After installing, anything over 10 or 11mph is exhausting where I’m normally rolling 14 to 15mph in the same sections. Installed in 700×44 bon Jon pass. I’ve tried higher pressure and it helps a little, and lower pressure is even worse. I cant recommend this product with the 40% effort penalty. May try tubeless before deciding on another tire that rolls fast but has good puncture protection from the tiny punctures I’ve been getting.
by shroomformore
11 Comments
I just pulled a large screw out of my tire last night and it sealed up instantly no problem with tubeless.
Definitely go tubeless if your rims are compatible. I’ve pulled screws out of my Rat Traps that sealed up great. I generally detest overbuilt solutions, but get that some people need them. To me, they’re like cutting off one’s nose to spite their face.
700×44 filetread would be Snoqualmie Pass.
Tubeless is great and not a big deal to set up and maintain. For my around town bike I’m on Maxxis Re-Fuse 40mm and I really, really love them. Great puncture resistance and fast. Gravel pros who are embracing the low profile/no tread setup are using them evidently.
If tubeless doesn’t solve your punctures, a fast-ish but more-puncture-resistant 700×43 is the Gravelking Slick. MSRP $60, 120tpi, comes in both black and tanwall.
great article here about tires liners: [https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/specials/puncture-resistant-tire-liners](https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/specials/puncture-resistant-tire-liners)
Tires have gotten SO good in the last 10 years that I really don’t get why people still bother with the extra heavy duty kevlar armored tires that roll like concrete. I remember riding Armadillos in the early 2010s and still got punctures regularly. Now I ride supple, lightweight tires and can’t remember the last time I flatted.
What is the headlight?
tire liners are garbage, period. Go tubeless
Tubes with a bit of sealant squirted into them also works if you want to avoid tubeless.
$55 or so gets you a pair of standard Schwalbe Marathons shipped from Germany which have incredibly low RR in the 622×38 size. Yes they’re heavy. Also, basically indestructible. At that price it’s worth trying. You may not love them but it’s nice to have a set of tires you can ride through the winter or tour on without anxiety.
Trying to retrofit lingerie type tires for ruggedness makes no sense. Ride them naked on pretty days if you love them or monkey with tubeless and sealant if the aesthetic is crucial.
Go tubeless! It’s easy and super reliable. My only tip would be to use Gorilla tape instead of actual rim tape. Rim tape never worked well for me. Gorilla tape is cheaper and easier to setup.