Facebook Twitter Instagram
    FeedTheHabit.com
    • Home
    • Gear Reviews
      • Mountain Biking
      • Road Biking
      • Bike Commuting
      • Trail Running
      • Skiing
      • Outdoors
      • Water Sports
      • Vehicles
    • News
    • Trip Reports
    • Videos
    FeedTheHabit.com
    WTB Expanse 32 Tires Review - Tan Sidewall
    Gear Reviews

    WTB Expanse 32 TCS Tires Review

    Jason MitchellBy Jason MitchellSeptember 21, 20221 Comment5 Mins Read

    In case you haven’t heard, 32mm is the new 28mm tire. With disc brakes and updated frame clearances, if a road bike can’t accept at least a 32mm tire, it’s dead to me. Yes, that eliminates some race bikes, but it encompasses the vast majority of bikes on the market. WTB has been at the forefront of adventure tires since the category existed and the WTB Expanse 32 TCS tires offer tons of versatility for modern road and light gravel use.

    WTB Expanse 32 TCS 60tpi Dual DNA Tire Features:

    • Slick centerline efficiency
    • Hatched intermediate tread with minimalist side knobs
    • Single-ply 60tpi casing TCS tubeless casing
    • Inflate to 35-65 psi
    • Weight: 312 grams (tan wall, each, stated)
    • Measured width: 33.8mm (on 21mm internal width rim)
    • MSRP: $65.95
    WTB Expanse 32 Tires Review - Tread Details
    They roll fast, expel water and handle well.

    Great tire for choppy roads and rough shoulders

    Narrow tires have had their day in the sun. Now, it’s time for wider road and all-road tires to move into the spotlight and many of them will look a lot like the WTB Expanse 32 tires. That fast center tread moves outward with a file tread, followed by low-knobbies to deliver traction in rough terrain. Throughout the summer, the BMC Roadmachine X ONE has been my only “road bike” and the Expanse 32’s have tested well on all my local rides as well as a few days on the Washington coast.

    Like all tires, the stated widths should be taken somewhat lightly. Of course, a 32mm tire will measure in that ballpark, just like a 25mm tire does. But, inner rim widths and tire stretching plays a part in that as well. Aboard the BMC CRD-321 Carbon Wheelset, which features a 21mm inner width, the Expanse 32’s settled in a whisker shy of 34mm wide. Most modern road bikes have at least 32mm stated clearance, but keep that extra millimeter in mind should you install them on a race bike with tighter clearances.

    WTB Expanse 32 Tires Review - Rainy Ride
    I navigated a Utah summer storm with confidence.

    Something else to note here if you are questioning aerodynamics with a 34mm wide tire. Of course, it will increase the drag coefficient of your tire and rim’s leading edge, but you wouldn’t be extremely concerned about that if you’re in the market for these tires. Honestly, I found them to handle well in crosswinds and while I may have lost a little bit of straight-on aerodynamics, I’m not too concerned. For me, where it really counts is rolling efficiency and this tire/wheel combo rolls extremely well. In my standard roll-to-stop tests, the Expanse 32’s on the BMC 321’s rolled as far as some of the best wheel/tire combos I’ve tried. I know it seems crazy, but it’s true.

    Out on the road, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the supple feel of these tires, which yields awesome grip and a comfortable ride. With this tire/wheel combo, running tubeless, I was running between 50-60 psi. My go-to was 55 front and 58 rear, but I lowered it a little on wet rides. I’m sure I could have even ran lower pressures, but I was satisfied with the overall performance.

    PNW Components Coast Bar Tape and BMC Roadmachine X Review
    A soggy morning in Chinook, WA didn’t faze the Expanse 32’s.

    Along the Washington coast, I had some soggy mornings and wet roads. I was so grateful to have the added traction that the WTB Expanse 32’s provide. Cornering grip was always solid and overall traction remained intact during standing efforts on steep climbs. With the file treads, water can push outwards much better than traditional slicks.

    On dry roads, traction is also steady and predictable. I can roll into corners with confidence and not worry as much about debris on the road. On narrow roads, I have been forced to dodge traffic and hopped onto gravel shoulders without a worry — try that with a set of 25mm road tires.

    Wear has been great with very little to speak of after 400 miles. The Orange Seal tire sealant has done well seating the tires and I haven’t had even a puncture. I distinctly recall pulling a few goatheads from the treads, but none of them penetrated the casing. Air loss is great too as I will typically lose about 5 psi after a couple of days.

    Tire presssure: Running tubeless, at my 173 lb weight, I’ve been riding these typically at 55psi front and 58 psi rear.

    The Good

    • Confidence to dabble in light gravel
    • Great for rough roads
    • Seat up nicely
    • Slick center tread rolls fast
    • Resisted thorns so far
    • Great wet weather traction

    The Bad

    • Hard to find the tan wall version
    • Could stretch out and cause frame clearance issues on some frames

    The Bottom Line: WTB Expanse 32 Tires

    I’m loving that 30-32mm tires are the new normal across all road bikes. And, if your frame can fit them, these will expand the capabilities of your road bike even further. While I wouldn’t call these a straight-up gravel tire, you could dabble in smooth gravel surfaces, if the opportunity arises. I love the wet weather performance they afford and have found the Expanse 32’s to quickly roll along when pushed. WTB has aptly named these “adventure road” tires, and you won’t be let down when using them in ways that would overwhelm standard road treads.

    Buy Now: Available from REI

    75
    SHARES
    ShareTweet
    tires WTB
    Previous ArticleFresh (Fast) Wheels: Roval Rapide CL II
    Next Article Rabbit UPF 30 Deflector Hoodie Review
    Jason Mitchell
    • Website
    • Twitter

    A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continues as he founded this site in 1999 -- sharing his love of road biking, mountain biking, trail running and skiing. That passion is channeled into every article or gear review he writes. Utah's Wasatch Mountains are his playground.

    You Might Also Like

    Küat Grip 4 Ski Rack Review

    January 26, 2023

    Trek Circuit Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey Review

    January 23, 2023

    Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Insulated Jacket Review

    January 19, 2023

    1 Comment

    1. Rick B on September 21, 2022 4:43 am

      Typically thoughtful review! FWIW, I have a pair of these that I use for my Argon 18 Dark Matter gravel bike for commuting and occasional road riding. They are mounted tubeless on Zipp 303S wheels (orang sealant; 45 psi). WAM is about 34 mm. I have been very happy with them. They roll fast and grip well. I frequently ride them on the C&O canal path, and they handle that kind of “light gravel” with no problem. I happened to commute yesterday using my “fast” gravel tires (Challenge Gravel Grinders, 38 mm), and they were noticeably slower than the WTB Expanse tires. Would these be my first choice for fast group or solo rides on my road bike? No, but they are an excellent choice for all around riding.

      Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Most Popular

    Montec Fawk Ski Jacket and Bib Review

    February 28, 2022
    8.9

    Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

    November 4, 2021
    8.5

    Canyon Lux Trail CF 7 Review

    November 28, 2022

    Patagonia Downdrift Parka Review

    February 2, 2022
    9.2

    SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS Groupset Review

    August 12, 2022

    Ultimate All-rounder? Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket Review

    February 2, 2021

    SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Gravel Kit Review

    September 17, 2021

    Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket and Pants Review, feat. Gore-Tex ePE membrane

    December 21, 2022
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

    September 9, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

    June 18, 2020
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Advertisement
    Our Latest Posts
    • Küat Grip 4 Ski Rack Review
    • Ibis Exie Goes Global
    • Trek Circuit Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey Review
    • Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Insulated Jacket Review
    • Pearl Izumi PRO NeoShell WxB Jacket Review
    • Montane Anti-Freeze Down Hooded Jacket Review
    • Fresh Wheels: Fezzari Veyo is an Aero All-rounder
    • Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoody Review
    • Review: Patagonia Long-sleeve Capilene Cool Merino Shirt
    • 2022 Gear of the Year
    About Us
    About Us

    Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

    External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

    To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

    © FeedTheHabit.com 1999 - 2023. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.