Would you swap tires in this situation?
11-24-18, 06:07 AM
#1
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Would you swap tires in this situation?
I have 650x48 Panaracer Gravel King SK on my gravel bike. I ride this bike on mixed surface rides (30/70 paved to gravel). Tires are great on the gravel roads in my area, and surprisingly fast on pavement.
We’ve had snow in the last couple weeks, though the paved roads are often clear enough for riding. I was on my gravel bike yesterday and thought I would try out the gravel roads as well. They weren’t good. Soft and wet, and made for a mud fest. I think this time of year I’ll stick to the paved roads.
Question - is it worth swapping tires to a smoother tread for this time of year (I use tubes, so not that difficult), or for the limited number of times I’ll ride in the winter should I just leave the GKSK on the bike (less expense and fuss)?
It’s not like the GKSK is a true off-road tire that I use on technical single track and thus don’t want to wear down the tread. And these tires are very affordable so wearing them down a bit faster isn’t a big deal (I already have the next set of them on hand).
We’ve had snow in the last couple weeks, though the paved roads are often clear enough for riding. I was on my gravel bike yesterday and thought I would try out the gravel roads as well. They weren’t good. Soft and wet, and made for a mud fest. I think this time of year I’ll stick to the paved roads.
Question - is it worth swapping tires to a smoother tread for this time of year (I use tubes, so not that difficult), or for the limited number of times I’ll ride in the winter should I just leave the GKSK on the bike (less expense and fuss)?
It’s not like the GKSK is a true off-road tire that I use on technical single track and thus don’t want to wear down the tread. And these tires are very affordable so wearing them down a bit faster isn’t a big deal (I already have the next set of them on hand).
11-24-18, 07:35 AM
#2
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Why not?
I ride a Trek Crossrip that is my everything bike. I also ride with tubes and change tires for whatever the ride calls for. I have tires for pavement , gravel and cyclocross. It only takes a few minutes and I enjoy tinkering with my bike anyway , so I say why not?
11-24-18, 09:51 AM
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Depends on exactly what "winter" is in your part of the world. Snow melt and muck isn't typically something I associate with winter up here, but that is here. For proper snow GKs aren't too bad, but for any semi-melted and then semi-frozen ice....they're no bueno.
Here for example 2 weeks ago we had a day of snow and ice and hard freeze (should have broken out the studs, but was lazy)...then 2 weeks of 40s-50s (GK SKs on)....and tomorrow 3-4" of snow and the mercury will bottom out for the next week plus, studs are going back on today.
Here for example 2 weeks ago we had a day of snow and ice and hard freeze (should have broken out the studs, but was lazy)...then 2 weeks of 40s-50s (GK SKs on)....and tomorrow 3-4" of snow and the mercury will bottom out for the next week plus, studs are going back on today.
11-24-18, 01:48 PM
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Go for it This is one reason why some folks keep spare wheelsets around.
11-24-18, 02:33 PM
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You should try some Terrene Elwood 650 x 47 tires. I know they are more than twice the price of the Gravel King SKs, but they roll wayyyyyyy better on pavement and are really supple on bumps. I have a set of GK SK's that I will never put back on the bike again.
11-24-18, 05:16 PM
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I have 650x48 Panaracer Gravel King SK on my gravel bike. I ride this bike on mixed surface rides (30/70 paved to gravel). Tires are great on the gravel roads in my area, and surprisingly fast on pavement.
We’ve had snow in the last couple weeks, though the paved roads are often clear enough for riding. I was on my gravel bike yesterday and thought I would try out the gravel roads as well. They weren’t good. Soft and wet, and made for a mud fest. I think this time of year I’ll stick to the paved roads.
Question - is it worth swapping tires to a smoother tread for this time of year (I use tubes, so not that difficult), or for the limited number of times I’ll ride in the winter should I just leave the GKSK on the bike (less expense and fuss)?
It’s not like the GKSK is a true off-road tire that I use on technical single track and thus don’t want to wear down the tread. And these tires are very affordable so wearing them down a bit faster isn’t a big deal (I already have the next set of them on hand).
We’ve had snow in the last couple weeks, though the paved roads are often clear enough for riding. I was on my gravel bike yesterday and thought I would try out the gravel roads as well. They weren’t good. Soft and wet, and made for a mud fest. I think this time of year I’ll stick to the paved roads.
Question - is it worth swapping tires to a smoother tread for this time of year (I use tubes, so not that difficult), or for the limited number of times I’ll ride in the winter should I just leave the GKSK on the bike (less expense and fuss)?
It’s not like the GKSK is a true off-road tire that I use on technical single track and thus don’t want to wear down the tread. And these tires are very affordable so wearing them down a bit faster isn’t a big deal (I already have the next set of them on hand).
do you ride a lot? swap them
do you not enjoy the ride as much with tread on pavement? swap them
If you are just out for the wind in your face/fitness? don't swap them
rides are generally slower in the cold anyways, so swapping them might not much of enough difference.
11-30-18, 02:17 PM
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we can't judge "is it worth" that's up to you
personally, I just use a road bike w 25mm slicks on pavement w/o snow or ice
what did you do last year?
personally, I just use a road bike w 25mm slicks on pavement w/o snow or ice
what did you do last year?
12-01-18, 08:05 AM
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last year I used my road bike with 25mm slicks. But on a cold, damp winter morning even a road that hadn’t seen rain or snow for days was dodgy. The GKSK have been great for these conditions
12-01-18, 10:13 AM
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I heard that! a yr or two ago, on an early morning auto commute I almost bought the farm taking a highway exit/entrance ramp curve too fast cuz unbeknownst to me there was a layer of freezing fog that caused me to break traction & fishtail. which is tricky at best on a straight a way, never mind a curve at highway speed. yeah I was going too fast, hot dogging it. a big dump trump was heading toward me on the opposing side of this undivided exchange ramp. route 2 west to 495 north. it was all I could do to regain control & stay in my lane without knicking the guardrail on the right & the curb which could have flipped me, on the left toward the truck
12-02-18, 07:02 AM
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I decided I’m not swapping them. A pair of them costs me about $70 Canadian. I’m going to change them out every year. Fresh ones late spring when the gravel roads and trails in my area are relatively dry. Then when I’m mainly gravel, with some mixed surface, I have lots of tread. Late fall I start riding them on the road, through winter when I can ride and into early spring. Assuming the tread is fading away by then so fresh tires for a new season of gravel.
I don’t want to swap tires to a ‘faster’ one for mainly road rides. I don’t race or care about going faster. Plus I have a dedicated road bike so this isn’t a one bike decision.
thanks for the ideas!
I don’t want to swap tires to a ‘faster’ one for mainly road rides. I don’t race or care about going faster. Plus I have a dedicated road bike so this isn’t a one bike decision.
thanks for the ideas!
12-03-18, 08:45 AM
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Nonievut - I know what you mean. Typically I look for days where is is below freezing - 'cause then the gravel is nice and hard and rolls fast. I have a fender on the rear of my bike and a removable one on the front for those days where the dirt is wet. I have 2 sets of wheels, but generally like the bigger tires for the winter. Not sure that the SK's are really slowing you down too much. I'm not super fast this time of year anyway. It is kinda fun to take the road bike out on dry days and go a little faster though...
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