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More aggressive gravel tires suggestions, 650b 2.2

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FreuderLocks

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello all,

Im currently riding with Specialized Sawtooth 1.75 650b tires on my Fearless Warlock, wtb KOM tough I25 rims, and im headed to a place for a few months with a bit more aggressive terrain than I have at home here in Denver. I can fit up to 2.25 tires on my Warlock and ive been looking into some more aggressive tires and I wanted some thoughts from others. I started looking around and found the Maxxis Forekaster and Ikon, both in 2.2 width, which I think would be fine. They offer a 120 tpi casing which I would prefer over a 60tpi carcass. So that I dont miss anything else that is out there, what is anyone else riding in this category of tire? Anything in the 2.2 range would be fine, Id rather not go narrower and I dont think that I can go wider than that on this frame. Thanks for any input!

-Paul
 
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#2 ·
I am running the Maxxis Ikons on my second gravel wheelset and like them. Previously I ran Schwalbe Thunderburts which I also liked. Lots of 2.1 and 2.2 options out there. I would also look at the new Rene Herse 650B x 55mm Umtanum Ridge knobby, spendy but worth it IMHO.

Here is a list I previously put together when I was looking to replace my Thunderburts:
WTB Ranger 27.5 x 2.0
Kenda Saber Pro 27.5 x 2.05
Schwalbe ThuderBurt 27.5 x 2.1
terravail rutland 27.5 x 2.1
Schwalbe G One Bite 27.5 x 2.1
Terravail Ruttland 27.5 x 2.1
Hutchinson Taipan 27.5 x 2.1
Terravail Sparwood 27.5 x 2.1
Maxxis Pace 27.5 x 2.1
Vittoria Mezcal 27.5 x 2.1
Continental RaceKing Race Sport 27.5 x 2.2
Kenda Saber Pro 27.5 x 2.2
Kenda Booster Pro 27.5 x 2.2
CONTINENTAL RACE KING V2 27.5 x 2.2
Maxxis Ikon 27.5 x 2.2
Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5 x 2.2
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
JWB475 said:
I am running the Maxxis Ikons on my second gravel wheelset and like them. Previously I ran Schwalbe Thunderburts which I also liked. Lots of 2.1 and 2.2 options out there. I would also look at the new Rene Herse 650B x 55mm Umtanum Ridge knobby, spendy but worth it IMHO.

Here is a list I previously put together when I was looking to replace my Thunderburts:
WTB Ranger 27.5 x 2.0
Kenda Saber Pro 27.5 x 2.05
Schwalbe ThuderBurt 27.5 x 2.1
terravail rutland 27.5 x 2.1
Schwalbe G One Bite 27.5 x 2.1
Terravail Ruttland 27.5 x 2.1
Hutchinson Taipan 27.5 x 2.1
Terravail Sparwood 27.5 x 2.1
Maxxis Pace 27.5 x 2.1
Vittoria Mezcal 27.5 x 2.1
Continental RaceKing Race Sport 27.5 x 2.2
Kenda Saber Pro 27.5 x 2.2
Kenda Booster Pro 27.5 x 2.2
CONTINENTAL RACE KING V2 27.5 x 2.2
Maxxis Ikon 27.5 x 2.2
Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5 x 2.2
Click to expand...
Great list! I'm sure I can find something I like in there. Thanks for the info! I'm not really interested in the Rene Herse tires but moreso in some that I can afford to replace if I don't like them. I've always had good luck with maxxis in the past but I'm attracted to the Conti race kings, idk. I'll se what happens. My sawtooths have a bit of time left, the rear has about 2k/miles on it and it's starting to show it's age.
-Paul
 
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#5 ·
Having the Rene Hearse knobby models in 48 and 55 mm but 29r, and others with them, I'll guess they's be just as amazing in a different diameter. I've also used those RH knobby models on bikes that have had popular Conti, WTB, Donneley and Bontrager competitors to know they are extremely or extraordinarily good for riding that is off and on pavement. They don't pack like racy MTB tires, and they roll with ease before they hit a terminal velocity feel that's mostly from size and weight.

My associates and I with the RH knobbies have the "endurance" or "endurance plus" versions and maybe from the knobs aren't having flat problems some associate with RH tires. They are expensive but one associate agreed with me how they were sort of our secret weapon on an early season 142 mi tour known for needing efficiency yet handling a section that is 47 mi of mostly pedaling f*ckry.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Is it just me or has the price of tires in this category gone up considerably in the last year or two? $50-80 a tire seems insane to me but maybe im just used to buying tires that I wear out and dont care about, but wow. Yeah.

-Paul
 
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Discussion starter · #7 · (Edited)
JWB475 said:
I am running the Maxxis Ikons on my second gravel wheelset and like them. Previously I ran Schwalbe Thunderburts which I also liked. Lots of 2.1 and 2.2 options out there. I would also look at the new Rene Herse 650B x 55mm Umtanum Ridge knobby, spendy but worth it IMHO.

Here is a list I previously put together when I was looking to replace my Thunderburts:
WTB Ranger 27.5 x 2.0
Kenda Saber Pro 27.5 x 2.05
Schwalbe ThuderBurt 27.5 x 2.1
terravail rutland 27.5 x 2.1
Schwalbe G One Bite 27.5 x 2.1
Terravail Ruttland 27.5 x 2.1
Hutchinson Taipan 27.5 x 2.1
Terravail Sparwood 27.5 x 2.1
Maxxis Pace 27.5 x 2.1
Vittoria Mezcal 27.5 x 2.1
Continental RaceKing Race Sport 27.5 x 2.2
Kenda Saber Pro 27.5 x 2.2
Kenda Booster Pro 27.5 x 2.2
CONTINENTAL RACE KING V2 27.5 x 2.2
Maxxis Ikon 27.5 x 2.2
Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5 x 2.2
Click to expand...
I guess this list can be amended for anyone with a monstercross bike or grave bike that will accept a 650b or 27.5 tire that is up to 2.25...Not all are 120 tpi and this list is not intended to be exhaustive but we should have it around as a list of tires for gravel/cross/monstercross bikes that fit these tires. Anyone else with more info should add their part!

Lets add:
Specialized Ground Control 27.5x2.1
Maxxis Aspen 27.5x2.25
WTB TrailBoss 27.5x2.25
Continental Trail King 27.5 2.20
Maxxis Crossmark II 27.5 2.25
Schwalbe Rocket Ron 27.5 2.25

There are plenty more than this, we should add to this list as we find them.

I went ahead and went with the first addition to the list. The Specialized Ground Control. I am familiar with it a s a higher volume 29 tire and have used it as a rear on hardtail trail bikes in the past. The Grid option was available, Im no weight weenie so I went ahead and got two of them. My Specialized Sawtooths have some life in them yet and Ill wait until they are really dead to replace them but I have the GC tires on the way.

-Paul
 
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#8 ·
Here is the list with the "advertised weights", not sure how accurate they are. My 27.5 x 2.2 Maxxis Ikon's were 636 and 658 grams vs. 647 advertised, so pretty close. Also, WTB must put some special lead compound in their tires.

WTB Ranger 27.5 x 2.0635
Kenda Saber Pro 27.5 x 2.05490
Hutchinson Taipan 27.5 x 2.1580
Maxxis Aspen 27.5x2.10585
Maxxis Aspen 27.5x2.10, 60 tpi585
Maxxis Pace 27.5 x 2.1620
Schwalbe G One Bite 27.5 x 2.1550
Schwalbe ThuderBurt 27.5 x 2.1520
Specialized Ground Control 27.5x2.1710
Terravail Ruttland 27.5 x 2.1580
Terravail Sparwood 27.5 x 2.1615
Vittoria Mezcal 27.5 x 2.1660
Continental Cross King RaceSport 27.5 x 2.2, 180 tpi520
Continental Race King ProTection 27.5 x 2.2, 180 tpi560
Continental RaceKing Race Sport 27.5 x 2.2490
Continental Speed King RaceSport 27.5 x 2.2, 180 tpi430
Kenda Booster Pro 27.5 x 2.2551
Kenda Saber Pro 27.5 x 2.2508
Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5 x 2.2680
Maxxis Ikon 27.5 x 2.2647
Rene Herse Umtanum Ridge 27.5 x 2.2, Standard580
Maxxis Aspen 27.5x2.25, 100 tpi606
Maxxis Crossmark II 2.25, 60 tpi796
WTB TrailBoss 27.5x2.25, 30 tpi1036
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
JWB475 said:
Here is the list with the "advertised weights", not sure how accurate they are. My 27.5 x 2.2 Maxxis Ikon's were 636 and 658 grams vs. 647 advertised, so pretty close. Also, WTB must put some special lead compound in their tires.

WTB Ranger 27.5 x 2.0635
Kenda Saber Pro 27.5 x 2.05490
Hutchinson Taipan 27.5 x 2.1580
Maxxis Aspen 27.5x2.10585
Maxxis Aspen 27.5x2.10, 60 tpi585
Maxxis Pace 27.5 x 2.1620
Schwalbe G One Bite 27.5 x 2.1550
Schwalbe ThuderBurt 27.5 x 2.1520
Specialized Ground Control 27.5x2.1710
Terravail Ruttland 27.5 x 2.1580
Terravail Sparwood 27.5 x 2.1615
Vittoria Mezcal 27.5 x 2.1660
Continental Cross King RaceSport 27.5 x 2.2, 180 tpi520
Continental Race King ProTection 27.5 x 2.2, 180 tpi560
Continental RaceKing Race Sport 27.5 x 2.2490
Continental Speed King RaceSport 27.5 x 2.2, 180 tpi430
Kenda Booster Pro 27.5 x 2.2551
Kenda Saber Pro 27.5 x 2.2508
Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5 x 2.2680
Maxxis Ikon 27.5 x 2.2647
Rene Herse Umtanum Ridge 27.5 x 2.2, Standard580
Maxxis Aspen 27.5x2.25, 100 tpi606
Maxxis Crossmark II 2.25, 60 tpi796
WTB TrailBoss 27.5x2.25, 30 tpi1036
Click to expand...
Not really worried about the weight, but for others this may be helpful. My bike weighs a metric fukton. lol.
-Paul
 
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#10 ·
Another really aggressive tire to throw in there that rolls fairly well, is light and has TONS of gnarly stuff traction is the Schwalbe Rocket Ron. Get the version with protection. The others are notorious for flats. I ran these on my XC bike in really loose conditions and they rock.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Thanks for the suggestions. Even thought it doesnt come in the casing/size combo I wanted I went with the Specialized Ground Control Grid 2bliss in 27.5x2.1. I have had good experiences with this tire in other sizes in the past. As far as how much my Warlock actually weighs, I went to my lbs today to have the bike packed for shipping, im moving next week and it weighs 25 lbs with the pump on it and pedals. Im not really worried about the weight. I like how it rides already anyways.
-Paul
 
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#15 ·
Looks like I'm too late to make a suggestion but I'll throw this tire out there which I haven't seen mentioned yet for those who come upon this thread later looking for recommendations. Schwalbe Smart Sam. I just got a set for a mixed use 25% road 25% gravel 50% XC. Has a continuous center knob so it rolls well on the road and has fairly large outer knobs similar to more agressive XC tires like the Forekaster or Nobby Nic. Feels like a good solution for my mixed use hardtail mountain bike. Might be good more aggressive option for a gravel bike too if they have the right size and casing combination.

Image
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
I went ahead and put the Specialized Ground control Grid Trail 27.5x2.1 on the bike last friday after 'school'. I wont lie, it has absolutely transformed what I can do with this bike. These are also huge tires and not terribly heavy for what they are. Durable and excellent grip compared to the smoother Sawtooth i was running. I actually had to order a smaller chainring because of the terrain here in SoCal, (i moved). Its been pretty fun. Anyways, Have a great week all and thank you for adding to the list. When i have some more free time Ill make sure to edit the list towards the top of the thread.
-Paul
 
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#20 ·
I had Reneherse Oracle Ridge (endurance casing) for my first ride on the gravel bike and tore the sidewall in two places (rear tire) on some pretty tame singletrack. Unlucky rock plus not very tough tire. Tears were too big for Stans and had to walk 4 miles back.

Did some more research and am now running tires that are almost half that price - Goodyear Connector Ulimate (700x50) in the rear and Vittoria Mezcal (29.2.1 XC casing) in the front. The Goodyear is pretty stiff (compared to the others) but rolls fast and the Vittoria XC casing is nice and supple. Both have held up fine and I've been riding beginner and intermediate singletrack. Both are available in 27.5/650 sizes. I won't be going back to Reneherse, if anything just because of the cost. I cut up the tire and it's now my chainstay protector.

Random note - recently rode with someone who was on Donnelly tires and they were almost exactly the same tread as the Goodyear Connector Ultimate. Donnelly X'plor probably. For whatever that's worth.
 
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