Planning to do the C2C next spring on my 29er hard tail, any tyre recommendations?
Currently have Specialized Ground Control which are good off road but looking for something with much lower rolling resistance.
Also needs to be a sensible price, up to £30 each, ‘gravel’ tyres seem to be subject to niche market pricing.
Ribble had some schwalbe G1 on offer at £13 each
I'd just buy the cheapest (even second hand) semi slick tyres I can find in 50mm/2.0".
I've ridden 300km off-road bike packing routes on 2.3" High roller mtb tyres in the past with no issues. Just pump them up to 50psi.
Doesn't really matter unless you're racing.
I used to commute on a pair of Halo Twin Rail and they were fast, comfy, cheap and bombproof.
I used Thunder Burt/ Racing Rays on my recent Badger Divide ride. No issues but are expensive at RRP (I bough mine cheap off a pro xc rider).
Depends on the weather and which route your doing. Personally I don't think the front tyre makes that much difference as most of the weight of the bike, kit and you is on the rear wheel.
I usuly run a nobby nic front and either a nobby nic rear if bad weather and if good a maxis ss or a rock razor.
I've just bought a continental Ruben 29x2.6 tyre for the rear. Haven't used it yet but it was in the crc sale.
As @didnthurt says, just adjust tyre pressures for relevant parts. If your doing the pedal north version after the dales pump it up until you get to Osmotherley.
I have Ground Control on the hardtail, and if my loop has a tarmac out leg I set off with them blown up hard.
Which route?
Looking at the Sustrans route from Whitehaven to Sunderland
"Looking at the Sustrans route from Whitehaven to Sunderland"
I've not done that route before but reading the description probably schwalbe gravel tyres pumped up hard.
137.5 miles, 221.3 kilometres
11 hours 50 minutes
44.6% Traffic-free | 83.8% Asphalt, 14.3% Unsealed firm, 1.8% Unsealed loose
+1 Schwalbe G1 allround
Ace tyres. Last for ever.
Thanks folks
I’ve not done that route before
I have. It's 98% tarmac and I did the whole thing on 35mm road tyres to give to some idea.
Id go with slicks or the fastest gravel tyres you can find. Theres a nice gravelly few miles from Stanhope but it's not worth the pain of draggy tyres up hartside pass and the rest of the route.
Park head station is a great place to stay if you are doing it over three days. The George in Penrith is pretty good too.
3 days! Maybe if you spent half your time in a cafe or pub 😜
There is plenty of climbing according to Strava, so two equal days or one longer day and one shorter is how I'd do it.
220km with 3395m of ascent.
I like to ride these longer bike packing rides at about 15km/h average.
So 10 hours in the saddle the first day will bag you 150km, leaving 70km for the second day (4.5 hours riding). Should be nice.
https://strava.app.link/4YK1yLKZvEb
(Not mine, just borrowed).