Tour Divide/GDMBR - tires

[blurltd]

Done with the NANO's (2012-13 TCS Models). 3 flats on 3 separate trips, all within striking distance from camp for the evening. Ran it tubeless, hi rock on final descent, Stans everywhere from the rear, puncture too big to seal. Now with tubes, and tire liner, last trip pinch flat, not Nano's fault but kind of since I had to run them with a tube due to the tires being so thin. My most recent trip, I added more air to avoid another pinch flat, boom! These tires are just too thin. I have a cheapo wire bead set on my 26er, tubeless, not one issue due to the non fancy rubber compounds.

Now I need to find a replacement. Anyone run the Geax Saguaro 29 TNT on WTB Frequency i23 rims? I keep hearing how big of a night mare these tires are to mount so I might just go with the Conti Race King Protection model.

[DocTrike]

It may be different for a you on a two wheel MTB; but on our trikes we run Schwalbe Smart Sam Evo DD tubeless exclusively for off road. We use a Stan's/Rolf rim. Zero issues with punctures so far I use Stan's/Doc Blue tire sealant. I even broke a valve stem on a stick and rode a rail trail home 12 miles on a flat SS tire and the tire survived although I rode carefully and slow; trikes have very little weight on the rear wheel. These also wear really well when used as a commuter tire on tarmac and fairly quiet.

I also like the old Marathon XR, Marathon Plus Tour, and Marathon Plus MTB.

[phil_rad]

Why TNT? The normal Saguaros set up really easy as tubeless. At least that's been my experience. I have Arch rims on two of my bikes, the fit is tight but not impossible.

[james-o]

Why TNT? The normal Saguaros set up really easy as tubeless. At least that's been my experience. I have Arch rims on two of my bikes, the fit is tight but not impossible.

Std Saguaro 2.2s on my bike last year, seated tubeless really easily on P35 rims (as good as any TLR tyre I've used) and was able to re-seat after fixing a glass cut trail-side with a mini-pump. Had 2 cuts in total, the other was just trail debris, just unlucky I think. I ride flinty terrain in the UK and get a similar number of cuts per 1000 miles as the TD route gave me. Maxxis USTs are tougher tyres but heavier, if that's a concern. To me it's not, I just like the Saguaro tread - rolls very well and copes with wet trails better than other fast tyres I tried - a Race King is a fast tyre but I don't like the lack of bite on gravel or wet ground. Still, there were a set of Race King prints here and there, ahead of us all for the whole route..

[Cortvald]

im 94,3% sure that im gonna use my knard 3.0 120tpi om my krampus for the TD this summer.. arnt sure how wise it is, but i really love the flow and comfort of the tire...
Any thougths?! will I get mad over the heavy tire going up the small hills over there ?!

[blurltd]

Thanks James-o, I read the blog posting on Jones Bike about your Tour Divide run. Impressive and the photos were amazing. Thanks for that. You also turned me on into looking at the Saguaro's but I ended up with the Conti Race Kings since I got a deal good price on them. Then the Clymb has them for 39 with extra 20% off and now I'm reconsidering. So if anyone is looking for a set of TNT Saguaro's check out the sale on The Clymb, use CLYMB20 and get a set for 60 or so...That was yesterday though.

[PhotoJB]

im 94,3% sure that im gonna use my knard 3.0 120tpi om my krampus for the TD this summer.. arnt sure how wise it is, but i really love the flow and comfort of the tire...
Any thougths?! will I get mad over the heavy tire going up the small hills over there ?!

I've been thinking Kramous as well. Are you sticking as a 1X10?
I've been

[BenjyC]

Interesting to see everybody's experience with different tyres 

I've got a 26'er built up for training for next years TD route. I've currently got some Schwalbe 'Marathon Plus Tour' tyres on order to try out;

http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/tour/marathon-plus-tour/

I'll be using them with Slime 'Lite' tubes. I've had experience of the standard marathons for touring. This just has a more rugged tread pattern but would still roll well.

Ideally for next year I'd like to be on a 29'er running Schwalbe 'Rapid Robs' but that would all be funds permitting!

[jmarshall312]

Reviving an old thread (hope that is OK😀).

What is the latest thinking on TDR tires?  I will be running 27.5s with a 2.1 target width.

Jason

[RonK]

WTB Nano

[jmarshall312]

Interesting that the 27.5s are listed as heavier than the 29s. 🤔

[Cortvald]

im 94,3% sure that im gonna use my knard 3.0 120tpi om my krampus for the TD this summer.. arnt sure how wise it is, but i really love the flow and comfort of the tire...
Any thougths?! will I get mad over the heavy tire going up the small hills over there ?!

Rode my krampus in 2014 on knards 120tpi.. best tire there was.. and still not a bad tire, but now i run Bomboloni 3.0 insteed, and I'm never going back to knards...
if i was to do the divide again (and i bet i will..) I'm dead sure ill be on my krampus or similar

[kiwidave]

What is the latest thinking on TDR tires?  I will be running 27.5s with a 2.1 target width.

I rode 27.5 with 2.35 tubeless Ikons and it was an awesome setup with no hand issues and no punctures. Topped-up the Stans in Steamboat.

[jmarshall312]

yeah I wish I could clear wider than 2.1 comfortably.  The Ikons look great but I would have to run 2.0s (no 2.1 available in 27.5). 

[bikelite]

Is the 2.1 measured at the sidewall or knobby?

[jmarshall312]

2.1 as measured by tire companies (I think it is at the sidewall).   I have 2.1 Smart Sams that came standard on the bike and there is just enough clearance for mud.  I wouldn't want to go wider.  I do understand that there is significant variances in measurements between different tires / companies.  It seems like a lot of the latest models are being released in 2.2 versions (Ikon).  Which is a bummer for me.

Any opinions on the Aspen?  What is the difference between Aspen and Ikon.

Thanks again for all the guidance.

Jason

[MikeC]

I ran Kenda Khan's in 29 x 2.1 back in the first 2 GDR's.  They make them in a range of sizes.  All definitely prioritize speed over grip, thus you have to pay attention when cornering on ball bearings.  They are fast, and they don't collect much mud -- until they do, at which point every tire out there is balled up.

I ran them tubed and had 3 or 4 flats over the ~4000 miles I rode them.  Tubeless just wasn't ready for prime time yet, unfortunately.

[Spaghetti89]

FWIW I finished in 2014 on Maxxis Crossmarks (tubes) with no punctures

[tanadog]

Rode Vittoria Mezcals 27.5 x 2.35 on ibis 741 rims in '16. Fast tyre, big volume (with wide rim) and good on dirt too. Gave cushy ride. Started at high 25+ psi, then lowered when I realised rough nature of many of the roads. In such good condition at the end that I reckon they could've ridden back again. Unfortunately the engine wasn't up for it.

[audios89]

Not for the race, but doing the Divide this August. I was planning on rolling with 27.5 x 2.6 rocket rons, but I've heard there are issues with the durability - are these going to last the whole trip? Otherwise they seem like a perfect tire- fast rolling, good cush, lightish, snakeskin protection. Not going for rocket speed but want some comfort and I cannot fit 29ers in my bike.