Schwalbe's new radials

jdog said:
Google says ::

You should generally run your Schwalbe radial tires 2 to 5 PSI higher (and in some setups, up to 7–10 PSI higher) than your traditional bias-ply tires. [1, 2, 3, 4]
While Schwalbe officially suggests initially setting them to your standard baseline pressure to feel the baseline difference, both manufacturer guidance and long-term testing show that adding pressure is required to optimize the tire. [1, 2, 3]

Recommended Pressure Starting Points
According to setup guides from retailers like Worldwide Cyclery and initial feedback from long-term reviews, you should adjust based on your casing: [1]
  • Trail Pro Radial Casings: Start roughly 5 PSI higher than your normal trail tire pressure.
  • Gravity Pro Radial Casings: Start roughly 3 PSI higher than your normal downhill/enduro pressure. [1]

Why Radial Tires Need Higher Pressures
  • Preventing "Squirm" and Folding: Because the radial casing has much lower structural tension, running your typical low pressure makes the tire deform too easily under heavy cornering loads. This can cause a "vague" or "squirmy" feeling as the sidewall rolls over. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • Preserving the Contact Patch: A traditional tire loses traction if you pump it up too hard because it stiffens and bounces off obstacles. A Schwalbe radial tire at 1.5 times its usual pressure still maintains an additional 15% extra contact area with the ground compared to a standard tire. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • The "Hand Squeeze" Illusion: If you check the tire pressure with your thumb, the radial tire will feel 5 to 10 PSI lower than it actually is because the carcass is incredibly supple. Always trust a high-quality digital pressure gauge rather than feel. [1, 3, 4]

Real-World Tester Adjustments
  • Pinkbike Reviewers: Moved from standard downhill pressures up by 2–3 PSI (settling at 22 PSI front / 24 PSI rear) to prevent the tire from feeling too soft in fast bike parks. [1]
  • The Lost Co. Testers: Found standard pressures caused rim dings, forcing a move from a typical 23/27 PSI setup up to 27 PSI front / 32 PSI rear. [1]
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I've been using the Wolftooth PSI calculator with a radial setting option; can confirm you have to go higher. I'm running 27 out back, 25 in the front. Anything softer they fold on square edges.
 
I can confirm the Schwalbe Shredda Gravity Ultra-soft radials installed on the Heckler back in 2024 show some wear but still look pretty good for the miles and use. It seems like Schwalbe did something with the compound compared to other soft tires I've used and even other Schwalbe non-radial tires I've used. I'm not sure about battery usage, but I've had the radials on the bike for most of my ownership (about 983 miles, according to Strava), so I don't really know any difference. If his 20% increase is accurate, it does make me consider going with something with better rolling resistance if I figure out how to do that bike-packing trip.
 
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Ian F said:
I can confirm the Schwalbe Shredda Gravity Ultra-soft radials installed on the Heckler back in 2024 show some wear but still look pretty good for the miles and use. It seems like Schwalbe did something with the compound compared to other soft tires I've used and even other Schwalbe non-radial tires I've used. I'm not sure about battery usage, but I've had the radials on the bike for most of my ownership (about 983 miles, according to Strava), so I don't really know any difference. If his 20% increase is accurate, it does make me consider going with something with better rolling resistance if I figure out how to do that bike-packing trip.
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I have the faster rolling radials here at the shop too!
 
So it's still hard for me to determine when tires are good. It's usually if I'm losing traction that I notice a tire, not if it's actually working.

That said, finally had a good chance to try out my Albert Trail Pro Radial yesterday on the rear without it losing pressure. I'm still wondering if I had a manufacturing defect or something that had a small hole at the bead that got worse but was able to plug it.

Did a pretty big climb yesterday in the rain with a sizeable group and a huge portion of it was on wet roots and wet slabs. Felt like I had infinite traction. With my DHRII I likely would have had some minor tire slips in that condition, maybe nothing to make me have to dab but likely something. Not once did the Albert have any issues.

The rest of the riding was in wet conditions and at no point did I ever really feel that back tire try to lose traction. I run a newish Assegai in the front.
 
Santapez said:
Felt like I had infinite traction. Not once did the Albert have any issues. The rest of the riding was in wet conditions and at no point did I ever really feel that back tire try to lose traction.
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This is how I feel about it. Plus it has a ton of volume and compliance so it makes the bike feel like it has a little extra suspension and small bump sensitivity. And I’m pleased with the rolling speed.
 
Any more feedback on the Tacky Chan as a front tire in NNJ..

The MM is a great radial tire but can be a bit much on the mellower portions of the local trails. I love the Albert in the rear and front until I hit loose over hard (front only). I washed out the front quite a few times this season on the Albert.
 
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Oey12 said:
Any more feedback on the Tacky Chan as a front tire in NNJ..

The MM is a great radial tire but can be a bit much on the mellower portions of the local trails. I love the Albert in the rear and front until I hit loose over hard (front only). I washed out the front quite a few times this season on the Albert.
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The Tacky Chan was a really good front tire for most situations. I think it’s noticeably less grippy than the Mary in wet/muddy or super dusty and loose conditions, but it might actually be better for “normal” NNJ chunky, rocks and average weather conditions. Clearly faster rolling, good reliable grip, nice damping.

The only reason I took it off the front on my Ripmo is because I disliked the Romy in the back and really liked the Mary in the front. So I put the Mary back on front and the Tacky on the rear. It’s been great.
 
The Worst said:
The only reason I took it off the front on my Ripmo is because I disliked the Romy in the back and really liked the Mary in the front. So I put the Mary back on front and the Tacky on the rear. It’s been great.
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This is the exact combo my recommended by my buddy who works at schwalbe .
 
The Worst said:
The Tacky Chan was a really good front tire for most situations. I think it’s noticeably less grippy than the Mary in wet/muddy or super dusty and loose conditions, but it might actually be better for “normal” NNJ chunky, rocks and average weather conditions. Clearly faster rolling, good reliable grip, nice damping.

The only reason I took it off the front on my Ripmo is because I disliked the Romy in the back and really liked the Mary in the front. So I put the Mary back on front and the Tacky on the rear. It’s been great.
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I read that you ran the Albert in the rear as well, how does that stack up against the TC in the rear? Thanks for all your input!
 
Oey12 said:
I read that you ran the Albert in the rear as well, how does that stack up against the TC in the rear? Thanks for all your input!
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The Mary/Albert combo is my favorite tire combo I’ve ever used. I think the Albert rolls super well, grips perfectly for a rear, is more durable than the other radials I’ve tried, and it’s higher volume/taller than the others so it makes the bike feel like it has more grip and 10mm more suspension than it actually does.

The only reason I am running the Tacky in the rear instead of the Albert is that with my Industry Nine Enduro S wheelset, the Albert runs the linkage of my Ripmo AF at about 60% travel and beyond. I have another set of wheels that I’m going to try it on eventually though. It was too good not to.

That’s not to say that the Tacky isn’t great, it’s a little grippier and a little slower. I just think the Albert is the perfect rear tire for me.
 
Bikeworks said:
Glad to get validation on having made a good choice for my bike trip, then.
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I’ve spent the last two days riding MM front TC rear at Sherburne Trails and Killington and the combo was amazing on everything. Flow, tech, jumps, greasy rocks and roots, moon dust, hardpack, loamy dirt… they did it all and always had more to give.
 
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