golftdi

I would like a more durable 650b tire than the WTB Horizons which came with my Surly Midnight Special (which I have been running tubeless).
I am considering the Teravail Rampart, either the Light & Supple Tan, or the black Durable. I would prefer the ride and looks of the Light & Supple, but wonder if it makes more sense to get the Durable.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Thanks!

5teve

Gravelkings slick is pretty tough.

JaccoW

Schwalbe has a fairly big selection of 650B/27.5 tyres under Touring, Road and MTB. Filter on French > 650B and you'll find about 9 different models with different levels of leak protection.

golftdi

thanks for the suggestions

davei1980

I have the 700x42C version of Panaracer Gravelking SK, I have been plugging them every chance I get - they make a 650x48B version as well. Here's a link. They're not the neatest looking tire on the planet but made in Japan, high quality. Let me know if you want, I'll upload pics. The 48mm wide version has 5 rows of treadblocks. My LBS owner calls them "Velcro" due to how well they stick to all surfaces.

My LBS hooked me up with mine for LESS than ANY internet retailer and no shipping so good place to start!


https://www.backcountry.com/panaracer-gravelking-sk-650b-tire-clincher?CMP_SKU=PAN000B&MER=0406&skid=PAN000B-BRO-S650BXS48MM&mr:trackingCode=7DA98681-D4C8-E811-8107-005056944E17&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=pa&mr:ad=8823334146&mr:filter=4580634161245713&i v_=__iv_c_8823334146_w_pla-4580634161245713_g_3780426119_n_o_e__h__ii__j_4580634161245713_z_US_f_Online_o_PAN000B-BRO-S650BXS48MM_i_EN_s_Backcountry.com_q_panaracer%20gravel%20king%20sk%20650b_p_2_d_c_vi__&CMP_ID=PLA_B NmyDeviceIndicator=c001&utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=PLA&k_clickid=480d4511-1b96-4a4b-a84c-62131024bd0c&msclkid=c0da49d58b1e17cb5b891400052d9b7b

davei1980

+1 and the Gravelking SK is even tougher with a little more capability in the rough stuff.

I used to not care about that until I realized the shoulder of the road is often littered with gravel and other objects which make the properties of a gravel tire desirable because we all, you know, don't want to die.

davei1980

My unsolicited advice: overspend on tires - they're the only part of the bike that touches the road. Lots of good offerings suggested here and you can't go wrong with any but it will cost!

golftdi

I'm ok spending on tires; thanks.

davei1980

Cool! you can't really go wrong then! And cheaper than gas (or diesel, in your case) in the long run!

well biked

I run Teravail 700 x 42's in the light and supple version on my commuter right now, it's a great tire, plenty robust for my commuting needs. Seems like it would be a little more flat resistant than the Gravel King (slick) from Panaracer, which I also have on a singlespeed commuter in 700 x 38. I really like the Gravel Kings, too, fwiw. I run both tubeless and have had no flats, so I would say either would be a good choice.

davei1980

Do you have the lighter, slicker GK's or do you have the SK's which are a little more HD?

I ordered a 700x38 for my front tire but after seeing the rear 700x43 with 2 additional rows of treadblocks I was like "I WANT THAT" "I'LL MAKE IT FIT"

Fits just fine under the fenders. Not a ton of extra clearance but that's ok, not a mud bike.

golftdi

My TDIs are gone.

golftdi

Looks like the Gravel King SK tubeless doesn't come in 650b size.

I'll probasbly go with the Teravail.

Thanks to all the posters

well biked

I have only run the slick Gravel Kings, not the SK's. Have sold a bunch of SK's to customers, though, including the new SK+'s which are a little heavier but have more puncture protection. The SKs and SK+'s are very good tires.... I've also ridden 700 x 32's in the slick Gravel King a lot, have worn out a couple of pair of those. Have only run these tires tubeless, have never had a flat with any of them. Knock on wood.

well biked

To the OP, I think you will really like the Teravails.

Darth Lefty 

I have a much different bike, but the WTB tires that came on mine were OEM-spec and very much NOT full tubeless, with no butyl layer, even though WTB do make a tubeless version. I set them up tubeless anyhow and over their lives they've tended to dry out the sealant pretty quickly, and it deposits in a layer on the carcass, so I've never seen a "booger" in them. I've worn out one of them and replaced it with a "real" tubeless tire that's holding air SO MUCH better. Other than that problem they've worked fine, no cuts or tears and the only flat I had was with dried-out sealant.

davei1980

You’re doing the Lord’s work.

5teve

I've got a super low-mileage set of 650bX48 SK's hanging in my basement if you're interested. I tried them for a couple rides but find slicks suit my needs better. $55 shipped?

golftdi

Thanks, 5teve, but I'm going with the Teras.

5teve

No worries, hope you like them!

davei1980

I am going to let my little brother know about these if that's ok - they still have the little nubs on them so I feel $55 is an awesome offer

5teve

Sure, they're just laying around at this point. I could always take more if the price seems stupid low. B-)

davei1980

I texted him. He's anti-650b/584/27.5 at the moment.

He also complains to me he can't find fenders to fit his 700x50C tires so wants to switch to 700x32C so.......

He's different.

5teve

No problem, thanks for letting me know! Heh, I'm thinking that we 650b'ers are the ones that are "different."

ThermionicScott