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| American Classic Wentworth 700 X 50 (really 46) |
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.
4 comments:
FYI - I just put a 650x47 kimberlite rear (Fulcrum 24mm internal rim) and Udden front (race face 25mm internal rim) and both measure out to the claimed 47mm on my vernier calipers.
Just measured the 700 X 50/46’s again. Both under 47mm yet. Probably won’t get there either. Glad to hear yours are the correct size.
If a tire runs too big then the noise is, it ruined my frame on one (muddy) ride.
@Skidmark - I take it to mean that you are saying some people complain when a tire runs bigger than advertised and it ruins their frame?
If that is what you mean, I have no sympathy for people who suffer such fates. You need to be aware of your set up and I am pretty sure tires do not stretch in size while you are riding to a degree that the tire would rub a frame to ruin.
On the other hand, if you think a 50mm 'might' fit, but the tire turns out to be a 51.mm on your rims, and you decide that is no good? Then you feel compelled to take it off? That's a different story. That person didn't get what they expected. And obviously, if that tire is advertised as 50mm and it isn't a 50mm tire, you didn't get what you paid for there either.
But, if you are knowingly running a tire which is too big for your frame? No.... Doesn't matter what the hot patch says then.
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