27.5, 2.25 Tires for Gravel Bike?

[tab123]

I’m building up a drop-bar frame that can accommodate 2.1 or 2.25 tires on 27.5 wheels for gravel and single-track riding with a little bit of road riding to get to the trails. The gravel around here tends to be pretty loose and deep; mud is not an issue. Any recommendations for tires that are tubeless ready? Thanks!

[Jaybee]

What frame?

Thunder Burt or Furious Fred is the usual answer, but those are really light and supple to keep hardpack/paved rolling resistance in check. If you want a bit more knob/beef to deal with actual rocks, then Bonty XR1 or XR2, WTB Riddler or Ranger, Maxxis Aspen or Ikon, Conti RaceKing should all get a look. Spesh Fast Trak also.

I do plenty of similar riding on a similar bike, and XR1 is my current front, Teravail Rutland rear

ETA:. WTB Nano is the other classic here - definitely deserves a mention. I feel that it gives up some cornering grip on loose ssurfaces relative to those mentioned above.

[tab123]

Jaybee, thanks for your reply; you helped me narrow down the choices. I’m building an Open Wide (sold my MTB because I’m not all that comfortable with flat bars and don’t ride anything too technical).

[tony_mm]

I have for my 650B wheels on my gravel bike 3 different tires depending on the trail:

- Schwalbe G-One Allround 2.25 (easy gravel)
- Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2.25 (coarse gravel)
- Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.25 (light MTB trails) Speed. (You can also have these in SpeedGrip which gives you even more grip).


It does really depends on the condition of your trails in terms of size of the gravel etc...

You then have to make a compromise on rolling resistance, offroad grip, weight and puncture resistance.

[awdwon]

Sim Works Super Yummy? Seem to be getting a lot of love, I just ordered a pair for a build that I'm doing.

[JWB475]

I have a second set of wheels with 27.5 x 2.1 Thunderburts, great tires, and also very light. I replaced 48mm Gravel King SK's with them, the GKSK's were ~570 grams and the Thunderburts were only ~430 grams.