I have a 34 chainring x 40 in the back. Hope that’s enough.
Is there phone number you called to check?
I was thinking going from the house and back. But the gradients of the last 10-12miles have me reconsidering this option.
I’m curious about them regardless.
Aero penalty in the climb is minimal. The RH are faster rolling than most (all?) 38-40’s tires in the mkt.
Check here for road status: http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/road-conditions/
There might not be much aero penalty from a larger tire, but there will 100% be a weight penalty from a wider tire.
Amazing!. Thanks a lot!!..…I’m assuming I don’t need any park permit to be bought in advance, correct?
Yes, 17g per tire vs a 32mm Conti GP5000
I take it you’re looking to try the extra light’s then? If so, I’ve got a set(brand new) that I’m not gonna be using, probably can work out a deal if you’re interested.
Is 4x4 strictly necessary?. I’m renting a suburban, the 4x4 is $250 more.
Car rental agreements will explicitly state you should not take a non 4x4 up Maunea Kea. If you did and needed recovery it would be very expensive. Car rental places may not be too happy with you taking 4x4 vehicles up there.
Having been up Mauna Kea (not cycling up) a 4x4 is definitely a good idea for the gravel section.
How about using S-Works Pathfinder? It’s light for a 42mm tire and pretty durable.
I don’t think they’ll let you up without it.
If the terrain is dry and super hard packed, then regular road tires would be optimal if you care about riding fast. Maybe run 28mm and lower the pressure a bit
100% they won’t, the rangers will check and make you demonstrate you know how to use it.
I just coached a buddy up for MK and a big part was tire and gearing choice. The lowering gearing you have, the smaller tire you can run.
He was set up with 32mm mondos and a 34t chain ring (10-52 out back) on a rodeo labs flaanimal. He said it was perfect. (completed it last month)
One consideration is they are now having everyone stop at the ranger station for about 30 minutes, and they won’t let you go through unless you wait. They claim it is for altitude sickness issues they have seen.
I might use the regular PF
Insanity
Hoping I can show them I live at 8000 ft. I’ll be ok.
//
Overall it seems that MK is a place full of annoying regulations 
I wish that worked! We are in Boulder and practiced riding up evans/pikes and spent a TON of training time above 10k. They wouldn’t have any of it. I hope they change their stance soon!
It’s 20 min. Everyone does it. Moreover, by the time you’ve done all the things you should be doing at the VIS, it’s been 20 minutes: snack, refill bottles, change tire pressure, poop, layers. Furthermore, unless you get off the plane from 8000 ft and start climbing, you’re altitude acclimation won’t be doing you a whole lot of good.
Exactly.
Also the excuse ‘I live at 8k feet’ is a bit off the mark. Huge difference between 8k and 13.8k
Also, they aren’t really expecting anyone to acclimate, moreso they are using it to make sure you don’t exhibit any signs of altitude sickness. No one is acclimating to altitude, that happens over weeks, not minutes.
I think I might do it the 2nd day.
Even huge-er from 5000k or 2500k or sea level 
. I shouldn’t brag about the altitude superpowers, but they are real. One struggles A LOT less. Period.
It doesn’t sound like that many regulations (only two?), moreso a problem with the fact the world is full of dumb people.
I bet it’s super expensive to rescue people from up there.
I don’t know if it would be super expensive, but in a life threatening situation where minutes matter, help up there would be HOURS away.
I road my mtn bike up Haleakala on Maui to ride down the back side mtn bike trails. I lived in SF at the time. I did have a splitting headache when I got to the top. I’m sure you will be fine. Living and riding at 10,000 feet has its benefits.
What is the best time of year to attempt this ride?
Joe