures, but as pressures drop, the rolling resistance picks up more quickly than the Jim. At 4 PSI, the difference is noticeable. It's honestly better than any other tires I've ridden though.
The only thing I wish for is an additional row of stud pockets on every other shoulder lug, for when the tire is leaned way over. It's fine 99.5% of the team, but I will probably drill pockets and add some XL studs for the front tire.
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615 Posts
That's great feedback. Thanks! You touched on one of the great qualities of the JJ4.8 that at low pressure, it still rolls very well. This is an area that I may miss if I were to use the AM. I'm still willing to try the AM out as a rear tire only though - can't give up my Bud on the front! Thanks again.
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234 Posts
Anyone spend significant time on an Al Mighty yet? Looking to replace a Wazia (meh, won’t be buying another) on the rear of my “aggressive” early season wheelset. The Al Mighty seems to check most of the boxes, at least on paper.
Set up would be on a 907 Lynx, Whisky 100 rims, J5 studded front, DT hubs. Early season conditions tend to be soft and wind-drifted snow machine trails with areas of glare ice in my stomping grounds near Palmer, Alaska. Studs are mandatory and the J5 is just a smudge too big for the rear.
Set up would be on a 907 Lynx, Whisky 100 rims, J5 studded front, DT hubs. Early season conditions tend to be soft and wind-drifted snow machine trails with areas of glare ice in my stomping grounds near Palmer, Alaska. Studs are mandatory and the J5 is just a smudge too big for the rear.
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2,810 Posts
Still love the Al Mighty, but I think it would be almost the exact same size as the J5 so may not fit your bike. The AM shares a casing with the Jim, which has a bead to bead measurement only 1mm less than the J5, per the table linked below.
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234 Posts
Interesting. Thanks for potentially saving me some $$$.
My frame does fit a JJ 4.8 (and Lou) on an 80mm rim, but I haven’t tried on the 100. I’ll have to throw an old JJ on the Whisky rim to see if it fits.
I ran into clearance issues at the chainstays with the J5 on a 100 but still had plenty of room at the seat tube. Think there is any chance the Al is taller but narrower than the J5?
My frame does fit a JJ 4.8 (and Lou) on an 80mm rim, but I haven’t tried on the 100. I’ll have to throw an old JJ on the Whisky rim to see if it fits.
I ran into clearance issues at the chainstays with the J5 on a 100 but still had plenty of room at the seat tube. Think there is any chance the Al is taller but narrower than the J5?
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2,810 Posts
It's possible, it is slightly taller than the Jim (due to the taller knobs). The width is the same as the Jim. I have not had a J5 in hand, so I can't say for sure.
I’m also running 100mm Whisky rims and either JJ or Gripstudded Bud/Lou depending on the season. The Bud/Lou measure 4.78” and the JJ measure 4.76”
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