Pretty sure I’m going to run the 50mm Dubnital at Unbound for the 200 this year. Main question is for anyone who has happened to run this tire in muddy conditions?
I’m not an Unbound newbie – this will be my 6th 200. Did the mud year in 2023 so understand how sticky it can be. Just curious how the Dub will clear mud if anyone has experienced it.
New rig photo for attention 😎
by pedalworkshky
11 Comments
What a weapon that is hot damn
I would just run in the mud and find out. That set up just looks so good by the way.
I just went through this conundrum for Farmers Daughter Gravel last weekend. The course is typically wet and muddy as it rains a bunch in the spring here in the Northeast. I brought a set of Dub 2.2s, and I’m running the same bike in green, so obviously faster (jk). For 4 days I did the “are these going to work in the mud” Google searching, and what I came across was the general consensus they don’t clear mud great, Conti says they’re not designed to clear mud well, and a larger tire will float, when typically you want a mud tire to sink and find the grip. The knobs are low and I got the sense it kind of repacks the mud with every rotation vs slinging it off like a taller wider tread would. That said, peanut butter mud is a different animal as you know. I found some by me in Northern California the first weekend I got my bike, riding Schwalbe RS One Pros in 50mm and the mud stopped the bike dead in its tracks, as you know, so gummed up that scratched the frame and the rear wheel wouldn’t move. That tires is generally considered decent at clearing mud. The mud I did see last weekend here was gentle, yet deep “muddy trail in the forest” type mud and the Dubs cleared it very nicely, but it was by no means sticky.
Tl:dr – With the type of mud you’ll probably encounter for Unbound, clearance is probably thought one, followed by tread. My backup was a pair of 44mm Tufo Swamperos and I can totally see where they would be killer in the mud, but I’m at a loss for if any of this matters when your wheel is a 27lb solid brick of water and clay. Bring your mud stick I think it’s the vibe here. I think pre running a muddy section will be the only way to tell if all bets are off no matter what you choose.
Oh, and when they’re not muddy, the Dubs are FAAAAST!
How wide do they measure on those rims?
Maximize mud clearance in mud years. Rolling resistance doesn’t matter if you have to walk your bike for an hour.
I’ll be doing a 60mm thunderburts if it’s dry, and 45mm RH knobs if it’s muddy.
I ran the 2.2 dubs in a race in the Flint Hills that had a mud section with hike a bike for 1.5 miles. I have a cutthroat, so still had good clearance, especially on the front. I think they did well enough I’ll probably run them for the Unbound 200 as well, unless it’s super muddy. If that’s the case, I have some 2.0 g-one rx pros that I’ll throw on for more clearance. The dubs seemed to shed the mud decently well once I got through the worst stuff.
Realistically, the biggest thing for that mud is knowing when to just hop off and walk. I swear that stuff would stick to slicks anyway, so ride what you’re confident with and just pay attention to it building up.
this bike is freaking great
That’s a really beautiful bike
With unbound mud your chainstay will be completely clogged and you’ll come to a stop with a 30lb bike in about 50ft with that setup.
If you run 40mm slicks you’ll make it 100ft
Like others have said, this will be a great choice, and I wouldn’t rule out the 2.2’s either. If it’s muddy for extended sections, don’t risk your whole day. Hope off and walk or jog based on your days goal. Part of unbound is maintaining Your equipment throughout the day, and getting clogged with mud is not fun. It will stick to any tires, slicks or knobs
I would bring 45’s just in case.