The Vulpine S 45 looks a lot like the Pathfinder Pro 47. I've been using the PP47 on i30mm rims at 26psi for my 165 pounds. What surprised me the most is that the PP47 provides lots of traction considering how little tread it has. I sometimes ride these tires on intermediate level single and they do surprisingly well. While they are not as good as the Rekon Race 2.4 XC tire on single track they do much better than expected. The trick to getting these tires to hook up well on single track is to run low pressures. They also roll very fast and quiet on pavement. I have to be careful on bike paths because pedestrians don't hear me coming.
I have the same pp47's. I agree with what you say about them. I ran them with tube's for quite a while and was blown away how much better they were tubeless. Night and day. Rolls smooth, supple and quick.
I’ve been wanting to experiment with a little more tire than 40’s but don’t feel like I can afford to give up much efficiency on pavement. This looks like a good step up for Southern California mixed surface riding.
This tire reminds me of the Specialized 2-Bliss 47mm tires I have on my e-gravel bike. They're okay on gravel, etc., but very quick on the pavement, which is fine, since most of my riding on this bike is on pavement.
Bottom line is knobs don't do much more than add noise and weight UNLESS the surface is soft enough for 'em to dig into. I ride my gravel bike(s) on ROADS. mostly paved. So slicks make sense. Rene Herse' are nice but far from cheap so Panaracer Gravel King slicks are getting the nod more recently. 38 mm at 40 psi seems to work very well for me.
Some of my favorite tires have similar "blockage" for here in the dry foothills of sacramento. Honestly, looks like a perfect design for reasonable gravel riding, but I bet you could lose traction on steep loose climbs, and of course if you send it too hard in dry corners.
Good overall review. I live in Bend, OR and ride similar all arounds. I am wondering about the Pirelli Cinturato M in a 45. Seems like a lot of people ride them and are overall quite happy. They also make a H which is a bit less aggressive but may roll a bit faster.
I have not been on that tire as it seemed a bit aggressive in a soft soils tire way. But maybe not. I did try the H in a 40mm size but killed a tire on the first ride out and Pirelli never sent another one. It was pretty fast feeling on pavement...zoom zoom. gg
What I know about touring bikes you could fit in a thimble, but I understand the priorities of touring is towards durability over anything else. I don't see this as 'that' tire. gg
How do you rate these tires (slick center strip) compared to the Pirelli Cinturato gravel RC? I thought I’ve seen you review those and also quite liked them.
I did ride those and I liked them but they were the first 45 I remember riding so I want to circle back around and I will be re-riding them. I remember them as having very good cornering in loose conditions. SO they will be in this series. gg
@@oldguyandabike that would be great, for my local riding I would be looking at either a bit faster tire with a slick center or something with a little more grip, I am also considering going from a 40c to 45c. So your reviews/videos are very welcome.
You're finding how useless knobs are unless there's something softer than the rubber they're made from to dig into. And fatter is better. The 50 mm slicks on my drop-bar MTB don't feel slower than the 38 mm slicks on my gravel bikes.
The Vulpine S 45 looks a lot like the Pathfinder Pro 47. I've been using the PP47 on i30mm rims at 26psi for my 165 pounds. What surprised me the most is that the PP47 provides lots of traction considering how little tread it has. I sometimes ride these tires on intermediate level single and they do surprisingly well. While they are not as good as the Rekon Race 2.4 XC tire on single track they do much better than expected. The trick to getting these tires to hook up well on single track is to run low pressures. They also roll very fast and quiet on pavement. I have to be careful on bike paths because pedestrians don't hear me coming.
That tire is in the wings waiting for some dirt...soon.
gg
I have the same pp47's. I agree with what you say about them. I ran them with tube's for quite a while and was blown away how much better they were tubeless. Night and day. Rolls smooth, supple and quick.
Thanks for your great videos !
I do my best for Jerseymaid.
gg
I’ve been wanting to experiment with a little more tire than 40’s but don’t feel like I can afford to give up much efficiency on pavement. This looks like a good step up for Southern California mixed surface riding.
I think it is.
gg
Vulpine looks very similar to Pathfinder
This tire reminds me of the Specialized 2-Bliss 47mm tires I have on my e-gravel bike.
They're okay on gravel, etc., but very quick on the pavement, which is fine, since most of my riding on this bike is on pavement.
Bottom line is knobs don't do much more than add noise and weight UNLESS the surface is soft enough for 'em to dig into. I ride my gravel bike(s) on ROADS. mostly paved. So slicks make sense. Rene Herse' are nice but far from cheap so Panaracer Gravel King slicks are getting the nod more recently. 38 mm at 40 psi seems to work very well for me.
Some of my favorite tires have similar "blockage" for here in the dry foothills of sacramento. Honestly, looks like a perfect design for reasonable gravel riding, but I bet you could lose traction on steep loose climbs, and of course if you send it too hard in dry corners.
You know I think that is likely if you stand and transfer a lot of weight forward. Typically I am sitting forward in that scenario.
gg
Thanks ! my YT Szepter has Resolutes in a 42 and I'm looking at alternatives in a 45 and trying to work out the compromises.
Exactly....compromises are just part of the game. making the right ones is the trick.
gg
Good overall review. I live in Bend, OR and ride similar all arounds. I am wondering about the Pirelli Cinturato M in a 45. Seems like a lot of people ride them and are overall quite happy. They also make a H which is a bit less aggressive but may roll a bit faster.
I have not been on that tire as it seemed a bit aggressive in a soft soils tire way. But maybe not. I did try the H in a 40mm size but killed a tire on the first ride out and Pirelli never sent another one. It was pretty fast feeling on pavement...zoom zoom.
gg
How would that tire handle on a touring bike
What I know about touring bikes you could fit in a thimble, but I understand the priorities of touring is towards durability over anything else. I don't see this as 'that' tire.
gg
How do you rate these tires (slick center strip) compared to the Pirelli Cinturato gravel RC? I thought I’ve seen you review those and also quite liked them.
I did ride those and I liked them but they were the first 45 I remember riding so I want to circle back around and I will be re-riding them. I remember them as having very good cornering in loose conditions. SO they will be in this series.
gg
@@oldguyandabike that would be great, for my local riding I would be looking at either a bit faster tire with a slick center or something with a little more grip, I am also considering going from a 40c to 45c. So your reviews/videos are very welcome.
You're finding how useless knobs are unless there's something softer than the rubber they're made from to dig into. And fatter is better. The 50 mm slicks on my drop-bar MTB don't feel slower than the 38 mm slicks on my gravel bikes.
Muppet