IRC Boken Doublecross TLR Gravel Tire

I ride a mix of paved and dirt roads with a few trails thrown in when the mood strikes. I like that these tires allow you to continue on when you find that some of your favorite dirt roads have gone soft from wet or recent grading. They also roll well on the pavement, and it usually takes about ten miles of road to get into the dirt roads for me. When you want a tire that allows you to take whatever road you want and adapt your ride to how you're feeling at the time, these are the tires to use. I'll use 3 per year and probably ride around 5000 miles per year and weigh around 210. In 3 years of using them, I've not yet been stranded with a major blow out.

I have these in 700x42 on my Surly Midnight Special, which I treat like a gravel bike. Unfortunately, my local rides are about 50/50 gravel/pavement. They are absolutely amazing off road, fast rolling but great grip. Riding single track they feel as well planted as my mountain bike. But the tradeoff is I'm like 2-3 miles per hour slower on road versus my Gravelking SK. I'm going to leave them on for now, at least through winter, and reevaluate in Spring. They look awesome which is a nice bonus!

I was able to mount them tubeless with CushCore liners. It was my first time installing cushcore so it took me three times longer than it should have to mount a tire. But they set up fine with an air compressor and held air with sealant.

I have ridden both the 42mm and 38mm versions of this tire and they are excellent. The tread gives tons of grip in the loose stuff while providing low rolling resistance on the road. Before riding the Doublecross I had been on WTB Resolute (42mm), which I consider an excellent tire. The Doublecross are just a bit better in every category. More grip, less rolling resistance and longer wearing. I typically got 1,000-1,250 miles out of the WTB and I have gotten 2,000 miles out of the Doublecross. They are absolutely bulletproof.

Several friends also ride this tire and the one complaint that I have heard (from only one person) is that they lack "suppleness". I think that is fair. Something about the rubber compound just makes it a bit harder. To my mind and most other people that I have talked to, there isn't really a negative since they still have great grip in the dirt.

The 42mm is the only tire I am riding now. Probably the only reason to go down to the 38mm is if your bike can't fit the 42mm.

I was surprised, but they were very easy to mount. Have run them over sharp rocks in NC and in Montana. No punctures. Hold air better than any other tubeless tire that I have run on my grave bike. Tread pattern rolls well and grips we.

Improved handling.

Great for frozen dirt and light snow.

Mounted on front of diverge.

According to my competitors, this tire is pretty fast and the Pro's ride them. True to size. Not sure if I am going to race the 42's or 38's.

Seem to roll easily and definitely have bite in the loose stuff. I only question the compliance, not as smooth as GK SKs.