Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the original gravel tyre rolls into 2024 with a ground-up redesign
Panaracer has unveiled a full redesign of its GravelKing tyre range.
The revamped tyres feature a revised bead profile, plus a whole new casing profile and moulding, while there’s a fresh addition to the range in the form of the all-new X1 – described as the fastest GravelKing tyre yet.
The X1 is the first new model in the GravelKing range since 2017’s SS tyre.
Whats new?
The GravelKing redesign has been two years in the making. The new tyre range has been reimagined from the ground up.
When the original GravelKing surfaced, typical internal rim widths were commonly around 17mm, with the widest only around 19mm.
The GravelKing was designed around this, but skip to 2024 and wheels are commonly around 25mm internally. That figure gets even wider on some gravel wheels such as Zipp’s 101, which comes in at 27mm.
The new GravelKing X1 is shaped and sized to reflect this.
Tyre widths have generally got wider in the years since the first-generation GravelKings launched. While the tyres used to range from 32c up to a 43c, the new range will rise in 5mm increments to a maximum of 50mm for the GravelKing SK.
That means more choice, not only in tread profile, but also a greater range of widths from tyres suitable for lightweight all-roaders and racers such as BMC’s Kaius and the burliest rowdy gravel bikes, such as GT’s latest Grade X.
The GravelKing sizing is now easier to understand across the board, starting at 30c and rising to 50c (50c GravelKing SK only). The 700 x 32, 38 and 43Cs are being retired. There will still be 650b, 26in and 29in tyres available.
New compound
The GK range uses a new compound based on Panaracer’s ZSG (Zero Slip Grip), but with the recipe tweaked for gravel riding use.
Panaracer claims the compound has increased resilience against temperature variations to make it feel consistent on everything from hot summer days to sub-zero winter rides.
Panaracer also claims big improvements in reducing rolling resistance.
We’ve been impressed by Panaracer’s latest generation of road tyres, such the Agilest, and it’ll be interesting to see if the new GK range can match its tarmac siblings.
New bead profile
The GKs now feature Panaracer’s BeadLock design. This redesigned bead has been engineered to work with a wide range of rim types and widths, both hookless and clincher varieties.
Panaracer claims this means tyre mounting becomes easier and even achievable with a standard floor pump.
New tougher structure
Panaracer tells us TuffTex is a revolutionary structure crafted exclusively for GravelKing tyres.
With a supple, high-thread-count casing, TuffTex is said to ensure durability while boasting precisely engineered bead-to-bead puncture protection.
Building upon this innovation, TuffTex features a dual layer of bead-to-bead TuffTex material, enhancing puncture resistance and overall security, according to Panaracer.
This is the first time the GravelKings have offered full bead-to-bead protection rather than a protective strip underneath the tread.
Panaracer recommends TuffTex for long-distance gravel bikepackers carrying extra weight.
The range also includes a TuffTex R casing, which is claimed to be Panaracer’s supplest and lightest ever casing for a gravel tyre. It also gives the R (racing) tyres the lowest rolling resistance of the range.
Panaracer is offering the R version for its GK, GK SK, GK SS and X1 models.
New GravelKing X1
The X1 is claimed to be the fastest GravelKing model ever produced, with a new aggressive tread pattern designed to both roll fast and clear mud quickly in wet conditions.
New Panaracer GravelKing range details
GravelKing: the classic GK square-blocked tread pattern with a fast-rolling centre.
GravelKing SS: semi-slick for hard-packed dry, dusty conditions and mixed surfaces (tarmac and gravel).
GravelKing SK: the SK pattern consists of small knob blocks packed tightly together for a fast-rolling gravel tyre suited to dry conditions.
Gravel King EXT: for extreme conditions, wet winter mud and low-grip terrain.
Gravel King X1: the new do-it-all tyre, with larger knobs set higher up the tread pattern and increased shoulder grip. Larger spaces between the knobs are designed to help clear mud in adverse conditions.
Each tread version is now available in Standard, +, and R casings.
| Range | Wheel / Tyre Sizes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 700C | 29″ | 26″ | 650b | ||||||
| Standard | GravelKing | 26C, 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C | 38, 42, 48 | ||||||
| GravelKing SS | 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C | 38, 43, 48 | |||||||
| GravelKing SK | 26C, 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C, 50C | 2.1 | 2.1 | 43, 48, 54 | |||||
| GravelKing EXT | 38C, (45C) | ||||||||
| GravelKing X1 | 35C, 40C, 45C | ||||||||
| + | GravelKing + | 30C, 35C, 40C | |||||||
| GravelKing SS + | 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C | ||||||||
| GravelKing SK + | 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C, 50C | 2.1 | 2.1 | 48 | |||||
| GravelKing EXT + | 38C, (45C) | ||||||||
| GravelKing X1 + | 35C, 40C, 45C | ||||||||
| R | GravelKing R | 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C | |||||||
| GravelKing SS R | 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C | ||||||||
| GravelKing SK R | 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C | ||||||||
| GravelKing X1 R | 35C, 40C, 45C | ||||||||