Doc_Wui

We're going to be riding more crushed gravel rail trails this summer. Already have Schwalbe Big Apples at 2.00 inches. Wonder if it's worth going up 1/8" to the 20.15" models. Any other recommendations, We've had no issues on groomed trails, but I've had tires sink into new loose gravel. Maybe I just to be vigiliant,

Schwinnsta

I have a Xootr Swift and a Zizzo. I can not run 2.15 in the back of either bike, but both have fenders, which are necessities here. I do run 2.15 on the front of both with fenders. What bike do you plan to put them on?

pinholecam

2" should be fine if you have low pressure.
I've done it on 1.65", at about 40psi on a 18" wheel.
Some sections were so loose that even people in front of me in mtb had issues and I only saw one guy with tires that were very flat get thru without issues.
Of course the wider it is, the more 'margin of error' you get wrt the gravel being very fresh or loose.

P.L.Jensen

I run Tioga Tires SPECTR 20x2.4 front and back on my Zizzo Liberte’… No fenders… They fit fine…

jdogg111

dang that a huge tire! I tried kenda contacts 1.95 on my liberte and went in the opposite direction, panacers 1 25 slicks. Much lighter and smaller fold, but I still have the contacts if I need them

Fentuz

In "gravel setup", I run Schwalbe Black Jack 47-406 at 35-40 psi. I have them on Kids MTBs too. They roll like a classic mix gravel tyre and are supple.
Puncture protection is not as good as big apple or marathon but like I said, they are suppler.

They are much nicer than Kenda Small Block Eight Pro K1047.

Doc_Wui

Really appreciate the replies. Bikes are a 2017 Downtube Nova and a 2017 Downtube 8FS. The latter has no clearance issues on the fork or frame, and I've got the wheels and calipers/rotors/etc to convert that bike to disk brakes should a 2.15 tire not fit between the calipers. It only has a rear fender which could be pulled for this trip,

For the Nova, I see that there's less than 1/4" on each side by the chainstays in the rear so I had better stay with 2". The current Schwalbes on mine are looking pretty bald. My Wife's 8FS isn't far behind.

I changed out the BB on the Nova. It was cone/cup, pretty worn, and I could hear the bike groan under heavy pedaling.,.Ha ha, I had saved several cartridge bearings from bike projects and one turned out to fit.

Ron Damon

...of nominal width no smaller than 50mm (available in my locality) that I've compiled over time.
● Schwalbe Big Apple, 50mm
● Vee Tire Speedster, 50mm
● Kenda Kontact, 50mm
● Maxxis Grifter, 53mm
● Deli Tire Swallow S-199, 54mm
● Schwalbe Big Apple, 55mm
● Kenda Kid Block, 56mm
● Maxxis DTH, 56mm
● Maxxis Torch, 56mm
● Kenda Kontact, 58mm
● Maxxis Grifter, 58mm
● KHEbikes Acme, 2.40"