Which 700x32 tire for mostly pavement but tough enough for gravel.
 

With so many new road-bike and slick versions of 700x32 available, it's difficult to narrow the field. My riding is 50% pavement, sometimes with a fast group, and 30% firm & smooth crushed limestone, and 20% course but firm crushed gravel. If the gravel is soft and rutted, I use a different bike with 700x40 tires.

So the ideal 700x32 tire for my Endurance bike is light and has minimal rolling resistance but is tough enough for a mile of rural gravel.

Any suggestions?

one of the better options - 32mm - Continental GP4S

GP Urban and Terra Speed would be additional options if you expand search to include 35mm (Terra Speed 35’s run a tad small btw )

I currently have the 700x28 Continental 4000 S II on this bike, A Canyon Endurace. It measures out to about 31mm wide. The 4000 has been both fast and tough enough, never a flat.

But it's obsolete now, so i'm considering my options. Something wider and tougher but just as fast on pavement.

The 700x32 Vittoria N.EXT TLR looks interesting.

32mm Panaracer Gravel King(s) are additional options

the standard Gravel King slick is not the most puncture resistant tire - a Conti GP5K might be more puncture resistant (?) - and of course roll much better

Gravel King SS is more puncture resistant than the standard Gravel King slick - but does not roll as well ... and the 32’s can run a bit small

agree - looks a very good tire (according to reviews)

I have no experience with this tire

I have been using 25mm GP5000 on conditions just like to described without any issues.

Vittoria Terrano Dry comes in 700 x 31 and 700 x 33.
Maxxis Speed Terrane...700 x 33
Kenda Small block 8 ....700 x 32

I have been using 32mm gravel kings. sometimes it gets holes but for the most part it seals up and then I am on my way.

I've used the Gravel King in the 700x38 flavor previously and just set up some 32's on my Fezzari Empire. On 23mm ID rims, they mounted up at 33mm. I've seen some good things said about the Specialized Roubaix Pro 2Bliss which is also a 32c tire. It has a slick center and kind of a textured shoulder. May look at some once late spring/summer rolls in to the northern hemisphere. Another contender could be the Hutchinson Sector 32. Hard to go wrong with most of the better Conti options of course.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...85ba72ac1a.jpg

I’ve been riding Specialized Pathfinder Pro’s for about 2 years.

They are fast on the road and handle gravel well.

GK SS will roll much better than the GK SK (like pictured above)

( GK slick even more so of course - but tread thickness / puncture resistance lower )

I’ve run GK SS in 32, 35, and 38mm sizes ... (same bike / rims) ... the 35 actually measured close to 37mm and was my fav of the three sizes ... unfortunately if you are into the limited color editions - the 35 has been omitted - only 32 and 38mm avail in the limited colors (recently)

very good tire - and apparently fairly durable and puncture resistant

( more puncture resistant than the Conti’s I typically run )

but can be a tad heavy though compared to the lighter tires

If you've been happy with GP 4000 S II's, you'll love the GP 5000.
I've run 32mm tubeless GP 5000's in conditions exactly as you describe and it's great for that. I also like to run 33mm CX tires (like the Donnely MDX) for smooth/firm gravel, but these tires start to feel a little draggy on pavement.

I did all my gravel riding on Panaracer Paselas, 32c and up (depending on the bike). Paselas run true to slightly wide (or at least did before anyone considered rim width when spec'ing tires). Not a gravel tread and the casing look thin (don't abrade them!) but I don't think I ever flatted them off pavement. They were were a great ride down the several thousand feet of descending on the infamous inaugural Trask River BF ride 5 years ago (on 1 1/2" and larger "gravel").

Pluses to the Paselas - quite good on pavement. Not super; they're just a $35-40 tire but no weak points. Doing nothing for flat protection I have have very good luck with them. Flats are nearly always caused by easy to find issues. (Something I cannot say for all the tires I ride. I commute those Paselas because they are so "bad day" free.) The fact that I can leave the pavement and be just fine is a nice bonus. I do drop the pressure and pump back up when I go back on the pavement unless it's just a short stint.

I am 195# and ride a fairly heavy CX bike - Giant TXC base model version... I go for durability over weight in most cases - these tires have been bomb proof so far. One of my gravel rides takes me over a bridge with a bike lane that is full of glass and debris, no punctures so far. And some of my gravel rides are on fresh laid 1" sharp rocks... no issues.

The smooth center section keeps the rolling resistance down when on the road.

I had Schwalbe Pro One 32s on for much of the summer and was pleased.

Ive had 700x30 Schwalbe G One "speed TLE" and thought they were excellent but a little heavy.

Yes, Sometimes the logical and obvious choice is also the right choice, ;-).

For what you are talking about, I'd stick with a slick or slick-ish file tread. No need for knobs, IMO.

Bump this up to 32mm and call it a day...

GP4S 32% off - including 32 mm

@ biketiresdirect

I have ridden my GK slicks on about a mile of awful gravel. I thought they were going to give up, but there was no apparent damage. OTOH, I'm not particularly happy about how many miles I get out of them before I wear through the tread.

I have IRC Boken Plus 700x32 on a spare set of i9 wheels. I threw them on the new Domane and it did really well on the road as well as the dirt.