Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge Tire Review

Rene Herse Cycles' first bikepacking-specific tire, the 29" x 2.2" Fleecer Ridge, was designed in collaboration with Lael Wilcox for rides such as the Tour Divide and Silk Road Mountain Race. After putting nearly 1,000 miles on a pair, find out why Neil thinks this might be one of the best tires in its class. And find more pics and specs on the website at bikepacking.com/gear/rene-her...
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Hosted by Neil Beltchenko
Music by Ben Weaver (benweaver.net)
More at bikepacking.com/gear/rene-her...

[@alecfotsch3533]

The Oracle Ridge was just announced too in a 700x48! Thanks for the review!

[@scottpollock2785]

I just put a set on my Cutthroat tonight. Wow, am I impressed! Huge difference from the stock Sparwoods. They roll so much better. Thanks for the great review, it's what led me to buy them.

[@skibum0073]

Went on a ride today with rough gravel, tons of climbing and some pavement. This tire was so smooth and stable. What a comfortable ride!! I felt very secure on the fast and steep gravel downhills.

[@miguelacosta1494]

Awesome review, Neil. I remember tuning into the sitdown with you, Rene and Lael - I may have found a suitable replacement for my Bontrager Chupa's 29 x 3.0.

[@drouleau]

Love Rene Herse tires - I run the 42mm Hurricane Ridge tires and they have been my favorite gravel tire to date. I'm going with a new bike for next year that'll take up to a 48mm tire, so I'll have to check out the Oracle Ridge at some point.

[@aleksei6455]

Nice review, Neil! Would be good to see something the same about Antelope Hill TC tire from ReneHerse.

[@AdrianHansenBikes]

You probably know this tubeless trick, but for those who don't: If a tire doesn't want to seat, take the tubeless valve out and put a normal tube in. Inflate that, setting the bead all around, and then unseat one side to take the tube out. Put the tubeless valve back in and it should be about 1/2 as hard to seat because one side was already done by the tube! Never failed me except once (I ended up getting a AIRSHOT canister, it's amazing and small and cheap enough).

[@lebanc571]

I just did the same thing setting my tires. Didn't work with the front tire amd I had to use a Co2 cannister as well. There's always one tire that doesn't work.

[@aledge6317]

If a tyre doesnt seat then add another layer of tape to the rim and try again.

[@rollinrat4850]

You can also get air faster thru the valve with the core removed using a compressor and an air gun. This might help to seat your bead. If you're serious about running tubeless, just get an small inexpensive paint compressor. They have several other uses and make it really easy. Using a floor pump or CO2s sounds pretty damned frustrating. ALWAYS set up your tires without sealant first to ensure reliability and to avoid wasting sealant. Good reliable tubeless set ups should hold air without sealant for at least 15 minutes or so. Ive got set ups so good they held air for over 10 days.

[@kevindean9613]

I had to do this with these & I have a compressor , If you have to take the tyre off after this they are still a nightmare to get back on .

[@WordupG]

I ride the 650b x 48mm version of these and they are fantastic. On the road I’m barely slower than my 700c x 28mm GP5000s, which boggles my mind. In the dirt they hook up way better than the smooth RH tires. All I want now is a 650b x 55 or 60mm!

[@MoyMacGill]

Thanks for sharing your views on this tire. I’ve been looking for tires in this size range and not being and aficionado on tires(basically still learning the differences) I would have looked past this tire because I don’t understand a lot about the lugs on mountain bike tires. I have to ride almost 30 miles to even get to gravel roads. So I have been hoping that there would be a all around tire that would be able to do service road in a full day ride.

[@TheMirrorVision]

Great video and review! Which beautiful location did you record this in?

[@91F2Z]

Seems very similar to the Maxxis Pace. I'm impressed with the Pace, and next TD may take 'em along. Anyone have experience on both?

[@climbslc2281]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a pair for an upcoming 200 mile gravel event. Well, actually one Fleecer 55mm and one Oracle 48mm for the back (copied from Lael's Untamed XL setup). I've ridden them around 200 miles and gotta agree, they are performing very well. I'm 170lbs and running 23psi front and 25psi rear for off-road. BTW Neil, you have earned a compressor!

[@veitchy88]

Do you happen to know how wide the fleecer was once mounted up, and maybe the internal width of your rim?

[@nesutoneko]

Did I miss actual width and what the internal width of your rims are? Thanks!

[@chacmool2581]

I wish you'd review more pedestrian, affordable stuff. You know, working-class pace.

[@pampaII]

Great review. I also saw the video with Rene and Lael. Do you have any comments as to how these compare with Maxxis Ikons or Sparwood Rutlands? I'm trying tires to with the idea to do the TD 2021. Thanks!

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

I have used all of those tires and you really can't go wrong. I like the Fleecer Ridge because is has the best breaking among the three and it rolls incredibly well. I also like it among those three tires because of the deep lugs should last the entire length of the GDMBR, where the smaller lugs on the Ikon and Rutland may wear over the course of 2700 miles. That being said, you can't go wrong, just make sure to get the most durable sidewall.

[@ianboltron]

Where are you located? The scenery looks amazing!

[@junboo8730]

I use Airshot because a compressor is too expensive for me. Plus I can take it anywhere and works amazing.

[@josephfarrugia2350]

"Renaayyyy AIRSzzz"

[@sush3450]

Do you know if it’s ok to put these on a 30mm internal width mountain bike wheel? I use my full sus mountain bike for bikepacking and some routes are more gravel than single track so I’m considering these to have just for those routes that are less technically demanding.

[@infoatnorcal2304]

that would work fine. These or Schwalbe G one would be your best options.

[@markmoreno7295]

Ok so I have WTB tires that are 50mm x 700. They are good and I have mostly gotten used to them. So now I want to try Rene Herse. Do I go 48mm or 2.2 (approx 55mm) ? I figure for rides on pavement I would air up and for forest roads I could air down. I use Reserve Fillmore valves and Cliffhanger rims by Velocity. I would want the enduro casing and I might use Tannus inserts or carry a tube with me.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Go big, it gives you more options and they roll really well on pavement.

[@kevindean9613]

What do you prefer This or the Vittoria Mazcal ?

[@paulverweij6348]

Nice review, Im wondering Im planning a Alaska to Mexico (over de GDMBR) ride for 2022 and like these tires but will they hold out 8500km (5300m) including myself I got a 100kg setup. my last Iceland trip I did 3000km on wtb venture but those had only 1000km left when I whas don, on pretty heavy gravel do.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

I would expect them to last the length of the GDMBR, but then replace them after that. So you may want to replace your rubber half way through your trip, it all depends on conditions of the roads/trails and your riding style.

[@samuraioodon]

@@BIKEPACKINGcom how to replace halfway? Bring spare tires? Or buy somewhere in town?

[@atstancioff]

I can't decide between the Endurance casing or the Endurance Plus casing. I Rode the GDMBR in 2018 and planning on another. Will the Endurance work on my fully loaded Cutthroat?

[@ericpmoss]

Did you ever decide which worked best for you? Here is Jan describing the differences in casings, starting at 43:09 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4DWlKGrpZmFr9U

[@Volkmannx]

👍

[@benclark368]

Thanks Neil. What shoes are you sporting?

[@toxicblackwidow9841]

Nice review, thank you.Very well. I'm sure they are fantastic tires and probably , quote, "on of the best tires in its class"... but the price tag here in Europe is just insane. I can buy a pair of great tires for the price of one Fleecer Ridge in the endurance casing ! Moreover, lab testing suggest that, while Rene Herse tires are generally very good tires, they don't perform twice as good as other premium tires. In my opinion, they are overrated.

[@kevindean9613]

Here in the UK they are twice the price of the Vittoria Mazcal , are they worth it ?

[@timrice5342]

That 'lab tested' thing is the Kicker though. I had cheap 28c (30c actually) Michelin dynamics roll just as well as 25c gp4000. But it's the roads I ride, the plumper the tire, the easier it rolls on our local pavement. So on an offroad or deteriorating roads, gravel... I'll take the word on the actual tire experience, over a lab test done on a smooth roller.

[@kevindean9613]

I couldn't resist & pulled the trigger , first of all they are a nightmare to get on , even once seated if you take them off they are still a nightmare to get back on , they are pretty good but don't roll as fast as my Vittoria Mazcals on mixed surfaces ,I must admit I haven't tried either in really muddy / rainy conditions .I will put the Mazcals back on mainly because I'm nervous about having

[@kevindean9613]

To take the tyre off on a tour .

[@timrice5342]

@@kevindean9613 thanks for the comment. Even if the Rene Herse were better rolling, it doesn't seem worth the hassles. And I've caught the unspoken hint that the standard or extra light is the only one that rolls better, but its a problem child. The endurance is less of a problem but it loses the supple factor. Yet comes with the same high price. (I've no experience though) I'm leery of ordering them. I put on my strata USH with fingers, pumped them up with floor pump. Ran them dry for a year before 1 time on a distance ride in AZ I added sealant for insurance. I think peace of mind goes way farther than, 5 or 6 watts. (I'm not racing). Just looking for that max volume tire. At a lower rotating weight without sacrificing peace of mind.

[@ahmadzuhairi]

Which Salsa bike model is this? The tire clearance is HUGE.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

That is the Salsa Cutthroat.

[@ahmadzuhairi]

@@BIKEPACKINGcom Excellent choice, both tire and bike!

[@joeygray2632]

What helmet are you wearing?

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Its the Smith Network: www.smithoptics.com/en_US/helmets-bike/NETWORK-HELMETS.html

[@snorristurluson9679]

i'm a Tyre Junkey but if they would cost the half i would maybe try them....the price of R.H. Tyres is just ridicoulos..Double as many other good Tyres. At the Moment i try some Vittoria Tyres because they are pretty cheap here in Europe..:)

[@daves5243]

While I agree that their price is hard to justify and has kept me from purchasing a set, I've also heard nothing but rave reviews from everyone who has ridden their tires. I'm about to pull the trigger on a set of the Oracle Ridge 700x48 tires with their standard casing.

[@blakenielsen716]

WARNING: DO NOT BUY! Rene Herse's customer service is terrible. Went for a refund on a poor quality product. They wouldn't do it. If their tire is defective or doesn't fit you will not get a refund/exchange. No customer service phone number either.