Hi community,
I spent a little too long watching japanese steel bike builds and build a crust nor easter as my commuter bike.
As I my main training bike is a full carbon diverge on pathfinders I wanted something back to basic as a commuter bike that is also capable to support longer 100k-ish routes without lycra and click pedals.
After finishing the build I now did around 200km on the setup with Ultradynamico Mars in 29×2.2.
I am having a 12by XT setup for shifting and Velocity Cliffhangers as rims.
Yes, the bike is definitely flexy and substantial. I like that a lot as it is a different feel to the diverge.
The only thing I am not happy with is the tires, I underestimated how sticky, loud and slow the mars tires are.
I would like to swap them to something more silent, fast rolling without sacrificing the style of the build.
What size and tire can you recommend?
I like riding quit fast and have 70-80% pavement as I am living in a city.
Contenders at the moment are:
Schwalbe G one rs 50 oder 55mm
Schwalbe Rick xc 2.2
Hutchinson Caracal race 50mm
What do you think, should I stick with ~2.2“/55mm tires or go down to 50mm?
by goldenretrieving66
14 Comments
I reckon if you want to pick up some speed, go a filetread/slick 48-50mm.
ReneHerse 48mm *endurance*, with tpu tubes, perhaps.
I have the 45 carcal races, theyre big for a 45 and fast on pavement, im sure the 50s would be quick too. Definitely get those psy opp ultra dynamicos off there if you want some more speed.
I’d get the G One if you like to ride fast in the city. Fast, but it has enough puncture protection to work in the city.
Off topic, but wow gorgeous bike.
Wus’ that little black thing attached to the fork leg?
So good!
I’m loving the Panaracer GK Slick. 47mm, fast, grippy.
Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2.1” are stupid fast. Some of the fastest tires you can buy.
Gravelkings. No boutique price, made by the same people, less rolling resistance, ninja quiet and can sometimes be found in fun colors. Mine are purple
You don’t need lugs
French fit!!!!!
Another vote for the G One’s
Whatever you do, and I am going to get much hate for saying it, stay away from the gravelkings in their totality. Sure, they are fast, quiet and supple but for commuter duties in city streets, no. They are an expensive proposition and I kick myself for having fallen into their lure and stranger’s opinions online.
They lasted me a whole 500 miles and died at stupid death.
Ps: I have had much better luck with also another panaracer made Shikoros. A pair I have have lasted me around 2000 miles so far. Hardly a puncture if I can remember.
People overlook them for high end builds, but nothing I’ve had has rolled better on pavement than Continental Double Fighters. They’re slightly skinnier than you want, but those cliffhangers should give you more of a bump there. They are okay on trails, but absolutely amazing commuting. I will be buying them again for my commuter/do it all bike.
Rene Herse makes a nice 700×55 which will be quieter. Otherwise, once the sharp corners on the knobs of the Mars have worn down they’ll be a fair bit faster and quieter.
This bike is super cool and on my list for the same reasons (although from the other end – my current only bike is a singlespeed hardtail MTB). I would lean into the more relaxed ride, especially once the annoying hum of the tyres has eased. It won’t take long.
I’ve used the G-One RS and Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge on my Hudski commuter/all-rounder and prefer the RH. It’s a bit more robust, but still rolls smooth and quiet. The RS is pretty much just a road tire. Although, if you want a fat road tire, then that would also be a good choice.
Where do you guys buy these mini front racks