New 29x2” Tires - Thoughts and Options
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 947
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 286 Post(s)
Liked 262 Times
in
129 Posts
New 29x2” Tires - Thoughts and Options
Got a Salsa Fargo in April. It came with Terevail Sparwood 2.2”, durable version, they weight around 720g. Came with tubes and never had a need to convert to tubeless.
I use the bike more as a monster cross / drop bar MTB on mixed surface trails where I ride. Probably 50% pea sized gravel, 30% paved, and rest some non technical single track, wooden boardwalks, wood chip paths, grass etc. whatever my suburb throws at me. Lots of short climbs / descents and twisty trails.
The volume has been nice for ride comfort. I’ve had no traction issues while cornering, only minor rear tire slippage when standing on loose gravel steep climbs. They are quiet on pavement and only sluggish on paved climbs.
I’ll ride them through winter (when roads are clear) and will likely need to replace them in the spring as the centre tread will be fairly worn out (rear).
I can replace with same tire, maybe try light and supple version. Also looking at RH Antelope Hill and Sim Works Yummy. I’m thinking the RH will be noticeably faster on pavement and hard pack, though I’m concerned with how it handles cornering on gravel (maybe given the volume, just fine). Sim Works look to have more tread but I’m wondering how they do on pavement.
For those who have ridden any of the above, or similar size, what’s you’re experience been?
I use the bike more as a monster cross / drop bar MTB on mixed surface trails where I ride. Probably 50% pea sized gravel, 30% paved, and rest some non technical single track, wooden boardwalks, wood chip paths, grass etc. whatever my suburb throws at me. Lots of short climbs / descents and twisty trails.
The volume has been nice for ride comfort. I’ve had no traction issues while cornering, only minor rear tire slippage when standing on loose gravel steep climbs. They are quiet on pavement and only sluggish on paved climbs.
I’ll ride them through winter (when roads are clear) and will likely need to replace them in the spring as the centre tread will be fairly worn out (rear).
I can replace with same tire, maybe try light and supple version. Also looking at RH Antelope Hill and Sim Works Yummy. I’m thinking the RH will be noticeably faster on pavement and hard pack, though I’m concerned with how it handles cornering on gravel (maybe given the volume, just fine). Sim Works look to have more tread but I’m wondering how they do on pavement.
For those who have ridden any of the above, or similar size, what’s you’re experience been?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,100
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1401 Post(s)
Liked 1,886 Times
in
1,085 Posts
in relatively straight line riding and similar - the smooth tires like Antelope Hill … Panaracer GK slick .., etc … can be fine - and maybe ideal for some
prob won’t be the most puncture proof tire and actually might be below the line in that category but can depend on the specific tire and model
but for cornering on compromised / mixed surfaces and especially off road / single track .. wet grass … etc … the smooth tires *** are terrible
*** completely smooth - no tread or side knobs etc
prob won’t be the most puncture proof tire and actually might be below the line in that category but can depend on the specific tire and model
but for cornering on compromised / mixed surfaces and especially off road / single track .. wet grass … etc … the smooth tires *** are terrible
*** completely smooth - no tread or side knobs etc
Last edited by t2p; 10-29-23 at 09:10 AM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,100
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1401 Post(s)
Liked 1,886 Times
in
1,085 Posts
#4
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,617
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10970 Post(s)
Liked 7,497 Times
in
4,193 Posts
I've ridden knobby, slick, and mostly slick on gravel- multiple of each type from many brands.
A slick tire rolls faster on paved and unpaved roads. It's as simple as that.
Even a semi slick that has some obligatory small side tread like the Panaracer GK SS rolls faster and smoother than any tires I've ridden that have knobs.
As for traction during turns, yes a slick or semi slick is less confident and stable. No, I don't think that matters much at all. I slow down on turns and the 2 seconds I lose on a turn due to the tires being slick is more than made up for in weight and rolling resistance.
A slick tire rolls faster on paved and unpaved roads. It's as simple as that.
Even a semi slick that has some obligatory small side tread like the Panaracer GK SS rolls faster and smoother than any tires I've ridden that have knobs.
As for traction during turns, yes a slick or semi slick is less confident and stable. No, I don't think that matters much at all. I slow down on turns and the 2 seconds I lose on a turn due to the tires being slick is more than made up for in weight and rolling resistance.
Likes For mstateglfr:
#5
Senior Member
If you're considering a ReneHerse filetread, the SpeedKing Racesport 2.2 weighs 460gm and rolls just as fast as the extralight in my experience. Much cheaper.
But yeah; out front when cornering on loose gravel you're going to have to slow down with those on.
Climbing grip up to a certain grade.
I've seen riders -and done the same at times- put a Raceking 2.2 on the front for more cornering grip.
RaceKing comes in a supple/lighter Racesport version also (if you're going to use a tube).
But yeah; out front when cornering on loose gravel you're going to have to slow down with those on.
Climbing grip up to a certain grade.
I've seen riders -and done the same at times- put a Raceking 2.2 on the front for more cornering grip.
RaceKing comes in a supple/lighter Racesport version also (if you're going to use a tube).