{"id":61166,"date":"2024-03-21T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/f32087e9-6269-412d-8452-7d1667bb7f07"},"modified":"2024-03-21T17:59:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T16:59:45","slug":"why-theres-no-such-thing-as-the-perfect-gravel-bike-tyre","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/why-theres-no-such-thing-as-the-perfect-gravel-bike-tyre\/","title":{"rendered":"Why there\u2019s no such thing as the perfect gravel bike tyre"},"content":{"rendered":"

But don\u2019t worry, here\u2019s how to choose the right one for you <\/p>

By Katherine Moore\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 21 March 2024 at 15:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Gravel-specific tyres have exploded in availability in recent years, giving riders plenty of great options.<\/p>

However, this can also make choosing a set to buy much harder and, unfortunately, there\u2019s no perfect gravel tyre that can do everything without compromises.<\/p>

In this article, we delve into the different kinds of gravel tyres and explain why optimising for one thing \u2013 be it speed, weight, puncture protection or grip \u2013 inevitably means compromising on something else.<\/p>

With that in mind, we\u2019ll show you how to pick the best gravel tyres<\/a> for your needs and why, if you want to ride off-road year-round, you should consider having more than one set.<\/p>

What is a gravel bike tyre?<\/h2>
Gravel bikes typically fall somewhere between road and mountain bikes, and so do their tyres. – Katherine Moore<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Typically chunkier and knobblier than a slick and narrow road tyre, yet less beefy and aggressive than a mountain bike tyre<\/a>, gravel bike tyres sit somewhere in the middle of the bicycle-tyre spectrum.<\/p>

Having said that, as gravel riding<\/a> has exploded in popularity, and has diversified from full-throttle gravel racing<\/a> to multi-day dirt touring, the range of demands placed on the kit we use has become increasingly varied.<\/p>

Naturally, tyre manufacturers have rushed to fill gaps in the market, and there are now a huge number of options available, with a range of styles and applications.<\/p>

Some gravel tyres could be easily mistaken for road bike tyres, for example, while chunkier options with more tread share some overlap with the MTB world.<\/p>

Most of these will fall into one of three major categories, however, which can act as a starting point for narrowing your choices.<\/p>

Slicks and semi-slicks<\/h3>
\"Challenge
Challenge’s Strada Bianca Pro H-TLR is essentially just an oversized road bike tyre. – Robin WIlmott \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Featuring the least defined tread, these tyres are most analogous to road bike tyres<\/a>.<\/p>

These prioritise speed over grip, and are sometimes referred to as all-road tyres. They tend to range from a narrow 33mm (cyclocross width) up to around 38mm or 40mm.<\/p>

Examples include the Challenge Strada Bianca<\/a>, Teravail Rampart<\/a> and the Rene Herse Barlow Pass.<\/p>

You can still find wider, higher-volume options too, often called fat slicks or big slicks. These are typically intended to add more comfort into the equation by enabling you to run a lower tyre pressure<\/a>.<\/p>

Examples include the Schwalbe G-One Speed and the GravelKing Slick TLC.<\/p>

Mixed terrain<\/h3>
\"Tyre
Continental’s Terra Speed tyres offer a minimalist tread aimed at providing some off-road grip without increasing rolling resistance too much. – Simon Bromley \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

These tyres fall in the middle ground and tend to be best for all-purpose off-road riding in good conditions, balancing speed and grip.\u00a0<\/p>

Most often available in sizes around 40mm, they\u2019re neither too narrow to limit off-road confidence, nor so wide and heavy as to slow you down too much on linking tarmac.<\/p>

There are many examples in this popular category, including the WTB Nano<\/a>, Continental Terra Speed<\/a>, Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M<\/a> and the Schwalbe G-One Overland<\/a>.<\/p>

Within this category, you\u2019ll find more general-purpose tyres, as well as those positioned for racing, which are often a little lighter and faster-rolling, such as the Schwalbe G-One RS<\/a> and Vittoria Terreno Dry<\/a>.<\/p>

Mud\/winter tyres<\/h3>
\"Vittoria
Vittoria’s Terreno Wet TLR tyres have an aggressive tread designed to grip well on wet and muddy days. – Katherine Moore \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Just as you\u2019ll have mud tyres for the wettest cyclocross courses or install a mud tyre up front on your mountain bike during the foul-weather months, it\u2019s also wise to change your gravel tyres in the winter if you plan on riding through mud and in wet conditions.<\/p>

Mud tyres typically feature an aggressive tread pattern with deep tread blocks, both of which help you to gain traction in the mud, plus siping (indented lines across the top of the tread blocks) to help shed water.<\/p>

The downside of this additional grip is usually increased rolling resistance and weight, though many feel these are worthwhile trade-offs for the added grip and stability on offer.<\/p>

A few examples include the Vittoria Terreno Wet G2.0<\/a>, WTB Sendero<\/a> or Resolute<\/a>, Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite<\/a> and Teravail Rutland<\/a>.<\/p>

Why choosing a gravel tyre is all about trade-offs<\/h2>

Rolling resistance and weight vs durability<\/h3>
\"Specialized
Specialized’s top-of-the-range S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready gravel tyre is its fastest and lightest option on paper, but you have to sacrifice some durability to get its lower rolling resistance. – Josh Patterson \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Rolling resistance describes the energy lost as a tyre rolls across a surface, predominantly due to the deformation of the tyre and friction between the terrain and tread.<\/p>

The level of rolling resistance a tyre has can be attributed to a number of factors, including the design of the tread, width of the tyre, tread compound, tyre construction and tyre pressure.<\/p>

Largely speaking, though, the more aggressive a tyre\u2019s tread, the higher the rolling resistance, whereas more minimalist gravel tyres will \u2013 all else being equal \u2013 roll faster on roads or hard-packed gravel.<\/p>

That\u2019s not the end of the story, though. If you only optimise your gravel tyre choice for the lowest rolling resistance possible, you\u2019ll compromise on durability and puncture resistance.<\/p>

\"Joe
Joe Laverick, a British privateer racer, doesn’t recommend simply picking the fastest gravel tyre on paper. – Matt Grayson<\/figcaption><\/figure>

\u201cWhen it comes to choosing a gravel tyre, my number one priorities are grip and durability,\u201d explains Girona-based gravel privateer and BikeRadar contributor, Joe Laverick<\/a>.<\/p>

\u201cOf course, rolling resistance is very important, but I\u2019d rather have a tyre with slightly more durability than a lower rolling resistance, simply because the time I\u2019d save from a lower rolling resistance, you\u2019d quickly lose if you punctured.\u201d<\/p>

Laverick shared his tyre choice as an example. Despite racing at an elite level, he typically opts to use the standard Specialized Pathfinder tyres, in a size 700x42mm, rather than the lighter, faster (and pricier) S-Works edition.<\/p>

The level of durability required is likely to dictate your tyre choice, too; heading somewhere remote on a multi-day bikepacking trip or riding in an area with flint geology, such as Kansas, might make you opt for tyres with higher levels of puncture protection, even if this results in a heavier tyre with a higher rolling resistance.<\/p>

Fellow gravel privateer Maddy Nutt echoes Joe\u2019s thoughts. \u201cSometimes I get tyres that are slower but are less likely to puncture. For example, at the Migration Gravel Race in Kenya, that was four days and 650 kilometres, and the terrain was rough.\u201d<\/p>

\"Battle
Maddy Nutt echoes Joe’s advice, saying it’s important to consider the demands of your ride before choosing a tyre. – Felix Smith \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

\u201cFor something like that, all I care about is puncture resistance so I lose no time faffing with punctures.\u201d<\/p>

Of course, if you know the parcours of your gravel event will be forgiving, you may be able to get away with a lighter, faster tyre. As always, though, you\u2019ll have to weigh up the potential risks and rewards.<\/p>

When we checked out Maddy\u2019s Ribble Gravel SL<\/a> at the 2023 Battle on the Beach<\/a>, for example, it was specced with 650 x 47c Vittoria Terreno Dry TLR tyres<\/a> \u2013 a highly rated gravel tyre that offers a good balance of grip and speed, and enough durability to cope with the 45km course.<\/p>

Ways to improve gravel tyre durability \u2013 do they work? What are the limitations and drawbacks?<\/h3>

Tubeless setup<\/h3>

The first and most obvious way to improve gravel bike tyre durability is to set them up tubeless<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

This involves removing the inner tubes<\/a> and replacing them with a liquid tubeless sealant<\/a>, as well as tubeless-specific valves, rims and rim tape.<\/p>

\"Movistar
Using a tubeless setup with sealant can help prevent punctures ruining your off-road rides. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

When you get a puncture, rather than piercing a hole in your inner tube, the sealant should flow to the punctured tyre and seal the gap, though it may need some assistance from a tubeless plug<\/a> in cases where the puncture is too large or in an awkward position (such as on the sidewall) .<\/p>

You may even get small punctures during your ride, but because they are sealed nearly immediately, you won’t notice them, nor the small drop in tyre pressure.<\/p>

On the flipside, on the rare occasion your tubeless setup goes wrong, it can sometimes go spectacularly wrong. Putting a spare inner tube into a tyre that\u2019s had sealant in isn\u2019t much fun, and nor is trying to wash the sealant stains out of your favourite riding clothes.<\/p>

\"How
A tubeless plug kit can be used to repair holes too large for sealant to fix alone. – Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

A tubeless setup also enables you to run lower tyre pressures, yielding greater grip and comfort, because you don\u2019t have to worry about pinching the inner tube. Be careful, though, because you can still \u2018snakebite\u2019 through the tyre itself if you\u2019re riding at pressures that are too low.<\/p>

Getting your tyres set up tubeless<\/a> certainly takes more effort \u2013 and equipment \u2013\u00a0than a setup with inner tubes, though with practice and the right tools (i.e. a good tubeless pump or canister), it doesn\u2019t have to be a pain.<\/p>

You\u2019ll also need to keep an eye on the level of tubeless sealant in your tyres because it will dry up over time \u2013 you\u2019ll need to top up every three to six months.<\/p>

Tyre inserts<\/h3>
\"Tubolight
Tyre inserts can offer additional protection against punctures and rim damage, meaning you can safely run lower pressures. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Fitting your tubeless tyres with tyre inserts<\/a> is growing in popularity, and is another technology that has been passed down from the MTB industry.<\/p>

These foam hoops, such as the Vittoria Air-Liner Gravel, sit inside the tyre with the tubeless sealant and act as a cushion between the tyre and the rim of the wheel.<\/p>

Although they\u2019re typically designed to help prevent damage to both the tyre and rim in the case of rock strikes, many also offer increased support for your tyre sidewalls at lower pressures, which can improve handling.<\/p>

Nutt, who has been a tyre-insert convert for the past two years, says: \u201cI noticed one time in a race when another girl hit a rock and I also hit it, she punctured and I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cI think my inserts gave me that extra layer of protection that meant I didn\u2019t puncture, as I definitely felt the tyre compress.\u201d<\/p>

Speed vs grip<\/h3>
\"Schwalbe
Tread patterns on gravel tyres typically involve trade-offs between rolling resistance on hard surfaces and grip on loose or muddy ones. – Scwalbe<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Your choice of tread pattern can make a big difference to how fast or grippy your tyres will be. Slicker tyres are generally designed to prioritise speed, whereas more heavily treaded tyres offer more grip off-road.<\/p>

For many, the compromise between speed and grip leads them to choose a tyre that sits somewhere in the middle of the range.<\/p>

\u201cHow fast the tyres roll is really important, especially for racing,\u201d Nutt says, \u201cbut I also care about the tread pattern and how it\u2019s going to be in terms of descending off-road, and how comfortable I\u2019ll feel off-road. I don\u2019t want to have any instances where I feel I\u2019m slipping.\u201d<\/p>

Many racy gravel tyres have zoned areas of tread, with a slicker centre line for straight-line speed flanked by tread blocks on the shoulders for increased cornering grip on loose ground.<\/p>

\"Schwalbe
Schwalbe’s G-One RS tyre has an almost slick central tread designed to minimise rolling resistance, with only small tread knobs on the shoulders. – Josh Patterson \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The optimal choice of tread pattern will also depend on the terrain you\u2019re tackling. If you spend most of your time on tarmac with only a few sections on easy gravel paths, you could likely benefit from a slicker tyre.<\/p>

In contrast, if you spend more time off-road, especially in mixed conditions, you\u2019ll likely appreciate the additional grip a more aggressively treaded tyre brings.<\/p>

Beyond tread, it\u2019s worth noting the rubber compound used also makes a big difference to speed and grip, but you won\u2019t be able to determine the quality of a tyre\u2019s tread compound just by eyeballing it.<\/p>

For that kind of information, you\u2019ll need to check out independent test sites such as www.bicyclerollingresistance.com<\/a>.<\/p>

Summer vs winter \u2018gravel\u2019<\/h3>
\"Halo
An all-rounder gravel tyre, such as Halo’s GXC, is often a sensible pick, but a jack of all trades can also be a master of none. – Katherine Moore \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

If your riding is more on \u2018mixed terrain\u2019 rather than pure gravel roads, and you live somewhere with a seasonal climate, this will certainly affect you.<\/p>

After a few weeks of rain, even the dustiest of hardpack trails can turn into muddy quagmires, and the rubber requirements for both are very different indeed.<\/p>

Sure, you could run winter tyres year-round to ensure you have enough grip for the sloppier months, but you\u2019ll end up wasting energy when riding in the dry.<\/p>

Likewise, if you keep your slick summer tyres on during a muddy winter, you\u2019ll likely find yourself slipping and sliding all over the place.<\/p>

If you regularly ride in wet conditions, then, look for gravel tyres that feature siping on the tread blocks to help shed water away from the tyre, improving wet-weather grip.<\/p>

How often should you consider swapping your gravel tyres?<\/h3>
\"Michelin
If you want to use tyres like this during the summer, you might consider swapping your tyres for off-road riding during winter. – Warren Rossiter \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Besides replacing them due to wear, you might want to swap out your gravel tyres for a different model for a number of reasons.<\/p>

Different weather conditions, terrain, or even the increased demands of an important event or race, all offer potential reasons to change what you\u2019re running.<\/p>

Perhaps surprisingly, though, Maddy and Joe both said they tend to stick to their tried-and-tested models rather than switching out their rubber too often.<\/p>

Nevertheless, there are plenty of other gravel riders and racers who are keen to match their tyre choice to differing events and conditions.<\/p>

How often you change tyres is, ultimately, a personal choice, though it will also depend on what facilities you have for switching tyres \u2013 especially if a tubeless setup is required \u2013 and how confident you are in doing so. Not to mention the cost of trying many different tyres.<\/p>

Conclusion<\/h2>
\"Katherine
Because ‘gravel’ can mean so many different things, it’s impossible to find one set of tyres that offers optimal performance in all conditions. – Richard Baybutt<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Joe Laverick sums up the gravel tyre dilemma nicely: \u201cIf you ask 10 different people their gravel tyre recommendations you will get 10 different answers. One person\u2019s favourite is the next person\u2019s least favourite; one person\u2019s tyre they never puncture is the next person\u2019s bogey tyre, which punctures the minute they leave the door.\u201d<\/p>

\u2018Gravel\u2019 is a broad church and can mean different things to many different folks around the world, across a multitude of different terrain types. Thankfully, there\u2019s a burgeoning number of brands and models to choose from when it comes to kitting out your gravel wheels<\/a>.<\/p>

If you\u2019re new to gravel riding, choosing a mid-range all-rounder gravel tyre is probably a good start, and you can then see how you get on from there.<\/p>

Don\u2019t be afraid to ask what other local riders are using and get recommendations based on your terrain and conditions.<\/p>

I tend to run a grippy but not excessively wide winter gravel tyre through the worst of the winter and a mixed-terrain tyre through the rest of the year. I\u2019d much rather have a little too much grip, even on the drier days, knowing that we\u2019re never too far away from a deluge here in the UK (even in the summer).<\/p>

Having said that, I also enjoy hitting up some tamer gravel tracks on my road bike with tubeless 32mm Continental GP5000<\/a>s, which can also do the trick pretty well considering they\u2019re lightweight tyres designed for road racing.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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