700x38 - is it enough?
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2,549
Bikes: yes
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1281 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
329 Posts
Bumping this just to mention that I just finished my 5th Dirty Kanza 200--and probably the last one for the foreseeable future--and I've had exactly ONE flat in five years/1000 miles of this race, with Trigger Pro 38s.
The one flat was the first year, and I was not yet tubeless. I pinch flatted bombing too fast down a descent, hit a rut.
I will attribute my good fortune to a good tire, extremely cautious (some might say cowardly) descending, and luck.
But seriously, it pays to be cautious on the descents on that race. That's where everyone flats or crashes.
That said, if I had the clearance I would have liked a slightly wider tire on this year's course--at least a 42.
The one flat was the first year, and I was not yet tubeless. I pinch flatted bombing too fast down a descent, hit a rut.
I will attribute my good fortune to a good tire, extremely cautious (some might say cowardly) descending, and luck.
But seriously, it pays to be cautious on the descents on that race. That's where everyone flats or crashes.
That said, if I had the clearance I would have liked a slightly wider tire on this year's course--at least a 42.
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,764
Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1975 Post(s)
Liked 232 Times
in
173 Posts
Bumping this just to mention that I just finished my 5th Dirty Kanza 200--and probably the last one for the foreseeable future--and I've had exactly ONE flat in five years/1000 miles of this race, with Trigger Pro 38s.
The one flat was the first year, and I was not yet tubeless. I pinch flatted bombing too fast down a descent, hit a rut.
I will attribute my good fortune to a good tire, extremely cautious (some might say cowardly) descending, and luck.
But seriously, it pays to be cautious on the descents on that race. That's where everyone flats or crashes.
That said, if I had the clearance I would have liked a slightly wider tire on this year's course--at least a 42.
The one flat was the first year, and I was not yet tubeless. I pinch flatted bombing too fast down a descent, hit a rut.
I will attribute my good fortune to a good tire, extremely cautious (some might say cowardly) descending, and luck.
But seriously, it pays to be cautious on the descents on that race. That's where everyone flats or crashes.
That said, if I had the clearance I would have liked a slightly wider tire on this year's course--at least a 42.
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2,549
Bikes: yes
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1281 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
329 Posts
I never noticed it feeling slow and it's actually surprisingly fast on pavement for a file tread, I have to work a little harder to keep up with a group ride on road bikes but not as much as I would've thought.
I've never used the Pathfinder so I can't say. I've had such good luck with the Triggers that it's an "if it ain't broke" situation.
That said, there's a bazillion more gravel tire options than there were even 5 years ago and a lot of them are very good.
Next ones in going to try are Gravel Kings because I won a set at a race.
I've never used the Pathfinder so I can't say. I've had such good luck with the Triggers that it's an "if it ain't broke" situation.
That said, there's a bazillion more gravel tire options than there were even 5 years ago and a lot of them are very good.
Next ones in going to try are Gravel Kings because I won a set at a race.
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stillwater, OK
Posts: 8,128
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1871 Post(s)
Liked 689 Times
in
467 Posts
I never noticed it feeling slow and it's actually surprisingly fast on pavement for a file tread, I have to work a little harder to keep up with a group ride on road bikes but not as much as I would've thought.
I've never used the Pathfinder so I can't say. I've had such good luck with the Triggers that it's an "if it ain't broke" situation.
That said, there's a bazillion more gravel tire options than there were even 5 years ago and a lot of them are very good.
Next ones in going to try are Gravel Kings because I won a set at a race.
I've never used the Pathfinder so I can't say. I've had such good luck with the Triggers that it's an "if it ain't broke" situation.
That said, there's a bazillion more gravel tire options than there were even 5 years ago and a lot of them are very good.
Next ones in going to try are Gravel Kings because I won a set at a race.
__________________
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
#55
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I decided to move on from the Felt and ended up with a Kona Rove NRB. If I was a smaller guy, I think the 38mm tires would have been fine but the 650x47 tires on the Kona work way better for me. I haven’t yet switched them over to tubeless but even running them at 32/35psi with tubes makes a huge difference in comfort and control. I figured if I’m going to do more of this type of riding, I might as well get what I want so I enjoy it.
#56
Member
#57
With a mighty wind
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,555
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1074 Post(s)
Liked 841 Times
in
475 Posts
A big advantage of 650b is big tires without toe rub.
My bike has no rub with road tires. When I mount the 38s, it's pretty significant. It's mostly just annoying, and it's caused a foot dab once or twice, overall, I live with it.
If I didn't have rim brakes, I would probably be riding 650b though.
My bike has no rub with road tires. When I mount the 38s, it's pretty significant. It's mostly just annoying, and it's caused a foot dab once or twice, overall, I live with it.
If I didn't have rim brakes, I would probably be riding 650b though.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
johngwheeler
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
74
08-09-17 03:10 PM
absoludicrous
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
18
08-09-16 07:59 AM