Tire suggestion (35-40c, tubeless, all-around performance)

12 replies · 1,260 views

LewisQC
150 posts
#1Feb 1, 2018, 1:58 PMedited
I have Maxxis Re-Fuse 40c on my Devinci Hatchet at the moment. I would like to move them to my commuter and get something different for all-around riding. I do a lot of pavement but would like them to handle gravel and hard pack as well. Last 3 or 4 years I as on Continental Cyclocrosss Speed 35c.

Here's the catch: I want to do Paris-Ancaster race in April. From what I read and saw on youtube, it's quite muddy so I'm wondering if there is a gravel tire that will do ok on pavement and still perform reasonably well in muddy condition...

My guess is that I will need 2 set of tire. Maybe Gravelking mud 35c and GravelKing SK?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqbSfGORdXU

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chas
1,305 posts
#2Feb 2, 2018, 1:17 PM
I know, that ride looks like a mess. I was thinking of doing it on Ramblers - short knobs that don't really retain mud. Kinda depends on the weather though.

Gravel kings don't look like they would do good at all in a wet race situation. I have G-One (all around) and they are horrible in mud with those tight tread blocks. They do better in snow than I was expecting though (snow likes to stick to snow, and G-ones grab and hold - good for snow, horrible for mud).

G-One range has exploded. Its a great tire, and you can get just about any width you need (30-60mm) for any condition you need - from slicks, to small knobbs, to mid knobs, to muddy.

Mud likes open knobs and skinny tires.
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owly
328 posts
#3Feb 2, 2018, 4:43 PM
http://teknecycling.com/first-impressions-compass-steilacoom-high-volume-cx-tire/

Compass Steilacoom 38mm.

Take note of the thoughts (and read the comments) regarding deep mud and hardpack/pavement.
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LewisQC
150 posts
#4Feb 3, 2018, 7:08 PM
owly wrote:http://teknecycling.com/first-impressions-compass-steilacoom-high-volume-cx-tire/

Compass Steilacoom 38mm.

Take note of the thoughts (and read the comments) regarding deep mud and hardpack/pavement.

Thanks for another interesting option.

Great site with lots of infos. Really good review of AB oval chainring (which I'm considering in sub-compact to improve climbing range on my bike) and also Rasputita gravel race that is nearer for me than P2A...
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Spreader
62 posts
#5Feb 15, 2018, 9:20 PM
Hi LewisQC (Quebec City?), I'm glad you posted this thread. I've completed the 40km and 70km P2A, both time on a 26"mtb with drop bars, running 1.5" Kenda Kwest semi-slicks. The tires are lowest grade quality but here's my feedback on them. Even when it was raining leading up to the race I knew I wanted to run them instead of my Shwalbe CX-Pro knobby tires. The vast majority of the P2A is on pavement, hard pack gravel roads and rail trail. There are a few "technical" section lasting anywhere from 100m to 800m (such as traveling diagonally across a freshly furrowed farmers field). There were short occasions when I was slipping my rear wheel in the soft mud, but I believe this was greatly offset by the reduced rolling resistance of the slicks everywhere else.

This year I have a new bike and it's only got Clement MXP tires with it, so I'm in the market for a tire that meets a few criteria...
- FAST rolling on hardpack/pavement/rail trail
- clears mud quickly

Initially I was REALLY sold on the G-One Allround, low weight & low rolling resistance. But the more I read from people they are awful at shedding mud. There are a couple other events in the area that have similiar profiles (slogs of crap terrain separated by hard surfaces).

I've been debating the benefits of a range of tires for our area and have sort of narrowed it down to the following:

Clement MSO (36c) 440g
Maxxis Rambler EXO TR (38c) 380g
WTB Nano TCS (40c) 530g
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HollyBoni
333 posts
#6Feb 19, 2018, 3:58 AM
Spreader wrote:
Hi LewisQC (Quebec City?), I'm glad you posted this thread. I've completed the 40km and 70km P2A, both time on a 26"mtb with drop bars, running 1.5" Kenda Kwest semi-slicks. The tires are lowest grade quality but here's my feedback on them. Even when it was raining leading up to the race I knew I wanted to run them instead of my Shwalbe CX-Pro knobby tires. The vast majority of the P2A is on pavement, hard pack gravel roads and rail trail. There are a few "technical" section lasting anywhere from 100m to 800m (such as traveling diagonally across a freshly furrowed farmers field). There were short occasions when I was slipping my rear wheel in the soft mud, but I believe this was greatly offset by the reduced rolling resistance of the slicks everywhere else.

This year I have a new bike and it's only got Clement MXP tires with it, so I'm in the market for a tire that meets a few criteria...
- FAST rolling on hardpack/pavement/rail trail
- clears mud quickly

Initially I was REALLY sold on the G-One Allround, low weight & low rolling resistance. But the more I read from people they are awful at shedding mud. There are a couple other events in the area that have similiar profiles (slogs of crap terrain separated by hard surfaces).

I've been debating the benefits of a range of tires for our area and have sort of narrowed it down to the following:

Clement MSO (36c) 440g
Maxxis Rambler EXO TR (38c) 380g
WTB Nano TCS (40c) 530g

For mud shedding you need tyres that have loosely spaced knobs, so none of the above. 😃
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bobknh
794 posts
#7Feb 19, 2018, 8:55 AM
My $.02: I can only address the question of all around performance on mixed surfaces. I have no real experience with mud specific tires. But based on reviews here and elsewhere, depending on the type of mud, nothing really works too well.
- Ramblers: Great all around tire. A bit slower on pavement and hard pack. But if durability, ease of tubeless set up is your highest priority, these are a good choice.
- Panaracer Gravel Kings Tubeless Ready -- a little lighter and faster rolling on pavement and hard pack. Maybe not as good hooking up on soft stuff as the Ramblers. These seem to be a favorite amongst the racing crowd. If a lighter faster tire is your highest priority, then I would chose these over the Ramblers. BTW, the GK's also set up easily tubeless.
- Compass tire family. I have lots of experience with the 35 mm Bon Jon version with the extra light casing. These tires are very supple and fast rolling. IMHO, they are the equal to many tubular racing tires. The 35 mm Bon Jon's, the 38mm Steila Comp and Barlow Pass, are all rated tubeless compatible and come with either standard or extra light casing. These are by far the lightest and most supple tires that you may be considering. The down side is that the Barlow and Bon's have smooth treads. I've found that the Bon Jon's work surprisingly well on unpaved roads under most conditions. But when things get soft, I'm much more confident with the Ramblers or the GK's. Also, setting them up tubeless is challenging due to the thin porous casing - especially the extra light version. You can do it; but it takes a lot of TLC and sealant. If you go with any of the Compass tires, I would strongly recommend the standard casing both for tubeless installation and for extra durability. For your needs, the knobby Stiela Comp would be a good choice in the Compass family.
When I consider all of your needs however, I think that you'll get your best overall performance and value from the GK's. That's the reason, I think that so many racers chose these tires for events like the DK 200.

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HollyBoni
333 posts
#8Feb 19, 2018, 9:24 AMedited
In "proper" mud the tightly spaced knobs on the GravelKing SKs clog up almost instantly.
On damp, slightly wet dirt roads they're not bad, especially if there are some puddles where you can wash off the mud. But when it meets with thicker stuff you're spinning a few seconds later...

GKs are just a bit heavier than the 120tpi Ramblers. They absolutely fly on pavement like a slick tho.
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bobknh
794 posts
#9Feb 19, 2018, 12:18 PM
HollyBoni wrote:
In "proper" mud the tightly spaced knobs on the GravelKing SKs clog up almost instantly.
On damp, slightly wet dirt roads they're not bad, especially if there are some puddles where you can wash off the mud. But when it meets with thicker stuff you're spinning a few seconds later...

.

GKs are just a bit heavier than the 120tpi Ramblers. They absolutely fly on pavement like a slick tho.

Thanks for keeping me honest. My Ramblers were 60 TPI, and my GK's were nominally 35 mm - but they measured 38mm mounted. Perhaps, that was the reason the GK's felt lighter to me. Frankly, I think that they are both outstanding all around gravel tires. Both tires have proven to be durable and perform well on mixed surfaces. Either one would be a good choice for the original poster's needs
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Pynchonite
85 posts
#10Feb 19, 2018, 4:57 PM
I really liked the Specialized Trigger Pro 2Bliss when I ran the 33mm. They hooked up like magic on pretty much everything and were fast-rolling. My only qualm with them is that they weren't as sturdy as the Panaracer GK SK's that I've tried. They also didn't blimp up quite as much: the 33mm's turned into 36mm's on my Crest rims, whereas the 35mm Panaracers turned into 40mm's. The GK's were definitely faster on pavement, but they didn't hook up as well when things got loose. I'm going to try the 38mm Triggers (I think) this year and see if they're more durable. Otherwise, the Panaracers are, so far, the tire to beat for me.
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LewisQC
150 posts
#11Feb 19, 2018, 7:59 PM
Spreader wrote:
Hi LewisQC (Quebec City?), I'm glad you posted this thread. I've completed the 40km and 70km P2A, both time on a 26"mtb with drop bars, running 1.5" Kenda Kwest semi-slicks. The tires are lowest grade quality but here's my feedback on them. Even when it was raining leading up to the race I knew I wanted to run them instead of my Shwalbe CX-Pro knobby tires. The vast majority of the P2A is on pavement, hard pack gravel roads and rail trail. There are a few "technical" section lasting anywhere from 100m to 800m (such as traveling diagonally across a freshly furrowed farmers field). There were short occasions when I was slipping my rear wheel in the soft mud, but I believe this was greatly offset by the reduced rolling resistance of the slicks everywhere else.

This year I have a new bike and it's only got Clement MXP tires with it, so I'm in the market for a tire that meets a few criteria...
- FAST rolling on hardpack/pavement/rail trail
- clears mud quickly

Initially I was REALLY sold on the G-One Allround, low weight & low rolling resistance. But the more I read from people they are awful at shedding mud. There are a couple other events in the area that have similiar profiles (slogs of crap terrain separated by hard surfaces).

I've been debating the benefits of a range of tires for our area and have sort of narrowed it down to the following:

Clement MSO (36c) 440g
Maxxis Rambler EXO TR (38c) 380g
WTB Nano TCS (40c) 530g

Yes I'm from Quebec City! I don't think I'm gonna be able to do P2A this year, maybe next year. I'm recovering of 2 surgeries in 2017 (last one for a torn ligament in my thumb and Achiles in april) and I'm not sure I'll be clear to race a muddy course like this in april. Also it's almost sold-out so I would have to register now...

Thanks to all for your suggestion. I'm gonna go with GK in 35c or Compass bon jon 35 I think for this summer and a mud specific tire for next spring...
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Spreader
62 posts
#12Feb 22, 2018, 9:38 AM
After discussing the race over a couple drinks, we sort of agreed that tire choice for the P2A could very well change depending on the weather. If it’s dry for a week leading up to the event the farmers fields, forest lanes etc. Won’t be as bad and something like the GK would be great. If it’s wet something like the Steliacoom would help in the tough situations. \n \nMy earlier thoughts on the Rambler/MSO would not be good in a wet situation if they are going to cake up like crazy. \n \nAre there any tires similar to the Steliacoom that roll well enough for the long paved/hardpack sections but will clear mud decently? Perhaps the new Vitoria Terreno Mix? Shwalbe G-One Bite?
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LewisQC
150 posts
#13Feb 22, 2018, 11:09 AM
Jason (aka JOM) at gravel cyclist.com used GK Mud last year at P2A. He said if it was wet, he would not hesitate to them again for this race.
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