WTB keeps expanding its gravel tire options, and today unveiled a new 42mm "All-Weather" tire that's not just for dry gravel: the Resolute 42.
The side knobs are buttressed and tapered to avoid squirm when cornering on the road. WTB Resolute 42 gravel tire. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Resolute 42 comes in both 650b and 700c diameters and is 42mm wide. It is true to size on a 17.5mm internal width rim at 30 psi.
Before inflation and installation, the 42mm WTB Resolute measures 113mm bead-to-bead. [Read more on why we list bead-to-bead measurements here.]
True to size: 42mm on a rim with an ID of 17.5mm, pumped to 30 psi. WTB Resolute 42 gravel tire. © Cyclocross Magazine
We've had the opportunity to get a few rides in on this new tire already, and found it to have a supple feel, more than most tubeless gravel tires we've ridden.
With a TCS Light bead and casing, the WTB Resolute 42 mounts up easily and a little sealant seals the deal.
Our production samples weighed around 450g, but this 443g sample was the lightest of the bunch. © Cyclocross Magazine
It's light at just 450g, and comes with a skinwall sidewall finish.
The tread is like the 35mm Cross Boss with shallower knobs leading to a rounder profile than the 35mm cyclocross tire. It's smooth on the road, corners without knob squirm (one of WTB's goals) and at 25 psi, it was smooth on the dirt too. The lower, chamfered side knobs help with tight clearance frames.
The WTB Resolute 42 has a round profile with central knobs aligned for a smooth-rolling center tread. WTB Resolute 42 gravel tire. © Cyclocross Magazine
For early, bumpy hardpack cyclocross races, this high-volume tire may be ideal if you have the frame clearance, and with its generous knobs, we just might leave them on when things get a little sloppy.
Stay tuned for a full review, and see the official press release and a full photo gallery below.
Check back soon or your chance to win a pair of Resolute 42 tires.
MILL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA – June 15, 2017 – WTB has taken a new approach to tubeless gravel tread patterns with the all-weather Resolute 42 tire in both 650b and 700c wheel sizes. The Resolute 42 tire is intended to address all-weather needs by providing foul weather clearance while still retaining a fast and efficient feel for harder surfaces.
“This tire was particularly challenging to develop,” stated Evan Smith, WTB’s manager of new product development. “Conflicting design elements were asked of it – it had to be fast, had to be light, had to resist flexing on harder surfaces and pavement, yet it still had to clear muck like a true all-weather tire,” explained Smith. “Not easy, but I’m pleased with the outcome.”
The WTB Resolute 42 gravel is the Cross Boss' younger-but-bigger brother.
The Resolute 42 uses small, square-shaped blocks to create a 1-2-1-2 centerline tread that is more tightly spaced. Slightly offset and openly spaced intermediate blocks provide a consistent transition area that provides ample support while still allowing mud evacuation. Buttressed side knobs are angled and occur in pairings to further aid in shedding muck while an additional layer of rubber connects their bases to assist in stability and guard against abrasion. The Resolute 42 tire was designed around a 23mm inner rim width to ensure an optimal tread profile on a rim that would provide ample volume.
“There has been a bit of a disconnect between the marketed application of gravel bikes and the tread patterns available to them,” stated Will Ritchie, WTB’s drop bar category manager. “Gravel bikes are asked to ride through it all, conquer any surface. If it starts raining, keep riding, if it’s dry, ride through that too – go on road, go off road, do it all. A year ’round tire is needed, something efficient, but something that can still deal with rain and mud. The Resolute 42 was designed from the ground up to be that do-it-all tire.”
The WTB Resolute 42 gravel tire should keep you rolling when gravel turns to mud.
Resolute 42 tires employ WTB’s sealant-optimized Lightweight Casing are available in tan sidewall versions only. Resolute 650 x 42 TCS Light tires have preproduction weights of 442g while 700c versions tip the scales at 468g. Resolute 650 & 700 x 42 TCS Light tires retail for $51.95 and $54.95 respectively and are currently in stock and shipping from WTB.
More info: wtb.com
WTB Resolute 42 Gravel Tire Photo Gallery:
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