I’ve used my Boone for gravel duty with good success. I’ve had Gravelking SK 700x38s in the back and the 43s in the front and haven’t experienced rubbing. That’s on Stan’s Valors, which I think are 21 internal width. I’m taking the bike to Dirty Kanza, so am going to try the Donelly EMPs in 38 for the rear. Was thinking about testing 40s but probably not worth it as I think it might be cutting it too tight with clearances. I’ve been using the GRX rear derailleur in CX for a couple years with good success. It’s a 1x setup, and I got the Wolftooth roadlink to allow a 11x42 cassette for gravel, with a tighter cassette for CX. It’s served me pretty well.
How do the Gravelking tires measure on those rims? True to size?
I have Clement MSO XPlor tires in 40mm. They have been ok. When I bought them I didn’t realize they were not “tubeless ready”. They are light (350g) but they weep a lot through the sidewalls. I see that the newer tubeless version of the MSO weighs over 500 grams!
So I’m thinking of trying Gravelkings.
Also curious about this. My understanding is that the new Gravel King 43c is actually the old 40c tire re-badged to account for the size increase on a wider rim.
I’ve read that too online. Specifically, I’ve read that a 38mm comes in about 40mm on a 20mm internal tire and that a 43 should come in true to size.
I have a Crux and with the 40mm MSO tire (they measure exactly 40mm) I think I’m close to the limit. If the gravelking 43 was a true 43, I could probably squeak by. To play it safe, I should go 43/38 or 38/38.
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I’m running GK 43s, I’ll measure tomorrow and post up.
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I keep forgetting to measure the size of the tires. Just as an FYI, the GK SK 700x38 left 6mm of clearance on the sides (and loads above), but again I haven’t measured the actual width of them. I’d really love to throw 40s on but the ultimate width of all these different tire/rim combos is a guessing game.
I’m thinking about trying either the Gravelking SK+ tires (38s) or the Kenda Alluvium KR tire (40s). They seem very similar. I know the Gravelking is a very popular tire from what I’ve been reading, but the Kenda I can get in a 40. I think the slightly wider tire will be better for when i hit the loose sand?
I can’t run a 43mm on rear of my Crux (25mm rim). I have gravel setup with a 43 front and 38 rear, the extra volume and slightly lower pressure on the front makes for a great ride.
I agree it’s really nice having that extra volume. With the Boone’s isospeed decoupler in the rear, it’s nice having that extra volume in the front. My focus for the rear is getting the most robust/puncture resistant tire I can fit. I may mix and match front and rear tires to do so.
SO I said like two weeks ago I’d post up my Gravel King photos, and I forgot. Sorry.
This is the 43c tire, setup tubeless on a 21mm internal width rim, at 45 psi.
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thanks!