Tires are undoubtedly one of the most important elements of a gravel bike . It's designed for riding on varied terrain, and wide tires are what distinguish it from a cyclocross bike. There are no suspensions, so the difference is immediately noticeable. You can shift the bike more towards MTB riding and playing in the mud, or install slicks and zip around with friends in a group. The key is choosing the right model for your needs and avoid unnecessary strain. Today, I'll try to help you solve the dilemma of which gravel tires are best for you! I invite you to read on!
Also check out - How to choose the right wheel size for your bike?
Where do you want to ride?
There are essentially three basic options. The first are tires with a continuous tread in the center and medium-sized knobs on the sides. This design is often used on trekking and cross-country bikes. On asphalt, they provide a smooth ride with little resistance, but on bumps, the knobs "push in" and add traction, also helping maintain good handling in corners. The downside? They don't perform well in mud and challenging terrain, and wet asphalt isn't their cup of tea either.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have typical off-road tires with aggressive tread and large knobs. These are the best tires for gravel bikes if you want to use them for high -speed riding through the woods in any weather. They're ideal with lower pressures and provide predictable handling in mud and sand. However, on asphalt, they'll wear out quickly, be noisy, and, above all, generate significant drag.
The best gravel tires for universal use
What are the most common gravel tires? Specifically, tires that can handle a little bit of everything. The recipe is simple: very fine knobs in the middle and thicker ones on the sides. It works similarly to the one described at the beginning, but it handles much better on dirt roads, for example. Wet surfaces aren't a problem either. The trade-off is slightly faster wear, but I think that's acceptable. After all, gravel riding is about not having to think about the trail much; you just grab your bike and go.
What gravel tires should you choose for asphalt? Wide slicks that wouldn't normally be suitable for the road. If you don't plan on leaving paved roads, it makes sense. They offer excellent traction, but also a high level of comfort. Not my cup of tea, but definitely suitable for specific uses.
Wide and thick
The best gravel tires are wide ones. In my opinion, only by approaching the upper limit of the frame width will we fully utilize the bike's potential. A solid tire absorbs bumps better and can also run at lower pressures. This means the bike doesn't bounce around like a ball, which translates to... lower rolling resistance. That's why we no longer ride on road tires that used to knock out teeth. Just don't try to make room for a little more—you have to leave room for mud and other debris. 700x40c is absolutely the world and people, although if you can fit a 42, don't hesitate.
What's the deal with density? It's the TPI (Thread Per Inch) coefficient, or the casing density, which is responsible for holding the tire in one piece. The higher the coefficient, the thinner the fibers. The tire is lighter and performs better. Unfortunately, the price also increases, and at extreme values (around 300 TPI), puncture resistance decreases. In my opinion, optimal gravel tires should be between 100 and 160 TPI.
What tire is best for gravel? Tubeless!
For me, it's the perfect combination. Tubeless minimizes the risk of a flat thanks to the sealant, while also allowing you to use much lower pressure. It's more convenient! Plus, it's lighter, and in the event of a massive puncture, you can always install a tube. What's not to like? The only time this won't work is if you rarely use your bike—sealant tends to clump when the bike sits for a long time.
You may be interested in - Tubeless tires on a bike - are they worth it?
Gravel tires ranking - a short list by Anta
What gravel tires do we most often install on our bikes? We primarily use Panaracer and Continental. We also used Tufo for a while, but we received a lot of reports of punctures – perhaps due to the brand's very dense casing. The Panaracer GravelKing comes in a wide range of tread patterns. We usually choose the gravel ones, as they're the most versatile. They're fast and durable tires, and they come in a variety of colors – and they're beautiful! The Continental Speed King is also a popular choice – it's reasonably priced and works perfectly as a compromise between city and light off-road riding. For tarmac, we recommend the Continental Contact Speed.
As you can see, the best gravel tires are those that fit your needs. If you still have questions, email or call us. We'd be happy to help you choose!
Leave a comment