(very) wide road tires?

[cp43]

I'm looking for slick or semi-slick road tires in ~700x50mm size. I've found a couple of Schwalbe models:

Big Apple -- wire bead only, heavy
Marathon Supreme -- I had some narrower ones, I didn't like the ride much
Big One -- I have no experience with these, thoughts?

Thoughts on the above three tires? Suggestions for something else that's similar?

I'm currently running WTB Nanos, 29x2.1. They're great, but noisy on the road. I'm looking for something that's not heavier than those (WTB quotes 685 grams per tire), folding bead, and a mostly smooth tread. They'll go on Velocity Blunt 35 rims, so I don't really want to go less than ~40mm tire width.

I'm leaning towards the Big Ones. They seem to check all the boxes.

Thanks,

Chris

[icepick_trotsky]

That's a lot of rubber! I was going to recommend Compass Barlow Pass, but those only go up to 38c. Less than 400g each, though.

[jtakeda]

Resist nomad?

[cp43]

Resist nomad?

They do look good. The price is nice too! They have a steel bead though, which I'd like to avoid.

Thanks for the suggestion though, I wasn't aware of those.

I looked at the Compass tires too, If I could get the wide 650B tires they sell in a 700c size, I'd be all over those.

Chris

[jtakeda]

50c and road are kind of an oxymoron. I'll be shocked if you find a lightweight 50c road tire

[p nut]

Is this for road-only usage? Hadn't noticed Schwalbe came out with the Big One. Looks nice, especially the weight! 440g for 29x2.35??? I'm assuming, like Compass tires, durability of the sidewalls may be an issue. I'd go for the slightly heavier, TL version, personally.

I don't ride 29er slicks, but I do have 26" Big Apples. They are a HOOT to ride on the road.

[josephr]

Conti Cruise Contact?

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/continental-cruise-contact-700c-29-inch-tire

[donevwil]

I have Marathon Supremes 2.0s on my BMC MonsterX and love them. They are exceedingly round and well balanced, amazing considering the amount of material there. They roll truer than my 32mm Paselas and, on this bike, I even prefer the ride to that of the Barlow Passes. Granted the BMC will never see a club ride as it weighs a ton the way I have it configured (65cm frame and I'm 240#), but for long slow rides it's a great combo. Width and height on Synergies are 46.5mm and 46.0mm, respectively.

[cp43]

50c and road are kind of an oxymoron. I'll be shocked if you find a lightweight 50c road tire

Yeah, I know I'm not going to find a whole lot of options. I'm looking for "not heavier than what I already have" more than really light weight. So, 1 pound per tire, I'll live with, but I don't to go to 2 pounds per tire.

These will see mostly pavement, with some dirt roads. If I'll be on rougher surfaces, I'll put the Nanos back on.

I was planning on the tougher Big Ones.

p_nut, how do you find the Big Apples in terms of speed. I have the impression that they're heavy and slow, but I don't have any real world experience with them.

Thanks,

Chris

[Fatty]

http://www.pricepoint.com/Brand/Geax/Geax-Mezcal-II-29-2-1-Folding-Tire.axd

Claimed 610 grams, folders.

[batman1425]

At that width - probably better off looking for a slick 29" mountain tire. Anything around the 2" mark in width will be about 50c.

WTB slick Comp comes to mind. Maxis Hookworm comes in a 29X2.5. Thickslicks from Freedom are an option too - but are heavy.

[p nut]

Big Apples roll surprisingly well. I thought 780g would be a complete turd, but it rolls surprisingly better than it looks.

I'm tempted to try out the Big One myself. At that weight, I'm sure it will fly.

[cp43]

I had a set of Marathon Supremes in 700x38 a few years back, on my touring bike. They felt stiff and slow to me then. Sounds like they are better now.

The Conti Contacts look good, but a little heavy.

The Geax tires look to be pretty similar to the Nanos I have now. Good for dirt, but too much tread for pavement.

The Maxxis Hookworm looks good, but, too big! My frame will take up to a 2.3, it is a road bike after all. :D The Maxxis Grifter and Torch look pretty good though. I hadn't looked at Maxxis at all.

The Big Apples may get the nod, based on price. I think they're ~half the price of the Big Ones. If they roll well, that may be worth it.

Thanks all. You've given me some more tires to look at.

Chris

[572cv]

I'm very happy with the performance of Sammy Slicks. They feel just fine for sections of pavement, and play nice with the local dirt roads. Pretty durable so far. Schwalbe makes a nice tire. I think they come in at 35c, but would run wider in a wide rim.

[ColonelJLloyd]

I'd definitely give the Schwalbe Big One a try if it fit.

[p nut]

...The Big Apples may get the nod, based on price. I think they're ~half the price of the Big Ones. If they roll well, that may be worth it....

Just remember that mine are 26", not 29". 29x2.35's come in close to 900g.

[oddsaabs]

I know this doesn't help answer your original question, but have you considered switching to a 650b wheel for the road? The wide/light road tire options are plentiful, the overall diameter of the wheel/tire of a 650b x 50 is pretty close to a 700 x 25, and if you have disc brakes the switch should go easy. It might even make an off road bike better on the street by lowering the CG just a scooch.

Of course it would mean building new wheels, but that's just an opportunity to spend more time in the shop! :)

[twors]

I recently mounted up some Conti Speed Rides on my gravel bike. Their listed as 42C but I think their closer to 40's IMO. These weighed in at 450g and 470g on my scale. I like them, fast and quiet on asphalt and I have handled some pretty nasty gravel with no problem. I paid about twenty bucks each....

[sparky33]

What sort of road going bike are you fitting 700x50 on?

Also, I second the 650x50 alternative if you are disco if for no other reason than the Compass Switchback Hill...that is just a tic over 400g

[JAGI410]

Big Apples are great tires

[Cicli]

Big Apples are great tires

And super heavy.

[HillDancer]

Super Moto, http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/road_tires/super_moto

I have them in 26inch, also Big Apples. The Super Moto is a good mix of sturdy side wall & supple tread, and it's extra special when mounted tubeless.

[tiretrax]

I recently mounted up some Conti Speed Rides on my gravel bike. Their listed as 42C but I think their closer to 40's IMO. These weighed in at 450g and 470g on my scale. I like them, fast and quiet on asphalt and I have handled some pretty nasty gravel with no problem. I paid about twenty bucks each....

I like these, too. I have an extra set NIB, if you're interested.

[cp43]

The bike is this one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/44bikes/albums/72157658158335155 It's not really a normal road bike.... It's designed around 700xbig tires, it will take up to a 2.3 Nobby Nic under the fenders.

I'm going to stick with the 700c wheels. There's a dynamo hub involved, so new wheels are that much more expensive. The frame is designed with big 700c tires in mind too.

Schwalbe Super Motos are what I think I'd really like, but they don't seem to be available in 700c anymore. The Big One seems to be the closest thing to those.

The Contis and the Big Apples are very appealing on the price front though. Maxxis Torch and Grifter both seem to be a pretty good balance of price and lightness.

I have more thinking to do...

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Chris

[p nut]

RE: Super Motos.

They're out at Schwalbe, but plenty of vendors still have them.

http://www.jensonusa.com/Schwalbe-Super-Moto-29-Tire

[cp43]

RE: Super Motos.

They're out at Schwalbe, but plenty of vendors still have them.

http://www.jensonusa.com/Schwalbe-Super-Moto-29-Tire

Thanks for that link. I hadn't checked Jenson. I may just buy 3 of those.

Chris

[exapkib]

What a fantastic bike! I love the concept and the execution.

I ride Marathon Supremes on my BMX Monstercross, and they are definitely a compromise--they roll well, but the road feel is not the best. What's more, they never seem to wear out (I've been riding this pair for more than two years of daily commuting/dirt road riding and they look exactly the same as the day I put them on. Not sure if this second point is a plus or a minus . . .

[Waldo]

Bruce Gordon Rock 'n' Road?

[oddsaabs]

The bike is this one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/44bikes/albums/72157658158335155 It's not really a normal road bike.... It's designed around 700xbig tires, it will take up to a 2.3 Nobby Nic under the fenders.

What a great looking bike! Really well thought out. Your gonna have a blast on that thing.

[oddsaabs]

If Vee Rubber makes the speedster in a size that works it might be worth looking at. I've run them in the 650b size with good results. Not as fast as a supple Panaracer built tire, but they roll quite well and handle the loose stuff with aplomb.

[weisan]

the widest road tire that I have is a Resist Nomad 45mm.

[cp43]

What a fantastic bike! I love the concept and the execution.

I ride Marathon Supremes on my BMX Monstercross, and they are definitely a compromise--they roll well, but the road feel is not the best. What's more, they never seem to wear out (I've been riding this pair for more than two years of daily commuting/dirt road riding and they look exactly the same as the day I put them on. Not sure if this second point is a plus or a minus . . .

Thanks! I'm really liking the bike so far. If you're interested, Kris did a blog entry about it too: http://www.44bikes.com/huntsman-super-trail/

I found the same with my Marathon Supremes. They were fine, no flats, rolled well enough, but I never liked them. I did manage to kill one though, by riding it under inflated.

Again, thanks to every one for the suggestions. I went with the Super Motos, I'll post some ride impressions when they arrive, and I get some miles on them.

Chris

[Vinci]

I can't speak highly enough of Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. I have used them in 700x35 for years while commuting, but I know they come in a 700x40 as well. eBay has the best pricing for them, BTW.

They aren't light, but they are much lighter than other options at that size and usage. They are very very puncture-resistant as well. They just reject glass.

[sandyrs]

Thanks! I'm really liking the bike so far. If you're interested, Kris did a blog entry about it too: http://www.44bikes.com/huntsman-super-trail/

I found the same with my Marathon Supremes. They were fine, no flats, rolled well enough, but I never liked them. I did manage to kill one though, by riding it under inflated.

Again, thanks to every one for the suggestions. I went with the Super Motos, I'll post some ride impressions when they arrive, and I get some miles on them.

Chris

Seems like a really cool bike. I'm curious what kind of rides you plan to do on it.

[cp43]

Seems like a really cool bike. I'm curious what kind of rides you plan to do on it.

I got it as an upgrade to my current gravel bike. The big ride for this bike will be the Green Mountain Double Century. ~210 miles, ~25,000 feet of climbing, and ~85% gravel, if I remember correctly. That, D2R2, and similar are in the plans for this bike.

[donevwil]

I ride Marathon Supremes on my BMX Monstercross, and they are definitely a compromise--they roll well, but the road feel is not the best. What's more, they never seem to wear out (I've been riding this pair for more than two years of daily commuting/dirt road riding and they look exactly the same as the day I put them on. Not sure if this second point is a plus or a minus . . .

I put Supremes on my BMC after seeing yours in the gallery. I think they are ideal for my 240 lbs and 65cm frame, can't imagine going larger however. You are right about wear, both my front and rear still have their mold flash down the center.

[sandyrs]

I got it as an upgrade to my current gravel bike. The big ride for this bike will be the Green Mountain Double Century. ~210 miles, ~25,000 feet of climbing, and ~85% gravel, if I remember correctly. That, D2R2, and similar are in the plans for this bike.

Nice. That's a brutal ride! I have a few friends who've done it. Enjoy and I'll keep an eye out for that ride at D2R2.

[ColonelJLloyd]

Only 43mm and they wear fast on the payment.

Bruce Gordon Rock 'n' Road?

[cp43]

Nice. That's a brutal ride! I have a few friends who've done it. Enjoy and I'll keep an eye out for that ride at D2R2.

It is brutal. I've done 3, finishing in 25, 27, and 22 hours. If you're up for a challenge though, it's a really fun ride.

I'll be on the mystery ride this year at D2R2. I'll be camping out the night before and sticking around for dinner after the ride. It would be great to meet people from the forum there, but that's probably a topic for another thread. :beer:

[benito]

i have specialized fatboys on my commuter.

they are definitely pretty chunky, takes the edge off some of the crap roads i have to deal with.

https://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bikes/mountain/fatboy/105952

700 X 45, 555g

i would rate them at a "moderate plus," in the flat department (NYC).

[cp43]

I wanted to follow up on this, and thank you all again for your suggestions.

I ended up getting the Schwalbe Super Motos. So far I only have one short ride on them, but they felt great, and, critically, compared to the WTB Nano's that they're replacing, they're quiet.

On my kitchen scale the Schwalbes are 719 grams, and the WTB's are ~580 grams. So, I gained some weight there, but I'm ok with that, especially since the Schwalbes are a little wider.

[559Rando]

How about the Soma Supple Vitesse @ 42mm, available in (claimed) 340g and 380g variants?

Also whispers of a 52mm Panaracer Gravel King (both their small knob and file tread version) are being heard around certain parts of the internet.

[cp43]

How about the Soma Supple Vitesse @ 42mm, available in (claimed) 340g and 380g variants?

Also whispers of a 52mm Panaracer Gravel King (both their small knob and file tread version) are being heard around certain parts of the internet.

I wanted to go with 50+mm this time around, so the Soma's, and the current Gravel Kings are too small.

I mentioned the weight above because I had a kitchen scale handy, and I was curious about claimed vs actual weights. I don't think I'll really notice those grams. FWIW, JensonUSA (where I bought the Super Motos) lists them as 680grams. WTB lists the Nano Race as 575 grams. So, they're pretty close.

A 622x52mm Gravel King would be perfect though. I'll look out for those.

Thanks,

Chris

[seanile]

I wanted to follow up on this, and thank you all again for your suggestions.

I ended up getting the Schwalbe Super Motos.
glad you went with those. theyre an amazing tire for the size. ive been riding them for about a year now on my similarly purposed bike. i dig your white/black colorway.
https://scontent.fphl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1558587_801748119889067_7639338658058956252_n.jpg? oh=c91a1260a5a153fd221f1d8649f6f222&oe=57D73141