{"id":67720,"date":"2024-08-08T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/928ee76d-fbab-4f43-939d-543b4e6c0c3f"},"modified":"2024-08-08T10:25:26","modified_gmt":"2024-08-08T08:25:26","slug":"schwalbe-borrows-radial-car-tyre-tech-for-new-albert-and-shredda-models","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/schwalbe-borrows-radial-car-tyre-tech-for-new-albert-and-shredda-models\/","title":{"rendered":"Schwalbe borrows radial car tyre tech for new Albert and Shredda models"},"content":{"rendered":"

Perpendicular carcass structure claimed to improve grip and reduce vibrations <\/p>

By Alex Evans\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 08 August 2024 at 08:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Schwalbe\u2019s new Albert and Shredda tyres borrow their carcass construction from the car tyre industry, using perpendicular radial plies rather than diagonal ones.<\/p>

Bold claims around improved grip and traction, and a smoother-feeling ride accompany the brand\u2019s new approach to carcass construction.<\/p>

Three new tyres use Schwalbe\u2019s Radial design \u2013\u00a0the Shredda gravity-focused aggressive spike, the all-rounder Albert and a radial version of the Magic Mary.<\/p>

The radial carcass design is claimed to compress more freely, resulting in more grip. – Schwalbe<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Costing from \u00a373.99 \/ \u20ac73.90 for the Albert Trail Pro and Magic Mary Trail Pro to \u00a379.99 \/ $104 \/ \u20ac79.90 for the Shredda Pro, Albert Gravity Pro and Magic Mary Gravity Pro, the new tech \u2013\u00a0to cycling at least \u2013\u00a0comes at a cost.<\/p>

The Albert is available in 27.5in and 29in diameters, and 2.4in and 2.5in widths, while the Shredda front is only available in 29×2.5, but the Shredda rear can be bought in 27.5×2.5in and 29×2.5in sizes.<\/p>

However, their weight is competitive. The Albert Gravity Pro 29×2.5in Ultra Soft tyres weigh 1,346g, which is similar to equivalent Maxxis, Continental and Vee Tire DH-casing tyres.<\/p>

Radial tyre tech<\/h2>
\"Schwalbe
The Albert Gravity uses a two-ply casing. – Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Radial tyre constructions \u2013 in the automotive industry, at least \u2013 are nothing new.<\/p>

Radial tyre carcasses<\/a> are built using plies that run perpendicular (90 degrees) to the tyre\u2019s direction of travel and typically use a \u2018belt\u2019 that improves stability.<\/p>

Diagonal carcass (also known as bias ply) tyre construction plies criss-cross one another at sharper angles (typically between 30 and 45 degrees), forming a mesh-like pattern and giving them their strength.<\/p>

Both tyre construction types can be built from as many or as few plies as the manufacturer wishes, depending on their intended usage.<\/p>

Cycling\u2019s take on radial tyre construction<\/h2>
\"Schwalbe
Schwable’s radial design isn’t a true radial tyre because its plies aren’t perpendicular to the direction of rotation, but it’s not far off. – Schwalbe<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Schwalbe\u2019s mountain bike radial tyres are a slight modification of the traditional 90-degree radial tyre.<\/p>

Its plies are still laid at an angle, albeit one less acute than a true radial tyre.<\/p>

\"Bias
This is the criss-cross pattern of a bias ply tyre carcass. – Schwalbe<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Schwalbe says the angle has been adjusted enough so it doesn\u2019t need a belt to maintain stability, but like the secret ingredients of a chef\u2019s sauce, the exact angle of the plies remains undisclosed.<\/p>

What are the advantages of radial tyres in mountain biking?<\/h3>
\"Schwalbe
The difference between a bias ply tyre’s contact patch (left) and a radial tyre’s contact patch (right). – Schwalbe<\/figcaption><\/figure>

According to Schwalbe, because the tyre\u2019s plies are at a more obtuse angle, they\u2019re under \u201cless pressure\u201d or tension, which means the tyre can deform better as it rolls over bumps.<\/p>

Thanks to that additional deformation, there\u2019s also an increase in tyre contact patch; up to 30 per cent for an equivalent pressure against a bias ply tyre. The tyre effectively \u2018squashes\u2019 more when it\u2019s on the ground or contacting a bump, compared to a traditional mountain bike tyre<\/a>.<\/p>

A radial carcass design is claimed to be better damped compared to a bias ply model, with a quicker reduction in compression and rebound oscillation after an impact.<\/p>

\"Schwalbe
The radial tyre oscillates at a lower amplitude and stops oscillating faster than a bias ply tyre. – Schwalbe<\/figcaption><\/figure>

This ‘more controlled rebound’ and ‘smoother response behaviour’ should help improve bike handling and grip.<\/p>

Details in Schwalbe\u2019s press release are thin, but it\u2019s safe to assume the rebound speed of the carcass remains more constant regardless of how compressed it is. As the tyre returns to its original shape, it\u2019s still inflating\/rebounding at a similar rate to when it\u2019s nearly fully compressed. This should boost control.<\/p>

There must be some disadvantages, right?<\/h3>
\"Schwalbe
A downside of the radial carcass design is a potential increase in pinch-flat punctures. – Schwalbe<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Even Schwalbe admits there are some cons to its radial design.<\/p>

Rolling resistance is increased thanks to the larger contact patch; more of the tyre\u2019s tread and rubber is in contact with the ground at any one time.<\/p>

You may get more pinch-flat punctures because radial tyres are more supple compared to bias ply tyres. As the tyre hits an impact, it compresses more, thus opening up the potential for more pinch flats.<\/p>

Schwalbe likens this to removing a volume reducer from an air spring; it’ll use more of its travel more readily.<\/p>

New Albert Trail Pro and Albert Gravity Pro details and pricing<\/h2>
\"Schwalbe
The Ultra Soft is Schwalbe’s tackiest compound. – Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The new Albert comes in two variants: the Albert Pro Trail and the Albert Gravity Pro. The differences between the two are the number of plies in their construction. The Gravity Pro is made with a dual-ply casing, while the Trail version uses a single ply.<\/p>

However, the tread is identical across both tyres, featuring an alternating two-three centre-block pattern and long side knobs, akin to Maxxis\u2019 Assegai<\/a>.<\/p>

\"Schwalbe
The tyre has a rounded profile. – Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The tight block pattern \u2013\u00a0known as a small \u2018pitch\u2019 \u2013 has been designed specifically to keep as much tyre in contact with the ground as possible, working with the radial carcass.<\/p>

It\u2019s positioned as an enduro-focused all-rounder, but with a performance bias towards harder trail surfaces. It has a universal front and rear tread pattern, and is recommended for bikes with 150mm of travel<\/a> or more.<\/p>

\"Schwalbe
It measures 60mm wide, slightly narrower than Schwalbe’s 65mm claims. – Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

While claimed weights for the Albert Trail and Gravity tyres aren\u2019t publicised by Schwalbe, my 29×2.5in Albert Gravity Pro Soft and Ultra Soft tyres weighed 1,319g and 1,346g respectively.<\/p>

Schwalbe Albert Trail Pro<\/h3>
\"Schwalbe
Schwalbe Albert Trail Pro. – Schwalbe<\/figcaption><\/figure>