Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

nezumi
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Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby nezumi » Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:35 pm

I have recently commenced commuting to work. I am on a CX bike, and I am looking for suggestions on a tyre for a ride.

This is the route: https://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=from: ... 3&lci=bike" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Which involces a combination of city streets, paved bike path and gravel track, as well as a show, rough off road section near Fairfield boathouse.

I am looking for that elusive combination of a tyre that possess grip in the slippery stuff while giving speed on the flat stuff.

Suggestions?
Last edited by nezumi on Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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piledhigher
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Re: Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby piledhigher » Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:42 pm

MIght want to adjust the map so the start isn't your home address, unless you already have..

All apart from the boathouse bit is doable on a road tyre so I would suggest a wide slick tyre and a minor adjustment to the bit around the boathouse.

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clackers
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Re: Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby clackers » Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:56 pm

Just slicks, Nezumi, as wide as your fork and brake clearances allow - my CX could take 42s or even 47s.

Ignore the tread patterns you see on tyres.

Good knobblies make a difference in actual mud, of course, but are a liability elsewhere.
Last edited by clackers on Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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RonK
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Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby RonK » Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:02 pm

nezumi wrote:...a tyre that possess grip in the slippery stuff while giving speed on the flat stuff.
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme.

The Schwalbe web site gives ratings for all their tyres by speed, grip (both on and off-road), protection and durability. You should be able to find a Marathon with the mix of attributes you seek.
Last edited by RonK on Thu Sep 05, 2013 6:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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misterhorsey
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Re: Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby misterhorsey » Thu Sep 05, 2013 6:09 pm

I think I got rid of the rough sections near Fairfield boathouse for you:

https://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=from: ... dg=feature" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


While you may want something wider/more comfortable, I've done all of this route on Continential Gatorskin 25s with no problems.

And I think you'd have more fun running skinnier tyres and making a slight diversion to avoiding the rough stuff, than by running fat tyres on roads and paths, when you only need them for a small percentage of your total ride.

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Re: Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby misterhorsey » Thu Sep 05, 2013 6:12 pm

Of course if you are going on the rough patches for fun, ignore my suggestion!

nezumi
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Re: Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby nezumi » Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:02 pm

For this ride the rough patch is mostly because I want to avoid going alllll the way up the hill and allll the way back down.
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singlespeedscott
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Re: Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby singlespeedscott » Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:52 pm

I'd be looking for a 28mm tyre rather than a 25mm. A little more comfort with no loose in speed.
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Re: Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby misterhorsey » Thu Sep 05, 2013 11:57 pm

singlespeedscott wrote:I'd be looking for a 28mm tyre rather than a 25mm. A little more comfort with no loose in speed.
+1

Yes, 28s for sure. The reference to the 25s that I run was mainly because the route the OP had posted is easily doable on them. But yes, 28s would be more comfortable and also a little more stable.

As for that little pinch Nezumi, once you get commuting regularly and get more bike fit, you'll find that while that pinch may be a bit of work, it generally adds to the fun.

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Re: Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby DJIntegr8 » Fri Sep 06, 2013 11:13 am

I've done that route on Specialized Roubaix Pro tyres (25/28c), just have to take it easy through the rocky sections if you want to avoid the hill. Like the others, I reckon with 95% of your route you can do on slicks without issue but a wider tyre will help with the rough patch. And you'll eventually WANT to hit that hill every time :twisted:

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antigee
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Re: Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby antigee » Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:23 pm

by RonK » Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:02 pm



nezumi wrote:...a tyre that possess grip in the slippery stuff while giving speed on the flat stuff.

Schwalbe Marathon Supreme.
another vote here for the above - CX and 28mm's here regular into city along Yarra on gravel to Wilsons Reserve and then tarmac and mixed in Yarra Bend depending on whim much better than specialized boroughs they replaced - gravel wore thru sidewalls

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Re: Tyres for 35% gravel/rough ground, 65% path?

Postby Mugglechops » Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:43 pm

I use a 38mm Marathon Supreme on the rear of my CX bike in all types of dirt paired with a 35mm Smart Sam on the front.

I rode 75kms with 50km on dirt no issues with that combo.

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