WTB Byway 650b x 47 - first impressions

[Steve]

I'd been contemplating stepping up the tires on my Platypus from 42mm to something in the 48 - 50mm range.  The Byways were not on my radar, in fact I had sort of ruled them out. When I saw them though at a deeply discounted price at a local bike shop I succumbed to impulse and grabbed them.  I mounted them with butyl tubes and have been riding them at 30 -32 psi. On the Velocity Quill rims they measure just over 46mm. 

My impressions so far: Fast rolling and quiet on pavement.  Excellent on hardpack dirt and gravel.  Just enough cush to smooth out the moderately chunky stuff.  The side knobs seem more cosmetic than functional, though they likely add protection for the side walls. In short, they make the Platypus more of an all rounder for the roads and trails I like to ride. 

Anyone else have experience with these?  

Steve in AVL

[JAS]

Steve,

Your Platy looks great with the new Byways.  Thank you for the review of the tires.  What rims and fenders are you running on your bike?  I want to go wider on my Platy too and am currently using a Dyad rim with Shikoro 42s.  If I get wider tires, I'll need a different fender set up.  Yours look sleek and stealthy.  Thanks!

--Joyce

[Jay]

I agree, tires look great on an already good looking bike.  This is a good example of black-silver done right, per the other thread.

I don't have experience with those tires.  I read years ago on a forum or somewhere that they were slow, but that's all relative and may not matter at all to you.  If you've tired them, and like them, you're good to roll!

I noticed your grips and they look like Ergon GC1 Cork?  I just set these up on a Granola bar on my Salsa Fargo.  I've only had two rides, so far so good.  I swapped to the Granola from the Curvy bar (both VO), and I feel these grips work better on a bike with more sweep.  I was getting hand/wrist pain with the Curvy bar and was constantly adjusting things...with no success.  I have mine angled likes yours, though when I initially set them up, although it's what felt right, I was wondering if it's what was intended.  Have you played with the angle of yours and settled on what you have now, or just went with that from day one?  I ask because I may experiment a little more, if I get any negative feedback.

[Steve]

Joyce and Jay, thank you both for your comments. 

-- As mentioned, the tires are mounted on Velocity Quill rims (internal width 21mm,  Dyads are slightly narrower at 19, but I'm sure would be just fine with a wider tire, though I believe they are designed for beaded clincher style tires (vs tubeless). The fenders are Simworks x Honjo smooth 62s. Simworks states they accommodate a max 650b tire width of 48mm. 

- - Yep, Ergon GC1 grips!  I've been using  Ergon's for over a decade now, They're the best with my arthritic right hand which was injured in a bicycle crash about 30 years ago.  Just as I do with my saddles and handlebars, I fiddle with the angle of the grips, a couple of millimeters up or down until I find the sweet spot. 

Jay, I may have seen the same forum post that you mentioned, suggesting the Byways are "slow", which figured into initially crossing them off my short list. That's definitely not been my  experience so far, and I think that judgement begs the question, "Slow compared to what?"  I like the way you put it - If you've tried them, and like them, you're good to roll!

Steve

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