So, my last Brevet setup decision, tyres. I am running 26 inch with ghetto tubeless (Stans juice). The event is 1100km: 50% sealed roads, 40% gravel roads, 6% 4WD, 4% singletrack. Bike is full suspension so the tyres will have a bit of an easier time off road.
Until recently I have been thinking light / fast rolling tyres and careful line choice on rocks and 'she'll be alright'. However, riding part of the course at the weekend (Manguatapu) I started thinking that might be a bit naive when tired and fully loaded up, so maybe some sidewall protection would be in order. Of course the proper 'bikepackers' would just carry a sewing kit for trail sidewall repairs...
So my criteria: fast rolling, a bit of sidewall protection, (ghetto) tubeless compatibility, good for 1100km. So probably a 'slick with sideknobs' type tyre that I can pump to to 60+psi for the road, and drop to 30psi for off road. Here's my shortlist:
Maxxis:
Wormdrive (bit skinny, only come in 1.9)
Crossmark 2.1 / 2.25
Ikon 2.2 (reportedly faster rolling than Crossmark but doesn't look like it would be)
Stans Ravens
A bit fragile?
WTB Vulpine
A bit fragile?