It was about 10 years ago that I started to prefer cyclocross bikes to road. I could install 700x25c tires and do most road group rides, or ride 700×32 with fenders throughout the winter and fall. The bikes were more comfortable due to the fatter tires and had a taller bottom bracket than road bikes which allowed me to hop curbs, or take the less traveled trail.
These days it seems that gravel and adventure bikes are becoming the bike to have. There is even a road plus springing up across the market which brings back the 650b (about 1.5″ smaller wheel diameter with 2x wider tire). I will wax on in the future of why both of these things are exciting, but today we are talking about tires. Specifically, the WTB Exposure 32 Road TCS (sealant tubeless) tire.
WTB Exposure 32 Road TCS tires
Weight: 315g
MSRP: $80
Available sizes: 30, 32, 34c
Other: Tubeless,
Typically 32mm wide slick tires have fallen into two categories: heavy and for commuter style riding, or extremely niche and expensive. There wasn’t a true “road tire” in 30-34c that you could find easy at your local shop until the last season of new bike products hit the scene. Really, the most reasonable option was the Panaracer Pasela. A great tire, but not durable at all. The WTB Exposure Road tire, ready for tubeless setup, was originally released in 30 and 34c, and now they are releasing the 32c version.
Questions for Testing
We hope to have a set of these tires arriving soon for testing. Our core testing standards for these tires by priority: handling, durability, and weight. At $80 a piece, they need to have 4 stars in each category for us to recommend them.
Have you ridden them? Let us know what you think.
Photo Credit: WTB
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