The Best Tires For The Great Divide?
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes? Figuring out which tires will perform well and last long can be tricky, especially given all the options on the market. In our latest video, Neil sheds some light on the essential considerations that will help you make an educated decision. He also touches on eight different tires that fit the bill, including his favorite one in this class.
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Outline:
Intro - 0:00
Support Bikepacking.com - 0:42
Tire Characteristics
Width - 1:22
Casing - 2:35
Tread Pattern - 4:09
Reliability - 5:53
Tire Options
WTB Nano - 6:30
WTB Ranger - 7:40
Maxxis Crossmark - 7:56
Maxxis Ikon - 8:57
Maxxis Ardent Race - 9:22
Teravail Sparwood - 9:45
Teravail Rutland - 10:26
Vittoria Mezcal - 11:04
Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge - 11:53
Mentioned Links:
29er Wheel Diameter History: (g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/...)
Tubeless Tire Repair and Install: (bikepacking.com/plan/tubeless...)
Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge Review: (bikepacking.com/gear/rene-her...)
Eastern Divide: (bikepacking.com/plan/introduc...)
Bikepacking Routes Page: (bikepacking.com/bikepacking-r...)
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Hosted by Neil Beltchenko
Special thanks to Mike Dion / RTD10.com for the photo of Matthew Lee
Music by Ben Weaver (benweaver.net)
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Maybe the reduced rolling resistance is worth it if you're racing, otherwise, wider is going to be more comfortable. When I rode the Divide I was on 27.5X2.8. Other riders would be complaining about a rough section of washboard, my wife and I would look at each other and say, "Oh, yeah, I guess there was a little washboard." A guy I met literally rattled one of the fillings out of his teeth riding "race" tires. A consideration always has to be, am I going to ride farther going faster, or am I going to ride farther if my tires haven't beaten the crap out of me all day?
Above 2.5 and I just feel like I'm pedaling a cart over anything but chunky fire roads and single track 650 x 40 something is a perfect do it all tire for me
That is a very valuable comment. What kind of fork were you running?
I was advised that 27.5 plus a 2.8 & higher tyre pressure give the same result as a 29" with a 2.2" ?
2.2" Conti Race King's are great, I used then on the divide and they were a stand out item. Just perfect for that ride.
More info on this fantastic site!
www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews?orderby=brand
Continentals are the next tire i buy. For sure. 540 grams is a crazy light tire.
www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews/continental-race-king-racesport-2014
Black chilli compound for the win.
Excellent tires!
Just ordered them for new carbon hoops! Can't wait to test them! Only $55 at Competitive Cyclist now.
They are great, but they seep sealant throw sidewalls... always wet. Add selant every few weeks is anoying.
yep, they great, BUUUt leak like hell and too narrow.(2.2 = more like 2.1)
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2.2 Conti raceking protection for me. I'm currently testing out the speedking. More of a 2.2 slick. But so far it hooks up well for a slick. Testing here in the Canadian Rockies, mostly singletrack.
Great video, Neil! Thanks.
Used the Ikons for 3 BP trips - switched to the Contis 2.2 RaceKings for the TransVA...My favorite tire thus far! Super fast on all terrains - hooks up amazingly well - instills confidence when on sketchy terrain. RH Fleecer Ridge is going to be my next one to try. Great Video. Always a fun topic to discuss and learn about. Cheers!
I'm running a WTB Nano in 700x40c and this is probably the best all around tire I've found. Gravel, single track, road rides, mix terrain, muddy stuff and keeps coming back for more! Wears like iron as well!
Did you run suspension? Especially in the gravel world some ppl prefer thinner tires lile 40mm paired with suspension
Great video and lots of good information. Thank you Sir.
This summer I am planning my next Great Divide Mountain Bike Route tour. I will be mapping and riding a south and west Route of the continental Divide as apposed to the east and north side in Wyoming. I've been working out in the Wyoming red desert for over 15 years and have come up with a great Route. It will miss the oil and gas development as best can be but its going to be challenging for water and food. This Route will be a bit more extreme then the route from Atlanta City to Rawlins Wyoming. I have GIS map abilities so my plan will be to share the Route for anyone who would like to try it. This route will be from the Lander cut off and the Is Sierra Madre portion.
I use mezcals for trails, gravel, and bikepacking. Great tire!
Just thought about this topic the last days. Thx for the video!
Maxxis Crossmark II TR EXO 2.25", they pointed the square blocks a little, rolls very fast on the pave', GDMBR July 2021. Nice video!
I've had very good results from 2.2 inch Sparwoods over the past 18 months, but for my planned 3 weeks on the Divide this summer, I'm going to try the Mezcal's in a 2.1, primarily based on all the buzz I've seen about them the past few months.
Been using a mezcal trail 2.25 on a stans arch tubeless set up. So happy with the set up.
Iam currently using the Maxxis Pace for bikepacking and gravel. Underrated tire!!
Used and it's horrible. For starters, it's a pain in the butt to install, then using them they tend to send all the gravel little rocks your way, spitting gravel to my face! And they roll very slow, even considering their tread pattern which fooled me. It's astonishing how similar they are to the Ikons and, once you try both to compare, how night and day they are!
2.2 Continental Race Kings have been my go to tire. No flats or problems on the Tour Divide in 2018. They roll so fast! But I'm interested in trying the Fleecer Ridge.
Great video. I’m running RH though I’m definitely interested in the wtb and vittoria tires in this video
This came in handy as I am planning a great divide ride and know very little about bikes right now. I have the camping part down though. Thanks !
Glad we could help, thanks for watching.
I think the SCHWALBE Marathon Plus MTB HS 468 29x2.10 Smart Guard is also a good choice. It is also available in a 2.25. It is a heavy tire at about 3 and half pounds, but I am fine with the extra weigh because it is one tough tire. I have ridden with them on the front and rear for over 5,000 miles (on an off road) without a puncture flat. It has a puncture protection belt that is thick enough to prevent flats from sharp tacks and similar objects. I have ridden on undeveloped land, including areas with cactuses that are low to the ground without any problems. It is not a foldable tire, so another type of tire would need to be carried as a spare.
Im recently installed some 2020 Schwalbe thunder Burts in a 29x2.1 on my Waheela S for road & gravel. I think the rear might have a small issue but the front has been great in terms of grip & performance. I think I might prefer the Race Kings as a rear tire of the Burts but more testing is needed. I'm also curious to try the Vittoria Tereno 29x2.1(also comes in a 29x2.25) as a rear.
The mezcals are my favorite for fast mixed terrain riding. Similar to nanos but better in every way. They are crazy fast, durable, have predictable grip, and I feel confident riding hard with them.
The Mezcals are great. I use a 2.6 for my front, though most use it on the rear. I use a Schwalbe Rock Razor 2.35 on the rear now, but I will likely run Mezcals all around in the future. Where I ride both roll fast and have good corner bite in the dry, but the Rock Razor gets sloppy after a rain.
Did some of the Canadian sections of the divide last summer and some really rough ATV trails on a heavily loaded Fargo rocking light&supple Sparwoods. Was really surprised how well they handled, and appreciated their speed on pavement. Hoping to try some Fleecer Ridges next, but the Sparwoods still have some life in them
Thanks for the great video!
Unfortunately, the thesis is there is no one answer. Which is frustrating to a beginner bikepacker like me. I was in the middle of all this a few months ago while setting up my bike for the Tour Divide 2022. With everything that is happening with the supply chain, my options were quite limited. I ended up with a Specialized Ground Control 27.5 x 2.3. I took them out this fall on my Salsa Timberjack for my first multi-night trip, the Butter Tart 700 through Southwestern Ontario and they did great! I can't wait to take them on more training rides leading up to the Divide.
i would go for the Conti Race King Protection in 2.2 , one of the fastest XC Tyres out there. I ride them since 4 Years now in 27,5 on my Bombtrack Hook EXT when i'm not knowing what the route is gonna be like.. they never failed on me so far :)
Loving the new Pirelli Centurato. I just rode the Oregon Outback on 650b 50mm in the Mixed tread and the tire handled everything well.
Running the M version of those in 700x42 and also the 650x50 and both work really well.
Testing the M version to see how many miles I can get out of them. What have you guys found?
Glad I watched this. I wanted the WTB Nanos but they were sold out everywhere. I went with the Mezcals instead which is even better because I could get them in a big 2.6.
Kenda KRads/Maxxis holy rollers! Great for gravel/lighter terrain, rolls like a slick on tarmac due to inverted tread, cheap and 2.3 inches! Great for commuting on a MTB also!
I used the Teravail Sparwoods (Durable) on my Salsa Fargo for the Green Mountain Gravel Growler route in Vermont, and they were perfect for the mix of pavement, gravel, and hardpack dirt roads. Did some slip-slidin' on a short stretch of muddy singletrack outside of Middlebury, though! They have since served me well for commuting, bike overnighting, and occasional dry singletrack here in Northeast Ohio.
Doing Green Mtn Growler in October! What size did you end up going with in the Sparwoods? Thanks in advance!
@@powejc4 29x2.25
@@KevinMadzia thank you!
The Soma Cazadero is a great tire. 700x50 I run them year round and haven't had any issues
Neil, with the shirt made for radio! HAHAHAHA I actually think the best pattern in the video is on your shirt. Great job as always with the video. It's good to get a review of whats out there since right now getting your first choice may not be that easy. great stuff. WTB for me. When i went down the GDMBT in 2014 on my Krampus the choices were Knards and well Knards.
You can't see the shirt on radio
@@ShiningTrapezoid no shit Sherlock
Race Kings , black chili compound are the best all around tires I've ridden. They wear like iron , fast rolling, and they are very forgiving. I'm trying Vittoria Agarro 2.35 , so far they have been stellar.
Vittoria 29" x Barzo 2.35 (f), Mezcal 2.1 (r).
A lot of self-steer but sticks like glue to the trail on my Genesis Vagabond.
Maxxis Dissector and Rekon are some fast rolling tires I run them on my xc bike. I really like the oracle ridge on my warbird, so the bigger Fleecer ridge should be good.
Planning for next year. I'm going to ride the Alberta Rockies 700 and I plan to roll with the Maxxis Ikon 29x2.6.
Here in the UK I used 29 er schwalbe smart sam and hurricane and wet weather maxxis beaver
I put on a set of Vittoria Mezcal 2.25 × 27.5 at the beginning of this season. Most of my riding is mixed rides and I have been extremely happy with this tire.
@Dave Ebert ... would love to try the Mezcals (2.25x27.5) but not ready to go tubeless. Can I run tubes with these? Thx.
@@c_steve_j
Hey Steve, yes you can run them with tubes. That is how I have had them set up from day one. I am still extremely pleased and impressed, especially for mixed terrain. They are very good on pavement, less rolling resistance then you would think
@@daveebert7747 Thanks Dave! Appreciate the quick response. Time to shop!!
How do they do in muddy conditions? Does it cake up?
@@samuraioodon
No they don't clog up in mud as the tread pattern is pretty open. Because they are not a large lug tire they don't do great in deep mud but do get the job done fine
I've used Ardents on my last 2 xc bikes and they are fast and just egnough sidewall lugs to corner aggressively, on the gravelbike i have 1000 miles on a set of wtb nanos, they are fast and have impressive traction and still a lot of tread left
I rode 1600 miles of the great divide mtb route in 2019 on 2.8 wtb ranger tires defiantly added comfort but i was touring not racing. Back tire was very worn down near the end. I would defiently ride 2.2-2.4 tires when i ride the route again. Would love to see a video about all the tour divide racers wheel/tire choices. Thanks
2.6 and 2.8" Rangers are absolutely fantastic...
Another vote for Conti Race Kings. To date, they are - by far - the most durable, longest-lasting, fastest XC tire. Running the TL Black Chili compound 29x2.2’s on my fully rigid Salsa El Mar.
I've tried the travail Rutland 700x47c on my gravel bike and I found they were such a pain to seat even with a compressor. As opposed to the continental and vittoria tires I've used which I can seat with a floor pump on the first attempt. Have you had similar issues?
A friend who is just about to finish the GDMBR told me he had to replace both of his Maxxis Ikon tires because they both developed bubbles and were no longer safe to ride on. It happened to the back tire first, and then a week or so later, he also had to replace the front tire for the same problem.
He told me he was also hearing from other Tour Dividers on the trail this year that Continental Race King also wear prematurely on the Divide.
interesting, I've seen that but have never experienced it.
Great info. Thanks. Favorite for Colorado Trail?
Vittoria Mezcal iii 29x2.25 rear, Barzo 29x2.35 front. Both in TNT, Graphene 2.0 compound. Rolls fast that I had to double check my gearing which felt like it was one shift lower.
I had great luck with the panaracer driver 29x 2.2 in 2012
I am going to run a Maxxis Minion SS in the front, and an Ikon in the rear. I am a bit surprised the Minion SS is not talked about more, low knobs in the middle, big side knobs for cornering stability. I have taken the combo on a few single track rides and it is very fast and grippy
Overall weight is why
I've been using Vittoria Mezcal for months now, mainly on asphalt road ( sometimes its sandy ) and light trail. In cornering, I have nothing to complain coz its grips well but speaking on rolling resistance, this tire is somewhat grippy and heavier to pedal. Right now, I'm looking for other tires that suits well for asphalt road and light trail.
Did you settle on another tire? Would nice to hear your experience.
Thanks for the Video , I have 35mm rims , the manufacture (Hope) recommend 2.5" --3" would using a 2.2" cause any problems ?
My bike seems to be maxed out at 42 and while I can ride most trails on them I've been toying with the idea of trading the bike in for something that can with a bigger tire just for comfort. I might consider swapping to a 650 wheel set and seeing what I can fit so I don't have to buy a whole new frame set.
@bikepacking Quick question: If I become a member, can I also get my hands at the mags that so far have been released? They look so prettyyyyy....
I need some tire advice. I am considering the purchase of an ebike that comes with 28” 1.75 wide tires. There is a 1/2 inch clearance between the tire and the frame. I would like to run 2.25” tires. That would leave 1/4 clearance, is that adequate? If you were going to ride 50% on pavement and 50% on gravel and dirt which tire would you recommend? Thanks
What about Schwalbe? Don't they have any good tour divide tires? I love their durability and they have great puncture resistance and proven reliability over many years. Did I miss the Schwalbe section?
I'm choosing comfort over speed. I'm using Maxxis Rekon in 27.5 x 2.8.
I used this last year :)
29" still seems ideal though
@@austinangues3275 my brother will be using 29 x 3, so we'll be able to compare. Riding sections 3 and 4 of the Great Divide in August.
I would be interested in what would be the fastest & or overall best option between RaceKing 29x2.2 & the Mezcal 2.25 as I am doing the Great British Divide, it’s approx. 2000km / 40,000 of ascent & 70% off road throughout the cheekiest parts of England, Wales & Scotland.
Great video… I agree that the Fleecer Ridge is a current favorite due to its sublime balance of ride quality, rolling speed, traction and durability. They’re not inexpensive, but they’re worth every penny.
They certainly great in the tread wear department... they last forever, it seems.
My favorite tire of all time so good i would build a bike around them
If only they would come in black wall. I'm firmly in the anti-tan wall camp. ;-)
@@youngzoo5 I hear ya… I have the Endurance casing, which is more brown than tan, but I'd run a black wall version if it was available in something other than the Extralight casing.
@@youngzoo5 😀 but if they only came in Flamingo pink, I'd still run them!
I roll with Continental Race King. Dependable and good tire. Very fast rolling too
I used the Rutlands Light & Supple on my gravel bike 2.1 front 47mm rear. I like them, but the rear tire almost lost its center line knobs after 2-3k kilometers. Maybe the Sparwood (or Cannonball in 47mm size) will be a better option as a rear tire. Many of my friends have the Ikons and everyone of them loves these tires. And seems like the Ikons thread lasts much longer. But the Rutlands are faster than the Ikons - with similar thread they a much quieter on pavement.
Hi Dmitry, please can you confirm how long the Rutland centre knobs lasted on your rear wheel? 2-3000km or 2-3 km? I am thinking about adding a Rutland to my back wheel for Autumn & Winter in the North of England, UK where it is muddy but we do get dry days and I use roads to link up gravel and off road trails. cheers, Colin
What about Schwalbe ? I recently tried the Marathon Plus MTB and they behaved pretty well on on a very rocky, muddy and steep terrain (Ardennes area in Belgium). What attracted me the most was their reputation for being puncture proof ... It doesn't seem to be a very popular choice in the gravel bike world and I'm wondering why ... Could it be because of their weight (1kg) ?
abundant with schwalbe .... Racing ray front and racing ralph rear 😀
Fleecer ridge was a nightmare to get on even with a compressor , there's no way I'm going using these on a trip because of how hard they are to get on if I had to .I've tried most makes & have settled on Vittoria .
"If I was to do the Tour Divide again..." - OK, cough it up Neil, when ? :)
Ever try the Maxxis Pace? Looks like the Fleecer, and I've run them for two years. Fast, moderate hook up.
Debating on using Schwalbe G one in a 27.5 x 2.8 for the Divide. Have a set laying around the shop. Not quite as aggressive as the Fleecer Ridge. Any thoughts?
Gones would last about 800 miles in my experience
racing ray, racing ralph. excellent combo.
Did you get the matching shorts to your button up?? I did ;)
love the shirt! have the same one!
Lizard King!
you mentioned you would use a 28mm internal width rim. Im having trouble finding wheels that have that width. All ive been finding are 25mm and 30mm. which ones do you suggest that are 28mm worth looking into ?
Great video but I have an important question - what wheel size are these recommendation for? 29er/700c or 650b? I'm planning to do 10-14 days on the GD in summer 2023 and starting my homework early.
29er, I think thats the fastest wheel for the GDMBR, but if you are a shorter rider 27.5 is worth considering.
Hey Neil! Had to sub when I found this channel! Quick question 🙋🏻♂️ wondering 💭 if there is a prize of some kind for winning the tour divide? Ty bro! Have a good one! Cheers 🍻
Pride. Only one female and male win each year, it's a huge undertaking, finishing first is legendary. Thanks for the love!
Love the shout out to Guitar Ted! He's been making races here in Iowa that kick everyones butts for years!
Whats the reason for 28mm rims for the 2.25 tires? Why not 25mm if you wanna increase speed on longer touring routes?
How does tpi play into your choices?
Mezcal/Barzo combo tubeless with tire inserts.
Panaracer driver 29 x 2.25....my best advice for you
Is a 47mm gravel tire too skinny for the GDMBR?
I would never rock a tire that narrow, but it has been done.
Best tires for (asphalt) and trails ?
Have Sparwoods on A Salsa Fargo. Great gravel tire, not as good in mucky conditions.
I have the maxxis crossmark II in 27.5x2.0. Really great tyres, feels better than the Ikon I had before
How can I get one of those cool Pedal Further caps?
Conti RaceKing Protection for me is the fastest tyre on mixed terrain.
What the hell is that @9:30?
Also any thoughts on the rekon race?
I don’t believe it’s made with the MaxSpeed compound, the pair I used two years ago wore really quickly.
Are you talking about the possibly 800mm long valve stem? hahahah
Conti Race Kings are fast but even running their toughest Protec version they have been puncture prone. Disappointing cornering at speed too.
Personally I only use maxxis. Plenty of good information on the video but no matter what tyres you use alot will depend on what psi your running.
Endless options, really. Thanks for tuning in!
Mezcals are the best XC tyre money can buy.
Maxxis Chronicle
Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2,25"
I have 29x 3 and eokld not go any smaller. Here in Florida I ride on soft muddy ground switching to soft sand in the forest. Any weigt or speed slowdown is no issue for me since I don't race. I can tell any diference except on hard road, but who rides mountain bike onbthe toad anyway😁
Lots of road on the GDMBR, that’s why these tires are on this list. But I totally hear ya, I think 2.6” is the ultimate tire size.
Are yall running 29 or 27.5 wheels? I feel like 29 is a must
Knards 700x41c ?
👍
Like to see some info and experience evaluating internal rim width v. Tire width. Comfort, control and longevity change with width matching.
Thats a good idea, internal rim with has a lot to do with tire width and ride quality.
Where can I get that shirt?!
Totally agree on the shirt!! Would Santa be abe to get one?
I'd really like some scientific numbers on real world rolling resistance on both pavement and gravel. My personal gut feel is that tire width, while important, is not the biggest driver of drag on pavement, and that tread pattern, casing, and rubber choice play at least as big of a roll (no pun intended). My around-town shopping/commuting bike has 29x3.0 Knards that I expected to roll far slower than my speedometer tells me they do, and my beater road bike's 35mm "touring" tires seem surprisingly sluggish with their claimed long life rubber and extra protection layers.
A few years back the road world seemed to have an awakening that 120 psi 25mm tires were actually lower than 28 and 32 mm tires at proper pressures, and that a lot of the bias was mis-perception of road buzz psyching the rider out so that you felt like you were faster, while smooth and efficient rolling felt slower.
My understanding is the width of the tire is not the issue, unless your TDF, but the knobs on the tire that give you great flow on gravel slow you down on pavement. I have read the testing. Wider is better on gravel to a point, that point being 3.5 and up as you start dealing with rotational weight. I ride 29x3, mostly gravel, knobbies, and really notice a difference in speed when i hit pavement, but i rarely ride pavement so my focus is comfort.
Look at schwalbe g-one
In the spirit of "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", those Mezcals may as well be Nanos, and the Fleecer Ridge sure does look a lot like a Bontrager XR2. I guess intellectual property rights in bike tire design is a loose and fluid thing.
As a northbounder, Fleecer sucked ass. I would never give that name to a tire. Really miss the early gen Nano's. WTB changed factories and the tire went from light and fast, to ridiculously fragile.
Vittoria doesn’t have a ‘C’ in it ,,
First
hoboe bikers
Tubeless smoobless
Thanks Jamie.
WARNING: DO NOT BUY RENE HERSE! Rene Herse's customer service is terrible. Went for a refund on a poor quality product. They wouldn't do it. If their tire is defective or doesn't fit you will not get a refund/exchange. No customer service phone number either. Your better off with a more mainstream retailer and manufacturer
For non racers, $90 RH tires just don't make any sense. When you corner on the unpaved surface with your bike packing loads, traction and support are way more important than fast rolling/road bike feeling. I would not risk crushing my bike in the middle of nowhere. And the price is ridiculous. Paying extra for the RH label.
I agree. Toured with a set and they only lasted 1600km before I needed to stop at a bike shop to get them replaced. So many sidewall punctures and the tread wore so fast.
Can't believe a video on spare bicycle tires Give me a break😵👎😭😵👎