u/Bartmobilly

I´m getting a new frameset with a 40mm max tire clearance. Any suggestions, opinions or experience on what is the best way to make most of the clearance? I´ve got 2 wheelsets I can choose from, the other one will be sold:

1. a 40mm tire with a 23mm IW rim

2. a 35-37mm tire with a 29mm IW rim

The bike will be use for light gravel and road so I´m looking at semi-slick or slick tires.

The current graveltrend seems to be in favor of wider rims a´d tires so I don´t see a lot of future for <40mm gravel tires which would be a reason to go for option 1. However wide slicks are becoming more numerous.