Marin Century: Road bike with 700cx25 or Gravel Bike with 650bx47
07-18-19, 12:39 PM
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Marin Century: Road bike with 700cx25 or Gravel Bike with 650bx47
I'm thinking of doing the Marin Century. My road bike has a 50x24 with 12x27 and 700cx25 tires while my gravel bike has 42 with 11x42 with 650bx47 tires. What bike should I use? I like the disc brakes on the gravel bike, but the road bike is a lot more agile and faster rolling.
07-20-19, 09:20 PM
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Why use a gravel bike on a century where all the roads are paved?
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Last edited by terrymorse; 07-21-19 at 04:34 PM.
07-21-19, 09:47 AM
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I've done Marin on two different road bikes and one tandem. It would be doable but not fun on a gravel bike.
Surely that's 50x34... 34/27 will be fine for someone who climbs regularly, and 25mm will be super.
Surely that's 50x34... 34/27 will be fine for someone who climbs regularly, and 25mm will be super.
Last edited by DiabloScott; 07-21-19 at 09:51 AM.
07-25-19, 09:43 AM
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Thanks for all the feedback! My main concern was the condition of the paved road, especially on the Mount Tam descent. I've also become spoiled with fatter tires and hydraulic disc brakes on descents with my gravel bike. I'll just have to be more cautious with my road bike on the downhills. Its capabilities on the flats and climbs should outweigh any time saved on descents. I look forward to the ride on August 3rd - on my road bike!
07-30-19, 05:09 PM
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Mt Tam descent the roads are nice enough for normal tires...but agree with you on being spoiled, I would be too that's why all my bike are disc
08-04-19, 07:05 AM
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If you’re in shape, 34x27 should be plenty of gear to do anything on the Marin Century. I wasn’t (anywhere near) in shape when I did it a couple years ago, and it was (just about) enough.
there are no roads on the course that demand wider than 25c.
there are no roads on the course that demand wider than 25c.
08-15-19, 02:40 PM
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I've been riding the Terrene Elwood 650bx47 Tough (525 grams) for over a year on my Raleigh Roker Comp, but with the Mount Tam Century on August 3rd, I tried something a bit lighter and thinner with the Gravelking 650bx42 (330 grams). This tire was so smooth and assured on the flats and descents. On the climbs, its relatively low weight and rolling resistance make it great for the asphalt climbs. I concur that the whole course could have been ridden on 700x25c tires (even 23c), but my older body appreciated the comfort of the Gravelkings. Kudos to the event organizers for the support stops on the route!
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