BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Clement is rolling out a range of 650b tires at this weekend's QBP Frostbike event. The company plans to release several widths and treads in the 650b size over the next three months.
The first to be released is X'PLOR Strada USH in a 650b x 42, tubeless ready. The tire's outer diameter is equivalent to a 700cx23 tire. The Strada USH is both an adventure and all-commuter tread, combining a fast-rolling center track with a scaled up herringbone tread for traction in the turns. It will retail for $67.
The X'PLOR MSO 650b x 42 tubeless will be available next month and an X'PLOR MSO 650b x 50 mm tubeless ready model will be available in May. Both of these models will also retail for $67.
The company said the X'PLOR MSO is "a serious adventure tire that was designed from the ground-up for multiple conditions and is a distinct Clement tread pattern of both polygonal and hexagonal shapes, smooth-rolling center knobs and aggressive shoulder lugs for cornering control." It has a soft rubber compound for extra grip and shock absorption combined with the tightly packed center knobs and aggressive shoulder lugs for traction and durability.
"With the growth of the gravel category comes an increased need for additional sizes for both our OE customers and for the aftermarket," said Clement product development director Johs Huseby. "We've developed this 650b range in reaction to the market's demand for more universal platforms. Several brands have created models where one can use a 700c wheel for faster, less aggressive road riding, where a 650b wheel and larger volume tire can be used for exploring off the beaten path."
"And while some are creating a do-all bike, others like the opportunity to offer smaller sizes with a 650b wheel as opposed to being constrained by the larger 700c diameter ... As frames get smaller, it becomes more and more difficult to eliminate toe clip overlap, however with the smaller wheel size, the bikes become more proportionate."
Clement also will release a 650b x 36 mm MSO and will soon roll out its MXP cyclocross tread in a 650b x 33 mm option. Additionally Clement has also developed a 24 x 1.25 (32 mm) MXP cyclocross tire available in both tubeless ready and 60 TPI versions. That tire is slated for a March release date and is expected to carry an msrp of $55 for tubeless and $40 for the 60 tpi model.
