HUNT DISCUSSIONS: TUBELESS TYRES ROUND UP - PART 2 CROSS/GRAVEL/MIXED SURFACE
As discussed in part one; tyres strongly influence how your bicycle rides. With the advent of tubeless, the benefits (which more and more riders are appreciating) include:
Riding the road less travelled offers an entirely new opportunity to explore beyond where the tarmac ends. Heading out for a big day with only a loose plan is certainly a great way to spend a Saturday. Meanwhile, 'cross bikes make for a fast option to blast out an hour cutting through fields, parks and everything in between. This type of riding is quite varied and places unique demands on how a tyre needs to perform. Not quite as beefy as a mountain bike tyre, but larger and more grippy than a standard road tyre, the rubber rings for your mixed-surface bike are (ironically) a little more specialised, but made to be super versatile. PART 2 of our tubeless tyres round up series gives you some more information on these tyres and the differences between them.
700c Tyres
The Schwalbe G-One is what many would considere to be an oversized road tyre. offering a little extra volume is often all that is needed for hard pack bridle paths or super rough roads. Having the choice between 35 or 40mm widths also adds a bit more variety. Designed to offer a low rolling resistance yet plenty of grip, the tubeless tyres also come with the added benefit of great puncture protection. The tubeless beads on Schwalbe tyres have a flat edging and the new Mirco-Skin carbon tubeless layer makes them incredibly good at sealing with the rim bed and sidewall and very easy to fit.
- Choose if: you are wanting a low rolling resistant tyre with higher volume and good grip and high speed for dryer hard pack conditions.
- Sizes available: 35 and 40mm
- Price: £99 (Pair, fitted to your Hunt Wheels including sealant)
The X-One's are Schwalbe's cyclocross tyre, ideal for some proper cross grass-mud and work well in intermediate conditions too. These tyres are what you grab when hitting the cx race course where tyre width is limited to the UCI standard of 33mm. If racing isn't your thing, these tyres still offer a great riding experience well suited to modern 'cross machines. Featuring the same Micro-Skin and flat bead edging technology as its G-One sibling, this tyre can be run at super low pressures (we have had them down in the teen figures when riding in horrendously muddy conditions).
- Choose if: you are racing 'cross or want a tyre to compliment your cyclo-cross biike without going too wide. These tyres are great at shedding mud but roll reasonably well due to the relatively continuous centre knobs.
- Sizes available: 33mm
- Price: £99 (Pair, fitted to your Hunt Wheels including sealant)
- Choose if: you want a fast rolling slick for long days out on varied tarmac and smoother gravel.
- Sizes available: 35 and 38mm
- Price: £89 (Pair, fitted to your Hunt Wheels including sealant)
- Choose if: you want a jack-of-all-trades tyre for your gravel rig. Loose over hard pack riding surface is where this tyre excels.
- Sizes available: 38 and 43mm
- Price: £79 (Pair, fitted to your Hunt Wheels including sealant)
Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB) might not be the most familiar brand to those who have not spent time on a mountain bike, however, the Californian brand has well established roots in mountain biking circles. The Nano is a tyre which draws on WTB's 30 years of experience to produce one of the most popular gravel tyres available. A 40mm, rounded profile and an elevated centerline provide enough volume for lower tire pressures and a smoother ride while still reducing drag and rolling resistance.
- Choose if: you want a tyre which can take you anywhere no matter the conditions. This tyre has influence drawn from mountain biking but will not be out of place at a 'cross race.
- Sizes available: 40mm
- Price: £85 (Pair, fitted to your Hunt Wheels including sealant)
- Choose if: you wanting a tyre which leans towards 'cross riding. These tyre perform in rock-intermediate and moist conditions, not full on CX race deep mud though, the Schwalbe X-one is best for that.
- Sizes available: 35mm
- Price: £79 (Pair, fitted to your Hunt Wheels including sealant)
- Choose if: you are wanting a low rolling resistant tyre with higher volume for dryer conditions to suit your 650b bicycle.
- Sizes available: 1.5"
- Price: £99 (Pair, fitted to your Hunt Wheels including sealant)
The Horizon Road Plus tire brings supple plus-size traction and smooth riding characteristics beyond where the pavement ends. A smooth centerline and all-weather herringbone pattern with cornering channels make anything possible, just like the size. High-volume road provides deceivingly svelte performance on pavement, with resiliency that isn’t shaken by chasing confidants down dusty dirt roads. Sneak it into a cross bike, fit it into a road frame, the overall diameter stays the same as a 700 x 28 - 30mm road tire.
- Choose if: you want a high volume 650b tyre which will perform well on the road and offer a comfortable ride for long days in the saddle.
- Sizes available: 2.0"
- Price: £79 (Pair, fitted to your Hunt Wheels including sealant)
Panaracer Gravel King 650b x 1.75 Tyres
(not tubeless but we thought 650B tyres are more limited in range so we offer these an a tubed option)
Need a fast tyre with a bit more bulk for comfort, sportives or even cross riding? The new tough semi-urban high volume tyre from Panaracer is designed to give you speed on the road but grip the towpaths and cycle tracks. Toughened with PT protection will keep you puncture free. They are fast on tarmac and the high volume means they soak up potholes and rough roads.
- Choose if: you see yourself riding on paved surfaces but would like to have the versatility offered by the higher volume.
- Sizes available: 1.75"
- Price: £79 (Pair, fitted to your Hunt Wheels including sealant)
Panaracer Comet 650b x 2.0" Tyres
(not tubeless, but we thought 650B tyres are more limited in range so we offer these an a tubed option)
Using the very latest in small block technology the new Panaracer Comet will be the tyre of choice from Spring through to Autumn. The widest option from Panaracer means this tyre can open up your riding opportunities to cover more terrain than before. The tight tread design means not only straight line speed and confident cornering but also great grip in wet and slick conditions.
- Choose if: you want to vary things up. These tyres will fit most gravel and cyclocross frame to give you real performance on all terrain.
- Sizes available: 2.0"
- Price: £59 (Pair, fitted to your Hunt Wheels including sealant)