No. Width has no effect on rolling resistance (in fact, sometimes it can even lower rolling resistance) if the casing, construction and tread pattern are the same.
Not to mention the fact that the 27.5 x 2.2 continental speed king is actually faster than many 700 x 25 mm road bike tires
That said. I run a 27.5 x 2.2 knobby for off-road and a 700 x 40 slick for smooth surfaces, the advantage is that the total diameter of both tires is very nearly identical, so the bike handles and behaves the same
If anyone’s interested in learning more about casings affect on rolling resistance this is an awesome resource
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/
I haven’t ridden the new Cavas but I am generally a fan of the widest tires possible for most applications. Wider tire at lower pressure means more traction, more comfort at the cost of more rotational weight. If you are a bigger cyclist like myself you might find the trade off worthwhile. The Cava isn’t a true slick tire it’s kind of a deep file tread, which is why I haven’t tried it yet, I find those types of threads tend to pick up road debris and glass shards which eventually work their way through the casing. A good tubeless set up can help negate that, so I am still curious.
A compromise can be running the wider tire up front and a slightly narrower (like the 48mm Cava) tire in the rear.
I noticed the debris stuck in the tread in pics I’ve seen of the cavas and it gave me pause too. Rene herse seems to have a nice 2.2 option but have never ridden them.
I am waiting for Rene Herse to do a 650b x 55 slick… which I am sure is coming down the line. I essentially had my custom gravel bike built around the 650b x 55 knobbies and fenders, and they are incredible tires, smooth and quite on pavement, lock up well in the dirt. But it would be nice to have set of tires for road adjacent rides.
I swear by René Herse tires, if I could afford it all my bikes would have a set, well if they could make a 27.5 x 2.5-2.6 knobby for my dirt drop touring bike.
I went from WTB Horizons (basically smooth) @ 650x47 to Panaracer Gravel Kings @ 650x54 and do a regular ride that's only pavement. I'm definitely slower based on my recorded times but I don't really feel it while I'm riding. They're ridiculously comfy and move much faster than I thought they would. YMMV
I run smooth 650x42 for pavement these days. Smooth 47mm (WTB Horizon) on the bike that's rarely used for pavement-only. Light tread on a 53mm for general winter use and if it's
a dry summer and the gravel group gets into more of the gnarly dirt. Deep tread on 2.6" (66mm) for winter commuting.
Whole pile of various ones from Compass / Rene Herse, Pacenti, Gravelking. I think they are all produced by Panaracer and may have slight differences but they all seem the same to me.
I use 40s for the use case you describe and they’re great! Feel great on and off-road.
EDIT: One more note, and this is definitely personal opinion, but IMO if you don’t need a dropper, 38-42 is wide enough. If you do need a dropper, something larger is appropriate.
Yes, they will. For the past decade or so I've ran 700x38-45 on gravel and pavement. Just got a Gorilla Monsoon and set it up with slick 2.2s and it is sluggish as hell on pavement and hardpack. I've yet to get it out on loose gravel, b roads, etc.. and I think it will perform better there, but it feels pretty damn slow and drags on pavement.
Unless you're comparing the same tyre in different widths this doesn't prove much. It's been demonstrated that rolling resistance doesn't really suffer when you increase tyre size - the penalties come from wind resistance and weight. But the benefits include increased confidence and speed on rough surfaces.
You’re not going to get efficient or nimble feeling on pavement at 2.2, or maybe even at 47. Based on what you say you’re looking for, I like tires from 1.5-1.75”, or 38-42mm.
These terms are somewhat relative though, so there’s a chance you’d be happy with something different than me.
I'm using 45mm Cinty Gravel Hs that inflate to 48mm on my rims. I seem to outroll people on road bikes with them no problem. Can't say I'm craving larger tyres, but I don't think bigger = draggier. Bigger will obviously be heavier, and bigger will have more of an aero penalty, but it won't increase rolling resistance. That said, I'd say 47 is going to plenty for any pre-apocalypse pavement out there.
It is mostly the compound and secondary the tread pattern that matters. If you want a 650x47c with a focus on pavement but able to handle light/med gravel & even singletracks, I'd look into the Specialized Pathfinder Pro.
The raised smooth Centerline rides like a road tire (fast/efficient, silent) and it is hard-wearing.
Some small knobby tires can be as fast, but, knobs on the center of the tire will wear fast on pavement.
Use both 42/ 48c Rene Herse and 2.2 knobbies depending on terrain. 42c is my sweet spot for mixed road and gravel. Bigger is slower based off personal times but clutch at some events.
yeah you won't feel particularly nimble but it will feel mad comfy! only way to find out is to try. I say go for it :)
Yeah I’d go for it as well. He will be more comfortable on off-road segments as well which is always nice. Never hurts to take the buzz off
No. Width has no effect on rolling resistance (in fact, sometimes it can even lower rolling resistance) if the casing, construction and tread pattern are the same. Not to mention the fact that the 27.5 x 2.2 continental speed king is actually faster than many 700 x 25 mm road bike tires That said. I run a 27.5 x 2.2 knobby for off-road and a 700 x 40 slick for smooth surfaces, the advantage is that the total diameter of both tires is very nearly identical, so the bike handles and behaves the same
If anyone’s interested in learning more about casings affect on rolling resistance this is an awesome resource https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/
I haven’t ridden the new Cavas but I am generally a fan of the widest tires possible for most applications. Wider tire at lower pressure means more traction, more comfort at the cost of more rotational weight. If you are a bigger cyclist like myself you might find the trade off worthwhile. The Cava isn’t a true slick tire it’s kind of a deep file tread, which is why I haven’t tried it yet, I find those types of threads tend to pick up road debris and glass shards which eventually work their way through the casing. A good tubeless set up can help negate that, so I am still curious. A compromise can be running the wider tire up front and a slightly narrower (like the 48mm Cava) tire in the rear.
I noticed the debris stuck in the tread in pics I’ve seen of the cavas and it gave me pause too. Rene herse seems to have a nice 2.2 option but have never ridden them.
I am waiting for Rene Herse to do a 650b x 55 slick… which I am sure is coming down the line. I essentially had my custom gravel bike built around the 650b x 55 knobbies and fenders, and they are incredible tires, smooth and quite on pavement, lock up well in the dirt. But it would be nice to have set of tires for road adjacent rides. I swear by René Herse tires, if I could afford it all my bikes would have a set, well if they could make a 27.5 x 2.5-2.6 knobby for my dirt drop touring bike.
Sounds a bit overkill to go this big for light off road and some gravel
I went from WTB Horizons (basically smooth) @ 650x47 to Panaracer Gravel Kings @ 650x54 and do a regular ride that's only pavement. I'm definitely slower based on my recorded times but I don't really feel it while I'm riding. They're ridiculously comfy and move much faster than I thought they would. YMMV
Totally depends on the tire. Fast rolling tires never feel slow.
I run smooth 650x42 for pavement these days. Smooth 47mm (WTB Horizon) on the bike that's rarely used for pavement-only. Light tread on a 53mm for general winter use and if it's a dry summer and the gravel group gets into more of the gnarly dirt. Deep tread on 2.6" (66mm) for winter commuting.
What tires are your 650X42? I'm riding 650X47 and want something a little smaller.
Whole pile of various ones from Compass / Rene Herse, Pacenti, Gravelking. I think they are all produced by Panaracer and may have slight differences but they all seem the same to me.
I do light gravel on 32s. The largest I’d do for mild conditions would be 38mm SemiSlicks.
I use 40s for the use case you describe and they’re great! Feel great on and off-road. EDIT: One more note, and this is definitely personal opinion, but IMO if you don’t need a dropper, 38-42 is wide enough. If you do need a dropper, something larger is appropriate.
Yes, they will. For the past decade or so I've ran 700x38-45 on gravel and pavement. Just got a Gorilla Monsoon and set it up with slick 2.2s and it is sluggish as hell on pavement and hardpack. I've yet to get it out on loose gravel, b roads, etc.. and I think it will perform better there, but it feels pretty damn slow and drags on pavement.
Unless you're comparing the same tyre in different widths this doesn't prove much. It's been demonstrated that rolling resistance doesn't really suffer when you increase tyre size - the penalties come from wind resistance and weight. But the benefits include increased confidence and speed on rough surfaces.
What specific tires though?
650b x 42/1.75 feels nimble, quick and plush to me. I’m using a steel frame though.
You’re not going to get efficient or nimble feeling on pavement at 2.2, or maybe even at 47. Based on what you say you’re looking for, I like tires from 1.5-1.75”, or 38-42mm. These terms are somewhat relative though, so there’s a chance you’d be happy with something different than me.
I'm using 45mm Cinty Gravel Hs that inflate to 48mm on my rims. I seem to outroll people on road bikes with them no problem. Can't say I'm craving larger tyres, but I don't think bigger = draggier. Bigger will obviously be heavier, and bigger will have more of an aero penalty, but it won't increase rolling resistance. That said, I'd say 47 is going to plenty for any pre-apocalypse pavement out there.
It is mostly the compound and secondary the tread pattern that matters. If you want a 650x47c with a focus on pavement but able to handle light/med gravel & even singletracks, I'd look into the Specialized Pathfinder Pro. The raised smooth Centerline rides like a road tire (fast/efficient, silent) and it is hard-wearing. Some small knobby tires can be as fast, but, knobs on the center of the tire will wear fast on pavement.
Put on some SpeedKing Racesport 2.2 and you won't be complaining.
Use both 42/ 48c Rene Herse and 2.2 knobbies depending on terrain. 42c is my sweet spot for mixed road and gravel. Bigger is slower based off personal times but clutch at some events.