The Schwalbe Albert Gravity Pro Radial is worth a close look if your eMTB spends more time on rocky descents and hardpacked corners than axle-deep winter mud. Its appeal is a calmer, more connected ride, rather than an especially light casing or a promise of effortless rolling. This Schwalbe Albert Radial review focuses on the 27.5 × 2.50 Soft version photographed on the rear of our Amflow PX Carbon Pro.
The photographs establish the fitment; the performance assessment combines published riding tests with manufacturer information. It is a researched review, with no separate tyre-test mileage, pressures or puncture record claimed by Electric MTB UK.
Schwalbe Albert Gravity Pro Radial Soft – 27.5 x 2.5
A grip-focused rear tyre for firm and rocky eMTB trails, with a supple radial casing and predictable cornering. Sticky mud and careful pressure setup are the main reservations.
At Tredz
Albert Gravity Pro Radial, ADDIX Soft, 27.5 x 2.50 (63-584), black, folding, tubeless ready
+ Pros
- Predictable cornering on firmer trails
- Supple casing helps absorb sharp trail chatter
- Soft compound is a sensible rear-wheel choice
− Cons
- Closely spaced tread can clog in sticky mud
- Pressure needs careful tuning
- Gravity construction adds weight and rolling effort
Compare prices
Albert Gravity Pro Radial, ADDIX Soft, 27.5 x 2.50 (63-584), black, folding, tubeless ready
Prices and availability may change. Prices last checked: 2026-10-23 13:40 UTC. Prices are checked when this guide is updated. Confirm the current price and availability with the retailer.
Why it makes the shortlist
A convincing choice for riders prioritising control on rocky and hardpacked trails. Published testing supports its calm ride and consistent transition onto the shoulder knobs. It is less persuasive for deep winter mud or riders chasing minimum rolling drag. This assessment draws on research and the photographed Amflow fitment; it does not claim a separate controlled tyre test.
Key specifications
- Size
- 27.5 x 2.50
- ETRTO
- 63-584
- Casing
- Gravity Pro Radial
- Compound
- ADDIX Soft
- Bead
- Folding
- Tubeless
- TLR
- Photographed position
- Rear wheel, Amflow PX Carbon Pro
- Sample weight
- Not measured
- Best suited to
- Firm and rocky trail/enduro riding
What does Gravity Pro Radial Soft mean?
There are three separate choices in that name. Gravity Pro identifies the reinforced casing; Radial describes its construction; Soft is the rubber compound. Trail Pro is a different casing, while Ultra Soft places a greater emphasis on maximum grip and damping. Neither should be treated as the same tyre when comparing prices or test results.
The sidewall on this bike reads 27.5 × 2.50, Soft and Radial. It is a folding, tubeless-ready tyre, with 63-584 as its metric size. That makes it relevant to the smaller rear wheel of a mixed-wheel eMTB. The Albert is not exclusively a rear tyre, but the Soft compound is a logical choice here when balancing traction and wear.
Why the radial casing matters
A tyre’s casing is the fabric structure beneath the rubber. Schwalbe changes the angle of its threads to let the tread conform more readily around uneven ground. Its radial construction explanation claims roughly 30% more contact area at the same pressure than a conventional construction. That is a manufacturer comparison, not a measured 30% increase in usable grip.
The distinction matters on an eMTB. A useful rear tyre must follow small rocks and roots while still supporting the bike through loaded corners. Simply reducing pressure in a conventional tyre can soften the ride, but also costs support. The Albert offers a different way of balancing those demands, rather than making pressure irrelevant.
Schwalbe Albert Radial review: grip and trail feel
The strongest recurring finding is predictability. On firmer surfaces, grip builds smoothly as the bike leans from the centre tread towards the shoulder knobs. There is less sense of waiting for a distinct outer edge to engage. That should appeal to riders who want to commit to a line without a sudden change in feedback halfway through the corner.
The casing also takes some of the harshness out of sharp trail chatter. Gravity-casing testing describes a noticeably settled feel over rough ground, with enough support once pressure is dialled in. It is an attractive combination for an eMTB rear wheel that has to deal with repeated impacts as well as driving and braking forces. Think controlled contact with the trail, rather than extra suspension travel.
There is an important qualification in slippery conditions. Some particularly enthusiastic wet-root findings come from Ultra Soft front tyres. They cannot be transferred wholesale to this Soft rear. The case for the photographed version rests on a balanced compound and supportive casing, not a claim that every Albert delivers identical wet grip.
Where it struggles: sticky mud and rolling effort
The fairly closely spaced tread has a clear downside when mud becomes thick enough to fill the gaps. Braking and cornering become less dependable once the knobs cannot clear and bite. Damp hardpack and wet rocks are different challenges from deep, sticky soil; “good in the wet” is too broad a verdict for this tyre.
Rolling impressions vary with casing, compound, pressure and trail surface. Some tests find the Albert competitive with other aggressive tyres, while others notice appreciable drag. It is therefore difficult to justify calling this Gravity Soft version universally fast. Motor assistance can make a substantial tyre easier to live with, but there is no controlled range test here to put a battery-life figure on the trade-off.
Pressure and durability
Allow time to find the right pressure instead of copying the figure from your previous tyre. Tests repeatedly report using more air while retaining a compliant feel. A thumb squeeze can be misleading because this casing feels unusually flexible. Use a gauge, make small changes and check both cornering support and resistance to rim strikes.
There is no universal pressure recommendation: rider weight, bike, rim width and terrain all matter. Stay within the limits marked on the tyre and specified for the rim. Long-term Soft rear-tyre reports are encouraging, but they do not establish a guaranteed lifespan under eMTB torque. The sample pictured has not been weighed, and it would be misleading to borrow a 29in or Trail-casing measurement.
Value, alternatives and front-tyre pairing
The matching 27.5 × 2.50 Soft tyre was £59.99 at Tredz when checked, with additional offers from Tweeks and Leisure Lakes in the card. At that price it is easier to justify than at the £83.99 listed RRP, provided your riding benefits from the heavier construction. A lighter trail tyre remains more sensible for smoother routes where support is less demanding.
For softer ground, the Magic Mary’s more open tread is the obvious comparison within Schwalbe’s range. The card below covers a 29in Soft version: a potential front pairing on a mixed-wheel bike, not a replacement for this 27.5in rear. Our eMTB trail tyre guide covers other casing and tread choices.
Schwalbe Magic Mary Gravity Pro Radial Soft – 29 x 2.5
An open-tread radial tyre for technical descents and softer ground. This 29 x 2.5 Soft version is a front-wheel pairing option for a mixed-wheel eMTB.
At Tredz
Magic Mary Gravity Pro Radial Soft, 29 x 2.5, black, folding tubeless-ready; one tyre
+ Pros
- Open tread for changing trail conditions
- Gravity-focused construction
- Tubeless-ready
− Cons
- Heavy-duty construction is excessive for smoother routes
- Grip-first tread adds rolling effort
- 29in version does not fit a 27.5in rear wheel
Compare prices
Magic Mary Gravity Pro Radial Soft, 29 x 2.5, black, folding tubeless-ready; one tyre
Prices and availability may change. Prices last checked: 2026-10-20 15:59 UTC. Prices are checked when this guide is updated. Confirm the current price and availability with the retailer.
Why it makes the shortlist
Consider the Magic Mary when your trails call for a more open tread than the Albert, or as the front tyre in a mixed-wheel pairing. Match casing, compound and wheel size carefully. This card covers the 29 x 2.5 Gravity Pro Radial Soft version; it is not a direct size-for-size replacement for the 27.5in Albert.
Key specifications
- Size
- 29 x 2.5
- Model
- Magic Mary Gravity Pro
- Construction
- Radial
- Compound
- Soft
- Bead
- Folding
- Tubeless
- Ready
- Price basis
- One tyre
Verdict
The Albert Gravity Pro Radial Soft makes a convincing rear tyre for firm, rocky trails where predictable cornering and a composed ride matter more than low weight. Its limitations are equally clear: it needs careful pressure setup, it is no deep-mud specialist and it should not be bought on an unqualified “fast rolling” claim. For the Amflow PX Carbon Pro and similar mixed-wheel eMTBs, that is a credible brief.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Albert be used on the front?
Yes. Choose the correct wheel size and consider the compound for your conditions. Front-tyre results with Ultra Soft do not automatically describe the Soft version reviewed here.
Is Gravity Pro necessary on every eMTB?
No. It is most relevant when impacts and cornering loads justify a reinforced casing. Bike weight alone does not mean every rider needs the heaviest option.
Is the Albert a good UK winter tyre?
It can suit winter riding on firm, rocky surfaces, but its tighter tread is a limitation in sticky mud. Match the tread to the ground, rather than choosing purely by season.