Budget 45 mm tire

15 replies · 565 views

singletrack
6 posts
#1Aug 7, 2023, 6:51 AM
I am in the process of buying new set of tires, 45mm, budget option, preferably folding one. Anyone has recommendation or opinion on the ones mentioned below?
- WTB Riddler TCS Light Fast Rolling
- Schwalbe G-One
- Continental Terra Trail
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jonjkruse
12 posts
#2Aug 7, 2023, 8:58 AMedited
I put a pair of 45 mm Riddlers on my bike last year. The rear one took a lot of fiddling to get it to hold air - soapy water showed it was leaking air thru a vey narrow line around each sidewall. After a great deal of shaking the wheel, riding, and storing the wheel on its side it eventually sealed up. The rear went bald after about 800 miles - not uncommon for me. I'm a heavier rider. I put another one on the rear before riding Unbound this summer.
Not long after Unbound the front tire became unbalanced - it had a wobble at speed and eventually I could detect a small bubble in the middle of the tread. I took it off and the inner membrane of the tire was becoming disconnected from the rest of the tire.
I still have that second Riddler on the rear, but the front has been replaced with a 44 mm Thundero.
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Zurichman
1,526 posts
#3Aug 7, 2023, 10:03 AMedited
I had about the same experience that jonjkruse did with the Riddlers. Been awhile but mine wore out either at 700 or 800 miles. Mine was in 700 x 37 though

Zman
0
stu
646 posts
#4Aug 7, 2023, 5:07 PM
Pirelli and Tufo gravel tires can be found at European retailers for much lower prices than you'd pay in the USA.

I've been happy with the Pirelli Gravel H except they don't have much resistance to punctures from glass on pavement. I've never tried Tufo but they get good reviews.
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Zurichman
1,526 posts
#5Aug 7, 2023, 5:11 PM
stu wrote:
Pirelli and Tufo gravel tires can be found at European retailers for much lower prices than you'd pay in the USA.

I've been happy with the Pirelli Gravel H except they don't have much resistance to punctures from glass on pavement. I've never tried Tufo but they get good reviews.
I thought Bike Tires Direct was a European Dealer. Can you name a few. I just thought the prices went up because they became popular.

Zman
0
stu
646 posts
#6Aug 7, 2023, 5:24 PM
A few dealers I've used are Bikeinn, Bike24, and starbike. Some manufacturers sell direct.

Shipping costs can be significant unless spread out over large orders. Customs adds delays but state sales taxes aren't collected.
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Zurichman
1,526 posts
#7Aug 7, 2023, 6:32 PM
stu wrote:
A few dealers I've used are Bikeinn, Bike24, and starbike. Some manufacturers sell direct.

Shipping costs can be significant unless spread out over large orders. Customs adds delays but state sales taxes aren't collected.
I did do some checking before I did this reply. For some crazy reason Bike24 ships all the Tufo tires except for the Thundero in 700 x 40 which is the tire I actually want. Will check into starbike as I have never heard of them.

Zman
0
abcspjbjd
39 posts
#8Aug 7, 2023, 8:14 PM
singletrack wrote:
I am in the process of buying new set of tires, 45mm, budget option, preferably folding one. Anyone has recommendation or opinion on the ones mentioned below?
WTB Riddler TCS Light Fast Rolling
Schwalbe G-One
Continental Terra Trail
Another vote for the Tufo Thundero 44. Mine measure 46mm on a set of 24id rims. If you believe the Bicyclerollingresistance.com tests, they say the Thundero 40 is 17.4W and the 44 is 18.1W.
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Volsung
878 posts
#9Aug 8, 2023, 6:55 AM
American Classics are small fir their size. I think the 700x50s are close to 45.
1
singletrack
6 posts
#10Aug 8, 2023, 11:27 AM
Thank you all, it will be Tufo Thundero for me then.
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mike d
138 posts
#11Aug 8, 2023, 7:59 PM
I've been using the Thundero 40s on my Lynskey. They've been holding up great so far, roll very nice on tarmac, and hold grip on gravel "pretty well", but not quite as grippy as Terra Trails (which I still like). The low RR on road is worth the trade off to me, and I'm super happy with them as far as durability and wear. I have over 800 miles on them so far with a good mix of terrain, and no punctures - knock on wood. 😉
1
GCCyclist
18 posts
#12Aug 11, 2023, 7:24 AM
They are not budget but worth the money. If you can squeeze a 47mm tire on your ride I would get some Specialized Pathfinder Pros. I've been running the 42mm version for three years now and they are pretty much bomb proof. I've run them at two Unbound Gravel 200's and multiple other 100 to 300 mile events with zero flats. They are a fast rolling tire with the solid center rib and plenty of grip with the side file tread and knobs.
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singletrack
6 posts
#13Aug 11, 2023, 3:22 PM
Can't fit it unfortunately, 45mm is the max I can fit.
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El Wray
13 posts
#14Aug 30, 2023, 12:34 AMedited
I've done all of them multiple times on two different gravel bikes - Schwalbe in 700c and WTB/Continental in 650b. Really depends on what you mostly ride. My rides can be anywhere between 25-40 miles and up to 50% off road. So lots of pavement and a very mixed off-road environment of fire road and mtb trails.

Schwalbe G one all around - fantastic in most conditions, fantastic on pavement. Quickly loses appeal in chunky rock or very loose gravel. Was a bit pricey. I've had good luck with puncture resistance on the more expensive ones.

WTB Riddler(700) & Resolute(650) - pretty good all around, more suited off road. Rolls ok on pavement. Very good value for the dollar. Unfortunately I've had more flats and premature failure with this tire than the others. Sealant didn't really help much.

Terra trail - more geared for off-road - but *excels* there. Wears quickly. I like it and am glad it has come down in price. I used the terra speed as well, not as knobby but faster rolling on pavement, not available as much anymore.

If doing 700c, recommend: G-one all around front and rear

If 650 my current favorite setup is mismatched. I like a Continental terra trail up front and a WTB venture road in the rear.
1
singletrack
6 posts
#15Aug 30, 2023, 5:31 AM
El wrote:
I've done all of them multiple times on two different gravel bikes - Schwalbe in 700c and WTB/Continental in 650b. Really depends on what you mostly ride. My rides can be anywhere between 25-40 miles and up to 50% off road. So lots of pavement and a very mixed off-road environment of fire road and mtb trails.

Schwalbe G one all around - fantastic in most conditions, fantastic on pavement. Quickly loses appeal in chunky rock or very loose gravel. Was a bit pricey. I've had good luck with puncture resistance on the more expensive ones.

WTB Riddler(700) & Resolute(650) - pretty good all around, more suited off road. Rolls ok on pavement. Very good value for the dollar. Unfortunately I've had more flats and premature failure with this tire than the others. Sealant didn't really help much.

Terra trail - more geared for off-road - but *excels* there. Wears quickly. I like it and am glad it has come down in price. I used the terra speed as well, not as knobby but faster rolling on pavement, not available as much anymore.

If doing 700c, recommend: G-one all around front and rear

If 650 my current favorite setup is mismatched. I like a Continental terra trail up front and a WTB venture road in the rear.
Thank you for your reply, G-one's will be the next one I'll test.
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El Wray
13 posts
#16Aug 30, 2023, 8:38 AM
singletrack wrote:
Thank you for your reply, G-one's will be the next one I'll test.
Paying some extra for the addix speedgrip is worth it. I also tried the G one Bite and Ultrabite - was not a fan of them.
1

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