WTB SG2 Gravel Tires: Resolute Checkpoint – by Guitar Ted
This past September WTB announced a new version of their gravel tire range with puncture protection dubbed “SG2”. Now you can get any tire over 37mm in width in the gravel range with this feature. We introduced three SG2 equipped tire models from WTB and as promised, we have been testing them out since then. This post will give you an update on the 700c X 42mm Resolute SG2.
Ride Performance: The Resolute with SG2 puncture protection has been mounted to a HED Eroica wheel set since the beginning of the testing period. We measured the width shortly after mounting them up at 44.21mm. Now after several rides they measure up at 44.75mm, so I think that we can safely say that on a ‘modern internal width’ rim, you can expect a Resolute to be 44mm wide.
Thankfully, the ride quality of the Resolute in its standard, non-SG2 casing is carried over to this SG2 model. I found that I could run similar pressures to my regular Resolutes and not suffer much, if any noticeable negative ride traits. So, in my opinion, besides a bit of weight gain, there is no real drawback to using an SG2 Resolute over the standard model.
If you are not familiar with the Resolute, it was designed to be an ‘all around’ specialist, not excellent at one thing, but really good for most applications. Here the SG2 also matched its predecessor in performance. I found a speedy roll on hard surfaces and pavement, a decent mud shedding quality, and grip enough where that was necessary. Of all of WTB’s offerings in the gravel range, this tire really combines the best traits of all their gravel tires into one package. The Resolute is definitely the ‘set it and forget it‘ tire for most riders needs.
So Far… This was the model I was most concerned about going into this review. Since the standard Resolute is still my #1 gravel tire, I was really hopeful that the SG2 model would at least approximate what I liked about this tire. I am happy to say that WTB did not screw up the Resolute when they made it in a SG2 format. The casing with that 120TPI construction is a great offset to the SG2 belt and this preserves ride quality. Even the expected characteristics of a normal Resolute shine through here.
The only negatives I can find are that anyone expecting a 42mm tire will get a tire 2mm wider than that, especially on the now popular 24-26mm internal rim widths we are seeing more of these days. That may mean your frame will have limited clearances, or at worst, won’t fit this tire. The other thing is merely an aesthetic quibble I have. That being that SG2 is not available in a skin wall model. Hmm…… I suppose I could get used to an all-black tire again.
Stay tuned for a final update on all three models of the SG2 tires we received soon. For more on WTB SG2 gravel tires see their site here: https://www.wtb.com/collections/gravel-gets-tougher
Note: WTB sent over the three models of SG2 gravel tires to Riding Gravel for test and review at no charge. We were not paid nor bribed for this review and we always strive to give our honest thoughts and reviews throughout.