Just like the title says, what's your favorite fast rolling mixed use 700c tire in the 40mm or larger size? I just bought a Salsa Warbird frameset, complet Force AXS 1x XPLR drivetrain and a set of Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels so I need some tires that are going to roll fast on the road but hang on gravel too.
What's your go to 50/50 road/gravel mix tire 700c and 40mm+
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dvdslw45
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We rode the G Ones from Munich to Verona. 600 miles of every kind of terrain you can imagine. 60% off road. Paved, dirt, gravel, rough gravel, single track, single track rock gardens. I would have to agree that we did not miss big knobs on the G One. They did a great job the whole trip on everything. But, of course, we are not racing and not taking corners at high speeds.
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I've got thousands of miles on plenty.
RH knobbies and Donneley MSO X'Plor for larger and for sure needing more traction.
Panaracer SS for when perfectly mediocre at lots of stuff including price means pretty darn okay.
Bontrager GR1 in spite of what the German rolling resistance site says. They are supple, have traction, yet can roll. I consider them the lighter faster tire for where the RH and MSO are not idea.
RH knobbies and Donneley MSO X'Plor for larger and for sure needing more traction.
Panaracer SS for when perfectly mediocre at lots of stuff including price means pretty darn okay.
Bontrager GR1 in spite of what the German rolling resistance site says. They are supple, have traction, yet can roll. I consider them the lighter faster tire for where the RH and MSO are not idea.
In the last 6 six years I've used the WTB Nano 40 and the WTB Resolute, the Resolute is my favourite of the two. I've gone through 2 sets so far, working on my third, when they wear out I've got a pair of Hurricane Ridge tires to try out, extra-light version. I ride a mix of about 60-40 pavement to gravel/off-road so I could probably go with the slick version, Snoqualmie Pass, but I'll give the knobs a try first.
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What size are you looking for? If you can fit 50mm(650 or 700) the Conti Terra Hardpack is a good tire. As far as I can tell it's the Speed King(2.2in/55mm) MTB version but in a smaller 50mm size & gravel casing.
Thanks, I did see your response and started a new thread to focus on tire selection.
My Warbird frame will clear a 700x47 tire with ease, the RH 48mm tires also fit. My new wheels are hookless and some tires play well with a hookless rim and some don't. That said, it seems most tubeless tires will work (even if they say no) but I have to be mindful of inflation pressures to keep them from blowing off the rims. Larger casing tires will help keep inflation pressures down overall so that helps too.
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I'm running GK SK. Quite good on pavement and work really well on dry hardpack and tiny gravel, whatever that is.
Don't confuse the Gravel King SK+ with non plus versions. They are two different tires when it comes to suppleness. I learned the hard way.
Don't confuse the Gravel King SK+ with non plus versions. They are two different tires when it comes to suppleness. I learned the hard way.
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True of entire GK line. I used the GK+ and they rode like a brick. The standard GK is much better. The GKSS is the same way. And no flats, knock wood.
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I saw one review say the Terra Hard Pack measure out to a hair under 48mm. Forget the rim width the reviewer was on.
I run the Specialized Pathfinder Pro for a combination of pavement and gravel. They roll very fast and are a comfortably tire. Have had them get a bit squirrely on loose gravel when cornering at high speeds but the slide is very predictably. Other opiton that rolls well on pavement and has a bit of grip is the Continental Terra Speed. These have a bit more grip IMO than the Pathfinder however I seem to get more sealant weeping from them after gravel riding than I'd like to see.
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^^^
Well, to play the devil's advocate. I highly don't recommend the pathfinder on dirt. My bike came with them and the second I went off-road it was insta-sketchy. Maybe it's the mtb'r in me but why anyone would use a center slick off road I can't understand. Broom swept cement like hard-pack? Ok, maybe. Cornering on the road is off-putting to me as well as the slick transitions to tread. It doesn't inspire confidence leaning the bike at speed, that's for sure.
These tires remind me of pedals that have SPD on one side and are flat on the other. But that's must my experience.
Well, to play the devil's advocate. I highly don't recommend the pathfinder on dirt. My bike came with them and the second I went off-road it was insta-sketchy. Maybe it's the mtb'r in me but why anyone would use a center slick off road I can't understand. Broom swept cement like hard-pack? Ok, maybe. Cornering on the road is off-putting to me as well as the slick transitions to tread. It doesn't inspire confidence leaning the bike at speed, that's for sure.
These tires remind me of pedals that have SPD on one side and are flat on the other. But that's must my experience.
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1,483 Posts
i have Gravelking SS and they are basically a road tire IMO. i can ride them in all sorts of terrain but definitely ease up going down singletrack or if it gets super chunk or loose.
I also have a set of WTB Vulpine in 40. it's got more tread but still rolls really really fast for a knobbed tire...there's a good review on Riding Gravel about them.
most of my rides are 50/50.
I also have a set of WTB Vulpine in 40. it's got more tread but still rolls really really fast for a knobbed tire...there's a good review on Riding Gravel about them.
most of my rides are 50/50.
RH Snoqualmie Ridge endurance 44mm are really hard to beat where I live. They roll smooth on the pavement, hold up to goat head puncture like a champ, are fast on hardpack. They get a bunch of bad-mouthing but I’ve had excellent service from mine and am a true believer after one set.
The type of gravel you ride is an important consideration though. If you ride crushed limestone, you will want a more durable tire and then Maxis Ramblers with EXO would be my choice. They give you some tread whine on pavement but are really good in the loose and mud even thought they don’t look like they would be. Hold up well to sharp rock.
The type of gravel you ride is an important consideration though. If you ride crushed limestone, you will want a more durable tire and then Maxis Ramblers with EXO would be my choice. They give you some tread whine on pavement but are really good in the loose and mud even thought they don’t look like they would be. Hold up well to sharp rock.
Echoing others, I have tried a few tires like the g ones etc and right now I am rolling Pathfinder Pro S-Works 42mm and I love them. I roll them on pavement and single track which can get rowdy fast here in Austin. Super happy with them over the last few hundred miles and the wear has been surprisingly good!
I'm looking hard at those now and debating between 42-47mm Pro's or the 42mm S-Works for best ride quality and fast rolling on tarmac.
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Rode with a Spesh employee this last week. 64 miles. 35% gravel. Those tires were adequate on gravel. Lock on breaking a bit. Really fast twisty descents she got dropped and those tires give terrible feedback while cornering on pavement. I think there are better tires out there.
For ref, wife and I were running Vittoria Terreno Dry Front/ GKSS rear. I think they are a far superior combo.
I would love to run Vittorias but after reaching out to their tech department they said not to use them on hookless rims. I have the Zipp 303 Firecrests that are hookless.
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GravelKing SS (maybe the + version, I don't know) for me, and I'd recommend them to anyone with a lot of road miles to cover. Be warned: these are not trail tires at all - that slick middle is awesome for rolling on hard stuff but sucks on trails.
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