Panaracer Gravel King SK
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Panaracer Gravel King SK
I've been running these tires in 38 for years with no problems until my last purchase this summer.
Simply put, these things leak air between the bead and rim when the pressure gets too low.
Previously, I've been able to complete a ride at lower pressure when a puncture would not seal at 40 psi but would at a lower pressure. On the tires, I had a leak that sealed but, I did lose some pressure (not enough IMO to stop and add air). Five miles later, tire loses all air around the bead and with a shot of CO2, I'm back in the game.
Simply put, these things leak air between the bead and rim when the pressure gets too low.
Previously, I've been able to complete a ride at lower pressure when a puncture would not seal at 40 psi but would at a lower pressure. On the tires, I had a leak that sealed but, I did lose some pressure (not enough IMO to stop and add air). Five miles later, tire loses all air around the bead and with a shot of CO2, I'm back in the game.
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I presume you are running them with the same wheels as in the past?
If “yes,“ then perhaps you just got a bad tire. Or perhaps they changed the molds and they are now designed differently.
If “yes,“ then perhaps you just got a bad tire. Or perhaps they changed the molds and they are now designed differently.
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As tubeless tires go...the SKs are some of the looser-fitting tubeless tires for gravel I've used. Particularly after being mounted the first time and stretched a bit. Don't even need tire levers to get them on.
Of course, it also depend on what rims you're using.
Of course, it also depend on what rims you're using.
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Currently using SK 700x50s, and it's the most difficult to install tire I've ever mounted. But I do like them, once they're installed.
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I'm convinced that Panaracer changed something or had a bad run. I'm getting the impression from the LBS there are others having issues but, they aren't elaborating.
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A ton of rim/tire set-ups have the same issue. Not specific to one tire model, IME. I have a pair of GK slicks that do the same thing but only on Kinlin rims, they don't have the issue on Stan's or HED. I've also seen Schwalbe and Michelin tires do the same on other rims. My last Compass tire started having the issue once it got high-mileage (>3000 miles), only put it on once so I don't think it's always a bead issue, I think there's an interplay with overall tire integrity as well.
I will add that the most recent early/mid-2019 GK models were all more supple than prior models. This may indicate more pressure is needed to increase casing tension such that the bead on a tolerance-loose set-up will burp or bleed easier than the prior examples you had.
Possible remedy? More tape!
I will add that the most recent early/mid-2019 GK models were all more supple than prior models. This may indicate more pressure is needed to increase casing tension such that the bead on a tolerance-loose set-up will burp or bleed easier than the prior examples you had.
Possible remedy? More tape!
You may be on to something with the supple tire.
At any rate, I'm going switch tires and see what happens.
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I've only used the Panaracer Gravel Kinds up to this point so I don't have an idea how good or bad they are since I have not tried other tires.. But I've been running them with tubes. I got some new wheels and figured I'd try to go tubeless. I've yet to get the bead fully set. I've tried the soapy water trick and using airshot. Using handsanitizer gel with airshot got me almost all the way there except for one section. My old wheels the bead would pop into place fairly easily. Not with these wheels and tire combination.
My new bike is coming with Maxxis Ramblers so I'll see how those go.
My new bike is coming with Maxxis Ramblers so I'll see how those go.
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Not affiliated with them - just seems like a cheap way to address a lot of small tubeless issues like this. I keep a pack of them in my garage.
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This was on 33's at ~22psi on pretty aggressive terrain and I'm not light at 180lbs. The latex strip does stick well to the bead but tears/separates when aggressively sheared during sharp cornering. I'll think I'll still stick to tubulars for really low psi
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Gravel king 29er x 50
I just put together an allcity junk yard dog I found and have a set of fairly light 29er Bontrager-dt swiss rim brake wheels with panaracer gk's, running between 20 and 35 psi running tubeless. The ride is really compliant and responive. 2 years ago I sold my vintage lugged steel an running tubular tires on old school 10 speeds. The ride quality, low rolling resistance at these low pressures is a revelation to me. I did have a salsa casserolle that ran with 38 size conti urban tires running much higher pressures and they felt heavy- thick...
#14
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I've got 700x43c GK SK tires on WTB Asym rims. They were a pain to get installed, had to use a compressor.
I too have ridden them down to 20psi and they were fine.
Had a puncture last week and lost a lot of pressure- maybe down to 10psi? It was really soft, so I hit it with my hand pump. For the first few pump strokes there was sealant bubbling from the bead at the bottom of the wheel. That stopped with more pressure.
So, yeah, not that great of a seal at the bead at lower pressures, but I'm not sure I'd want to run those pressures.
I too have ridden them down to 20psi and they were fine.
Had a puncture last week and lost a lot of pressure- maybe down to 10psi? It was really soft, so I hit it with my hand pump. For the first few pump strokes there was sealant bubbling from the bead at the bottom of the wheel. That stopped with more pressure.
So, yeah, not that great of a seal at the bead at lower pressures, but I'm not sure I'd want to run those pressures.
#15
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I just mounted these tubeless on my stock Bontrager Affinity TLR on my Trek FX S6. Ironically...they lose the least amount of air of any of my tubeless road bike setups. On the road bikes they lose maybe 3-5psi overnight, whereas the GK SKs take several days to lose that same amount. I do run them lower though (50psi) compared to my road bikes (65-70psi).
#16
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I run the GK SK 43s at pressures between 30 to 40 psi. The tires lose maybe about 5 psi per week at most, set up tubeless with Stans Race sealant. These tires were really quite hard to get on my 21mm internal rims, and I needed to use an Airshot to pop them onto the rims, as a floor pump did not provide enough air volume quickly enough. Once seated, though, the seal was fantastic and quick with Stans. The tires do stretch out after that initial seating. After six months, I did a sealant check and top off, so I broke the bead and took the tire off part way. It was way easier to do this than the first time around. I still needed to use a lever to get the tire off, but I was able to use my fingers to get the tire back on after adding sealant. Another Airshot got the bead seated again, and the tire sealed up perfectly once more, good as new.