Three Tires From WTB: Getting Rolling – by Grannygear
When WTB introduced the “Road Plus” 650b x 47mm tire into the marketplace, they did it with tread patterns that were unique…there were no 700c versions. It was a brilliant tire size although at the time I thought, “Huh?”.
So now we are seeing 700c versions of some of these Road Plus tires. We have two of them to sample, one set in the Byway design and one set in the Venture, and we also have a poofier version of the Exposure 30, the Exposure 36. I have been using the Exposure 30 on my road bike for a few seasons now and I know it well. It is a really fun road tire, plumping up to 32mm on a decently wide rim, something that just amazes the roadies in the groups I ride with…”Is that your gravel bike?”. So the 36mm version ought to be quite good as a road-prioritized ‘big’ tire.
We weighed the samples as follows: Byway 40: 443g/420g Venture 40: 509g/504g Exposure 36: 371g/356g. The Byway 40 also comes in a 34mm and a 44mm size in 700c. They have the Road TCS casing and come in skinwall or blackwall. From the WTB website:
Byway is for days of endless hardpack exploration and gravel grinding while also providing noticeable efficiency on any pavement linking it all together. A swiftly smooth centerline is paired to a textured intermediate section that provides a seamless transition onto small outer knobs for unwavering traction in loose dirt and gravel. Prominent outer knobs also extend down the sidewall to provide an additional level of defense from roadside unpleasantness of all shapes and sizes.
Byway 700c x 34 is an identical replacement to the previously named Exposure 34 tire. We renamed the tire to creating a uniform naming structure where all tires are named according to tread pattern.
Features:
- Smooth centerline for efficiency with diamond shaped outer knobs for grip in the dirt.
- High volume tire enables comfortable ride.
- Dual Compound rubber means a fast rolling tire with great corning traction.
The Venture is a more aggressive tire with very closely set, angled mini knobs. The casing is also Road TCS and they come in skin or blackwall. From the WTB website.
Among our most versatile drop bar tires, the Venture delivers optimal performance across the widest range of conditions to serve as a truly set-it-and-forget-it gravel tire for riders who demand traction across a wide variety of terrain. Elevated centerline ridges provide consistent working edges that dig in whether hammering up a climb or leaning into a turn. Two rows of outer knobs provide confidence regardless of how hard you’re cornering while also providing substantial sidewall protection. Venture is the tire of choice when the destination is unknown but you’re sure to encounter a variety of terrain along the way.
Features:
- The large, high-volume footprint of each Venture tire allows for more working edges of the tread to always be in contact with the terrain.
- Rounded profile with vertical channels to enhance cornering characteristics.
- High volume casing enables comfortable ride.
- Dual Compound Rubber means a fast rolling tire with great corning traction.
The Exposure 36 is a complete slick. Road TCS casing and color options like the others, it looks like a dream tire for roughly paved roads. From the WTB website
The smooth centerline of the Exposure optimizes efficiency while hatched outer edges provide cornering confidence on rough, unpredictable surfaces. Exposure is a high-volume tubeless tire designed to tackle crumbling tarmac while still delivering the fast-rolling benefits of a semi-slick road tire. Mount up a set and hit the open, yet sometimes rough, road.
Features:
- Supple tubeless casing allows for lower pressure and improved traction.
- High volume road casing enables comfortable ride.
- Dual Compound Rubber means a fast rolling tire with great corning traction.
- Smooth tread for the ultimate on-road performance.
Since these are not completely new tires as far as the tread design, and the fact I have three to review, I will put quality time on each and then do a solid impressions post on each separately
What do I expect from these new bits of rubber? WTB has a nice casing on their tires, or at least all I have been on. They ride well and have decent durability, running well tubeless. I expect the Byway to be a solid all-road tire, the Venture to be a grippy little thing on hard dirt and I have a 70 mile mixed surface loop in mind with tons of climbing that the 36mm Exposure ought to be excellent for.
I have been on the 40mm Byway for a bit now and I am really liking it, having just come off the 38mm Hutchinson Overides. The Byways are as fast, maybe faster, and ride better than the Overides, feeling more supple at the same PSI and approximate tire volume. But, they are not 40mm wide tires. Where’s the beef? After a week or so of use they are sitting at 38mms wide at 40psi,tubeless. That may or may not be a bad thing, depending on what you need them to fit, but it is something to be aware of.
Be back soon…going riding.
Note: WTB sent over the three models of tires to Riding Gravel for test and review at no charge. We are not being paid, nor bribed, for this review and we will always strive to give our honest thoughts and views throughout.