650b x 48 tire considerations

[Lucia Matioli]

heya folks

i want to play aound with a slicker tired for my Homer. Been happy with the Junper Ridge 48s but find myself using this for city riding more than gravel, although I would get up to some of that too. 
I am considering 650B x 48:

Rene Herse Switchback Hills
-OR-
Sim Works Volummy

I do like Rene Herse overall, however prone to punctures oddly...IME so far. 

Curious if anyone has Sim Work Exp?

Cheers,

Lucia from Oakland

IG (if you want to follow) 
@bikes_for_joy

--

Lucia Matioli

Executive Creative Director, Consultant and Fractional Leader
Creative Strategist

goodthinkingco.com

linkedin.com/in/luciamatioli/

              

   

[Jason Fuller]

I haven't used the Simworks tires, but wanted to mention the Continental Terra Trail as a less-knobby, quieter and slightly faster option than the RH knobbies while still keeping some tread for riding off-pavement. I find them rather indistinguishable vs a full slick for speed on tarmac, and much less slippery off-road. Plus, they're a lot cheaper than the RH stuff!  I've got about 1200 km on them now and really like them

[Will Boericke]

I'd also take a close look at Schwalbe G Ones (or some variant).  I haven't ridden them, but trust Schwalbe to make good tires that do the job they're designed for.

[krpey...@gmail.com]

Specialized Pathfinder Pro 47cm 650B?

[Bill Lindsay]

My vote would be for Rene Herse Switchback Hill in standard casing, or maybe Endurance.  I have no doubt there may be tires out there that are almost as good and a fair bit less expensive, but I have complete confidence that Rene Herse are always an excellent tire.  I run the 650x48 Switchback Hill standard on my custom Falconer, and they are splendid. For East Bay commute service I'd think about Endurance casing, I suppose.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Josh Lubben]

I hope not to steer the conversation away from tire recommendations, but just curious, for those with history of use with Rene Herse tires in Endurance casing, what has been your experience with punctures when using tubes? I've generally gravitated toward tires with pretty high puncture protection (such as Schwalbe Marathons), but those have the tradeoff of being heavy and riding rather solid. I started using Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass Endurance casing on my Homer and the ride quality is so much nicer. Trying to decide if my puncture anxiety could handle moving my Surly Crosscheck to nicer riding tires, so if I should stick with Marathons on that bike.

[Meade Anderson]

I'm also wondering how they are on measurements, true to 48, a tad smaller or larger...I have tight chainstays on my Bilenky...

thanks

[Will Boericke]

I'm not sure it's the answer you're looking for, but for high volume tires, tubeless is the best solution to the puncture problem.  I've found RH endurance to be pretty robust, on the level of the fast rolling mtb tires I prefer (race variants of Schwalbe and Conti).

[Bill Lindsay]

I just measured my Rene Herse Switchback Hill Standard on HED Belgium C2 Plus rims with Rene Herse TPU tubes and they measure 47.9mm. 

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Conway Bennett]

I have sets of wtb horizons and specialized sawtooth both in skin/tan wall if you're interested in those.

[LSM]

I've been riding on a pair of continental contact urban size 47 w/TPU tubes paired to velocity cliffhanger wheels and find them excellent for city riding.  Supple with excellent traction and no punctures (so far). You can find an evaluation here: https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews/continental-contact-urban

Leo

[Rodrigo Avendano]

This is not answering your original question but I have to say the Ultradynamico Cava 48 650b is now my favorite tire. We just put a pair on my wife's Bleriot and it's so fun to ride.

[Brian Choy]

Leo, what TPU tubes are you running? I'm considering making the switch.

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 12:07:16 PM UTC-4 leose...@gmail.com wrote:

[Drew Fitchette]

I've used the Simworks Superyummy tires(not volummy) and thought they were fine. Definitely agree with folks here that there's a noticeable difference in quality with RH tires. 

I just ordered the Hutchinson Toureg tires from Riv in 650b x 47 that WIll said measure closer to 48. I'll let you all know how they ride when they get here. 

- Drew

[Nick Payne]

On Tuesday, 31 March 2026 at 2:24:52 am UTC+11 Bill Lindsay wrote:

I just measured my Rene Herse Switchback Hill Standard on HED Belgium C2 Plus rims with Rene Herse TPU tubes and they measure 47.9mm.

I have the same tyres on some 25mm internal width Light Bicycle carbon rims, and there they measure 47.5 wide and 43mm height above the top of the rim wall.

Nick Payne 

[peec...@yahoo.com]

Tight margins under my fenders so I wonder what the width of the Ultradynamico Cava is?