This is the second time around trying gravel riding. I have logged more than a few thousand road miles over the last couple years and a couple mountain biking. What I have NO clue about is Gravel and how to make my ride more efficient. Crazy thought... efficiency and gravel rides. LoL I'm out here in Middle of MO and we have some nice roads and some not so friendly roads.
Am I looking at gravel in the wrong way when it comes to tires? Road tires slick and what suits my style of riding. I see guys and gals on slicks for Gravel grinding and I get confused. So what I'm looking for is that happy medium... fast rolling not overly aggressive tread, but will hook when it's rough and widths. I rode 35s this weekend and I felt like I was on road tires compared to the tires others were riding.
I've done some gravel grinding. Am heavier so usually max out tire pressure. That is totally wrong. I am thinking gravel tires with puncture protection with lower tire pressure is the answer. Seated climbs and pacing yourself. Kenda actually makes a 'Happy Medium' but its for Cross Courses. There are some new offerings this year in the 35-39c width but seems previous consensus is GravelKings. Try the tire finder page on this site. I have a cross bike with narrow chainstays so considering picking up the CST Pika's (reviewed on this site) from Niagra cause they are $18 ea. for training, and maybe a set of something else for race. Probably 35s with less pressure will work just fine. On my list are Challenge Gravel Grinder's, GravelKings, Cannonballs, and Flintridge's.
OP: What rims and bike do you have? Do you want to go tubeless and how large of a tire can you fit?\n\nI do most of my gravel riding in Missouri, including the Missouri river valley and the Ozarks. \n\nI'd suggest a larger tubeless tire, if it will fit you bike and rim, but we need more information.
Brett: I ride a 2015 Boone 9 with an TLR wheelset. You might be the person to help me get ready for the Ogre coming up down your way. I'm up the Sedalia area.
While ready reviews on the Boone, the articles mentioned that a 700x32 is standard with about 10mm clearance on each side. You rims are tubeless ready.\n\nI'd suggest the 700x36 Clement MSO. This tire will give you increased volume and excellent traction on gravel. It's moderately fast rolling on pavement, better than most other gravel tires. \n\nRun these tires tubeless. I've participated in the Rocheport Roubaix, the Red Dog Gravel race out of Jefferson City, and the Cuba Gravel Crisis in the Ozarks. I have seen numerous participants with flat tires. This is almost always caused by using tubes and pinch flating. Missouri Gravel can be soft and often includes an uneven substrate.
I have a 38 on there now and I have a ton of room still. I'll drop the wheel out and figure out the width. I want to say I could fit a 42 on there and still have plenty of clearance.
In that case, look at the Schwalbe G-One and Panaracer Gravel King. These both tend to be larger than marked. \n\nThe Gravel King in the 700c x 35mm size measure 38mm wide, and the 700c x 40mm versions measure 43mm wide.\n\nThe Schwalbe in the 700c x 38mm versions measure 39mm wide.\n\nThis guidance is based on multiple user reviews.
I measured the opening and it's 49mm at the widest point. I have no doubt that I can fit a 42 or even 45 in there. As long as the widest point drops in this space.
Very good advice from JOM and the gang at GC. Also check out their reviews of GG bikes tires and components. Lots of good info. to help you decide and chose your ride(s).
PS- I'm not GC "groupie". But I do read their postings regularly and occasionally post comments.
When you are on gravel roads around here, they go from hard packed to loose crap in no time. I'm looking at possibly trying the Riddler 45c for my next two big rides. Lots of climbing means lots of bombing. For my daily riding I'm rolling on some tubeless Trigger Pro 40c. I've also ridden a ride on Clement MSO, Schwalbe Mondails, and last weekend I rode Duro's Ellie Mae. Those weren't bad at all, but when you are barreling down a gravel hill at 30+... 35c is a little sketchy. There were a lot of riders on 40+ tires, so I came here to ask questions.
I have the 700x45 WTB Riddler. I used it on the Red Dog event based in Jefferson City. It's a good all around tire. It's the best tire I've used on fast downhill sections and steep climbs when the gravel is loose and choppy due to washboard or other features.
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\nIt's definitely slower on pavement than the 700x36 Clement MSO. However, once on gravel the difference in rolling resistance is not enormous.
CvRyder wrote:Maxxis Rambler 40's or 38's if you mixed gravel and concrete. or Maxxis Ravager if you FULLY gravel. Those are my choices. Plus there very light tires
I've recently been riding the Ravagers set up tubeless on Stan's Iron Cross wheels. I had no issues mounting them. Compared to the other two tires I've used a lot and quite like - Challenge Gravel Grinders (38mm, with tubes) and Conti CycloXKings (42's, but measure ~38, with tubes) the Ravagers feel like they have more volume (less likely to bottom out) and are definitely more secure on soft surfaces and technical terrain. I particularly like their edge grip when cornering, on off-camber surfaces and on roots/rocks. At 170#, I can run the Ravagers at 32/34 psi F/R, which is 2-4 psi less than I need with the other two tires. On pavement, I notice a bit more noise with them compared to the GGs and a little less than with the CXKs, which is no surprise. Frankly, I don't care, as these are off-pavement tires and the less time they spend on asphalt, the better.
For the dirt roads and trails up here in NH, they seem to be ideal. While I will keep the other tires around until they're worn out, I think I've found my new go-to gravel tire.
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