[Closed] Road Plus

WTB Horizons? I really like them. Had 38 and 42C tyres before that before 650B rando tyres go rebranded, they were also good. Could be a bit flimsy at times, that's one area where the Horizon is a big improvement. 47C may be getting toward OTT for pure road use and I think I prefer the 42s for that, but the moment you get onto rougher tracks the Horizons win. Great all rounders.

This sort of chunk gets a bit tricky but it's comfier than on average CX tyres -
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I think I've just found the inspiration for my next bike - been riding big rubber offroad for the last few years and continually amazed at the lack of rolling resistance once you get them up to speed. I'm imagining a Newsboy-inspired, curved, twin toptube frame, 1x11 transmission and assymetric chainstay for clearance...

I sort of get this and I sort of don't

I can see why some one would want 42mm or 47mm tyres on drop bar bike to deal with rougher surfaces and give more comfort

I also get on a bike with limited clearances you get in a bigger tyre by using 650b rims

But what I'm less sure of is if your starting from scratch why not just make the frame and fork capable of running the tyre size you want on 700c rims. Sure the chain stays will be a bit longer. But the extra wheel size should be an advantage.

Or am I missing something

I'm not the tallest of riders and trying to design a nice-handling road frame that takes a 700x47 tyre creates all sort of problems with frame angles, front wheel overlap, wheelbase, headtube lengths to name a few whereas I can design a frame that uses proven road/CX geometry, simply make it a touch wider for tyre clearances, Boost hubs etc and keep all the proportions nice.

It looks as if you haven't finished the sentence in the title. Road plus what?Reading further I see that you are on about a stupid new "name" for something that has been going on for as long as the bicycle has existed and doesn't need jazzing up. The traditional term such as Roughstuff works very well actually. 😀
Marginally more seriously: Me? I just take my sensibly shod road bike where it takes my fancy. The less sensibly shod one stays firmly on the tarmac.

Spa (Tourer) and Specialized (AWOL) are the only people I know who make stock 700c bikes that can take bigger tyres and guards without overlap on small frames.

Both handle beautifully without any apparent vices.

Why can't other manufacturers do this?

I'm not the tallest of riders and trying to design a nice-handling road frame that takes a 700x47 tyre creates all sort of problems with frame angles, front wheel overlap, wheelbase, headtube lengths to name a few whereas I can design a frame that uses proven road/CX geometry, simply make it a touch wider for tyre clearances, Boost hubs etc and keep all the proportions nice.

I'm 6 foot 4 so my perspective is of course warped by this..

700x42 on my sequoia and I think they're great, keeps up with full on roadies, but so much more confidence inspiring when conditions get foul, or you leave the black top. Smoothes coarse tarmac too, and potholes don't leave you with that 'are my wrists still attached?' question.

I think I've just found [s] the inspiration for[/s] my next bike

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But the extra wheel size should be an advantage.

Or am I missing something

No, valid question. Bigger tyres and bigger wheel OD all roll better off-road but if they're too big it's a bit of an odd combo with drop bars imo, you can have a level of ability off-road where the drops become a weakness.
For me 650x42-52C mixes well with drops if it still feels like a road-ish bike. I like the combo of a slightly quicker spin-up feel than a 700x47 (10-12% less wheel edge weight all things the same, but not make or break) and don't really need the added roll-over advantage of a 29er on most terrain I'd ride this bike on - or if I do I'll be on a rigid 29er MTB.
Wheel+tyre+bar balance along with geometry .. just an overall feel thing. I do wonder what makes more sense for this kind of bike. I've settled on 'neither really' but have ridden 650B a lot in last few years - just depends on what you use it for. 700C Horizons would be cool.

700x40 feels similar overall to 650x47 on the local dry-fast-choppy byways in summer but the 650 takes random heavier impacts much better due to the volume, also some potential for a slightly stiffer or stronger wheel.

WTB Byway available anywhere yet?