Tubeless commuting tire
#1
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Tubeless commuting tire
Thinking of going tubeless on my vaya, but having a hard time finding a good commuter tire that can be used tubeless. Need something in 700x35/37. Any suggestions? So far my leading prospect is the WTB riddler
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Generically that is classified as a "gravel bike" tire based on size. Most any gravel tire can be used tubeless. Many of them are slick or semi-slick. Is that what you want? Panaracer, WTB, and Schwalbe make some great tires that are slick (or close to it) for gravel bikes in that size range.
I use a Schwalbe G-One. That WTB would be similar. They just announced a 700c byway (slick) that might be better for you if you don't want tread. Panaracer Gravel King slicks are probably a little lighter and faster, but not so durable.
I use a Schwalbe G-One. That WTB would be similar. They just announced a 700c byway (slick) that might be better for you if you don't want tread. Panaracer Gravel King slicks are probably a little lighter and faster, but not so durable.
#3
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I run WTB Horizons tubless on my 650b Journeyman. Looks like that tire is 650 only, but the Byway or Exposure look very similar. My commute is 16 to 18 miles a day, love the tires.
#4
No Talent Assclown
I have a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires on order now. Unfortunately I won’t be able to fit them up for a couple of months when the bike I want finally comes in. They’re 700x35c and seemed to get good results in rolling resistance tests. These are tubeless ready and (I believe) folding bead. They’re marketed as a touring tire.
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Teravail Rampart is my recommendation. they're available in 700 x 38, should fit fine on your Vaya. Great tires for commuting on pavement, super easy to set up tubeless.
#6
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This is actually right up the alley of what I'm looking for, thanks! I'm between that and the Panaracer Gravelking, both with gumwalls.
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#8
Reno/Seattle/NYC
I think they're great tires, it's hard to beat their lightness and speed for a wide tire, but they might not offer the best durability for frequent commuting.
#9
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I tried commuting on the Gravelking slicks this last summer, and would advise against them. I had several flats in a few month period between a set of the regular Gravelkings, and a replacement set of the "puncture protection" versions.
I think they're great tires, it's hard to beat their lightness and speed for a wide tire, but they might not offer the best durability for frequent commuting.
I think they're great tires, it's hard to beat their lightness and speed for a wide tire, but they might not offer the best durability for frequent commuting.
#10
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As for looser surfaces, they are called Gravel Kings. I've done some rides on them that were much more suited for mountain bikes. They were fine on smooth and slightly gravelly double track.
My problems on single track were probably more my lack of handling skills- riding a bit too high up on the edge of the path and losing traction. Beat going off the other edge down the incline.
Edit to add: my only issues on double track were problems with traction on moderately loose but pretty steep sections- stuff where I was having problems climbing in my 34/28 low gear.
Last edited by Geekage; 11-03-19 at 11:49 AM.
#11
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I tried commuting on the Gravelking slicks this last summer, and would advise against them. I had several flats in a few month period between a set of the regular Gravelkings, and a replacement set of the "puncture protection" versions.
I think they're great tires, it's hard to beat their lightness and speed for a wide tire, but they might not offer the best durability for frequent commuting.
I think they're great tires, it's hard to beat their lightness and speed for a wide tire, but they might not offer the best durability for frequent commuting.
They're a little more beefy than the slicker versions of the Gravelking and are available in 700x38C but you may want to try to get the 700x43C's to fit first because they have two more rows of treadblocks. Currently running tubes to get to work today but can't wait to go tubeless.
Here it is, set up for winter with the new Gravelking SK's (1st ride/1st commute on them) with bar mitts, lights, and fenders. FYI Size pictured is 700x43C on a very standard CX frame WITH FENDERS (bike shop guy said they wouldn't fit, they fit) so you should also try the 43mm size:
Last edited by davei1980; 11-11-19 at 04:57 PM.
#12
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I replied to one commenter in particular but, in general, if you're spending decent $$ on tubeless ready commuter tires you're not going to wind up with a bad tire unless you're really really trying. You'll get a good tire no matter what, maybe with some trade offs for weight, offroad traction etc. but you will be hard pressed to find a bad tire in this category.
You can buy very bad tires right now but not in the tubeless ready variety and if you can then the price will reflect.
I paid $92 for the pictured tires but they're the only part of the bike that touches the ground so......
You can buy very bad tires right now but not in the tubeless ready variety and if you can then the price will reflect.
I paid $92 for the pictured tires but they're the only part of the bike that touches the ground so......
#13
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Thanks for all the info guys! I ended up going with Gravel king slicks, once I get my sealant (muc off) and my new brakes/brake cables I'm going to be sending them to Exhale (LBS of choice) for install. Looking forward to seeing the difference in how my baby rides and looks with the brownwalls (too dark to be gumwalls honestly)
Before pics, with the Nanos. Last pics before I get my vaya upgraded
These pictures don't do the paint justice...
Before pics, with the Nanos. Last pics before I get my vaya upgraded
These pictures don't do the paint justice...
#14
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Thanks for all the info guys! I ended up going with Gravel king slicks, once I get my sealant (muc off) and my new brakes/brake cables I'm going to be sending them to Exhale (LBS of choice) for install. Looking forward to seeing the difference in how my baby rides and looks with the brownwalls (too dark to be gumwalls honestly)
Before pics, with the Nanos. Last pics before I get my vaya upgraded
These pictures don't do the paint justice...
Before pics, with the Nanos. Last pics before I get my vaya upgraded
These pictures don't do the paint justice...
#15
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Hmm. I have raced most of this season's CX series on the WTB Riddler. Great tire for dry grass or hardpack courses, but not what I normally think of as a commuting tire. Unless you're commuting on grass or hardpack dirt trails.
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#17
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I suppose I haven't held up to my promise of after pics
This thing is so much smoother riding! I've put about 50 miles on it so far with the new tires and brakes and the miles pass by so easy now!
This thing is so much smoother riding! I've put about 50 miles on it so far with the new tires and brakes and the miles pass by so easy now!
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#18
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Looks great (I say as a diehard fan of tan/brown sidewalls)!
#19
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My next bike will have disc brakes too - not for the stopping power, but because I want to run STUPID wide tires.
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I'm a certified Retrogrouch, so I was skeptical of tubeless, until I got a good deal on a new Giant Toughroad. Man, I really love them. I was amazed at how much less trouble they were, and I live in Utah where we have goathead thorns every inch or so even on pavement.
Very sharp bike, those tan sidewalls are sexy!
Very sharp bike, those tan sidewalls are sexy!
#21
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Awesome ride!!!! +1 on the tan sidewalls! I kinda regret not getting them on my Gravelking SK tires, but the black walls look good with the black, silver, white aesthetic of my bike, as does the tan with the earthy aesthetic of yours.
My next bike will have disc brakes too - not for the stopping power, but because I want to run STUPID wide tires.
My next bike will have disc brakes too - not for the stopping power, but because I want to run STUPID wide tires.
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#22
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So tubeless is all that, huh?
How do you get tires to break grip normally? I barely ever feel mine slip unless it is disastrously, and I don't ever try to make it happen.
How do you get tires to break grip normally? I barely ever feel mine slip unless it is disastrously, and I don't ever try to make it happen.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
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#23
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All that AND a bag of chips I'm finding out
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So far the rear brake on mine is needing adjustment, I want a little bit more power out back and it feels like they're not grabbing as well as I want. Little adjustments I think still. On the other side, I can't get these tires to break grip. They grip like a sonofa***** on pavement. I'm so pleased with this setup it's not funny
#25
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I'm thinking at this point it may have been just needing a bit more break in time and very minor adjustment. Turned in each pad about half turn, made little difference, however a nice long descent dragging the rear brake on and off seems to have cured that. I have it so it won't quite lock in the rear under most braking unless I'm on the front brake too, but there's enough power in the rear brake to accomplish what I want
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