dwmckee

This is my suggestion too. Excellent and you need minimal tread for what you describe, just width. Second and third are Gravel King Slicks mentioned above and Challenge Strada Bianca in their widest width. All three are outstanding for what you are looking for.

PoorInRichfield

My second set of wheels arrived while I was on vacation so now it's time to purchase gravel tires. At the moment, the recommended Specialized Pathfinder Pro or the Panaracer GravelKing SS are on my "short list" of tires to get.

On my vacation, I road the Three Eagle Trail in Three Lakes, WI, with the Conti GP5000 TL 700x32c tires I currently have on my bike to see how well "slicks" work on a packed gravel trail (only 1/3 of my ride was on gravel, the other 2/3 of the ride was on asphalt.) For the most part, slicks were just fine except when cornering. On several occasions, I could feel the back of of my bike sliding-out on sharp turns... of which the trail has many sharp turns. I'm glad the slide was minimal so I didn't end-up crashing, but the lost of traction was unnerving as I didn't expect it given how packed the trail is. I'm not sure if a tire with sidewall tread would help prevent the tire from sliding-out or if that's just part of the gravel riding experience. Most of the gravel trails near my house are straight as an arrow because they are retired railroad grades, but the Three Eagles Trail is only partially a railroad grade and so it was a good place to test tires.

u235

Gravel varies greatly but.... traction in gravel comes with more volume and less pressure that can conform, not tread blocks. The tire being able to find enough of something solid underneath to support itself and your weight instead of searching or "squirming" around. It's not the same as dirt or something soft.

jp911

I got a great deal on a pair of Maxxis Re-fuse (700 x 40) and decided to put slick tire traction to the test. Coming from a few sets of Maxxis Ramblers in the same size it was definitely a big switch. I mostly ride mixed tarmac, hardpack trails, and gravel where I live, and so far they are handling it really well, but the real test has been some of the local MTB trails. You know what? They actually do really well...until you get into looser stuff in a turn or lose grip on a steep and loose climb, so I'm learning some new tricks. The big pro = noticeably less rolling resistance. The big con = less grip when things get loose.

u235

​​​​​​Agree and another big con is if that singletrack or trail is wet. Like I mentioned earlier in this thread... A great gravel/road tire is not a great trail tire and visa versa. Single track and trails are a lot different than gravel. Wet road or gravel is not much different than dry, a wet MTB trail and hardpack is totally different than a dry one.

PoorInRichfield

This review of the Specialized Pathfinder Pro's suggest these tires would address the one concern I have about riding in gravel (i.e., tire sliding-out from underneath me unexpected)...

https://www.feedthehabit.com/gear-re...-2bliss-tires/

u235

Compared to the 32c conti of your last ride, no doubt. Skip the middle man, join the darkside and get a 42 and play with the pressure. You won't regret it

chas58

Or you can read bicycle quarterly to see that tread doesn't make any difference on gravel tires. ;-)
There is some truth to that, but I find the breakaway characteristics are much different with tread.

and, like u235 said - wet surfaces (non paved) and slicks don't usually play together well. I was taking a nice dry ride on some 60mm slicks, hit a patch of mud and it was like riding on ice. Flotation/slicks is not what you want on mud.

PoorInRichfield

Follow-up to my original post...

Got my "gravel wheelset" all built-up. Thanks everyone for the tire suggestions. I'm going to be doing a 70 mile ride on a gravel rails-to-trails path this weekend to test out the new tires

Sometimes I don't understand myself though... I told myself I hated "skinwall" tires, yet that's what I purchased. Somehow the tan sidewalls make the bike look more "gravelly"

dwmckee

Gravel roads span a very wide range of condition (chunky, loose, hard pack, sand, mud, broken chip seal, grass, flint, bedrock, PLUS all paved road options) while riding paved roads only is more consistent. That is why there is such a range of "good" gravel tires. Some tires are good at several things, but the 'best' tire is a compromise of the range of conditions you ride over time.

PoorInRichfield

I got to test-out my new tires on the gravel trail in northern Wisconsin that I had originally bought the tires for. I was super-excited to be able to ride the trail again as part of a weekend vacation and test the tires on the gravel, but there was a new challenge I didn't even think about... wet leaves Being Fall in Northern Wisconsin, the tree colors are amazing and much of the trail was completely covered with either pine needles or wet tree leaves. Overall, I think the tires handled as good as one could expect in such conditions. I was getting a little bit of rear tire slip still, but I never ended-up on my butt which is good. I'm really glad I got these wider, gripper tires for Fall riding as I can't imagine what would've happened had I tried to ride my slick Conti GP5000s on slippery leaves.

(Not many leaves on the section of trail shown below... this is more of a "obligatory picture to keep things interesting" pic )

u235

You mentioned two different situations and the rear being the limiting factor. I find this intriguing. This is the exact opposite of everything I've ever experienced when things unexpectedly get uneasy. The front always goes first for me. I even run a different "better" front tire sometimes for the conditions for that reason and can have an effective slick on the back and it is still not limiting.

Other than wet leaves, watch for walnuts, sweetgum balls, buckeyes, or whatever hard large orbs may be falling from trees in your area this time of year.

msu2001la

Nice looking bike, and great photo.

Looks like an awesome ride.

dalava

I agree that the Rene Herse (Compass) Barlow Pass (38c) is probably ideal for your application. You won't find a more plush tires out there.

Other tires to consider:
- Ultradynamico Cava
- Schwalbe G-One Speed
- WTB Riddler

Chi_Z

what's the difference between Barlow Pass and Gravel King 38?

Kapusta

According to everyone I have heard from that has owned both, the Barlow Pass (Extralight) has a smoother ride.

Rides4Beer

Loving the Pathfinder Pros, great all around tire. Noticed at my last two races that 90% of the front pack was running them. Couple of guys said they get a ton of miles out them too, which would be great. I loved the Terra Speeds, but they wear out too fast.

illjustride

I've been on the WTB Byway SG2 versions which are their puncture protection models. They are nice. Check out my write up on them here...
WTB Byway SG2 Tubless Tire Review

KJ43

I love the Pathfinder Pro too. Great tire and rolls great on the pavement and in the dirt. It also holds air really well.

babylovege

I'm using schwalbe x-one allround 33c, and it's great for both condition, and also I can ride singles with limits.
If you don't need to go single, maybe schwalbe g-one speed 30c or any 32c semi-slick tyres can be recommended.

chaadster

Casing and tread compound.