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It's NBD and I've "accidentally" plunged myself into the world of using a super-light rigid hardtail as my new bike-packing rig (insert your own "we've come full circle" rant below).
It has some really nice DT swiss XRC1200 rims but I have just realised they are the 30mm internal rim version, which seem absolutely massive to my uneducated roadie / gravely brain.
Any views / experience on how narrow I can go with the tyres? Ideally I would like to run 700 x 50 Cinturatos or maybe 2.1" Mezcals. The ETRTO table seems to suggest this is "compatible" rather than "optimal" but I am not too bothered about that as long as I won't die? The primary intended purpose is long-distance off-roaders like the SDW, KAW and Badger Divide etc. It came with 2.4" Rekkons on it, but they're not tan wall, so...
I probably wouldn't go under 2.25 but there is no rationale behind that, it's more of an arbitrary mental block. I am sure the 2.1 would be safe. But is narrower than 2.25 necessarily better? I live on the SDW and on long distance I am not even sure 2.1 presents much of an advantage compared to 2.25 or 2.3. The (possible) rolling resistance benefits may well be outweighed by the (possible) extra harshness and fatigue?
Have you considered those Maxxis Reckon Race 2.25 on Merlin? They're £15 so you'll probably be able to sell them to me for £20 / pair if you don't like them 😂.
For long distance bikepacking there's lots to like about wider, softer tyres. What is lost in "efficiency" is often made up for by increased comfort and reduced fatigue, meaning you can ride for longer.
On closer inspection I have realised the good people at DT Swiss have printed the specs onto the rim. it says minimum of 47mm, so 2.1 is well within the range. Think I will go with that and see how I get on, can always go wider later.
I can't remember where (might have been Sheldon Brown) but I once read that road tyres should be 1.6 to 2 times the internal width of the rim. So I just started applying that formula to all my rim and tyre combinations for all the types of bikes I ride and it's been working pretty well for me ever since.
That would give you a minimum of 48mm so it's interesting that it's so close to the DT Swiss minimum.
I’ve used 700x50 on a 30mm internal rim in the past. Rather square profile but it worked fine - it’ll vary by tyre make/model too too since extent.
Those Rekon Race 2.25s at Merlin: do we know if they’re EXO? No mention in the listing but Maxxis’ own website only lists EXO versions, so I’m not sure what to believe…
Those Rekon Race 2.25s at Merlin: do we know if they’re EXO? No mention in the listing but Maxxis’ own website only lists EXO versions, so I’m not sure what to believe…
They're not exo as i have the Merlin ones and some Exo TR ones. I did weigh one...circa 650g iirc so lighter than the tr exo quoted weights. Walls felt thinner. Not sure what to use them for as yet as i really rate the Rekon Race Exo TR but can't decide if the cheap version will offer the same ride; i do like a stronger sidewall for support and for avoiding damage
Thanks @nuke. Normally I use EXO variants as a minimum but I'm eyeing up these Rekon Race for rear fat-gravel use on my Cascade, so probably more thn OK. Good to know the weight too, that's fairly decent. I've got a pair of lightly used Rekon EXO 2.4s already to try but already thinking something less tready/faster-rolling on the rear would be more suitable.
They will be available if anyone wants to make an offer for them. They won't be completely spotless as I rode them up and down the track outside my house this morning, and were set up tubeless with sealant at the shop.
Most out of interest west have you bought?
Which bike I mean (to the OP)
Also this may help
https://bikepacking.com/gear/wide-gravel-wheels/
It’s an Orbea Alma, comes in at 7.7kg without pedals
I can’t remember where (might have been Sheldon Brown) but I once read that road tyres should be 1.6 to 2 times the internal width of the rim
A 23c tyre is the optimal profile for a 15mm internal Open Pro rim. That’s 1.5x So for a 30, I’d probably go to 36-40. Anything bigger than 46 will have the lightbulb bulge.
Depends on the tyre
I've run 48mm slicks on 29mm rims before and that was all good
But some treads won't play well with wider rims -- the Maxxis Minion SS 2.3" is a good example, which looks horribly square on a 30mm rim
If you are happy splashing out, the 29 x 2.2" Teravail Sparwood are fast and tough in the 'durable' casing version (tanwall's available)