Road tires for Potts 29er

[Dave Ferris]

All the trails around this area are temporarily closed so I've been riding my Potts 29er with the 100mm Fox fork on the street as of late.

Generally I'm ok with just clunking along with the Rocket Rons that are on there but was thinking if this is going to be more long term, it would be nice to have something more suited for the road.

Mike Varley at Black Mountain in Point Reyes, who did the build, recommended the Clement X'Plor MSO in either a 32mm or 40mm size. This was a few years ago, so wanted to see if anything had come along recently that would be better suited for this function.

Wheels are Stans no tubes ZTR ARCH EX with White Industries MI6 hubs.

FB shot of bike
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2024650737789169&set=picfp.100007327866309&type=3&theater

Thanks in advance.

[AngryScientist]

if you want the best ride, i would get a set of compass/rene herse tires in the width of your choosing. 35mm is pretty awesome on the road!

[charliedid]

I say keep it fat and don't kill the handling. Try a Schwalbe Big Ben or Big Apple in 2" plus size.

A 32 IMO will ride like crap.

[EB]

Antelope Hill!

https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/components/tires/700c/700cx55-antelope-hill-tc/

[adampaiva]

seems like a great application for a Rene Herse Antelope Hill 700x 55
https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/components/tires/700c/700cx55-antelope-hill-tc/

Panaracer Gravel King is often mentioned as cheaper Rene Herse alternative but I don't think they are quite as good. Also looks like the slick is not available in a similar 700c size, but the SK + comes in 700x43 or 700x50. They don't feel as nice as Rene Herse but are pretty rideable as a mixed conditions tire, and do have more grip than the slick in loose stuff.
https://panaracerusa.com/product/700-x-50c-gravelking-sk/

[phoenix]

I’ll jump on the Antelope Hill recommendation.

[ColonelJLloyd]

Schwalbe G-One Speed 29x2.35 in the lightest casing. I bought several of these when they were called Big One and, while they varied a bit, some were as light as 415g!

https://live.staticflickr.com/4683/38501110064_c219a298a0_c.jpg

[Pegoready]

That Potts is just stellar!

The MSO XPLOR tires have been out of stock everywhere for months and months.

This bike would absolutely rip with the Antelope Hills though. Traction on pavement for days.

[charliedid]

Schwalbe G-One Speed 29x2.35 in the lightest casing. I bought several of these when they were called Big One and, while they varied a bit, some were as light as 415g!

https://live.staticflickr.com/4683/38501110064_c219a298a0_c.jpg

Nice

[robt57]

Maxis Refuse and Hutchinson Overrides are two I like that I have used. The 35 Override feel super on pave pumped up, yet lower pressures do dirt fairly well too.

The 35mm Override is decently light @ 360gr. IIRC.

[cinema]

That Potts is just stellar!

The MSO XPLOR tires have been out of stock everywhere for months and months.

This bike would absolutely rip with the Antelope Hills though. Traction on pavement for days.

I would second the MSO XPLORs. I have had them for years ZERO flats STILL going on LA streets. I have ordered Rene herse/thin supple Japanese tires before and had nothing but problems with flats. constant flatting, short tread life, not worth it. After a couple thousand miles the MSOs will ride softer anyway.

[Jaybee]

I'm of the mind that if you have the tire clearance, you should use it. I'd go for something at least 2" both for aesthetics and to preserve the ride characteristics your bike was designed for.

For something that hasn't been mentioned yet, I used a singlespeed El Mariachi with 29x2.2 Specialized Compound Controls (https://www.specialized.com/us/en/compound-control/p/155462) as a townie for 6ish months before that bike was stolen. Were a little bit of a pain to set up tubeless (and they aren't marketed as such), but were fun and worry free after that. Bonus -they're cheap.

[RA]

Great question... I have Continental speed king 2.2’s on my POTTS 29er for similar reasons and they are incredibly fast, bit of a pain to set up tubeless as they’re not sold as that and need to be careful with your pressures on Stans rims on the road but I’ve been thinking of going back to tubes anyway for that purpose, good to see other recommendations though.

[Ken Robb]

If a person wanted to occasionally swap tubeless tires back/forth is it a lot more trouble than it would be on a tube/tire setup?

[p nut]

I say keep it fat and don't kill the handling. Try a Schwalbe Big Ben or Big Apple in 2" plus size.

A 32 IMO will ride like crap.

I agree. Keep it fat—2”+. I haven’t ridden Big Ben’s but Big Apples are so plush and fun.

Rene Herse/Compass are nice, too, but I’ve just had too many flats and cuts on those tires. Nice and light, but they come at a cost.

[Jaybee]

If a person wanted to occasionally swap tubeless tires back/forth is it a lot more trouble than it would be on a tube/tire setup?

This is entirely dependent on the rim/tire combo. If they are both designed for it, then my experience has been that it doesn't take much if any more time than a tubed tire. I swap on my fatbike depending on snow conditions all the time, no issues.

[ColonelJLloyd]

This is entirely dependent on the rim/tire combo. If they are both designed for it, then my experience has been that it doesn't take much if any more time than a tubed tire.

+1

I use a tubeless sealant syringe (4oz) to remove the sealant in the tire I'm removing and then inject into the new tire.

[PacNW2Ford]

I have a pair of Vittoria Terreno Cross Country MTB tires, 29x2.1 that I’m going to put on my Potts (Type II fork) for dirt roads. They have a smooth center tread and could work well on pavement. And tan walls!