[Selftest]

I currently have a GF Cobia, with the stock Bonty Ranger wheelset. I am looking for low profile tires to put on these wheels. Specific uses? Gravel "walking path" type trails... Not loose, but packed and sort of dusty. Need good grip on this stuff, as well as good street performance (street is second to performance on the trails). Some of this trail is pretty sweepy, a little loose in the corners, and pretty fast on these parts...

I need the lowest in height tire possible, as I take the bus to get to these trails (14 miles with epic scenery) and the bus racks do NOT like my normal, stock, semi-nobby tires. They are too tall, and the bike is a roal pain in the ass to get on and off.


Any suggestions?

 

[muzzanic]

I know this is realy out there as far as ideas go but maybe you could ride the bike ?

 

[Selftest]

Everyone is a comedian...

See, the trail I'm speaking about is 11 Miles from my house. 11 road miles. On a busy street. With a GNARLY climb. And no shoulder. Seeing as how I value my health, sanity, overall not-deadness, I choose to take the bus. Because it's a dollar, puts me at the trailhead, I ride my 10-15 miles, I ride downtown, and then I come home. This is enjoyment, not suicide.

But thanks for the extremely helpful response.


Furthermore... It still doesn't answer my question... Big Apples would not be good for these trails/this bike even if I DID ride to the trailhead. I know of no tires that fit my requirements, which is why I asked the question.

 

[Znarf]

How fat of a tire will fit the bike rack?

How about some Specialized the captain 2.0s?
The have small knobs on the side, could work.

Over here in Europe we have a plethora of such tires. For the classic 28" trekking bikes. They come in knobby flavor, but I don´t know if the Schwalbe Marathon Cross or Trail is available in the US.

A Racing Ralph 2.25 should also work.

Or buy yourself a good pump and lower the tire pressure before mounting the bus. Then inflate it trailside. Seems like a hassel, but should work.

Greeting zanrf

 

[Joe Nation]

Cyclocross tyres? Plenty of tread in skinnier sizes.

 

[Nater]

Bontrager XDX 1.75"

 

[rockcrusher]

kenda small block8

Kenda karma

wtb vulpine

wtb nano

geax saguaro

hutchinson python

maxxis crossmark

 

[Fleas]

Here ya go:

Kenda Kwick Trax, 700 x 38:



Have fun and stay safe!

-F

 

[good4nothing]

Cyclocross tyres? Plenty of tread in skinnier sizes.

+1. Ritchey Speedmax 700x32c. These run fast as hell on the road too. Throw them on, ride them to the trail in road bike time (14 mi is nothing), tear up some bike paths, ride home.

I throw these on my flows for a 50 mile each-way ride to a state park here that's on an old rail bed trail of mostly packed gravel/cc type terrain. It makes the 29er closer to roadie fast as compared to CC fast. When my girlfriend wants to go for road rides and I want a work out, i'll do the same.

 

[Natedogz]

How about some Schwalbe Albert 29x2.1, which actually measure about 1.90", they are light, nicely spaced knobs and roll fast.

 

[STEVE HOLT!!!]

I've got some Bontrager 29-3 (2.0)s that I took off my Mamba about a month after I got it... they have less than 100 miles (90% offroad) on 'em...

Edit: Nevermind... looked up the stock specs on the Cobia... same setup on the rollingstock... Can't really imagine anyone wanting LESS than the 29-3 (2.0) setup.

 

[common_man]

Bontrager XDX 1.75"

this is a great question and i'm wondering the same. we're all looking for the all rounder tire. you say xdx, how are the bontrager 29-2 tires supposed to perform on road? they come as stock on the 2011 trek 29ers like the op's cobia.

 

[Moval49er]

WTB Vulpines 2.1

I use these on mixed surface (gravel, dirt, pavement, all that) on a 2009 Utopia. Great in every respect except not road bike-fast. Exiwolf is the skinnier version of the same tire.