March 2024. Have been rocking the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M for over a year know. Tons of miles. Solid 50-50 split between asphalt and gravel. Love this tire. Rolls remarkably fast for a tire that has such good grip in the gravel. My only niggle, I am running the 35mm because the 40mm won't fit in my frame. Would kill to have a 38mm option.
Gravelking SK for me....never let me down....use on road, hardpack, bridleways and they cope with light mud easy....in deepest winter I Gravelking EXT which are already setup on another wheelset....both have been used bikepacking and road speed between off road sections is fabulous
Being someone with a mtb background, the WTB Resolutes are my favourite. Grippy enough for wetter days and fast enough for summer days. Not a single +- 42mm wide tyre will be good in deep mud, but I have yet to try another tyre with such good grip-to-speed-ratio and actually leave these on my bike throughout the whole year. For deep mud get some proper 2.0" or wider mud XC tyres, or if you ride mostly on paved at least mount a slick in the rear (Gravelkings are great). But if you ride mostly on gravel these are really the perfect all rounders in my opinion.
I've got the resolute in 42mm with the slash guard and they are still leaking through the sidewalls 2 months after installing them. Went our today and the rear tyre deflated on ride causing rim damage and a snakebite puncture, they're utter sh#te in my opinion. They do grip well though
My favorite gravel tire is definitely the Assegai MaxxGrip DH casing 3.00 width front and back. Great grip is all you need as well as protecting your wheels...
Trying a lot of Gravel tires and for myself I made choice Specialized Pathfinder Pro 700x42c. This tires have the best rolling on hard roads, and smooth on gravel terrain.
Well done on including the WTB Nano, so often overlooked, maybe because they have been around a long time, these work fantastic for me and would be my favorite tire.
My favourite tire is Donnelly X'PLOR MSO 700 X 40 - 120 TPI FOLDING BEAD CLINCHER. I like it so much that I am using narrower "sister" Donnelly X'PLOR MSO 700 X 32 - 120 TPI FOLDING BEAD CLINCHER as winter tire on my road bike.
Suggesting you Czech brand Tufo with its Speedero, Thundero, Swampero tires. Longlasting, good price tubeless tires. If someone have not heard about the brand, they made tires for Donelly as well.
The cool thing about the Terra Speed is they actually can be installed on hookless rims as I've tried them on 2 different wheels from 2 different manufacturers. Installed the 35 on 24 inner width and the 40 on 25 inner width rims.
While not branded as gravel tires, the Continental Race King Protection are still the best tires I have ever used for "gravel". Incredibly versatile, fast offroad and on road (don't get yourself fooled by their humming sound on tarmac, they are fast), decent puncture protection, mud capable and cheaper than most tires showed in video. Of course you frame must accommodate 2.2 inches tires! 😉
Definitely agree! Been running Conti RaceKing on my Giant Talon for 3 yrs. Recently upgraded to a Canyon Grizl wif G-one Bite & hell imma lot slower on them. Trying to find something similar for my canyon is hard😢
Is there anything comparable for frames that won't fit 2.2? My frame could just fit 2.1", but all I see in this width is the Vittoria Mezcals and I'm not sure if they're just as quick as the Conti Race Kings or as suitable for gravel racing.
So I've worn out a pair of GR1s setup tubeless on my 2020 520 Disc. I proceeded to use the bike for a 22 mile round trip commute. The ride ends in a 20% climb for a mile w 320' of gain OR a 2 mile 10% forest trail climb w 560' of gain and a 200' descent to get home. The rear tire wore out to the point that it would spring leaks after about 800 or 900 miles. Replaced it w a Schwalbe Almotion Addix TLE (a much better tire for my heavy rig, load and self) and I continued to run the front GR1 until it hit about 2100 miles at which point it also began to spring leaks and I put the rear tire forward and put on another Schwalbe. Tires were pretty fast, decent at sealing w small punctures at first (be sure to use a good sealant), not that great for heavy systems because they're SO supple they are squirmy. They are pretty grippy and fun on the trails.
Not sure if I'm the only one that does this but I like to run two different types of tires. I use the maxxis rambler in the back and the maxxis savage up front. I like a more aggressive trend on the front tire and I also tend to use a slightly wider tire up front as well.
@@exiledrabbit I come from a Mtb background. We put the more aggressive trend on the front for more front end grip, it's much easier to deal with a rear end stepping out then a front tire washing out on you. I tried using the same tires front and rear but didn't like how it felt, so I went for a Mtb style setup and just love it.
Rambler on the front, Receptor at the rear for me. Maybe running different tyres is to much "mountain bike style" for many gravel riders. It's also weird that many gravel riders seem prefer "boutique" manufacturers while Maxxis, though offering great gravel tyres, is, compared to the mtb market, basically non existant in the gravel scene.
Unfortunstelly I have some experience with G-One R Schwalbe. I have got 4 lunctures within 1kkm. 3 of them during races. 3 times sealant doesn't help in case of puncture. Only one puncere was made by something like glass or nail. The rest by rocks on gravel road. Yes, those tires are fast, also comfortable. Also not bad in terrain and even small mud. But they are not robust and once stopped me aftee 400km and 6km before finish line. Never again. I have also Schwalbe G-One Bite and these are perfect. 13kkm on one wheel set with no puncture!
I ride panaracer gravelking SKs and they're great on the medium fine gravel paths around my place. Got a new set this summer and put about 500km of gravel riding into them, no issues or flats and much better ride than my paris roubaix pro slicks. One of the things I like most about them is for paved sections, there's very minimal loss of efficiency, and I dont feel like my riding becomes crunchy
I run Conti Raceking 2.2 inch on 650b and 45mm Cinturato Gravel H on 700c. MTB tyres might seem overkill, but they're cushy AF thanks to the extra volume and they roll very well. I've had good luck with Goodyear Connectors in 50mm and Panaracer GK SK in 48mm, but my SKs ran way wider than 48mm on 25mm internal rims.
Raceking Protection (650x2.2) and WTB Resolute (700x42) here. Did loaded bikepacking with both, and slightly regret getting the gravel wheelset. The Raceking is so fast especially on hard-packed dirt. The Resolute is light and grips well, but only feels decently fast/fun on tarmac at 45-50 psi. Multiple rough punctures as well. In any off road terrain, I think my Resolute just feels slightly faster because of its low weight and rougher feedback. Was thinking about trying a faster gravel tire. How do you feel the Pirelli holds up in terms of raw speed?
I’m really amazed about the value and the quality of the Panaracer GK tires. Some of these other brands cost 2x as much and I don’t see how they’re 2x better in quality or performance. American Classic is a new brand of tires that offers even cheaper tires. They’re a brand known for their nice wheel sets but now focusing on tires. I’m curious to try those next.
Good review, thanx. I have 2 sets of wheels on my gravel, one for roads and the second for some terrain - for those I chose Maxxis Rambler EXO TR, 50mm. Did not really read any reviews about it, I like Maxxis in general and it seemed like a good option to me, so I am happy that you chose it as one of the TOP. I can confirm that it is a good tire. Holds and rolls well in light hard and a bit loose terrain. Yes, it is not good for mud, I do not mind (for that I take my MTB). It was incredibly easy to set it up TL. I set up TL many MTB tires, but none went as easy as this Rambler. Fitting into rim no problem, popped into place quickly and not a single drop of sealant lost. I have the largest size 50mm. It is a bit tight and over the limit in the rear, thinking about replacing it with the 45mm.
Yep. Was also the first gravel tyre i bought when it came out years ago and even after all this time, the Rambler is still the best gravel tyre i came across for riding on or slightly wet dry surfaces. It's super light and still offers plenty of grip. Rambler at the front and the newer Receptor at the rear is close to perfect if you ride on dry and hardpack surfaces. I still don't get why many other brands are so far off the Rambler in terms of weight while offering about the same or even worse puncture protection. I've punctured tubeless tape with spokes multiple times but never ever did i damage the tyre.
Some good choices here; I'm quite keen on the Cinturato M, looks a very good tyre. I currently have the WTB Byway, and the GravelKing SK, plus the Terreno Dry/ Mix/ Wet tyres, depending on what time of year it is.
Just fitted the Cinturato M and was blown away how they performed, even forgot I was on gravel tyres by the end of the ride. My other gravel tyre is GR1 and this was fast as well performing better than expected even when wet and muddy but it is best for drier conditions.
Gotta say my bike came with WTB Raddlers and i'm a little sad no one's talking about them. They are quite magical in mud or sand due to their chunky side knobs, but also not the worst rolling. With them Ifeel like the inevitable tradeoff is the pretty square overall profile, which makes cornering a little more "exciting" and of course thedrag at high speed. I would also like to see the specialized pathfinder pro included in the upcoming test, as it is universally toubtet as fast yet very durable. Very informative video nonetheless :D
Lots of miles on GR1, Gravel King SK, WTB Resolute - All good tires. The fastest is def the GR1 and its the best all round tire I have used to date and has an excellent ride quality. The Resolute is a close second and better in rougher terrain and comes in a bit larger 42C and their faster than this review indicates. They are shockingly quick for the level of grip - swap these out for a 42 Gravel King and you'll notice a slight improvement in dry cornering and most noticably a big drop in speed. Wife's new bike has Terrano Drys on it. Its crazy to see them marked at 35C when they measure 40C on a 22mm internal width rim - def the most generously sized tire I have ever seen.
I'm currently running some smart Sam in 700cx47 on my "gravel" bike. But if needed can go up to 29x2.0 thats about the limit of the fork on the frameswt I'm built it on. Frame will do about a 29x2.1
Hmmm...The Teravail Rutland Light and Supple looks interesting. Been running 40mm Pirelli Gravel H, which I really like on the road, but they don't like mud. Thanks for the video.
Whew. I am the most indecisive person on the planet. I've been looking at Maxxis rambler, reaver, and ravager. WTB riddler, and the rutland. Now the Pirelli cinturato is in the mix too! Agh. Someone pick one for me. After this video maybe Pirelli vs Rutland. I need to be more confident on the straight away maybe slightly loose gravel as well as cater to my favorite spots like B roads and wet conditions. A "set it and forget it". Gravel king SKs and Specialized Triggers have been what i've had for the past few years. They are a bit squirrely in a lot of spots and no good in mud. Been riding 38s but maybe ready to run 40-42s. Mid pack racer favoring the 100k or so distance.
If you still ride 26" and are pulling your hair out looking for a tan wall option, can't speak highly enough of the Schwalbe Billy Bonkers. I put a pair on my rigid winter MTB and have been using them all winter on road/gravel and can't praise them enough.
A have stock ramblers on my bike. I'm not picky in gravel tires and they are ok for me in riding quality and price. But they stretch a lot radially when used for a long time. I've bought a new wheel set and couldn't set them for hours even with inflator because the bead was too lose on the rim.
I really love using the Challenge brand gravel tires... handmade and so comfortable! I also have the tires you showed in your video... For me I hated the pathfinders....
I'm set up for all-rounder year round, not summer vs. winter. I'm mostly on dirt/crushed stone trails and very little pavement anymore. That said I've settled on a tire combo that works for me and the riding i do. I have a WTB Venture in the back for grippy acceleration and a Clement/Donnely MSO X'Plor up front which keeps everything stable and planted no matter what the conditions. Except for deep mud of course, but I avoid it whenever possible.
I just installed the Terrreno Drys last week and have yet to ride them on actual dirt. They’re surprisingly quiet on tarmac, but they do feel stiffer than the Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass 44mm I was previously running.
@@Fatbutnotflat I wouldn’t know which is faster, as I haven’t really “tested” them against the clock. The Terrenos are labeled 38mm, but actually measure 43mm on my Hed Emporia wheels. I’m surprised they’re quieter than the Rene Herses, and they felt less comfortable at the same pressure. Dirt testing is still pending
@@toxicblackwidow9841 true, the only flat I’ve had with them so far was on the road, due to a large, sharp and thick piece of metal… presumably a piece of pipe. I had to call for pick up and get the tired repaired with a vulcanized patch. No dynaplug would have fixed that
I love my WTB Byways although to be fair I agree with others here that the Specialized Pathfinder Pros are great too. I think a few people are missing that Gravel is the new CX for commuting so these type of fast rolling tyres are fantastic especially in the UK where the roads are looking more and more like off road these days. Also love to see the Terravails included, I have these in 650b 2.1 inch for when I decide my Diverge is in fact a mountain bike
The pathfinders are a great tire for roads and just a little off road. They are very similar to the Byways but they seems to have quite a bit more puncture resistance! I ditched the byways for the pathfinders after 4 flats in 2 month in only 200 miles of commuting.
@@bikeradar Excellent presenter too, nice and measured giving the same strengths and weaknesses for each tyre. I am subscribed, have been for a number of years. Thanks again. 👍
Awesome review. Captured the exact priorities needed to meet demands of gravel riding. Well done! Pirelli Ms are the best i have tried with no cons but for mounting as you all noted. Have Cinturato H on my city bike and their fine but not as confidence inspiring as the Ms. Have the Terreno Dry's in 50mm on my monster cross. Am considering swapping in the Maxxis on the monster cross so it's lighter and faster, whih was why I tuned in. Moved away from Panaracers due to lack of traction on wet roads or trails, and they're a beast to mount.
I agree with the assessment of Panaracer gravelking sk. Fast rolling on road and good going in a straight line on dry gravel surfaces. Cornering leaves a little bit to be desired which is surprising given the tread design on the side.
Doesn't the Specialized Pathfinder Pro seem like glaring omission from this list. I don't even personal use it because I prefer a wider tire but can't deny their legit. It's one of the fastest rolling and offers some of the best flat protection. If you look at a race like Unbound 8 or 9 of the top 10 are running them.
the Nano 40 has been my go-to for years. While not the fastest on the road it really handles everything well. The only crappy thing is their sidewalls weep quite a bit.
Tested quite part of your selection, right now on terra speeds and can’t more then recommend for my 30% tarmac, 60% gravel, 10% trail mixture. WTBs worked great as well even if , as you mentioned tarmac was a bit torture with them as well as taking them on/off the rim. Great reviews and when it comes to my taste … go for nerdy one 😀
Pirelli id not even close vs Conti, Vittoria and Schwalbe. Maybe move with production to italy will help them. I punctured mine on 15 k of first ride. Side wall was cutted.
My bike has Terreno Zeroes which are a little more road focused but my goodness it's so capable. I take it on some pretty gnarly gravel roads where I live and they've been bullet proof. Even on normal pavement they're very quick. Only downside is my goodness were they a pain in the butt to mount to the rim. However, my standard little floor pump was enough to get them setup tubeless.
Im also thinking of buying the Vittoria Terreno Zero since I only heard good things about them and I mostly ride on roads due to living in a city. Do you know what tire width you have on them? Im not sure if I should go with 32, 37 or 40mm of width. :D
Noting that you covered the WTB Resolute, you missed their Sendero (because it’s 650b only?). I am finding the Sendero amazingly versatile. I have rolled past bunches on sealed roads running some of the tyres you claimed to be faster, yet have fantastic grip when the going gets tough. The only shortcoming I’ve found is the trade off in sidewall protection that’s inherent in the outstandingly supple ride. As for fast gravel tyres on mixed (gravel and tar) I nominate the Specialized Pathfinder Pro. I have 38 mm Pathfinders on a 10kg ti Ribble CGR and have used that bike to get multiple road segment PRs (and a few KOMs) on these, despite having done many a ride on the same roads over the past decade or so on dedicated road race bikes. They’re fast! I’m surprised you missed these. I know some top level racers use these in the big gravel races.
Thanks for this overview! :) as you’ve just mentioned the RIFT in the end of the video: do you think all of the ones presented work well for that race? Would you have a favorite (besides the nano probably) you’d recommend for the Rift? I’m riding on Schwalbe G One Bite atm and am considering to switch the front wheel to the G One Ultrabite - or go with completely different ones.. any recommendations highly appreciated 😄
Really great video! I just received a 2011 Specialized S-Works Roubaix and will being riding on packed dirt trails with occasional roots, sand, puddles, ruts, and pot-holes. I am NOT concerned about tires that will slow the bike down...it's WAY too fast for me. Maybe the Schwalbe Bites? Is there something more suited to the casual rider (that might be little less $)? Thanks!
I have found the new American Classics tries to be a very affordable alternative to many of the current more popular and known brands. I have used the Kimberlites (I ride 95% on city / paved roads with a the odd trip to forested tracks) which while are meant for pavement and hardpack, surprised me with its performance on wet but not heavily mucked up trails.
Love your stuff I watched the whole thing but very surprised Rene Herse knob style tires aren’t listed as they are imo the best tires out there also one of the priciest
Can someone please explain why tires have tripled in price since gravel bikes became a thing? Also, you can ride over everything on a 40c schwalbe marathon.
About the WTB resolute, is the SG2 version better? WTB says it's more puncture resistant. When searching for the SG2 variant it seems there is no tan wall model.
Was this filmed in the UK? That tree is absolutely massive! Can't say I agree about G-one bite tyres being good in the mud, I found them to be pretty awful as soon as things get soft and damp although they are decently fast on the road. Swapped to Gravelking EXT which are far better in muddy conditions.
Schwalb tires on Terra Trike. Two tire bead separation blow outs within 3 weeks of purchasing the bike. Local bike shop pending response from Schwalb regarding warranty coverage.
Update-Appears Schwalb is sending replacement tire and Bike Hub De Pere assured me that they will fix the issue and check all tires. Hopefully, I can then confidently take a big ride longer than 10 minutes without a tire blow out. My bike is Terra Trike All Terrain. My major disappointment is I've lost valuable riding time. I've been told it would take 2-3 days to receive new tire. Why couldn't Schwalb overnight the tire?
I try G One bite and Ultrabite and founds them rubbish, zero camber grip causing 2 big falls where i normally go quickly with my regular setup. For me, continental crossking 50-584 (all around in winter) and crossking front race king rear in summer is better and faster than GONe according to my strava stats. Admittedly, these conti are more prompt to punctures that the G Ones but I can live with that
Interesting that you didn't mention the Pathfinder. Seems to be the most popular tire at the local gravel races. Has won a lot of gravel races. Apparently in Britain, gravel riding is only relevant if you're riding through a foot of mud.
@@Exgrmbl There are $20 that have the same tread pattern as $120 tires. They aren't the same tire. We're taking better handling characteristics, weight reduction and rolling resistance.
Hi will any of these 650 tyres for gravel bikes work on a hard tail? Just using my bike to take the kids to school with a bike trailer and not using off road ATM mostly pavements any suggestions on what tyres I should go for
Everybody should know that tan walls and brand names in bold white letters increase grip by at least 20% and significantly reduce rolling resistance!
U kidding?
@@thedistance1155 nono it is scientifically proven.
A flannel shirt, Bead and a Craft beer add at least 5W to your FTP as well.
@@tflspitfire also, if people wait 6mnths then they will be half price when the fashion fades.
absolutely true !
And a tattoo😆
Wow this is a great presenter! Let her do more! Calm, clear voice, and an overall nice presenting!!!
Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more gravel & bikepacking videos from our videographer Robyn!
@@bikeradar Gotta work on pronunciation of Bontrager and Schwalbe though
If we are providing feedback i think she could speak a little slower but yeah she's good
@Harry Baals I only mentioned it because BikeRadar themselves released a series of videos a few years ago about the top mispronounced cycling brands
@K T No, he doesn't
March 2024. Have been rocking the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M for over a year know. Tons of miles. Solid 50-50 split between asphalt and gravel. Love this tire. Rolls remarkably fast for a tire that has such good grip in the gravel. My only niggle, I am running the 35mm because the 40mm won't fit in my frame. Would kill to have a 38mm option.
Gravelking SK for me....never let me down....use on road, hardpack, bridleways and they cope with light mud easy....in deepest winter I Gravelking EXT which are already setup on another wheelset....both have been used bikepacking and road speed between off road sections is fabulous
Being someone with a mtb background, the WTB Resolutes are my favourite. Grippy enough for wetter days and fast enough for summer days. Not a single +- 42mm wide tyre will be good in deep mud, but I have yet to try another tyre with such good grip-to-speed-ratio and actually leave these on my bike throughout the whole year. For deep mud get some proper 2.0" or wider mud XC tyres, or if you ride mostly on paved at least mount a slick in the rear (Gravelkings are great). But if you ride mostly on gravel these are really the perfect all rounders in my opinion.
I've got the resolute in 42mm with the slash guard and they are still leaking through the sidewalls 2 months after installing them. Went our today and the rear tyre deflated on ride causing rim damage and a snakebite puncture, they're utter sh#te in my opinion. They do grip well though
I have the resolute which came with the bike.i get atleast 1 puncture per ride,shame as I like them
My favorite gravel tire is definitely the Assegai MaxxGrip DH casing 3.00 width front and back. Great grip is all you need as well as protecting your wheels...
i can relate to that!
Was about to comment
What gravel frame can accommodate a 3 inch width tire lol?
@@mobilemonster7681 none 🤷
Trying a lot of Gravel tires and for myself I made choice Specialized Pathfinder Pro 700x42c. This tires have the best rolling on hard roads, and smooth on gravel terrain.
Cool to see Teravail get some love. I've ridden the Rutlands a lot and have always been impressed by them but rarely see them even mentioned.
I'm pretty new to cycling and I've been basing all my upgrades on this channels reviews. Very pleased!
Well done on including the WTB Nano, so often overlooked, maybe because they have been around a long time, these work fantastic for me and would be my favorite tire.
My favourite tire is Donnelly X'PLOR MSO 700 X 40 - 120 TPI FOLDING BEAD CLINCHER. I like it so much that I am using narrower "sister" Donnelly X'PLOR MSO 700 X 32 - 120 TPI FOLDING BEAD CLINCHER as winter tire on my road bike.
Panaracer gravel King EXT+ good tire too.
This is a fantastic review. Concise, to the point, and exactly the type of information I want while hunting for my next set of gravel tires. Bravo!
Suggesting you Czech brand Tufo with its Speedero, Thundero, Swampero tires. Longlasting, good price tubeless tires. If someone have not heard about the brand, they made tires for Donelly as well.
Ive been riding the wtb 40c Nano for the last year and it's been working great ! Awesome on trails and the center rib lets it roll good on tne road
The cool thing about the Terra Speed is they actually can be installed on hookless rims as I've tried them on 2 different wheels from 2 different manufacturers. Installed the 35 on 24 inner width and the 40 on 25 inner width rims.
While not branded as gravel tires, the Continental Race King Protection are still the best tires I have ever used for "gravel". Incredibly versatile, fast offroad and on road (don't get yourself fooled by their humming sound on tarmac, they are fast), decent puncture protection, mud capable and cheaper than most tires showed in video. Of course you frame must accommodate 2.2 inches tires! 😉
Definitely agree! Been running Conti RaceKing on my Giant Talon for 3 yrs. Recently upgraded to a Canyon Grizl wif G-one Bite & hell imma lot slower on them. Trying to find something similar for my canyon is hard😢
Can you get them in 28 inch tho? A lot of gravel tires are 28 instead of 29.
@@Teuuun 28 inch and 29 inch are the same thing.
Is there anything comparable for frames that won't fit 2.2? My frame could just fit 2.1", but all I see in this width is the Vittoria Mezcals and I'm not sure if they're just as quick as the Conti Race Kings or as suitable for gravel racing.
My favourites are wtb sendero, they have a huge amount of grip in muddy conditions!
Thanks for the suggestion! We'd love to test that tyre in these muddy conditions 👍
100% agree. The 'ALL-IN' version of the Resolute. Wider and chunkier.
So I've worn out a pair of GR1s setup tubeless on my 2020 520 Disc. I proceeded to use the bike for a 22 mile round trip commute. The ride ends in a 20% climb for a mile w 320' of gain OR a 2 mile 10% forest trail climb w 560' of gain and a 200' descent to get home. The rear tire wore out to the point that it would spring leaks after about 800 or 900 miles. Replaced it w a Schwalbe Almotion Addix TLE (a much better tire for my heavy rig, load and self) and I continued to run the front GR1 until it hit about 2100 miles at which point it also began to spring leaks and I put the rear tire forward and put on another Schwalbe. Tires were pretty fast, decent at sealing w small punctures at first (be sure to use a good sealant), not that great for heavy systems because they're SO supple they are squirmy. They are pretty grippy and fun on the trails.
Not sure if I'm the only one that does this but I like to run two different types of tires. I use the maxxis rambler in the back and the maxxis savage up front. I like a more aggressive trend on the front tire and I also tend to use a slightly wider tire up front as well.
That doesn't make much sense to me the rear tire is primarily where you'd want tread since that's where the power is going
@@exiledrabbit I come from a Mtb background. We put the more aggressive trend on the front for more front end grip, it's much easier to deal with a rear end stepping out then a front tire washing out on you. I tried using the same tires front and rear but didn't like how it felt, so I went for a Mtb style setup and just love it.
@@buckroger6456 It makes total sense :)Thanks for sharing
@@EdKrisiak no problem 👍. I'm just a Mtber trying to blend in with the roadies but they always know I'm not one of them 😆
Rambler on the front, Receptor at the rear for me. Maybe running different tyres is to much "mountain bike style" for many gravel riders. It's also weird that many gravel riders seem prefer "boutique" manufacturers while Maxxis, though offering great gravel tyres, is, compared to the mtb market, basically non existant in the gravel scene.
Unfortunstelly I have some experience with G-One R Schwalbe. I have got 4 lunctures within 1kkm. 3 of them during races. 3 times sealant doesn't help in case of puncture. Only one puncere was made by something like glass or nail. The rest by rocks on gravel road. Yes, those tires are fast, also comfortable. Also not bad in terrain and even small mud. But they are not robust and once stopped me aftee 400km and 6km before finish line.
Never again.
I have also Schwalbe G-One Bite and these are perfect. 13kkm on one wheel set with no puncture!
I ride panaracer gravelking SKs and they're great on the medium fine gravel paths around my place. Got a new set this summer and put about 500km of gravel riding into them, no issues or flats and much better ride than my paris roubaix pro slicks. One of the things I like most about them is for paved sections, there's very minimal loss of efficiency, and I dont feel like my riding becomes crunchy
interesting as my Gravelkings just seem to be p*ncture magnets here in Norfolk!
I run Conti Raceking 2.2 inch on 650b and 45mm Cinturato Gravel H on 700c. MTB tyres might seem overkill, but they're cushy AF thanks to the extra volume and they roll very well. I've had good luck with Goodyear Connectors in 50mm and Panaracer GK SK in 48mm, but my SKs ran way wider than 48mm on 25mm internal rims.
Raceking Protection (650x2.2) and WTB Resolute (700x42) here. Did loaded bikepacking with both, and slightly regret getting the gravel wheelset. The Raceking is so fast especially on hard-packed dirt. The Resolute is light and grips well, but only feels decently fast/fun on tarmac at 45-50 psi. Multiple rough punctures as well. In any off road terrain, I think my Resolute just feels slightly faster because of its low weight and rougher feedback. Was thinking about trying a faster gravel tire. How do you feel the Pirelli holds up in terms of raw speed?
which one is faster between panaracer sk and Goodyear connector?
Got 45mm Shwalbe Bite, great all rounder on my OnOne Free Ranger 👍🏽
No mention of the Specialized Pathfinder Pro?
I’m really amazed about the value and the quality of the Panaracer GK tires. Some of these other brands cost 2x as much and I don’t see how they’re 2x better in quality or performance. American Classic is a new brand of tires that offers even cheaper tires. They’re a brand known for their nice wheel sets but now focusing on tires. I’m curious to try those next.
i got the GKs recently, i am lloking forward to see how they do. From the first few rides they really seem to work very well on hard surfaces.
After I wore down a set of Gravelkings I switched to Shwalbe G-ones. They are kinda meh, so I am switching back to Gravelkings after these die.
@@tflspitfire how'd they do?
Any opinion on the ContinentalTerra Trail?
Great video, I use the Bontrager GR2 as it’s a little more aggressive than the GR1 but still easy to set up tubeless and smooth on tarmac
For me best tyres to gravel bike are... Conti Race King. Amazing! Fast and comfortable with a lot of grip
I just purchased the Pirelli option. Can't wait to try them out!
Good review, thanx. I have 2 sets of wheels on my gravel, one for roads and the second for some terrain - for those I chose Maxxis Rambler EXO TR, 50mm. Did not really read any reviews about it, I like Maxxis in general and it seemed like a good option to me, so I am happy that you chose it as one of the TOP. I can confirm that it is a good tire. Holds and rolls well in light hard and a bit loose terrain. Yes, it is not good for mud, I do not mind (for that I take my MTB). It was incredibly easy to set it up TL. I set up TL many MTB tires, but none went as easy as this Rambler. Fitting into rim no problem, popped into place quickly and not a single drop of sealant lost. I have the largest size 50mm. It is a bit tight and over the limit in the rear, thinking about replacing it with the 45mm.
Yep. Was also the first gravel tyre i bought when it came out years ago and even after all this time, the Rambler is still the best gravel tyre i came across for riding on or slightly wet dry surfaces. It's super light and still offers plenty of grip. Rambler at the front and the newer Receptor at the rear is close to perfect if you ride on dry and hardpack surfaces. I still don't get why many other brands are so far off the Rambler in terms of weight while offering about the same or even worse puncture protection. I've punctured tubeless tape with spokes multiple times but never ever did i damage the tyre.
thank you for the links, excellent choices
Some good choices here; I'm quite keen on the Cinturato M, looks a very good tyre. I currently have the WTB Byway, and the GravelKing SK, plus the Terreno Dry/ Mix/ Wet tyres, depending on what time of year it is.
Just fitted the Cinturato M and was blown away how they performed, even forgot I was on gravel tyres by the end of the ride. My other gravel tyre is GR1 and this was fast as well performing better than expected even when wet and muddy but it is best for drier conditions.
Gotta say my bike came with WTB Raddlers and i'm a little sad no one's talking about them. They are quite magical in mud or sand due to their chunky side knobs, but also not the worst rolling. With them Ifeel like the inevitable tradeoff is the pretty square overall profile, which makes cornering a little more "exciting" and of course thedrag at high speed. I would also like to see the specialized pathfinder pro included in the upcoming test, as it is universally toubtet as fast yet very durable. Very informative video nonetheless :D
very interesting :) Thanks!
Lots of miles on GR1, Gravel King SK, WTB Resolute - All good tires. The fastest is def the GR1 and its the best all round tire I have used to date and has an excellent ride quality. The Resolute is a close second and better in rougher terrain and comes in a bit larger 42C and their faster than this review indicates. They are shockingly quick for the level of grip - swap these out for a 42 Gravel King and you'll notice a slight improvement in dry cornering and most noticably a big drop in speed. Wife's new bike has Terrano Drys on it. Its crazy to see them marked at 35C when they measure 40C on a 22mm internal width rim - def the most generously sized tire I have ever seen.
What is gr1?
@@shuangliu1897 Bontrager GR1- their 40mm small tread gravel tire that Trek puts on their checkpoint series bikes.
Thx for clarifying
Interesting that you say the GR1 is the fastest. It scored second worst ever for rolling resistance on BRR.
We have differing views on the GR1. It's been the slowest tire I've ever ridden, less grip, more rolling resistance, for me it's a fail all around.
WTB Resolute 650b 44c were awesome for lightly-loaded Badger Divide. I recommend.
Thanks for the suggestion! They sound like a great option for rugged bikepacking - Felix
Good review, enjoyed see some other possible tires.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I got Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S, best choice for autumn/winter rides (the only time in the year I go for gravel rides)
I'm currently running some smart Sam in 700cx47 on my "gravel" bike. But if needed can go up to 29x2.0 thats about the limit of the fork on the frameswt I'm built it on. Frame will do about a 29x2.1
Hmmm...The Teravail Rutland Light and Supple looks interesting. Been running 40mm Pirelli Gravel H, which I really like on the road, but they don't like mud. Thanks for the video.
Great video!
Michelin Power Gravel for me.
Whew. I am the most indecisive person on the planet. I've been looking at Maxxis rambler, reaver, and ravager. WTB riddler, and the rutland. Now the Pirelli cinturato is in the mix too! Agh. Someone pick one for me. After this video maybe Pirelli vs Rutland. I need to be more confident on the straight away maybe slightly loose gravel as well as cater to my favorite spots like B roads and wet conditions. A "set it and forget it". Gravel king SKs and Specialized Triggers have been what i've had for the past few years. They are a bit squirrely in a lot of spots and no good in mud. Been riding 38s but maybe ready to run 40-42s. Mid pack racer favoring the 100k or so distance.
If you still ride 26" and are pulling your hair out looking for a tan wall option, can't speak highly enough of the Schwalbe Billy Bonkers. I put a pair on my rigid winter MTB and have been using them all winter on road/gravel and can't praise them enough.
A have stock ramblers on my bike. I'm not picky in gravel tires and they are ok for me in riding quality and price. But they stretch a lot radially when used for a long time. I've bought a new wheel set and couldn't set them for hours even with inflator because the bead was too lose on the rim.
I really love using the Challenge brand gravel tires... handmade and so comfortable!
I also have the tires you showed in your video...
For me I hated the pathfinders....
I'm set up for all-rounder year round, not summer vs. winter. I'm mostly on dirt/crushed stone trails and very little pavement anymore. That said I've settled on a tire combo that works for me and the riding i do. I have a WTB Venture in the back for grippy acceleration and a Clement/Donnely MSO X'Plor up front which keeps everything stable and planted no matter what the conditions. Except for deep mud of course, but I avoid it whenever possible.
The Rutland is great
Admittedly I've not tried many. But love my pathfinder pros.
Yes, those should have made the list here.
Vittoria terreno mix for the win
I just installed the Terrreno Drys last week and have yet to ride them on actual dirt. They’re surprisingly quiet on tarmac, but they do feel stiffer than the Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass 44mm I was previously running.
I used to live near Snoqualmie Pass as a kid :)
Which is faster? Also what size is the terreno dry?
@@Fatbutnotflat I wouldn’t know which is faster, as I haven’t really “tested” them against the clock. The Terrenos are labeled 38mm, but actually measure 43mm on my Hed Emporia wheels. I’m surprised they’re quieter than the Rene Herses, and they felt less comfortable at the same pressure. Dirt testing is still pending
Stiffer for sure but they have a better puncture protection which is essential when you do serious gravel biking. 🙂
@@toxicblackwidow9841 true, the only flat I’ve had with them so far was on the road, due to a large, sharp and thick piece of metal… presumably a piece of pipe. I had to call for pick up and get the tired repaired with a vulcanized patch. No dynaplug would have fixed that
The Vittoria Terreno Dry tires have won the first UCI Gravel Elite F/M World Championship with both Pauline F. Prevot and Gianni Vermeersch ;)
I love my WTB Byways although to be fair I agree with others here that the Specialized Pathfinder Pros are great too. I think a few people are missing that Gravel is the new CX for commuting so these type of fast rolling tyres are fantastic especially in the UK where the roads are looking more and more like off road these days. Also love to see the Terravails included, I have these in 650b 2.1 inch for when I decide my Diverge is in fact a mountain bike
The pathfinders are a great tire for roads and just a little off road. They are very similar to the Byways but they seems to have quite a bit more puncture resistance! I ditched the byways for the pathfinders after 4 flats in 2 month in only 200 miles of commuting.
Great coverage of the tyres, thank you
Fantastic helpful advice for this Gravel newbie!!! Much appreciated and thank you. 👍
Great to hear and thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe for more 👍
@@bikeradar Excellent presenter too, nice and measured giving the same strengths and weaknesses for each tyre. I am subscribed, have been for a number of years. Thanks again. 👍
Try something from Rene Herse - you might fast and grippy in the muck and on the road. 4 casings to choose from for every model!
Awesome review. Captured the exact priorities needed to meet demands of gravel riding. Well done!
Pirelli Ms are the best i have tried with no cons but for mounting as you all noted. Have Cinturato H on my city bike and their fine but not as confidence inspiring as the Ms. Have the Terreno Dry's in 50mm on my monster cross. Am considering swapping in the Maxxis on the monster cross so it's lighter and faster, whih was why I tuned in. Moved away from Panaracers due to lack of traction on wet roads or trails, and they're a beast to mount.
Rene Herse knobbies lots of tire size options as well as 4 different tire casings choices
Yeayyy!!!!.....so I am a gravel tire nut. I need 5 different pair of tire for 3 track conditions.
Vredestein Aventura are really good. Fast rolling and pretty grippy.
I agree with the assessment of Panaracer gravelking sk. Fast rolling on road and good going in a straight line on dry gravel surfaces. Cornering leaves a little bit to be desired which is surprising given the tread design on the side.
Doesn't the Specialized Pathfinder Pro seem like glaring omission from this list. I don't even personal use it because I prefer a wider tire but can't deny their legit. It's one of the fastest rolling and offers some of the best flat protection. If you look at a race like Unbound 8 or 9 of the top 10 are running them.
There’s extremely popular in the US, our friends across the pond having caught up yet
I use them as well during the summer and they're great when it's dry. Completely useless when it's wet out, though.
I ride these and love them, although not the best in the mud.....
@Ryan TF yeah, but the Terreno Dry’s make this list too, which are equally slip slidy 👀
Haha exactly my thoughts when I went through the list of tires :D
I'm very impressed with how fast my Panaracers are.
I use GOODYEAR Connector Ultimate. I think this is a very good tire. Very fast over 4psi and very grip when psi is low (2.5)
the Nano 40 has been my go-to for years. While not the fastest on the road it really handles everything well. The only crappy thing is their sidewalls weep quite a bit.
Excellent video
Thanks for watching!
Tested quite part of your selection, right now on terra speeds and can’t more then recommend for my 30% tarmac, 60% gravel, 10% trail mixture. WTBs worked great as well even if , as you mentioned tarmac was a bit torture with them as well as taking them on/off the rim. Great reviews and when it comes to my taste … go for nerdy one 😀
Agreed, they are nice tires, but wear out really fast!
Pirelli id not even close vs Conti, Vittoria and Schwalbe. Maybe move with production to italy will help them. I punctured mine on 15 k of first ride. Side wall was cutted.
Soma Casadero made by Panaracer....best in the Southwest....Surly Knard, also....Rode the Gravel King for two rides and gave it away....
Nice informative video! What would you say it's the best tyre for back-packing both on and off-road?
my favourite gravel tire is g-one ultrabite it works semi mtb tire.
My bike has Terreno Zeroes which are a little more road focused but my goodness it's so capable. I take it on some pretty gnarly gravel roads where I live and they've been bullet proof. Even on normal pavement they're very quick. Only downside is my goodness were they a pain in the butt to mount to the rim. However, my standard little floor pump was enough to get them setup tubeless.
Im also thinking of buying the Vittoria Terreno Zero since I only heard good things about them and I mostly ride on roads due to living in a city.
Do you know what tire width you have on them? Im not sure if I should go with 32, 37 or 40mm of width. :D
Noting that you covered the WTB Resolute, you missed their Sendero (because it’s 650b only?).
I am finding the Sendero amazingly versatile. I have rolled past bunches on sealed roads running some of the tyres you claimed to be faster, yet have fantastic grip when the going gets tough.
The only shortcoming I’ve found is the trade off in sidewall protection that’s inherent in the outstandingly supple ride.
As for fast gravel tyres on mixed (gravel and tar) I nominate the Specialized Pathfinder Pro.
I have 38 mm Pathfinders on a 10kg ti Ribble CGR and have used that bike to get multiple road segment PRs (and a few KOMs) on these, despite having done many a ride on the same roads over the past decade or so on dedicated road race bikes. They’re fast!
I’m surprised you missed these. I know some top level racers use these in the big gravel races.
Thanks for this overview! :) as you’ve just mentioned the RIFT in the end of the video: do you think all of the ones presented work well for that race? Would you have a favorite (besides the nano probably) you’d recommend for the Rift? I’m riding on Schwalbe G One Bite atm and am considering to switch the front wheel to the G One Ultrabite - or go with completely different ones.. any recommendations highly appreciated 😄
Can you add a ranked results table at the end please?
Really great video! I just received a 2011 Specialized S-Works Roubaix and will being riding on packed dirt trails with occasional roots, sand, puddles, ruts, and pot-holes. I am NOT concerned about tires that will slow the bike down...it's WAY too fast for me. Maybe the Schwalbe Bites? Is there something more suited to the casual rider (that might be little less $)? Thanks!
I have found the new American Classics tries to be a very affordable alternative to many of the current more popular and known brands. I have used the Kimberlites (I ride 95% on city / paved roads with a the odd trip to forested tracks) which while are meant for pavement and hardpack, surprised me with its performance on wet but not heavily mucked up trails.
Love your stuff I watched the whole thing but very surprised Rene Herse knob style tires aren’t listed as they are imo the best tires out there also one of the priciest
What's your favourite gravel tyre? Give it a shoutout in the comments!
Can someone please explain why tires have tripled in price since gravel bikes became a thing?
Also, you can ride over everything on a 40c schwalbe marathon.
About the WTB resolute, is the SG2 version better? WTB says it's more puncture resistant. When searching for the SG2 variant it seems there is no tan wall model.
Was this filmed in the UK? That tree is absolutely massive!
Can't say I agree about G-one bite tyres being good in the mud, I found them to be pretty awful as soon as things get soft and damp although they are decently fast on the road. Swapped to Gravelking EXT which are far better in muddy conditions.
This was actually filmed in the UK, not British Columbia! We found this beauty of a tree mainly for shelter☔
Schwalb tires on Terra Trike. Two tire bead separation blow outs within 3 weeks of purchasing the bike. Local bike shop pending response from Schwalb regarding warranty coverage.
Update-Appears Schwalb is sending replacement tire and Bike Hub De Pere assured me that they will fix the issue and check all tires. Hopefully, I can then confidently take a big ride longer than 10 minutes without a tire blow out. My bike is Terra Trike All Terrain. My major disappointment is I've lost valuable riding time. I've been told it would take 2-3 days to receive new tire. Why couldn't Schwalb overnight the tire?
Schwalb sending replacement tire. According to my local bike shop, issue appears to be a one off and shouldn't happen again.
Review the rene herse range of gravel tyres.
Which would you recommend for riding thats 60% road 40% dirt/gravel? No mud riding for me.
Pirelli Gravel H
Good reviews, but what about Rene Herse?
What about the Halo range of tyres?
Curious, Pathfinder Pro?
I would have loved to hear how yall preferred some Rene Herse Steilacoom or Hurricane Ridge
Thanks for the suggestion, we'd also love to test Rene Herse tyres 👍
I try G One bite and Ultrabite and founds them rubbish, zero camber grip causing 2 big falls where i normally go quickly with my regular setup. For me, continental crossking 50-584 (all around in winter) and crossking front race king rear in summer is better and faster than GONe according to my strava stats. Admittedly, these conti are more prompt to punctures that the G Ones but I can live with that
Summer = Hutchinson Touareg 700x45
Winter = Hutchinson Toro 700x47
The only thing I don't love about the Touareg is that isn't doesn't come in a tan sidewall in the 700x45 size.
well nice video , but the only tire available in greek shops is the continetal and that one cost 50euro ,, when most tires cost 10-20
top 8 (11) gravel tires and no mention of Specialized Pathfinder ? Which by the way just came out in a 42mm S-Works design at 450 grams.
Interesting that you didn't mention the Pathfinder. Seems to be the most popular tire at the local gravel races. Has won a lot of gravel races. Apparently in Britain, gravel riding is only relevant if you're riding through a foot of mud.
I agree. I ride these (here in the UK) and find them fast onroad and good on gravel.
Looking at them, they look really similar in make up to Schwalbe Hurricanes.
@@Exgrmbl I think the hurricane is more directed to the hybrid/commuter market. Pathfinder is a fast race tire.
@@davidtt8372
Yeah, it's true. It is marketed that way...the tread pattern however looks like it would be viable.
@@Exgrmbl There are $20 that have the same tread pattern as $120 tires. They aren't the same tire. We're taking better handling characteristics, weight reduction and rolling resistance.
Hutchinson Toureg, extremely resistant !!
I do like my 42mm Specialized Sawtooths.
I ride the wtb byway
On dry condition it's fast
On wet no grip in climbing
DHR2/Assegai for gravel
Hi will any of these 650 tyres for gravel bikes work on a hard tail? Just using my bike to take the kids to school with a bike trailer and not using off road ATM mostly pavements any suggestions on what tyres I should go for
Maxxis Re-Fuse.