hello. Sorry for yet another tyre Q

Having lost my rag with WTB Riddlers im after alternative tyres with:
A. Better puncture protection
B. Grip that will cope with gravel, bridleways and hard paved surfaces over the winter, possibly year round. Forget proper mud, that calls for the hardtail.
C. Can be run both tubed and tubeless.
D. 700c x 40-50mm width
E. Not tan wall... minging.

What say ye?!

Riddlers that bad? I've just removed the Gravelkings and put Riddlers on

"moon on a stick" I say..

Or, almost. Maybe WTB Nano or Riddler in new SG2 casing which is their answer to those finding the sidewall or casings too light at the moment, or if you want tougher/toughest the Marathon Mondial is a great tread for all-round use - not tubeless but flats are really rare. The 700 x 47 is a bit weighty but great as a mix-terrain touring kind of tyre. I wish they made it in a lighter or standard casing with a slightly lower centre tread, 55-60mm. Would be the perfect bikepacking all-rounder for me.

If you can find the older 2.0 spec the Vittoria/Geaxx Saguaro is a great all-round tread. Like a Nano really. TNT (TLR) spec is said to be a faff and I found the std folding spec fitted tubeless w/o any issues, got a lot of use from them and thought they were great XC tyres.

The new Pirelli treads look interesting too.

Delv4, Riddlers ride really well, they're a light casing but can be cut-prone. I did a good few 100 miles on Chilterns flint w/o issues but they're certainly not the toughest tyres.

Have you looked at G-One Ultrabite?
I find the tyre breakdown compounds execution technology too confusing but I think 'super ground' matches your spec.

Delv4 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2020 9:20 am Riddlers that bad? I've just removed the Gravelkings and put Riddlers on

They grip and ride very nicely, but where I ride ive ended up with nearly a flat on every ride over the past few months. They have very little resistance to sharp things

I'd say WTB Resolutes fulfill your criteria for B, C and D.
The only downside I've found has been the sidewalls (though I've subjected them to some pretty serious underbiking). Not tried them yet, but the new casings should help with point A, and also tick off E.

I'm about to fit g one all rounds, in a 2.25 but think they're available in more sizes

Landslide wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2020 9:53 am I'd say WTB Resolutes fulfill your criteria for B, C and D.
The only downside I've found has been the sidewalls (though I've subjected them to some pretty serious underbiking). Not tried them yet, but the new casings should help with point A, and also tick off E.

I looked for the Resolute in SG2 casing, as it would tick my boxes, but can't find any available in the UK?

The Rock 'n road might be worth a look?

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYPARR/ro ... lding-tyre

I think review copies are the only ones that exist yet

PaulB2 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2020 10:31 am I think review copies are the only ones that exist yet

might just have to hang fire for a bit

I'm looking at getting Vittoria Terreno Wet's for the up coming slop. It's either that, or get some slicks and switch to the road.

+1 for schwalbe marathon mondials. Roll well, remarkably grippy on the dirt, pretty much puncture proof and no tubeless faffing and £25 each for the folding bead ones out of Spa cycles. Bit heavy being the only downside.

All WTB of the same size will have the same carcass, so if you are struggling with those then avoid others... except they have just released a new version with what they call SG2 puncture protection. I have some 37mm Riddlers and Nano on test and no punctures yet.

But still not the most robust compared to some others. Of all the tyres I have tested, Hutchinson Touareg are probably the most puncture resistant. They don't feel so good, not very supple but you can't have it all.

Another option perhaps is rim protection strips. Not fitted a set I have yet, so can't comment on if they are any good.

Pirelli Cinturatos are worth a look. The Teravail Sparwood durables I've used certainly live up to their name. I assume the rest of the range are as, err, durable!

jameso wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2020 9:24 am if you want tougher/toughest the Marathon Mondial is a great tread for all-round use - not tubeless but flats are really rare.

The Marathon Almotion can be run tubeless, and is highly rated but I haven't tried it personally (not enough clearance!)

mattpage wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 9:53 pm Another option perhaps is rim protection strips. Not fitted a set I have yet, so can't comment on if they are any good.

I ran a Tannus Armour insert in my rear wheel last winter, I still managed to pick up a couple of punctures. Totally deadened the responsiveness of the bike as well, which made it feel like an absolute rocket ship when I took it out again. I would consider running a pair over winter again, if the tyres I wanted to run were prone to punctures, otherwise I'd probably not bother.

16 replies to the OP, 18 different types of tyre or other solution recommended to solve the original problem.

We cyclists are bloody great aren't we

K1100T wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 10:40 pm I ran a Tannus Armour insert in my rear wheel last winter, I still managed to pick up a couple of punctures. Totally deadened the responsiveness of the bike as well, which made it feel like an absolute rocket ship when I took it out again. I would consider running a pair over winter again, if the tyres I wanted to run were prone to punctures, otherwise I'd probably not bother.

Just like tyres, not all are the same.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2020 10:19 am The Rock 'n road might be worth a look?

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYPARR/ro ... lding-tyre

I've got these and really like them. Decent grip but roll well too. I have the non tubeless version but they've set up tubeless fine on 29er stans rims although didn't on novatec 700c rims. No leaking from the sidewalls so think as long as you have a tight rim you'll be fine.

I run veetire xcx 700x40 . Can’t fault them at all

I have been using the WTB Raddlers in a 44mm, on a mix of terrain from flat toe path to the roughtest trail the Peak District has. Only had one puncture since Jan to a side wall but was plgged with a stans dart easy enough. I also run Cush Cores which have been fantastic at protecting my carbon rims and reducing puncture risk.

My Camino came with WTB Resolutes on and I had 5 punctures in the first week of riding it. 3 possibly 4 were Blackthorns and one looked like a flint cut. Eventually got the rear set up tubeless and 4 tubeless plugs later and another 2 X 100ml bottles of sealant I binned the tyre and put a Gravel King on the back. Front is on it's second tube and has 1 foot in the bin as I type.

The Resolutes were really nice to ride with loads of grip especially on bridleways and gravel cycleways and not too draggy on the road IMO. Think its telling that WTB have launched a tougher puncture resistant version of many of their gravel type tyres all of a sudden??

So far very pleased with the Gravel King, rolls well and is nearly as good on the loose stuff as well and is in to its 4th week with no punctures (touch wood!!) Need to have another go at getting it up tubeless.

OP have you ran the Riddlers tubeless?

I have had one ride on mine and got a puncture. Not sure whether to try them tubeless or just replace them. I've been looking at the Schwalbe Hurricane's.

RobLyon wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 8:09 am OP have you ran the Riddlers tubeless?

I have had one ride on mine and got a puncture. Not sure whether to try them tubeless or just replace them. I've been looking at the Schwalbe Hurricane's.

No i haven't. Apparently the tan walls weep quite badly and dont hold air well.
I must admit, before buying the gravel bike I'd run my MTB with 27.5 Schwalbe hurricanes in summer months. They are excellent tyres.