Originally Posted by
trailangel
51mm tires.... you are now into the XC MTB realm.
But only interested in the best rolling XC tires with short knobs or even a file tread if possible. The gain here is for traction in the situation of loose gravel on an otherwise smooth and hardpacked road, or over the odd sand drifts that happen when drainage crosses the road (culverts? what's a culvert? lol)
No, I have no interest in an XC bike on gravel roads, a proper gravel bike leaves it in the dust. Aside from the tires the rest of the bike should basically be an endurance road bike.