davei1980

I may have just ordered a set from my lbs.

I have until Monday to cancel the order. I am expecting them to be super capable off-road but just making sure they’re not boat anchors on road!

The “Sk” is the knurlier end of Panaracer’s Gravelking franchise. I usually don’t let this happen but I let the guy talk me into these. Sometimes you gotta shut up and listen to the pros.

chas58

Many people are happy with them. They are not quite as fast as slicks, but should be a great commuting tire. The only real complaint is that they tend to throw up small pebbles - the kind that are often on MUP trails - so I wont' ride behind anyone with them. Some people might see that as an advantage. ;-)

crazyravr

I do. I love them. I switched from Marathons.

robyr

They are great tires, and bombproof when set up tubeless. I've run both the slicks and the SKs and the SKs didn't all that slow on the road. You will wear them down faster, however.

tyrion

I think they're a good all-round tires. As mentioned, not as fast as slick tires, but they're medium/light and medium fast for their size.

davei1980

I am running fenders so I think this downside is mitigated!

Thanks for the feedback, I don't race so giving up a touch of speed is ok with me if it means not having to have an extra wheelset built up for gravel and offroad (which happens on my impromptu night rides with my kids all the time!)

davei1980

Thanks! Tubeless is a stretch goal and factored in to my decision! Running tubes for the immediate future until I recover from the PTSD from flatting a tubular on my commute #backtobasics

davei1980

Awesome to hear! I ordered a 43 for the rear and a 38 for the front, although if the 43 fits on the front I will run 43s in both positions.

I am not obsessed with speed but, as I mentioned in my previous quote, I am obsessed with versatility! one day can take me over paved MUPs, dirt roads, trails, grass, single track, it all depends on what mood my kids are in when I get off work! They have beach cruisers and BMX bikes they ride EVERYWHERE!

chas58

I tend to run 38 rear 43 front, because that is what fits. I like having the extra traction and cushion in the front when going off road - and a little extra efficiency in the rear. (there is no right answer - either way works).

No hurry. I used to get pinch flats (using small tires on a rough commute) and occasional tread puncture. For years now I have been commuting tubeless, and have had no issues. Pinch flats are unknown. I check my tire for wet spots to see if I have a puncture, remove the debris, but they seal themselves. My repair bag has just been unused dead weight. Keep tubless on your radar if you have the tires/wheels.


You are the first person I have ever heard that say the slicks last longer. The slicks are light and fast, but do not have a reputation for being bulletproof or long lasting.

robyr

Sorry to be vague, I didn't mean that the slicks last longer than the SKs, but that if you use the SKs on the road primarily that you will wear down the knobs pretty quickly. The slicks and the SKs lasted just about the same amount of mileage for me. They are definitely strong and unlikely to fail or flat in my experience, not sure where you are hearing about the slicks' reputation. They are tanks compared to my Rene Herse slicks.

Moe Zhoost

I think you'll like them. I put them on my hybrid bike (43s) about 1,500 miles back and have been very pleased. They are comfortable on all surfaces and seem to be wearing very well. They do make a bit of a hum on very smooth roads but much of this has abated with wear (which is slight). The tread does through up small stuff, as others have mentioned. When it hits the downtube it makes a pinging noise that bugged the heck out of me until I figured out what it was. It's not significant enough to worry about paint damage, etc.

davei1980

UPDATE - thanks all! Got them mounted up this weekend, the shop special ordered a 38 for me but I was able to get the 43 to work up front so they were cool about trading me out for another 43 so I have the bigger size in both positions which is cool, the 43s also have 2 more tread block rows which is also cool.

I did have to make some "customizations" to my fenders but was able to keep them, thank goodness because the amount of small sand and gravel they kick up is for real, makes me wonder, were my previous tires even trying? LOL LOL

noglider 

Let's see a picture of the bike now.

davei1980

Here it is with bar mitts/headlights for winter commuting plus the new Panaracer Gravelking SK's (700x43c)

davei1980

Done. So far so good except it feels higher geared now that before (because it is...)