Noonievut

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?

t2p

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

t2p

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...terra-speed-45

mstateglfr 

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.

tangerineowl

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).