Getting closer to the build of my dropbar fatbike for gravel riding and hoping for some feedback on wheel choices. I run Jumbo Jim 4.0s on my Salsa Bucksaw and absolutely love them. As such, one option is building some 26 wheels and running JJs on them.
The frame I'm looking at building (Farley 9.6) also accepts 27.5. If I went that route, I'd build 27.5 wheels and run 4.5 Barbegazi's.
Anyone with experience running these two tires? Bonus if it's on gravel surfaces! My gut says to run the 26 with JJ since that's what I know and love … but I don't want to disregard the 27.5 option if that deserves a try.
by HappyCoop
4 Comments
No fat bike tire rolls nearly as fast as a JJ
I own 4 bikes. A fat bike, gravel bike, road bike, and a full suspension mountain bike. Personally, I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would want to ride a fat tire bike for gravel. Sure it might be a bit more comfortable, but at the cost of going half the speed.
If you’re set on using a wide tire for gravel riding, why not split the difference between comfort and efficiency and use a 29×2.6 or 3.0. Much wider and more comfortable than your standard gravel tire and much skinnier and way more efficient than your standard fat bike tire.
I’d pick the size mostly by the tires available (in terms of rolling resistance) and then the largest overall height of the wheel. Both of those tires look fairly knobby for gravel. You don’t actually need much tread unless you plan on riding in a lot of mud or sand.
Taller tires are better on rough surfaces, so I’m guessing the right answer is 27.5×4.5, but only if the right tire is there. You can say “I don’t care about going fast”, but when every ride 20% harder, you might change your tune.
I’d ride these on gravel all day, lol: [https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/455033-soma-speed-e-tire-26-x-4-120-tpi-8453?category=984#attr=](https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/455033-soma-speed-e-tire-26-x-4-120-tpi-8453?category=984#attr=) or [https://www.schwalbetires.com/Johnny-Watts-11654574](https://www.schwalbetires.com/Johnny-Watts-11654574)
I have the Farley 9.6 with 27.5×4.5 Barbegazis. Trey roll amazing compared to my winter tires. I commuted with 27kph avg speed with the Barbegazi (1.2 bar). For trails you just drop the pressure and they offer amazing grip as the rubber is soft + lamels. Based on my experince with 3 different types of fat tires Barbegazis are easily the fastest.