To those of you whom have used these on gravel/dirt roads to forest/fire service roads > what did you think?
I am intrigued, in particular I have been thinking of trying the Maraton Supremes in 2" to 40m ish.
Seems to me the 2" balloons traction would be good despite lack of outside knobs like on smaller,common file treads.
One concern I have is weight/rotational weight for a approx 650g x 2" marathon supreme balloon versus a much lighter, per memory upper 400's x 40mm Supreme. I would go 40 if traction was ok. Weight > I am not a weenie. My bike wears a rack,mud guards,frame pump > trekking/touring and comes in at 30#'s as I ride it, even with a carbon fork. But, my wheels are already double wall/32h > disc brakes >28er/29er & it's billy goat hilly where I live = climbing ability = I have to gain a little rotational weight where I can = tires. The sets I run now are in the 500's g weight plus tubes.
From experience compared to single/dual track there just isn't any hard cornering. I run 38 file treads to 1.8" XC MTB low knob , hard pack race tires and I really question how much IF any tread is needed for gravel/dirt roads? One thing, in my "hilly" terrain one does tend to barrel @$$ down hill but typically its not like there is single track hard bank turns at the bottom. My biggest issue in regards is ruts in that I live in a true four season climent.
Maybe it's out of tradition? History of gravel/dirt roads that ties to balloon tire bikes of the 1950s > Americana ? Maybe it's the touring guys love for Schwalbe Marathon Supremes and their testimonials of "no problems on dirt roads,etc" (and most don't even run the 2" " balloons ".
As I have not ever seen a gravel tire review for such to date I am hoping some here have ran them and will share their experiences.
I was running the Vittoria XG Pro's 32's tubeless...Great tire, but wear out quick. Now running Soma Cazadero 43 on front and Surly Knard 41 on rear. both tubeless. They seem to be quite running on pavement and R GREAT on dirt and gravel road. No apparent wear...long lasting.
Laeljon wrote:I was running the Vittoria XG Pro's 32's tubeless...Great tire, but wear out quick. Now running Soma Cazadero 43 on front and Surly Knard 41 on rear. both tubeless. They seem to be quite running on pavement and R GREAT on dirt and gravel road. No apparent wear...long lasting.
Thanks but, have you tried "balloon" tires?
Example: 2" Schwalbe Big Bens, Big Apples or for weight savings Marathon Supremes.
Although it (yours) might me a CX knobby, and low psi, I kind doubt a Big Ben (balloon) would "slight out" on gravel roads...........single track > sure but, I have not encountered any 180's going down on a gravel road
If you have room you may want to try a Specialized Renegade 1.8" 2bliss on the front or a Rock & Road if you tight spaced
I run Renegades on/off pavement (pave,gravel,forest,fire) - there fast but, they are fast on dry (most roads graded) but if you hit any mud at all they will glog up in the micro sipe'ing which also helps it grip on wet pavement for a low fast knob, bites in snow, etc. ..........can't have everything
