Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

sorry not had chance to measure yet but the maxxis crossmark I used was a 2.1 which fitted on the front but not the rear. I've a photo of the maxxis refuse 2.0 fitted to both front and rear.
If it was my bike I would use 700x Nano when it was muddy and 650b 38/43/47 for the road and less mud - they ride amazing and are hardly any slower than a 28

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This is actually opposite to what I was considering (narrow road 700c and wide offroad 650b), but makes quite a lot of sense. Increased width of 42-48 mm 650b tyres is not too much of an aero drag when road riding? I would also like to join some group rides form time to time, so this must be zippy enough to let me keep pace ;)

I am also a bit frightened by weight of these - over 600 g is double the 700c wide road tyres, although Gravelking (non-SK) is much more bearable - 290 g in 700x32 and 350 g in 650x42.

ideally you'd want narrow tyres to 'cut' through the mud and give you more clearance when it starts sticking to the tyres.
The WTB Horizons are 515g but you don't really notice it, the GRavel Kings do feel faster though - don't forget that 650b rims are lighter than 700c. You wouldn't have problems keeping up with the 42c GRavel kings - I don't

Alright, I think that clears my concerns (the only problem is that here in Poland there is extremely limited choice of road plus tyres, but I am ordering bike from Planet X so can grab GKs by the way).
Do you think Pacenti TL28 will make a good rim for such a project? PX has them for 10 GBP, a real bargain it seems.

yes, great rims, have them on my single speed Niner.

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I didn't find them a nice rim to build, and I completely taco'd the front the third time I went out with them on my mtb, but then that's much heavier usage, and could have been a flaw in the rim somehow. For the price they're good and light and will make fine gravel rims

Home do they set up tubeless? The main 'competitor' for me is DT R500d, which are 50 g heavier, but I have heard many great things about how good DT rims are for tubeless setups.

In fact I'll probably buy another at that price and build a cheapo spare 650b wheelset

How narrow a tyre can you get on them though? It's a 23mm internal and the internet suggests anything below 37mm is a bad idea.

Edit, I mean for the 29er version.

I don't know for sure, but that sounds a reasonable assumption. Wouldn't go below 35, personally

HED recommend a 22 mm minimum tyre for their 20.5 mm internal Belgium Plus rim, so I wouldn't worry about it too much

Hmm, alright. Wanted the option of a narrower tyre just in case I can't find a replacement 35mm tyre while I'm out on a tour or something. Maybe I'll build a 650b set then, as I'll never need to go below 35mm in that size

I have 28s on 23mm internals, work great.

That seems extreme.
I go by rule of never exceed 60% of tyre to rim width for happiness. Loads of manufacturers go way below that.
30mm on 23mm internal was lovely to ride.

really easy with both G ones and Gravel Kings - for £10 i don't think you can go wrong

I think I'd be concerned about sidewall damage or running out of tread under 30mm, but yeah, 37 is a bit overkill, on balance

Cracking price on the Pacenti. Tempted to get them.

its just that the tyre sidewalls can wear out quicker or cornering (because side knobs are not on the sides but more center) seems weird if you pull out skinny tyre wide rim combo, as the tyre contact patch isnt what the designer thought it to be.

I had (and others have done the same) 33mm cx tyres on 26,6mm inner rim -combo without much of a fuss. New road wheels seem to be around 25-28mm outer for 25mm tyre also.

Right, but I suppose if you were forced to replace your 38mm CX/gravel tyres with a 28mm road tyre you wouldn't really have any knobbly bits to worry about anyway.

One minor point about the Pacenti rims that I can see is that they're 28h. 32h would be more practical. But for a tenner maybe it's worth it

Wow. Good looking bike!

Great, and to conclude the wheels topic - for road and gravel use, would you go with 28 or 32 spokes? Both are available at PX, my wheelbuilder said 28 will be plentiful for my 77 kg weight, but better check different opinions.

The CL25 also look to be a good option, with a slightly more typical 20mm internal rim width. £5 more but 25g lighter.

velocity Blunt SL is 20mm internal width too. 440g oer is 420g for the 29er cant remember mine are built into wheels.

I am decided on TL28 for the 650b build, already ordering both bike and wheels at the same time makes my budget really tight, for the second 700c wheelset I will either take DT R460 or something 20 mm wide, but that will have to wait until later. The only question for now is 28 or 32 spokes.

I think I would go with 28, 650b rims will be stiffer anyway then 700c and the TL28 is a XC mtb rim so will be even stronger than a typical road rim