Small Gravel Bike

chas wrote:

Yep, I asked and they told me the same.

I run 40mm tires easily - I have read that 42mm will fit and I believe it, but I wouldn't go bigger.

The Grail looks like it has the same clearance.  Bigger than that and you really have to start compromising the design.  You will have to delete the 2x option and probably have to drop the chain stay or start using mountain bike cranks.  Those things are going to change the personality of the bike in order to get to 45mm+ tire size.

I wouldn’t want to do gumbo mud with 42s on.  ISO standard is 6mm clearance on each side, which is why Canyon say 38mm.   With 40mm tires on there, I probably have 4mm on one side and 6mm on the other side eyeballing it.

Did you see my Inflite review here?  It is light, very fast (acceleration/climbing) and agile.   It’s more like a high end road bike with more tire clearance. It loves to play and I love to play on it.  I wouldn’t choose it for bombing down steep loose mountain roads, but my frame is a little on the small size for me.  The Stack is a bit low (i.e. racy) and the spacers below the stem add up to 40mm stack (or as little as 13).  The front fork has more than 60mm internal width, so a 54mm tire is an option I’m considering for extreme conditions.

Maxxis rambler just came out in a 650b 38.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=94461

Schwalbe has some new 650b tires.  Cross tires are 33, the G-One all around is 650b 35mm and 40mm (and 57mm and 70mm)

at_ecd wrote:Thanks for the info.  I did just read your Inflite review and it sounds like the perfect bike for her.  Something that does most everything (we don't bike-pack).

Sounds like smaller 650b tire sizes are starting to show up so thats good news.  G-One's for most riding and ramblers for rough races.