Tires for S40

RBW1938

Active Member
Thinking of going to Conti GP5000 TL tubeless 700X32mm tires for a new S40. Anyone had experience with these?
Use for general riding and light touring.
 

paco1961

Zen MBB Master
Haven’t tried them but since they came out the 4000s has dropped to super low price. Recently picked up a pair for $27 each!
 

3WHELZ

Guru
I am running TL 700x28s. The tire has great grip, nice ride. They seem to be very puncture-resistant.
 

dule0911

Active Member
Anybody tried anything wider then the stock 700x30 on the 2020 S40? I building it from the ground up and there are a few models which have 28 and 32 options, so not sure if 32 wiull fit. I know that with the stock 700x30 it's already tight, so the original plan to use 700x35 is out the windows, so I'm thinking of using 32 if they fit.
 

xtalbike

Active Member
Does the 2020 S40 have less clearance than 2019? I had 700X35 mm studded tires on mine all winter with no problem.
 

dule0911

Active Member
Yes, the crown of the fork on the 2020 is different and with the stock Kenda 700x30 tire there is only about 3mm between the crown and the fork (info from @Robert Holler ).
 

dule0911

Active Member
Today I tried the Schwalbe Kojak 35-622 on the 2020 S40 fork - doesn't fit. Even the hub itselft isn't all the way in since the tire is hiting the crown of the fork.




I'm doubtfull that even some 32mm tire will fit with any/enough clearance. I decided to go with the 30mm. Fingers crossed that other tyre brands have a similar height as the stock Kenda, for example the Vittoria Corsa Control G2.0 or the Schwalbe G-one, both in 30-622 versions.

Maybe I should go for 28-622? Anyone tried these on rough roads with the ventisit pad? Don't have the pad yet, but I am planning to aquire the thicker version of it, so I'm interested if it is bearable or not with 28mm tires. Since I do encounter a fair bit of shitty roads where I drive, that is the only reason I want to go with a wider tire. I know that comfort is a highly subjective matter, even more for us with back problems, but I'm just interested in some general opinions. 28mm width has a lot more options, like Continental GP5000 for example. I want a tire which has the best grip with some form of puncture protection (even minimal will do), and that it's bearable in the wet. For example, I don't want anything that is worse in the wet, and that is better in the dry from the stock Q45 tires: Maxxis Overdrive Excel. Suggestions appriciated.
 
Wow! For comparison, I have an original S40 (2018?) and it has a set of Panaracer Tour 700x32 with room to spare. I suspect I could put 35mm tyres on and still have room. I have not tried mud guards yet and may look at the ones Robert is using in a new blog post. I suspect that will save room and allow me to go to 38?
 

dule0911

Active Member
Not sure where I read on the forum but I think the max size on older S40 forks is 38 for the front and 42 for the back.

I knew that the fork is changed before buying the 2020 model since I made my mind up before it that I want an S40, I just secretly hoped that they still would fit, but anyway, two sets of wheels it is :)
 

Dave Arnold

Active Member
IMG_1385.JPG
Today I tried the Schwalbe Kojak 35-622 on the 2020 S40 fork - doesn't fit. Even the hub itselft isn't all the way in since the tire is hiting the crown of the fork.




I'm doubtfull that even some 32mm tire will fit with any/enough clearance. I decided to go with the 30mm. Fingers crossed that other tyre brands have a similar height as the stock Kenda, for example the Vittoria Corsa Control G2.0 or the Schwalbe G-one, both in 30-622 versions.

Maybe I should go for 28-622? Anyone tried these on rough roads with the ventisit pad? Don't have the pad yet, but I am planning to aquire the thicker version of it, so I'm interested if it is bearable or not with 28mm tires. Since I do encounter a fair bit of shitty roads where I drive, that is the only reason I want to go with a wider tire. I know that comfort is a highly subjective matter, even more for us with back problems, but I'm just interested in some general opinions. 28mm width has a lot more options, like Continental GP5000 for example. I want a tire which has the best grip with some form of puncture protection (even minimal will do), and that it's bearable in the wet. For example, I don't want anything that is worse in the wet, and that is better in the dry from the stock Q45 tires: Maxxis Overdrive Excel. Suggestions appriciated.

Here is a photo of a Continental GP 4000 IIs 700c x 28mm mounted on a Boyd Carbon Disc Wheel (inner diameter=22mm) on my 2020 S40. I can just barely get a 1.5mm allen wrench in the gap. I have no issues with rubbing or debris catching on the crown of the fork. I would be really interested to know if a Schwalbe Pro One 700 x 30 or a Continental 5000 700x32 or 700x28 Tubeless would work. As @Robert Holler has already mentioned, there is plenty of clearance on the rear.

IMG_1385.JPG
 

dule0911

Active Member
Well now I'm not even sure that most 30mm tires would fit, thanks for the picture. The rims/wheels I'm planning on using are 20mm wide, the ones I tried the tire are just a temporary set which are 21mm wide. From what I understand, the wider the rim, the lower the tire should be, even if it's marginally lower.
How is the comfort with those tires?

Here is an idea - maybe I can go for a wider (comfier) tire in the rear, for example 28 front 32 or 35 rear. Other then looks, I can't see an issue with that combination.
 

Dave Arnold

Active Member
Well now I'm not even sure that most 30mm tires would fit, thanks for the picture. The rims/wheels I'm planning on using are 20mm wide, the ones I tried the tire are just a temporary set which are 21mm wide. From what I understand, the wider the rim, the lower the tire should be, even if it's marginally lower.
How is the comfort with those tires?

Here is an idea - maybe I can go for a wider (comfier) tire in the rear, for example 28 front 32 or 35 rear. Other then looks, I can't see an issue with that combination.

The comfort of the Boyd Carbon/Conti 4000 with latex tubes inflated to about 85 psi is excellent++ on smooth roads. Handling is superb too. We have quite a bit of chip seal in the area and that's when I wish I had a bigger tire so I could run less pressure. Running something like a 32mm in the rear and keeping the 28 in front is a good idea--not sure if the improvement would be that better though.
 

dule0911

Active Member
Chip seal is the least of my worries, I'm worried about really bad roads with lots of potholes etc - but I guess I will find that out myself. Carbon rims are more comfortable then aluminium? Didn't plan on investing in carbon yet, seems a bit pricey.
 

chicorider

Zen MBB Master
I can't tell if you already have a set of wheels that you plan to use, or if you are building a set up. When I was building my 1st generation s40, I decided to use wide 650b rims from Light Bicycle (affordable carbon). The slightly smaller rim size allowed me to mount 42mm Panaracer Gravelkings, front and rear, running them tubeless and with disc brakes. The overall wheel circumference is similar to a 700c x 25 wheel, but the ride of the 42's has a super nice float to it.
 

super slim

Zen MBB Master
Today I tried the Schwalbe Kojak 35-622 on the 2020 S40 fork - doesn't fit. Even the hub itselft isn't all the way in since the tire is hiting the crown of the fork.




I'm doubtfull that even some 32mm tire will fit with any/enough clearance. I decided to go with the 30mm. Fingers crossed that other tyre brands have a similar height as the stock Kenda, for example the Vittoria Corsa Control G2.0 or the Schwalbe G-one, both in 30-622 versions.

Maybe I should go for 28-622? Anyone tried these on rough roads with the ventisit pad? Don't have the pad yet, but I am planning to aquire the thicker version of it, so I'm interested if it is bearable or not with 28mm tires. Since I do encounter a fair bit of shitty roads where I drive, that is the only reason I want to go with a wider tire. I know that comfort is a highly subjective matter, even more for us with back problems, but I'm just interested in some general opinions. 28mm width has a lot more options, like Continental GP5000 for example. I want a tire which has the best grip with some form of puncture protection (even minimal will do), and that it's bearable in the wet. For example, I don't want anything that is worse in the wet, and that is better in the dry from the stock Q45 tires: Maxxis Overdrive Excel. Suggestions appriciated.
What is the rear tyre clearance like?
 

dule0911

Active Member
Didn't check the rear, but it should be the same as for older s40 frames - plently of space.

@chicorider
I have a set of 622x21 wheels which I thought would be my touring/long brevets set, since they have 32 spokes and a dynamo hub. But now that my only tire options are 28 or 30mm for 622, I'm not sure that I will keep them, or maybe just keep the hubs and transform them into 650b. I got another recomendation for the gravelkings, they are on my shortlist even in 28mm width.
Currently I'm going to use the wheels that I have for everything, and actively search what wheels to buy for training/one day rides. Hunt 4 season gravel disc is currently my favourite in terms of value for money: https://www.huntbikewheels.com/coll...vel-disc-road-cx-wheelset-1589g-24deep-24wide
I didn't really look into carbon wheels, since they are expensive and usually dont have the system weight limit I need. That is at least 110kg: I'm in the 90-95kg range, the bike will be around 12, some water bottles etc and I'm at 110 easily.
 

velocio

Austrian roadside steckerlfisch (fish on a stick)
View attachment 9481

Here is a photo of a Continental GP 4000 IIs 700c x 28mm mounted on a Boyd Carbon Disc Wheel (inner diameter=22mm) on my 2020 S40. I can just barely get a 1.5mm allen wrench in the gap. I have no issues with rubbing or debris catching on the crown of the fork. I would be really interested to know if a Schwalbe Pro One 700 x 30 or a Continental 5000 700x32 or 700x28 Tubeless would work. As @Robert Holler has already mentioned, there is plenty of clearance on the rear.

View attachment 9481

Keep in mind that few tires will measure the "size" marked on the tire in width, much less in height. Conti GP 4000 IIs' are famously larger than their marked size, but the GP 5000 are closer to marked size and sometimes smaller than the marked size. One very useful source for tire sizes measured using a consistent protocol is BicycleRollingResistance.com. As it happens they did a comparison of the GP 4000 IIs in 23/25/28 sizes (https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/specials/conti-gp4000s-ii-23-25-28) and later the GP 5000 in 23/25/28/32 (https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/specials/grand-prix-5000-comparison). The short story is that the 4000 700x28 is bigger than marked -- BRR measured 31mm wide and 29mm tall. The GP 5000 in 700x28 measured 28.5 wide and 26mm tall, while the 5000 700x32 measured 31.8mm wide and 30mm tall.

-Jack K.
 

benphyr

Guru-me-not
Here is an idea - maybe I can go for a wider (comfier) tire in the rear, for example 28 front 32 or 35 rear. Other then looks, I can't see an issue with that combination.
A very good plan if my single data point comparison holds any validity.

I have a QX100 with 1.5" x 559 tires and rear shock and I have a conversion kit seen in my avatar with 1.75" x 559 tires and no shock (very rigid rear "seat stay" supporting the seat back) which would be more rigid similar to the S40 (in terms of rigid rear end). The front ends are pretty similar setup. I transition onto and off of sidewalks onto roadways many times during my commute every day and I find that though the rigid rear end hits harder than the suspension the ability to have lower air pressure in the rear tire I think makes it good to ride. The suspension on the Q absorbs more but is unnecessary for dealing with reasonable road stuff. When I have it appropriately low it is fine over those transitions and over potholes, etc. but if I have pressure high (above 60psi) then it affects comfort and handling when hitting transitions/large potholes. The front on the other hand is rigid on both of them and I pretty much don't notice whether the pressure is higher or lower except to wince if it is lower in fear of pinch flats. Hope that experience helps. I like your idea.
 
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