American Classic Wentworth Update

American Classic Wentworth 700 X 50 (really 46)

 So, I finally got these bigger Wentworth tires on a bike here. The so-called 700 x 50's, which aren't 50's, but are 46's. I know.... Confusing! Let's just agree to call these 46's and get on with it, and we'll just forget about that hot patch on the tire for now, okay? 

Okay, with that out of the way, I will say that these seem a bit more reasonable as far as volume and profile for gravel then the so-called 40's are, which are really 38's, but are marked as 40's. (sigh) You get the picture....

I should have written 'for the gravel roads here where I ride'. Because I know that in Southeastern Minnesota, as an example, you can ride 700 X 38's all the day long and be as happy as a pig in the mud. However; try that same width tire down here where we often have big, chunky limestone laid down by the dump truck loads across the entire roadway at a depth of two inches or more and ,well.......38's are no fun. I mean, you can use that width, but it is a lot harder row to hoe than if you were to ride a wider tire. Pick yer poison.....

 So, back to these 50's.....er, 46's, and yeah. I like the volume, I like the flatter crown to the tire. I like how they set up on the Spinergy GXX wheel set I have here. They fit the MCD very nicely with a decent amount of clearance. These tires and wheels could stay on here all year, I think, and the clearances would be just fine. 

I have experienced a bit of a 'draggy' feeling with the smaller Wentworths and I expect that trend to continue with these bigger versions. I've only been able to get out for some neighborhood cruising so far, so stay tuned for a report on ride performance on gravel here soon. And......that may be a bit. See, I have been filling in for the missing Andy this week. (Note- Stay calm! He isn't really missing, I'm sure he is fine where he went on vacation) I have to fill in for him on Saturday as well, so I may not see gravel roads for a bit. 

That said, it won't be long before I find myself with a lot of extra time on my hands as the season winds down here. As long as the weather holds out I should get in several weeks of riding gravel roads until it (a) gets too dag-gone cold, or (b) it snows and the roads ice up. 

More soon....

Note: The Standard Disclaimer applies here to the tires, Spinergy Wheels, and a few things I did not mention, but that are on the bike shown here.