Plus Tires for GBW

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Deacon Patrick

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Mar 30, 2019, 8:04:49 PM3/30/19
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Post options for plus tires for Gus Boots Willsen here. Keep in mind the stated max from Riv is 2.8”.

Maxxis (I think Riv. went with the Ikon Plus for at least the L prototype):
https://www.maxxis.com/tires/bicycle/mountain?typeId=135&styleId=all

Schwalbe (filter by tire size to get the plus tires. Nobby Nic looks like a main option) :

Teravail (has a light casing option that looks intriguing for plush tire aficionados):

Continental:

Vee:

Preferences and recommendations from those with plus/fat tire experience? Other options I’ve missed?

Eric Daume

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Mar 30, 2019, 8:12:00 PM3/30/19
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The Panaracer Fat B Nimble is jokingly labeled as a 3.5”, but actually measures more like 2.7”, depending on the run width. It’s a nice rolling tire, but not particularly stout. 

Eric
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Tom Palmer

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Mar 30, 2019, 8:32:07 PM3/30/19
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Hello Patrick,
I love the WTB Ranger 2.8’a and 3.0.
They have 2 casings, one light and one tough.
They ride very well.
Enjoy the Boots
Tom Palmer
Twin Lake MI

Ryan M.

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Mar 31, 2019, 2:14:44 PM3/31/19
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Bontrager SE 4 Team Issue. I have these on my Trek Remedy, size 2.6 and they are great.

Deacon Patrick

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May 1, 2019, 4:05:05 PM5/1/19
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Having ridden the Maxxis Ikon+ on my 27.7+ GBW a fair bit, it does great on dry hardpack and is noticeably lacking in snow, mud, and wet rocks and roots. I'm hoping to try Teravail's Kennabec light and supple next. Anyone have experience with them? (Yes, I realize I'm on the bleeding edge of the intersection of Rivendell and plus size tires, but anyone with experience on a Jones et al?). Grin.

With abandon,
Patrick

John McBurney

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May 1, 2019, 4:18:02 PM5/1/19
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700c?

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Deacon Patrick

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May 1, 2019, 4:33:27 PM5/1/19
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John asked "700c?"

What are you asking, John?

With abandon,
Patrick

ted

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May 1, 2019, 5:40:43 PM5/1/19
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I believe John is asking if your GBW has 650b (aka 27.5) wheels or 700c (aka 29er) wheels.

John McBurney

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May 1, 2019, 5:41:49 PM5/1/19
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That’s right 

John

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Deacon Patrick

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May 1, 2019, 5:52:48 PM5/1/19
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Ahhh. I typed 27.7+, but that should be 27.5+, or 650b.

With abandon,
Patrick

John McBurney

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May 1, 2019, 6:10:14 PM5/1/19
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I didn’t see the follow up post where you said 27.7 which is obviously 27.5. 

I struggle with the same question. I have a 650b/27.5 Bombadil running Compass extralight Switchback Hill 48s which I absolutely love. These tires are magic. I will not comment on flats due to a superstitious nature. 

These are the biggest 650b tires Compass/Rene Herse offers. However they now offer a knobby version of this tire. 

Even more interestingly they recently introduced a 55x700 tire, the antelope hill. I can’t imagine a larger 650b tire is far behind. It might be worth an email or call. 

All that said, what is in my quiver for this summer and fall mixed surface adventures on my Bombadil are Bruce Gordon Rock n Road 43 ( with fenders) and perhaps more interesting to you Panaracer Pacentti Quasimoto 27.5 x 2 (no fenders)  I have these on the shelf ready to mount but have not ridden them. 


John 


lconley

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May 1, 2019, 6:10:14 PM5/1/19
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And here I was thinking that Grant had invented a new wheel standard.....

Laing

Deacon Patrick

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May 6, 2019, 6:07:09 PM5/6/19
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In light of this from Jan at Rene Herse: https://janheine.wordpress.com/2019/05/06/the-long-road-to-dual-purpose-knobbies/

I've been looking for a similarly lugged, supple 27.5 x 2.8. Suggestions?

Schwalbe's Nobby Nic looks as close as I can get right now. https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/off-road_tires/nobby_nic_hs463
Teravail's Kinnebec has that odd gap between the center and outer nobs, which reviews describe as a bit squirrely, so I'm leary.

With abandon,
Patrick

Patrick Moore

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May 6, 2019, 7:08:20 PM5/6/19
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Not an answer to Patrick's question, but a question about finding out which version of which models of Schwalbe tires are the lightest and fastest; I can't tell from the page Patrick linked to; even choosing the *least puncture resistant* doesn't tell me which one is lightest. Is the "Performance Dual" casing faster than the -- hell, I can't tell. Can anyone else?

Aside, and for the record, and for my own choices, I prefer to choose the lightest and most puncture-prone models, on the assumption that these have the lightest casings and are therefore likely to have the least rolling resistance, and to rely on modern sealants for flat protection. But again, with Schwalbe models and variations, what is the mystic key to understanding which is best for what?

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Pondero

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May 6, 2019, 8:55:08 PM5/6/19
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Patrick,

Another Ranger fan.  I've been satisfied with my WTB Ranger in the 27.5x2.8 size.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

Daniel M

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May 7, 2019, 8:40:17 PM5/7/19
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I've been riding 26x3.0" WTB Rangers on my desert touring tank (in the lightest casing - I forget the exact name) and am really impressed with them. Light and supple in the hand, and certainly the best rolling knobby tire I've ever ridden on pavement. Widely-spaced knobs just like Compass / RH tires.

I previously tried 26x2.8" Vee Speedsters and they are some of the worst tires I've ever ridden. Nearly impossible to mount or dismount, and the opposite of supple - they stand off the rim when fully deflated despite being a folding bead. And, while they look like a slick tire, they are more accurately "micro-knobbed" with a layer of rubber tread that is both stiff and adhesive to pavement in the worst way. Like riding velcro tires along a carpet. And they are so stiff that the ride at 18psi is no better than my 26x2.35" Supermotos (no longer available) at 25psi, despite their dramatically greater volume.

So I would recommend 27.5x2.8" Rangers and will have a hard time ever ordering another Vee tire again.

Hope that helps,

Daniel M
Berkeley, CA

Deacon Patrick

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May 7, 2019, 11:22:57 PM5/7/19
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Ranger Light question: how's the tread wear on those? One report I saw said 500 miles of mixed road/trail riding and it's a slick, but I never know how to take those.

With abandon,
Patrick

Pondero

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May 8, 2019, 7:01:40 AM5/8/19
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Patrick, I'll admit that they wear pretty fast, but mine were replaced with some texture remaining after a year, and much more than 500 miles. I'll admit, however, that my tires usually last longer because I am relatively light weight. Tread wear is a consideration with this tire, but the ride quality makes up for it in my case.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

Daniel M

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May 8, 2019, 12:37:05 PM5/8/19
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I can confirm that the tread has worn pretty quickly, but since I'm on the eternal hunt for a 26x3.0" slick, I'm OK with it! I don't think mine have a huge number of miles on them, but heavily-loaded touring has been a large proportion of those miles, and that will wear down knobs quickly on almost any tire. I think I've got at least four 5-ish-day-long loop tours on my pair: two in Death Valley, one in Southern Utah, and one Monterey to Big Sur and back. The roads in Death Valley are frankly abhorrent - not rocky roads, just rock roads, and my only incidents were one pinch flat on each tour due to pushing the low pressure ideal a bit too far with a heavy load while descending said rock roads a bit too quickly. The Utah and Big Sur trips had some long paved sections, and I was really grateful for the reasonably low rolling resistance on those - my friend on a 4" fatbike couldn't keep up with me on the pavement, despite having drop bars.

Daniel M
Berkeley, CA

Deacon Patrick

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May 8, 2019, 6:08:27 PM5/8/19
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Thanks, all! I've Schwalbe Nobby Nic Pluses coming my way. Only available in the snakeskin sidewall, but I'm familier with Schwalbe tires so I'll have a good, familiar baseline to try with other things.

With abandon,
Patrick

Wally Estrella

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May 9, 2019, 6:47:36 AM5/9/19
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Patrick,

Since you are leaning towards the Schwalbe side of things also consider the Hans Dampf.  It's now available in 27.5 x 2.35 / 2.6 / 2.8.  A PhD in Rubberology is required though to fully understand all the compounds Schwalbe uses.  OOOPS! I just re-read your post.  NNs on the way.  OK, perhaps consider the HD for next time ;)

Deacon Patrick

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May 9, 2019, 10:56:47 AM5/9/19
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Aye, Wally, I saw Hans is new in the Plus size. Nobby Nic is more an all round tire, perfect for allways bikepacking. I'm hoping it's similar to the Racing Ralph in that regard. Fortunately, the 2.8" only comes in one rubber option, so no rubberology degree required. Sardonic grin.

With abandon,
Patrick

Joe Bunik

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May 9, 2019, 12:01:54 PM5/9/19
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Along the lines of 29+ tires for a GBW, I've got a (NIB) pair which
need to move along; a set of difficult-to-obtain 29 x 2.25 "XC/CG"
*GUMWALL* knobbies, from Fairweather x Panaracer (Blue Lug).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ joe_bunik/45439313474

Unfortunately, they're just not going to fit onto any of my builds.

5880 ¥ each originally, asking $85 + shipping.

=- Joe Bunik
Walnut Creek, CA


On 5/9/19, 'Deacon Patrick' via RBW Owners Bunch
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Joe Bunik

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May 9, 2019, 12:03:44 PM5/9/19
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Deacon Patrick

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May 9, 2019, 12:46:42 PM5/9/19
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May want to post as its own thread, Joe? 2.25" isn't plus size, so folks who might be interested could easily miss it here.

With abandon,
Patrick

Daniel M

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May 9, 2019, 2:19:10 PM5/9/19
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Not to mention the GBW takes 27.5" wheels/tires and not 29", if I'm not mistaken.

Daniel M
Berkeley, CA

Deacon Patrick

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May 9, 2019, 2:21:46 PM5/9/19
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At least with the first prototypes, XL GBW is 29+. I think S is 26? the two in the middle are 27.5+

With abandon,
Patrick

Deacon Patrick

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May 10, 2019, 6:22:37 PM5/10/19
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Schwalbe Nobby Nic 27.5 x 2.8" Addix Apex Speedgrip SnakeSkin (Whew!) initial impressions (all of five miles in, pavement and dirt roads and trails, no technical single track yet).

Installing:
I was needlessly concerned when I received these that they would be way too stiff. The casing feels stiffer than the Maxxis Ikon+'s casing, the tire they replace, but the Maxxis have been ridden by me a few hundred miles and for whatever the demo bike did before heading my way and becoming Beorn. As esoteric as Schwalbe's rubber compounds are, they do know their stuff. I've also wondered with increased tire width how much more fortification is needed both for protection against sidewall rocks and just because there is more tire. I have no idea, and hope to one day try out a Rene Herse level supple 2.8" tire, whatever that may be. I installed these with tubes, as I don't do the tubeless slop shinnannigans (at least until they sort out the need for trailside fiddling and goop).

No issues installing. As is often the case, I did need to go into the rim well with the tire bead to have room to get the last bit on.

Nobby Nic has a soft, pliable rubber feel, and though the casing feels beefy, it also feels compliant, much more so than the Ikon. The profile is rounder, with the knobbies and profile giving an impression of a plus sized Steilacoom.

Initial Ride
I rode at the same pressure front and rear as my Ikons had for this mornings ride for direct comparison (15 front, 20 rear). Compared with the Ikons, Nic is a plush ride and rides much more like a supple tire than I would have suspected. The nobs on pavement are quiet, possibly quieter than the Ikon, also a surprise, though I expected something similar to the Steilacooms because of the soft rubber and nobby pattern similarities. Nic didn't feel slower, though almost 200 grams heavier per tire. I'll see if I notice it when climbing well known trails next time I get that far out.

I am very hopeful this will be my tire of choice for daily riding and bikepacking. The big test was if it was more supple than the Ikon, and it is without a doubt. It is Steilacoomesque smooth on pavement, and the knob pattern is much the same, so I expect will grip rocks and roots well. Schwalbe designed this to be an aggressive all-rounder and that description fits so far.

With abandon,
Patrick

Deacon Patrick

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May 11, 2019, 4:23:36 PM5/11/19
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Fuller review of Nobby Nic+ tires here: https://deaconpatrick.org/i-get-a-grip-while-the-aspen-bloom

With abandon,
Patrick

Deacon Patrick

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May 13, 2019, 2:44:20 PM5/13/19
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Update on the Nobby Nic plus: Wow. I'd calibrated their speed based on gearing and feel to the Maxxis Ikon+ on dry trails, but my initial ride was on wet, semi-muddy and mud collecting on the Nobby Nics, so when I thought the were about on par or slightly ahead in terms of effort in the same gear, I was selling them short. Today's ride was on dry trails, and Nobby Nic just glides along, conforming to the terrain and not loosing speed. Smooth and delicious and confident. Schwalbe has produced an amazing tire here, with flat protection yet impressively supple. Amazing ride on all ways.

With abandon,
Patrick

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