The WTB Riddlers on my gravel/commuter are wearing thin, so it's time for some replacement.
What alternatives are there to the Riddlers that are similar but better? 700c 37mm (the biggest I can fit inside my mudguards, which are non-negotiable).
The Camino came fitted with them and I've never had an issue with them, through a few replacements. They roll well enough on road that I don't feel held back. They grip enough on gravel tracks and South Downs bridleways that I'm not panicking the whole time. If I'm honest, they spend most time on tarmac, but need the confidence to head off-road relatively frequently.
Some more WTB Riddlers? I loved mine for gravel stuff. Tried Raddlers...awful, harsh, overly firm, hateful things.
New bike has Maxxis gravel tyres on, and they are great in straight lines but not so great going round loose, muddy corners, where I used to find the Riddlers worked well. This reminded me I wanted to order some more Riddlers!
"more Riddlers" is my default. I really like them.
I wanted to make sure I'm not missing out on something new that's "the same but better."
I stumbled across Riddlers by chance and have found them to be adequate off road and still roll well on the road. For my gravel riding on bridleways and farm tracks they are perfect.
I wanted to make sure I’m not missing out on something new that’s “the same but better.”
Ah..you're thinking of tan wall Riddlers.. 😉
DrP
Ah..you’re thinking of tan wall Riddlers.. ?
They are currently cheapest... Not sure I'm ready to go full hipster though.
I've got a pair of basically unused Riddlers, tubeless compatible, in my "must get around to sticking on eBay" pile if you're interested. Pretty sure they're 37c, I can check
Continental Terra Speed in 35mm are similar but faster rolling.
I've got Maxxis Ramblers on my Diverge. Very impressive in 47mm though I'm not sure what other sizes they do. I mostly ride tarmac and smooth gravel and they roll really well. They have also been down some steeper rocky trails and haven't thrown me in the undergrowth...
This thread has got me looking, I’ve found-
and
https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/parts/tyres/continental-cyclocross-speed-700x35c-tyre__15047
both look similar but I have no experience of either.
I'm using Schwalbe G1 all-round, although in a much fatter tyre and find them fairly fast rolling on tarmac and work well on gravel type tracks. Not so great in mud but not as terrible as I thought they might be. YMMV but possibly a similar alternative.
If you have a tyre you like then why change? Chasing margins can become augs game.
If you have a tyre you like then why change? Chasing margins can become a mugs game.
That's a fair point, but it's always good to check there's nothing obviously better after running the same tyres for a while. Otherwise we'd all still be riding 2.1" tyres on our mountain bikes.
I'm happy to go with the Riddlers again if there's nothing obviously better.
Specialized Pathfinder Pros are great.
So..i've actually popped an order for some 45c tanwall riddlers!
Will see what kind of comfort a few extra C of width brings!
DrP
I keep coming back to the Riddler too, especially for summer. Also a fan of the Raddler or Resolute for less dry conditions. In all cases though, I've found that I really need the SG2 casing (at least on the rear), which rules out the tan sidewall. I had a brief dalliance with some Schwalbe G-One R tyres which were lovely in the dry and felt super fast but lacked edge bite for off-camber stuff, were poor in any amount of mud, and ended up with a massive hole in on their second ride. I'm intrigued by the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC tyre - on paper it looks like if might be the all round tyre I'm looking for (I hate swapping tyres for different conditions).
Just fitted a 45c Riddler myself on the rear of my gravel steed, with a 45c Raddler on the front for that little bit more steering grip.
Moved to 25mm internal rims at the same time and they look nice and chunky.