650b gravel (sorry another one)

I ride a specialised turbo creo expert carbon, first version (2022). Its tyre clearance is nominally 38mm for 700c, 47mm for 650b. I’m 95kg. With the factory 700c roval carbon wheels , I run specialised pathfinder s-works 42, they come up around 44-45mm at 45 psi (pressure as per SRAM) . These are great when I’m doing local fast rides that are 70-80% road, 20-30% “easy / dry gravel”. The villages around the Milton Keynes / Leighton Buzzard area.

I also have a full-suss Emtb that I use for anything that is proper mountain biking

This year I have starting doing various of the UK gravel sportives, as soon as it gets to any kind of muddy or moderately rough stuff the pathfinders struggle, and they mud-clog the frame as well. I did the last one on my E-mtb.

So I know I need a 650b wheelset . probably ryanbuildswheels gravel bombers, 23mm internal, he has the right “road-boost” hubs for this bike. That will give me (according to specialised ) room to run 47’s, according to calipers and other users of this bike , 50’s are probably ok.

anyway – the tyre question is why I ‘m here: this is a 2nd wheelset for  gravel rides that are almost all gravel . I don’t care about being a bit slower on linking roads. Flying flat out downhill on rock strewn forest roads (kielder, whinlatter) without slowing down for sweeping corners. maintaining traction on muddy bridleways / wet grass thats been chewed by a lot of other riders ,or damp chalky tracks (Ridgeway). In any weather. But not proper gnar – not roots or rocks or drops (MTB for that). High puncture resistance (will trade for weight) . easy tubeless setup. Has to be 650b for the clearance and to drop the pressures

shortlist:

• WTB sendero 650 x47 (£120 pair )
• pirelli cinturato gravel M 650x 50 or 45 (£100 pair)
• rutland teravail  650×47 (£140 pair) but I keep reading it comes up small

thoughts?

No experience of the tyres to help but someone posted a PSA about cheap tyres the other day.

Lots of half price teravails on this site

https://www.lyonequipment.com/tyres/tyre-size/teravail-rutland-650-x-47-durable-black__3592

I has some Senderos and found that they were a bit too MTB for me so dropped to the Venture. Sounds like Sendero may  be the one for you. Can’t you find them cheaper that that? I probably have a pair somewhere…….

I’m a fan of the Rutland

Fan of Rutlands too. I’d say they run small to true. On 24mm rims, they’re coming in at 48mm. On my older 22 inner width, they were basically bang on 47mm.

I find they roll well on road, and cope reasonably well in the slop.

thanks all. the rutlands at 35 quid on that half-price (many thanks for that)  seem very worth a punt.

senderos I’ve found down to 50 quid/single in the UK. obviously can get a bit less by going to bikeinn etc.

you’ll need a new magnet sensor setup for the rear wheel on the e side, also, I’m thinking it will drop your speed at which assistance comes off from 15.5 mph a bit …

I have same bike as you, the 2020 road version, and a Levo SL (2020 model) too.

actually I get assist to just over 16 mph with the 700c/42mm’s :-) . which is nice on-road if the knee starts to go (why I have this bike).  dropping the assist speed a bit is fine for this use-case. yes aware of the need for the magnet but thanks for the reminder, either need to move it or buy another.

given the bargain price I’ve just bought the rutlands…wasn’t expecting to decide that quickly.

now to sort out some wheels!

Mine hasn’t turned a wheel in a year, bar a spin up and down the street every few months and a health check.

This post is encouraging me to use it more !

I most be riding basically the same trails as you. In used Sendero last yearn and they were great. But i got them for £25. I’ve run the Rutlands too. They were a touch faster and a bit less grip. But they came up a bit small. However being half price helps

I’d love to hear folks get on with these

pirelli cinturato gravel M 650x 50 or 45 (£100 pair)

Reading your post again i wonder if I’m riding softer/rougher trails. I’ll often ride the Blue through Rushmere down the sandy bridleway to the canal and then back up the broken tarmac to Brickhill

I’ve ridden the Cinturato Ms in 650 x 50. They come up big (think they were about 54mm on the 22mm inners – which ended up being a problem on my frame (they did fit, but I wasn’t comfortable with the limited clearance. That may or may not be an issue for you. Maybe the 45s would come in under 50mm – but could be an expensive experiment.

I’d say they roll slightly faster than the Rutlands, but were definitely worse in any slop.

They are Tioga Farmer Johns, though :-D

Thanks for that. I’m tight on terrano dry 47mm which are 50mm. I’d want more not less grip than Rutlands. So in think it’s Sondero again

Just fitted Hutchison Touaregs to mine in 650 x 47mm flavour. Seem to be sold out everywhere now though. Not done many miles on them yet so no comment on how good or bad they are sorry.

I’ve had some Cinturano M in 700×45 flavour for a few years – pretty tough all rounders, survived lots of rides in the North Cairngorms, Glenlivet etc where tracks are either crushed rock or peat

If you have the space 650b Nanos are £15 at banana industries.