Rene Herse Oracle Ridge 48mm on my Salsa Warbird (changing from 650b Schwalbe G-One Speed 50mm)

23 replies · 6,285 views

pderrick
14 posts
#1Oct 7, 2020, 6:05 AM▲ Top
I've recently built up a Salsa Warbird (V4) with Sram Rival 1x11 group set and have been experimenting with different set-ups.

I have a 700c (DT Swiss G1800) and 650b (Hunt Adventure Sport) wheel set and was riding with 650b 50mm Schwalbe G-One Speed (tan wall) which is a great tyre but I wanted something that could deal with wetter/muddier conditions as winter draws near.

With 650b G-One Speed:
https://imgur.com/cPltR71

First some context:
This is my first post!
I'm not a vastly experienced rider; I've had the warbird 2-3 months and before that I had a Surly Ogre for a few years. I live in NW Spain and ride on a mix of gravel/forest tracks and road... about 50/50. Here's a link to see a typical ride (on the 650b G-Ones):

https://youtu.be/7EK9r96831M

I love the G-One Speed tyres - they're great for the type of riding I have here, but they really don't like any mud (I found out the hard way).

Installation:
I chose the Oracle Ridge for their suppleness and the fact they're meant to be good on the road as well. I was a little nervous that they may be difficult to mount, but they went on with minimal fuss and inflated with a track pump. I sealed them with 60ml Mariposa Caffe Latex and didn't see any leaky sidewalls or any other problems. They certainly fit on the Warbird V4 frame with a little clearance, but I wouldn't want to put anything bigger on this bike. They were true to size with a measured width of just over 48mm (internal width of rim is 24mm)

https://imgur.com/y9yK0wX

I'll say here that the DT Swiss G1800 rims are excellent (I also tried some G-One Speed tyres on them and they also went on and sealed perfectly).
A few days on the rim and they don't seem to be leaking much air at all.

https://imgur.com/OwL7ZFH

The ride:
Clearly it's not fair to compare tyres of different sizes on different rims, but the the Oracle Ridge set up was noticeably smoother on all surfaces. It's definitely a supple tyre and has given me the comfort I was looking for, smoothing out the high frequency vibrations from the less that perfect gravel which has lots of small stones/rocks.

On the road I didn't feel any or much speed reduction and noticed only a faint hum above 30km. On gravel they were great, they gripped well and I felt confident through muddy patches.

I'm very happy with this set up and would definitely like to the try the extra light casing and perhaps in the summer the smooth tread pattern. To summarise - an excellent, but expensive tyre that is great on the Warbird.
3
chas
1,305 posts
#2Oct 7, 2020, 10:01 AM
Looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing
FYI - I use the G-One Allround in the winter as it has great grip in bad conditions and shocked me at how good they were in snow. Ideally you want the snow to pack in the tire for the best traction, rather than a self cleaning (mud) tire.

And, if you want to know why your selection of tire is the best out there, Jan Heine will be happy to tell you himself! I think you'll enjoy this podcast:
https://pca.st/episode/35eaaedc-b966-4847-8dbf-6ec815cd53a0

1
Sherwin24
14 posts
#3Oct 7, 2020, 6:32 PM
Thank you for posting this. I have been wondering how the Oracle Ridge end up size wise on @25mm id rims.

Nice looking build!
0
pderrick
14 posts
#4Oct 8, 2020, 8:37 AM
Thanks Chas - I listened to the podcast - very interesting, I'll tune in to more.

chas wrote:Looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing
FYI - I use the G-One Allround in the winter as it has great grip in bad conditions and shocked me at how good they were in snow. Ideally you want the snow to pack in the tire for the best traction, rather than a self cleaning (mud) tire.

And, if you want to know why your selection of tire is the best out there, Jan Heine will be happy to tell you himself! I think you'll enjoy this podcast:

<a href="https://pca.st/episode/35eaaedc-b966-4847-8dbf-6ec815cd53a0" target="_blank">https://pca.st/episode/35eaaedc-b966-4847-8dbf-6ec815cd53a0</a>

1
pderrick
14 posts
#5Oct 8, 2020, 8:38 AM
Thanks - the tyres were at 30psi when I measured. I rode today at 27psi without any problems... nice and smooth.

Sherwin24 wrote:Thank you for posting this. I have been wondering how the Oracle Ridge end up size wise on @25mm id rims.

Nice looking build!
0
widerisfaster
253 posts
#6Oct 10, 2020, 5:00 PM

I have tried 650b x 48 Switchback Hill, and 700 x 38 Barlow Pass, and I like the handling of those sizes. I tried 700x44 Snoqualmie Pass, and the ride comfort is improved, but I found they relaxed my steering more than I liked for use on-road. But for rougher roads and trails, the extra volume and more stable steering would be good, so I am curious about the 700x 48 Oracle Ridge, especially since they roll so well on the smooth roads too.

I would be interested to hear how you feel the 700 x 48 changes the steering/handling of the bike compared to the 650b x 48?
0
pderrick
14 posts
#7Oct 11, 2020, 4:42 AM
Thanks for your message widerisfaster - you have a nice collection of Rene Here tyres!

I did feel the steering was slightly more relaxed, but for me, the improved comfort makes it an acceptable trade-off. Although more relaxed, I've not found it to be detrimental to my riding - at speed it changes direction quick enough and when slowly moving through trickier sections, it's also ok.

I've put about 200km on the Oracle Ridge now and find it ideal for the roads and tracks I have here. Of course, it's all very subjective and I don't have a lot to compare it with, but I'm very happy with them.

widerisfaster wrote:
I have tried 650b x 48 Switchback Hill, and 700 x 38 Barlow Pass, and I like the handling of those sizes. I tried 700x44 Snoqualmie Pass, and the ride comfort is improved, but I found they relaxed my steering more than I liked for use on-road. But for rougher roads and trails, the extra volume and more stable steering would be good, so I am curious about the 700x 48 Oracle Ridge, especially since they roll so well on the smooth roads too.

I would be interested to hear how you feel the 700 x 48 changes the steering/handling of the bike compared to the 650b x 48?
2
widerisfaster
253 posts
#8Oct 11, 2020, 5:07 AM
Thanks for the quick reply! I do indeed have a few sets. Have also tried the 28mm on my road bike, and the 32mm for a long bikepacking trip. They are all good, it's just a matter of working out which ones fit my riding. The Oracle Ridge are moving up the list as my next tyres to try!
1
pushstart
181 posts
#9Oct 14, 2020, 8:28 PM
widerisfaster wrote:
I have tried 650b x 48 Switchback Hill, and 700 x 38 Barlow Pass, and I like the handling of those sizes. I tried 700x44 Snoqualmie Pass, and the ride comfort is improved, but I found they relaxed my steering more than I liked for use on-road. But for rougher roads and trails, the extra volume and more stable steering would be good, so I am curious about the 700x 48 Oracle Ridge, especially since they roll so well on the smooth roads too.

This is my feeling too. On my 72.5º head-tube angle frame w/ 45mm offset fork, the 38mm BP tires feel very natural on the road and the 44mm SP definitely feel different; I guess one can tell even fairly small differences in trail, or perhaps this is just past some tipping point in trail (?) -- calculator says 64mm and 66mm respectively. I find myself gravitating back to the SP despite the slower handling for reasons of the benefits I get with bigger volume (and especially at no weight penalty -- even a surprising weight savings vs. the smaller tires). This particularly resonates, as this morning I had switched wheels to my 38mm G-One tires and in my early, pre-coffee ride had a couple of adrenaline-inducing moments when I almost turned too sharply into the curb.
0
dtheory
2 posts
#10Dec 7, 2020, 4:39 PM
Hi All.. Anyone else have any experience with the compass knobbies who can comment on how they feel on pavement. I'mm assuming they'd be great off road, and am wondering how they'd do on longer approach rides... like if I was on pavement for a couple of hours before gravel sections, would they feel excessively slow. I know Jan says no, but thought I'd ask the group.
0
pushstart
181 posts
#11Dec 7, 2020, 8:05 PM
My experience with RH knobbies is the 38mm Steilacoom in both regular and Extralight casing and the 42mm Hurricane Ridge in Endurance casing.

The EL tires always roll super smooth. I notice the knobs from a speed / rolling-resistance perspective, but they roll faster than you'd think looking at them -- not like riding a MTB tire. The Endurance tires with knobs don't feel any faster to me than a typical gravel tire (e.g. Gravel King 43mm), but I haven't compared them side-to-side. I wouldn't hesitate to ride either of them for a couple hours on the road, but l really only have the knobby tires for mud (cx) or very rough gravel races / singletrack. Mostly I find high-volume slicks or light-tread like a G-One to be perfect balance.
0
pderrick
14 posts
#12Dec 8, 2020, 4:21 AM
I regularly ride the Oracle Ridge for 1-2 hours on the road (albeit pavement in poor condition) linking up gravel sections. I don't find them slow, but they rumble a bit at very slow speeds.

Whilst I like the G-One Speeds, I always ride the Oracle Ridge at this time of year for the confidence it gives me though muddy sections. It may be a compromise, but I think it's a very small one.
0
JF69
1 posts
#13Dec 29, 2020, 12:48 PM
Are these Oracle Ridge tyres you've installed in Standard casing? Im wondering if there is any difference in rolling speed on pavement/tarmac.
My current setup is the Bruce Gordon Rock n Rod 43mm in 700c, & I'm quite happy with them, it's just that I've been wondering about the wide RH tyres, the slick options too.

0
pderrick
14 posts
#14Dec 29, 2020, 2:38 PM
Yes, standard casing and measure just over 48mm at 35psi. I've no complaints about the rolling speed on pavement, but I'm not riding slicks at the moment so can't compare back to back.
As it's winter, most of my rides have a muddy section or two and I have a lot of confidence in the Oracle Ridges. I'll try the RH slick tyres in the summer probably.
1
imwjl
304 posts
#15Feb 27, 2021, 8:31 PM
@pderrick thank you for the review. These tires might be what I'm looking - a little smaller than MSO 50s - for except for the color. Too bad no solid black color.
Thanks again.
0
pderrick
14 posts
#16Feb 28, 2021, 2:21 AM
I think the ultralight version of this tyre will have black sidewalls. I’m keen to try a RH ultralight when I need a new set.
0
Slim
300 posts
#17Mar 15, 2021, 7:47 AM
@pderrick thanks for posting.

I have the same bike and have been looking for a high volume tire for the rear. I actually was thinking of this tire for the front, so I am surprised to see you fit it in the rear as well, even for wet conditions.
Do you any pictures and measurement of the clearance in the rear?

(I often find it easiest it measure that with a set of Allen wrenches, seeing what size fits: 3, 4 or 5mm)
0
rdavis32
34 posts
#18Mar 16, 2021, 9:26 AM
I've got Hurricane Ridge's on my Carbonda 505 and love them. I previously had the Pano GK knobbies in 43. The Pano's wore out quickly. The Hurricane Ridge feel great on pavement and I'm buying into most of the hype surrounding Rene Herse.
0
pderrick
14 posts
#19Mar 17, 2021, 9:59 AM
Sorry for the slow reply. The gap is between 3-4mm. The photo shows a 4mm hex key.
thanks
Paul

1
imwjl
304 posts
#20May 8, 2021, 7:19 AM
rdavis32 wrote:I've got Hurricane Ridge's on my Carbonda 505 and love them. I previously had the Pano GK knobbies in 43. The Pano's wore out quickly. The Hurricane Ridge feel great on pavement and I'm buying into most of the hype surrounding Rene Herse.

I'm revisiting this giving my Sutra Ltd. some attention after having the Fargo the 55 mm Hearse knobbies. It's a first world problem of do I choose the 42 or 48 mm version having given up on the idea of all black versions. The 55 mm roll so well on pavement that I might go with 48 with pinch flats in mind.
0

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