First Gravel ride - Tire Question
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
First Gravel ride - Tire Question
I’ll be doing my first organized Gravel ride in March and have a question about tire size. I have a Giant Revolt Advanced 0, and can mount up to 53mm tires. I currently have WTB Byway Road 700x40 as I ride almost exclusively on pavement. The gravel ride will be 49 miles and about 3000’ elevation. Nothing technical, just regular gravel. Would I be better served with larger more gravel focused tires? FWIW, I’m a Clydesdale ( 275lbs ). Would I notice much of a comfort difference from 40mm to 45mm? I was looking at the Kenda Alluvium GCT 700x45, which would be more a gravel tire than I have now.
Any other ideas? I want to run them tubeless and while I have heard great things about the Panaracer Gravelkings, I’ve also heard A LOT about how they are a PITA to mount tubeless.
Any input?
Any other ideas? I want to run them tubeless and while I have heard great things about the Panaracer Gravelkings, I’ve also heard A LOT about how they are a PITA to mount tubeless.
Any input?
Last edited by Glenn6870; 01-12-24 at 05:46 PM.
#2
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,617
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10969 Post(s)
Liked 7,495 Times
in
4,191 Posts
I just moved away from Gravel King SS 43mm tires after 3+ years of use. They have been incredibly reliable and roll fast for the surface type and mix that I ride.
...but they were an infuriating experience to mount each time I had to do it. Luckily that's like 0.0000003 of my life. But yeah, it's infuriating.
Why don't you start riding some gravel now and see how you like the tires you have? Then change tread/width/quality if you don't like something about your current setup.
Seems better to go into a purchase with actual feedback.
As for general comments...
- your tire width is very common for gravel riding. If you go wider, sure a 43-45 may help with comfort.
- tire construction, quality, and weight are very real. A 40mm tire can feel like hell and it isn't the width, it'd the thick sidewalls and hard cading. Meanwhile, that width may be great and you just need a better quality tire in that width.
- the Byway is a very general all around mixed surface tire. Not much tread and that's fine for most gravel riding where width is more important than tread. Something high quality and fast rolling will probably be better than heavy and significantly treaded, based on your description. Guessing though.
...but they were an infuriating experience to mount each time I had to do it. Luckily that's like 0.0000003 of my life. But yeah, it's infuriating.
Why don't you start riding some gravel now and see how you like the tires you have? Then change tread/width/quality if you don't like something about your current setup.
Seems better to go into a purchase with actual feedback.
As for general comments...
- your tire width is very common for gravel riding. If you go wider, sure a 43-45 may help with comfort.
- tire construction, quality, and weight are very real. A 40mm tire can feel like hell and it isn't the width, it'd the thick sidewalls and hard cading. Meanwhile, that width may be great and you just need a better quality tire in that width.
- the Byway is a very general all around mixed surface tire. Not much tread and that's fine for most gravel riding where width is more important than tread. Something high quality and fast rolling will probably be better than heavy and significantly treaded, based on your description. Guessing though.
Likes For Clipped_in:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,887
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6972 Post(s)
Liked 10,971 Times
in
4,692 Posts
I just moved away from Gravel King SS 43mm tires after 3+ years of use. They have been incredibly reliable and roll fast for the surface type and mix that I ride.
...but they were an infuriating experience to mount each time I had to do it. Luckily that's like 0.0000003 of my life. But yeah, it's infuriating.
Why don't you start riding some gravel now and see how you like the tires you have? Then change tread/width/quality if you don't like something about your current setup.
Seems better to go into a purchase with actual feedback.
As for general comments...
- your tire width is very common for gravel riding. If you go wider, sure a 43-45 may help with comfort.
- tire construction, quality, and weight are very real. A 40mm tire can feel like hell and it isn't the width, it'd the thick sidewalls and hard cading. Meanwhile, that width may be great and you just need a better quality tire in that width.
- the Byway is a very general all around mixed surface tire. Not much tread and that's fine for most gravel riding where width is more important than tread. Something high quality and fast rolling will probably be better than heavy and significantly treaded, based on your description. Guessing though.
...but they were an infuriating experience to mount each time I had to do it. Luckily that's like 0.0000003 of my life. But yeah, it's infuriating.
Why don't you start riding some gravel now and see how you like the tires you have? Then change tread/width/quality if you don't like something about your current setup.
Seems better to go into a purchase with actual feedback.
As for general comments...
- your tire width is very common for gravel riding. If you go wider, sure a 43-45 may help with comfort.
- tire construction, quality, and weight are very real. A 40mm tire can feel like hell and it isn't the width, it'd the thick sidewalls and hard cading. Meanwhile, that width may be great and you just need a better quality tire in that width.
- the Byway is a very general all around mixed surface tire. Not much tread and that's fine for most gravel riding where width is more important than tread. Something high quality and fast rolling will probably be better than heavy and significantly treaded, based on your description. Guessing though.
If you do decide to move up in size, go to at least 45mm for a noticeable difference. Also, after your first event (or two) you will know whether you want smoother or knobbier tread.
Likes For Koyote:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,089 Times
in
1,182 Posts
Likes For Steve B.: