Hmmm

The Gravel Ride. A cycling podcast: Ted King

So... tell me all the reasons I shouldn't buy ReneHerse 700C x 44 Snoqualmie Pass tires. Because I really want to buy them now (standard, not exta light)

chas58

you should!

chas58

I’ll bite, and call BS.

Yeah, 650b works great for that type of riding – randonee – long distance lower power steady state. He is talking 125 miles/day (for 4 day). Fat tires are great for long rides where rolling resistance is more important than weight and aero

I use narrower lighter tire when I need to sprint and for shorter rides. Last night I was doing a 30 mile group ride that cruised at 25mph, sometimes spinning it up to the low 30s. I can’t do that on a 45mm wide tire.

But, a 50mm furious fred works for me for on longer rougher rides where rolling resistance is more important than acceleration and top end. I’ve done longer gravel rides on 60mm tires and at speeds of around 15mph (which is typical on gravel rides), and there is no drawback at those speeds. Obviously, Aero and weight are not top priorities for everyone on every ride.

So sure – if I’m doing 12-18mph, fatter is great.

wheelsmcgee

I actually just listened to this podcast this morning...I think Teds point was these types of tires (wide, smooth, light) are great on gravel...good rolling resistance, and the width and low pressure makes them actually get pretty decent traction for being slick.

As far as race ability: I believe Ted was using the 700x44 snoqualmies at landrun this year, finishing 2nd.

ksryder

I'll reserve judgment until after DK. I'm not being snarky--I'm truly interested to see what his experience with them will be. The knock on Compass tires from gravel riders I've known has always been that they don't have enough protection for truly gnarly gravel. Maybe that's changed?

I'll have to listen to the podcast to hear his specific points. I generally agree that wider + low pressure is better, up to a point.

chas58

Ted King’s Bike for Land Run 100

(well, I can't say he explains it too much...)

Hmmm

I appreciate the perspective! What I'm curious about is how different can I get the bike to ride at with a swap of wheels/tires. Right now I see my bike as great for two different things. I have a set of 28's for road rides and hanging onto the group and a set of 40 Ramblers for 30/70 road/dirt riding. I'm very curious what else the bike could be or feel like. 650b is obviously a big change I can make, but first I'd like to try out another 700c tire. I'm thinking very large slicks might be something new but I have no experience running wide slicks.

chas58

Here is the transcript if you don't want to listen. ANd if you figure out what the transcription is trying to say. Personally, I do like riding in Random Nay type events,

chas58

I have the same tires and use them the same as you.

In addition:
I tried a 54mm Thunder burt (up front Rambler rear) and the bike road like a monster truck, like a mountain bike. I think it is the tread profile, weight, and the more squared off edge that made it feel so clumsy, burly.
I tried a 50mm Furious fred up front - it handled/rode like a road tire, slick Very different from the TB. It rode like a big rambler - light, fast, good cornering - but I could run ~10psi lower pressure, so more cush more flotation. no real downside compared to 40mm ramblers

FYI, they just introduced a 45mm rambler if you like those.

ksryder

This isn't fair because it's probably an automatically-generated transcript but I also don't need as Nabi attire!

chas58

...then you'll be fine on slicks!!!


FYI - For Gravel, I prefer the Furious Fred rather than a slick. It is a similar tire (highish volume, ultra light, very fast, fairly fragile).

The Fred has some small knobs that alleviate the biggest problem I have with slicks – they get stuck in ruts. Side knobs will crawl out of a rut, or at least give me a little more warning when letting go.

But they are very, very nice on a gravel ride. The gravel cyclist even calls them a “cheater tire”

HTupolev

Compass/Rene Herse tires are spec'd to be almost as supple as possible. The lack of sidewall or puncture protection is a very deliberate choice to achieve that goal.

Lack of sidewall protection is a problem when the sidewalls of your tires are being badly exposed to the riding surface. So, I'd generally recommend against erring narrow if you're going to use tires like this.
Lack of sub-tread puncture protection is a problem if you're dealing with very sharp stabby things. In many areas, the main cause of punctures through the tread is debris left by humans, which tends to be much less of a problem on remote mountain roads than in urban areas. People in goathead country or whatever obviously have more to worry about.

I still haven't suffered an off-pavement flat on my Rat Trap Pass ELs. I do occasionally take a puncture on paved roads, but not more frequently than skinny road tires I use on other bikes.