So, I've recently been fortunate enough to get a killer deal on an Open Up and have transferred all the bits from my Grade over to it. Having ridden it on the road a fair bit, compared to my other road bikes it's pretty stiff and unforgiving - hardly a surprise considering the original purpose of it. So I plan to just use my road bikes on the road and use the Open for more off-roady type adventures. I live about 12 miles away from Bedgebury (think Thetford with hills) and ideally I'd like to ride out to 'The Bedge', smash a couple of laps out then ride back. The question is - what tyres and wheels (all that build up and it turns into a 'what tyres' thread...).
I've got a nice set of hunt 4 seasons which currently have GP4000's in 28mm on them. These clearly won't do. I also have a pair of Halo Vapour 650b wheels with a set of WTB Horizons. The question is, would I be better served by buying a pair of Schwalbe G One speeds in 40mm, or just sticking the Halo's on and using the Horizons?
Any ideas? The WTB's look cooler, but I want something that's quick'ish on the road (hate draggy tyres) but can handle the dusty (HA!) trails of Bedgebury.
I have Horizons on the Amazon now. I also have a set of wheels built up with 700x400 Nanos. I can't see me fitting them again any time soon.
Go for the best quality carcass, as long as you are future proof.
You already have the Halo+WTB combo don't you? That's your answer, until you decide (if you do) that they aren't the answer.
Been running 40mm G-Ones on my CX bike over winter - only marginally slower than my road bike and surprising amount of grip on hardpack trails. I've also just fitted some 700x45mm WTB Riddlers to my singlespeed and they aren't much slower than the G-Ones, but the bigger side knobs make is handle far better in loose / slippy stuff. I was thinking about building up a 650Bx50 'gravel' bike but think I prefer the 'roll' of the bigger wheels.
Damn it! 2 in the 650b camp, one for 700c. And Al on the fence. Maybe I'll give the 650b a try this weekend and see how I get on.
Running 40c Ramblers on my Friston and they’re only marginally slower on flat sections than the GP4000s on my road bike. Nearer 20-25% slower on proper climbs though. Bloody good grip IMBS, never feel draggy and excellent off road.
Ran 700c on my caadx then got a Salsa Vaya and running 650b x 47 byways, they are brilliant, can’t see me going back to 700c Then there’s the added bonus that they look ace!!
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Started out with 700c x 40 (ish) G One, but then got a set of 650b wheels & Horizons.
Won’t go back to the 700c wheels.
After the last few years on both, on and off - ime/imo etc
650B x 47-50mm if you're after comfort on minor roads and over long distances (all-day / multi-day, where comfort after 7-8hrs adds pace that makes up for any lack of zip in the earlier stages - if there really is any lack and I'm not sure there actually is, just feels that way) or you're off-road as often as on.
700 x 32-40mm if you're after a slightly higher av speed on road over shorter distances and/or ride with roadies, and still want some off-road ability some of the time.
700 x 45-55mm (or more with the right tyres) if you have space, need more off-road ability than on but still don't want a slow bike on road.
I've been on 650B x 47 for about 90% of my miles that aren't MTB rides for a while now. That's as much about my own riding preferences as the tyres. It's worth thinking about how the tyre handles bumps and what pressures you can use with them, that tends to dictate the performance pros-cons.
As mentioned above, it's also about the quality of the tyre as much as anything else. Lighter casing tyres like Compass or Panaracer 650Bs will be a bit quicker than the tougher WTBs but my experience is that lighter tyres lose any speed gain when you're off the bike fixing flats so often - though It is flinty and thorny where I ride most.
If my frame will take a 700 x 40 will a 650 x 47 fit?
Thunder Burt on 650b are ok on tarmac bits between the dirt. Not too draggy. Also use Nano 40's on Mavic Allroads, again not too draggy on tarmac sections. Have some G-One's to try out also. All set up tubeless.
