My Panaracer Gravel Kings have netted me two glass-through-the-casing punctures in the last 2 weeks, so I switched over to my Maxxis Refuse 2", they're seemingly bombproof but boy are they stiff and slow sucking a lot of fun out of riding, and a bit wide for my fenders, 38-42mm is the sweet spot for me. I was using Schwalbe SV 21A light tubes, don't think thicker tubes would have protected me much.
The obvious pick seems to be the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 1.6", looks like ass, but rolls close to fastest in class, is light, durable and very puncture resistant. Options:
1. Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 1.6" 480g (very low rolling resistance, high puncture resistance and durability)
2. Schwalbe G-One Allround MicroSkin 1.5" 420g (good puncture resistance, mediocre durability and rolling resistance)
3. Panaracer T-Serv ProTite 42mm 480g (unsure of performance)
And/or would it be a good idea to get 60g tire liners as my problem is stabby punctures not pinch flats? Could I even stick with my ol Gravel Kings and just add liners to em?
I like the conti protection tyres - they come a variety of flavours - travel contact, sport contact and GP 4000 are the ones I have used. I don't like nmarathons - too hard a compound leading to no grip. The gp 4000 are black chilli and loads of grip.
The travel contacts I once pulled a dozen bits of glass out of without any punctures, IIRC I have had one puncture on these tyres in many years of urban commuting. gp 4000 have only been on the bike 6 months but again I have pulled bits of glass out of them and there are glass cuts in the tread but they didn't get thru the kevlar belt.
I assume some of these can be got in 650b but not sure
I was just looking at Continentals Offerings, they seem to only have 1.25 or 2" options (speed contanct etc). GP 4000 isn't avail in 650b.
there is always a tipping point between protection and low weight/feel. I err on the side of protection because it's a PITA stopping mid commute - I have a gatorskin on the rear and posher on the front, go for a marathon on the rear and use the gravel king on the front with a heavy duty inner tube. Glass goes through most things if it's the right size and shape waiting for you in the road, you may have just been unlucky
liners make for heavy and dead feel
TJ makes a good point, make sure the flint/glass is rooted out regularly
Testing 2x marathon supremes with sv 12 inner tubes! Saving my tan sidewall tires for summer.