The GravelKing redesign has been two years in the making. The new tyre range has been reimagined from the ground up.<\/p>
When the original GravelKing<\/a> surfaced, typical internal rim widths were commonly around 17mm, with the widest only around 19mm.<\/p> 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<\/a> such as Zipp\u2019s 101<\/a>, which comes in at 27mm.<\/p> The new GravelKing X1 is shaped and sized to reflect this.<\/p> 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.<\/p> 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\u2019s Kaius<\/a> and the burliest rowdy gravel bikes<\/a>, such as GT\u2019s latest Grade X.<\/a><\/p> 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.<\/p> The GK range uses a new compound based on Panaracer\u2019s ZSG (Zero Slip Grip), but with the recipe tweaked for gravel riding<\/a> use.<\/p> 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.<\/p> Panaracer also claims big improvements in reducing rolling resistance. <\/p> We\u2019ve been impressed by Panaracer\u2019s latest generation of road tyres<\/a>, such the Agilest<\/a>, and it\u2019ll be interesting to see if the new GK range can match its tarmac siblings.<\/p> The GKs now feature Panaracer\u2019s BeadLock design. This redesigned bead has been engineered to work with a wide range of rim types and widths, both hookless and clincher varieties.<\/p> Panaracer claims this means tyre mounting becomes easier and even achievable with a standard floor pump.<\/p> Panaracer tells us TuffTex is a revolutionary structure crafted exclusively for GravelKing tyres.<\/p> With a supple, high-thread-count casing, TuffTex is said to ensure durability while boasting precisely engineered bead-to-bead puncture protection.<\/p> Building upon this innovation, TuffTex features a dual layer of bead-to-bead TuffTex material, enhancing puncture resistance and overall security, according to Panaracer.<\/p> This is the first time the GravelKings have offered full bead-to-bead protection rather than a protective strip underneath the tread.<\/p> Panaracer recommends TuffTex for long-distance gravel bikepackers carrying extra weight.<\/p> 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.<\/p> Panaracer is offering the R version for its GK, GK SK, GK SS and X1 models.<\/p> 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.<\/p> GravelKing:<\/strong> the classic GK square-blocked tread pattern with a fast-rolling centre.<\/p> GravelKing SS:<\/strong> semi-slick for hard-packed dry, dusty conditions and mixed surfaces (tarmac and gravel).<\/p> GravelKing SK:<\/strong> the SK pattern consists of small knob blocks packed tightly together for a fast-rolling gravel tyre suited to dry conditions.<\/p> Gravel King EXT:<\/strong> for extreme conditions, wet winter mud and low-grip terrain.<\/p> Gravel King X1:<\/strong> 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.<\/p> Each tread version is now available in Standard, +, and R casings.<\/p>New compound<\/h2>
![\"Panaracer](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Panaracer-Gravelking-X1-R-tread.jpeg\")
New bead profile<\/h2>
![\"Panaracer](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Panaracer-Gravelking-SS-tread.jpeg\")
New tougher structure<\/h2>
![\"Panaracer](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Panaracer-Gravelking-SK-tread.jpeg\")
New GravelKing X1<\/h2>
New Panaracer GravelKing range details<\/h2>
![\"Panaracer](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Panaracer-Gravelking-Pack-02.jpeg\")
![\"Panaracer](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Panaracer-Gravelking-SS-weight.jpeg\")
![\"Panaracer](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Panaracer-Gravelking-Sk-weight.jpeg\")
![\"Panaracer](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Panaracer-Gravelking-X1-weight.jpeg\")
![\"Panaracer](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/02\/Panaracer-Gravelking-X1-R-weight.jpeg\")
\ufeffRange<\/th> Wheel \/ Tyre Sizes<\/th> <\/tr><\/thead> 700C<\/td> 29″<\/td> 26″<\/td> 650b<\/td> <\/tr> Standard<\/td> GravelKing<\/td> 26C, 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C<\/td> 38, 42, 48<\/td> <\/tr> GravelKing SS<\/td> 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C<\/td> 38, 43, 48<\/td> <\/tr> GravelKing SK<\/td> 26C, 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C, 50C<\/td> 2.1<\/td> 2.1<\/td> 43, 48, 54<\/td> <\/tr> GravelKing EXT<\/td> 38C, (45C)<\/td> GravelKing X1<\/td> 35C, 40C, 45C<\/td> +<\/td> GravelKing +<\/td> 30C, 35C, 40C<\/td> GravelKing SS +<\/td> 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C<\/td> GravelKing SK +<\/td> 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C, 50C<\/td> 2.1<\/td> 2.1<\/td> 48<\/td> <\/tr> GravelKing EXT +<\/td> 38C, (45C)<\/td> GravelKing X1 +<\/td> 35C, 40C, 45C<\/td> R<\/td> GravelKing R<\/td> 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C<\/td> GravelKing SS R<\/td> 28C, 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C<\/td> GravelKing SK R<\/td> 30C, 35C, 40C, 45C<\/td> GravelKing X1 R<\/td> 35C, 40C, 45C<\/td>