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I'm looking for some tyres, but it's hard to know which ones are draggy and which aren't (I'm aware of That Review Site, but it has no tyres over 40mm). Criteria are as follows:
- 42-47mm in 700c. Might be able to go to 50 (currently the bike has 47-622 Vee Rubber Rails which come up at 45mm wide with 2mm of tread, and clearance to the mudguards is close but ok).
- fast-rolling on tarmac but with just enough tread for packed gravel (no need for mud or proper off-road).
- available for about £20 (yeah, I know, but I'm happy to shop around).
- non-essential, but bonus marks for folding bead and reflective sidewall.
The obvious options seem to be Big Ben, Big Apple and Marathon Almotion, but they're all 50mm which I think is pushing it (although I'll probably give them a go if nothing else looks suitable). Would prefer not to go below about 42mm as I already have some 37s… just fancy something a little bigger.
Or any experiences of the above Schwalbes would be useful, too. (I used to have some 26" Big Apples which I liked a lot, but I seem to recall reading that the newer versions are somewhat beefier and less supple.)
Thanks…
I have some Vittoria Hypers from PlanetX.
Not sure how big they are exactly, they have minimal tread so are "exciting" on a full gravel track but do ride well on the road.
Edit - forget that, they are 38s.
For more gravelly gravel rides, I have some Vittoria Randoneur Trail - not sure you can still get them but they ride ok on the road and grippy enough off road.
Vittoria Hyper Voyager are fine if its dry. They are VERY fast on the road and my GF thinks they fine in anything except mud and wet grass.
They are also super cheap
If you were prepared to pay then I'd recommend Compass tyres, but they're "somewhat" over your stated budget. I'm using Switchback Hill at the moment and they're great. Good on road, also great on gravel and loose surface, fine for singletrack in the dry, and will cope with somewhat more difficult if you're careful.
Probably not quite big enough for you, but I'm flogging a pair of 40-622 Schwalbe G-One Allround Evos, which are superb on and off road (within limits, of course!):
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fs-schwalbe-g-one-allround-evolution-tyres-700c-x-38-pair/
Vittoria Revolution G+ from Planet X? Fast rolling, bit of tread for rough rough roads/gravel.
Yes, they're 'only' 38c, but very comfy, and only £10 each.
https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike-parts/tyres-and-tubes/tyres?size%5B%5D=700x40C
Have a look here. There is a drop down selector for sizes.
Marathon Supreme are supposed to be very good, bit over your budget though.
If an actual 47mm would fit, you might be fine with any of Schwalbe's 2.0/50c. I had some 2.0 Fat Franks on Open Pros and they came up about 44mm.
Just scoped a new winter bike with G-Ones for this very purpose.
Another vote for G-Ones which I think you can get in a 42? I use the 32 and they're v fast
Compass are over budget, yes, and even if they weren't I've seen wildly varying opinions as to how good they actually are.
Useful to know that the 50-622 Schwalbes come up small; thanks for that. Might see if I can find out which of the cheaper options (Ben/Apple) is the faster-rolling.
Continental Contact Speed looks quite interesting as well, although it's not huge.
Cheers.
My Arkose came with some WTB Ridders, I don't know what they are like off-road but they roll surprisingly well. I did a 70 Mile club run on it a couple of weeks ago and they did not hinder me. Because Evans cocked up my order, I also got a pair of Gravel Kings, they are meant to be OK on the road as well.
I am going to get some Conti Contact Speeds when the Riddlers wear out (they go up to 42mm)
Schwalbe Hurricane 29x1.6 on Nextdaytyres/bike; a bit toothy I know but I find it rolls fine on the narrow central ridge ..? In stock & cheap.
Useful to know that the 50-622 Schwalbes come up small; thanks for that. Might see if I can find out which of the cheaper options (Ben/Apple) is the faster-rolling.
This isn't the G-One, but its bigger brother (which I don't think is sold in you-rope). It gets a remarkably good write-up for rolling resistance, and I assume the G-One will perform similarly:
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews/schwalbe-big-one-2016
My experience is that the G-Ones on the gravel bike don't feel massively slower than the GP4000s on the road bike, which is about as big a complement as I can pay them.
Another vote for G-Ones which I think you can get in a 42? I use the 32 and they’re v fast
In 622 (700c) they do a 35 (35-622) and 38 (40-622), which both measure up a bit smaller. Weirdly, they also list a 57-622 which is effectively 29 x 2.25" - a monster tyre for a gravel bike!
Awesomely good tyres though. Highly recommended.
I now seem to be looking at Marathon Supremes, probably in 2" (50-622) size. Anyone know how they measure up once fitted? (I think the rims they'll go on are 18mm internal.)
Bez - initial impressions of Contact Speeds on the Pinnacle Arkose thread
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/pinnacle-arkose-three-jameso-to-the-forum-please/page/29/
Once you're up to 2" on gravel don't worry about having any tread on the tyre.
You'll be running the tyre at a low pressure and there will be plenty contact area and grip by compliance with the surface.
(I run 2.35" BAs)
Does anybody have any feedback on the Spesh Espoir sport 32 tyres? They seem to be coming down in price.
Vittoria Hyper, yes a little small for you at 38mm, but they are very quick for their size/puncture resistance.