700x45c or larger

13 replies · 1,817 views

TrailMasonCliff
40 posts
#1Sep 10, 2019, 1:07 PM
I have ordered a 2020 Kona Sutra frame and will be building it out with most of my current kit. However my current 700x40 Maxxis ramblers will be feel a bit small and I have wanted to move up to at least 45c if not 50c for my primarily Kansas city based gravel adventures. What tires do you all recommend? I do see that Maxxis has some ramblers in 700x50c but i would like to see what other options people are enjoying.
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HollyBoni
333 posts
#2Sep 11, 2019, 3:28 AMedited
Since it's a Sutra, I would utilize one if it's best features (at least to me), the ability to clear 29er MTB rubber. I don't know how big you can go, i've heard/seen 2.25. (I'm sure there is ample room in the front)
I would go with a nice and fast XC tire, 2.25 front and back. Schwalbe Thunder Burt, Maxxis Ikon, Conti Race King (Protection), stuff like that. You can even go a bit more knobby and barely loose any speed, Schwalbe Rocket Ron, Vittora Mezcal for example.
Only if you have rims wide enough tho, i'd want a 25mm inner width for 2.25s.

Just my 2 cents.

There are definitely options in the 700x50 range, but usually 700c gravel tires tend to end at 43-45mm, and 29er MTB tires tend to start at 2.1-2.25. Panaracer also has the GravelKing SKs in 50mm, or there is the Soma Cazadero.

Btw, can you share how much you paid for the frame? I live in Europe, contacted two stores in the UK, and they quoted me 750 pounds just for the frame...
1
chas
1,305 posts
#3Sep 11, 2019, 8:40 AM
I'm using a 50mm Furious Fred on the front of my bike (won't fit rear). It is insanely fast light, and good dry traction. Its not tough, but IMHO a front tire doesn't need to be tough or long lasting. I love it.

Yesterday I did a 70 mile ride
- fast commute to work on pavement, then on the way home,
- hit some nice dry twisty single track
- did an aggressive testosterone induced gravel ride with a team training for the infamous IceMan mountain bike race.

This tire does everything well that I would expect of a gravel tire. Its been called a "cheater tire"

Other options:
- 45mm wtb riddler
- Bontrager CX0s tires are highly rated.
- Maxxis rambler comes in a 45mm size.
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TrailMasonCliff
40 posts
#4Sep 11, 2019, 9:45 AM
HollyBoni wrote:
Btw, can you share how much you paid for the frame? I live in Europe, contacted two stores in the UK, and they quoted me 750 pounds just for the frame...

USA MSRP for the frame and fork is $599 my understanding is they should start shipping in the USA around the end of September.

My current rims are Spank Ozzy 295 with inner rim width of 24.5mm so they will be able to handle anything I throw at it.
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OffB10Path
54 posts
#5Sep 11, 2019, 10:02 AM
HollyBoni wrote:
Since it's a Sutra, I would utilize one if it's best features (at least to me), the ability to clear 29er MTB rubber.

+1. FWIW, I've been using 2.1" Thunder Burts on my Baxter for a couple years. Fast rolling, surprising grip for as small as the tread is, sidewall protection, and lighter than many narrower "gravel" tires. Not cheap, but I love these tires.
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HollyBoni
333 posts
#6Sep 11, 2019, 11:37 AMedited
TrailMasonCliff wrote:

USA MSRP for the frame and fork is $599 my understanding is they should start shipping in the USA around the end of September.

My current rims are Spank Ozzy 295 with inner rim width of 24.5mm so they will be able to handle anything I throw at it.

Dang, super jealous! I asked last year, and they quoted 750 pounds, but I think even last year the US MSRP was around $500...
With those rims, personally i'd go with 2.1s or 2.25s.
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TrailMasonCliff
40 posts
#7Sep 11, 2019, 11:59 AM
OffB10Path wrote:

+1. FWIW, I've been using 2.1" Thunder Burts on my Baxter for a couple years. Fast rolling, surprising grip for as small as the tread is, sidewall protection, and lighter than many narrower "gravel" tires. Not cheap, but I love these tires.

My experience with Schwalbe has been they are cut magnets so I will take a look but those would be a hard sell for me.
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chas
1,305 posts
#8Sep 11, 2019, 4:26 PM
OffB10Path wrote:

+1. FWIW, I've been using 2.1" Thunder Burts on my Baxter for a couple years. Fast rolling, surprising grip for as small as the tread is, sidewall protection, and lighter than many narrower "gravel" tires. Not cheap, but I love these tires.

I bought a Thunder Burt and a Furious Fred.

Huge difference in ride and handling.

The TBs made my 17lb bike feel like a monster truck. Really slowed down the handling, and the turn in on pavement was kinda spooky. Those are all great attributes for a mountain tire, but not very versatile.

The FF on the other hand, felt like a road tire. Super light, super fast, turns in like a road tire and can pull some G's in a high friction turn.

No right or wrong here - just very different feeling tires. Certainly the FF is a fairly fragile tire - don't think I would put it on the rear. It is an amazing tire though. While the TB felt slow in comparison - in a straight line (or on non hard-pack gravel) - I don't think it is any slower. Just slows down the handling (which is a good thing in this type of tire).
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OffB10Path
54 posts
#9Sep 11, 2019, 7:47 PM
Yeah, I bought a Furious Fred a while back, too, with the intention of giving it a whirl to see how it compared with the TB. I have no doubt it is a fast tire. It was ridiculously light and thin, but I knew without even mounting it that it wasn't going to be a good fit for the rocky forest roads I ride. It would have been Flat Fred for sure. I bet it's pure rock and roll on most dirt roads, though.
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jokrah
8 posts
#10Sep 14, 2019, 8:05 AM
Donnelly Xplor MSO in 700x50mm could fit the bill for you. Kind of in the same vein as many of the other tires mentioned--smaller knobs and somewhat fast rolling
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Wheelsmcgee
16 posts
#11Sep 21, 2019, 2:09 PM
I’ve been happy with the 700x45 Maxxis Ramblers this year, as well as the 45mm WTB Riddlers they replaced. I think 45mm is a great size on gravel for bikes that can handle it.
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chas
1,305 posts
#12Sep 23, 2019, 9:50 AM
Wheelsmcgee wrote:I’ve been happy with the 700x45 Maxxis Ramblers this year, as well as the 45mm WTB Riddlers they replaced. I think 45mm is a great size on gravel for bikes that can handle it.

Is there much difference between the Rambler and Riddler? I have ramblers - wondering what I should replace them with.
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TrailMasonCliff
40 posts
#13Sep 23, 2019, 10:34 AM
chas wrote:
Is there much difference between the Rambler and Riddler? I have ramblers - wondering what I should replace them with.

They have may similarity's in trad pattern. From what I see Maxxis might be dropping the 700x45c as it is no longer listed and they have a 700x50c listed I sent a email asking about the 50c and they claim will be shipping before year end. For now Im planning on getting a set of WTB Riddlers in 700x45c if the Ramblers are not in stock when my frame ships. I also found this story on line and they seem to agree that the Riddlers make a good choice. https://granfondo-cycling.com/the-best-gravel-tire/
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chas
1,305 posts
#14Sep 23, 2019, 5:06 PM
TrailMasonCliff wrote:
I also found this story on line and they seem to agree that the Riddlers make a good choice. https://granfondo-cycling.com/the-best-gravel-tire/

I read that - looked like a test winner
Then
I read the two reviews here. They liked the Resolute better than the Riddler (kinda flip of what Grandfondo found). Even thought the knobbier Resolute was better on pavement. So confused...

Resolute review
http://ridinggravel.com/components/wtb-resolute-tire-finish/
http://ridinggravel.com/components/wtb-resolute-tire-cal-viewpoint/

The biggest difference is in how the Resolute has an uncanny ability to roll faster on pavement with a less “draggy” feel when pedaling. Coasting with Resolutes is fast and free on pavement. Don’t let what your ears hear fool you, the Resolute has a noisier sounding roll than a Riddler does, but it rolls faster than a Riddler. The Resolute also reacts well under hard pedaling on pavement also. I always felt that the Riddler had a higher rolling resistance when mashing the pedals.
The second reason I would choose a Resolute is comfort. Now WTB says that the casings on the Resolute and the Riddler are the “TCS Light, Fast Rolling” casings, but the Resolute, for whatever reason, seems to have a slightly more forgiving ride. I’m not sure why this would be, but I do feel a slight advantage to the Resolute. I’ll blame it on the skin wall that the Resolute has versus the Riddler. Why not!

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