Anyone commuting on Gravelking SK tires?
#1
Very Slow Rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: E Wa
Posts: 1,274
Bikes: Jones Plus LWB, 1983 Centurion Japanese CrMo bike
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 500 Post(s)
Liked 132 Times
in
101 Posts
Anyone commuting on Gravelking SK tires?
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.
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.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,863
Bikes: too many of all kinds
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1147 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
335 Posts
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. ;-)
#4
Car-free in the South
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.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,077
Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet
Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times
in
972 Posts
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.
#6
Very Slow Rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: E Wa
Posts: 1,274
Bikes: Jones Plus LWB, 1983 Centurion Japanese CrMo bike
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 500 Post(s)
Liked 132 Times
in
101 Posts
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. ;-)
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!)
#7
Very Slow Rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: E Wa
Posts: 1,274
Bikes: Jones Plus LWB, 1983 Centurion Japanese CrMo bike
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 500 Post(s)
Liked 132 Times
in
101 Posts
#8
Very Slow Rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: E Wa
Posts: 1,274
Bikes: Jones Plus LWB, 1983 Centurion Japanese CrMo bike
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 500 Post(s)
Liked 132 Times
in
101 Posts
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!
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,863
Bikes: too many of all kinds
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1147 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
335 Posts
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.
#10
Car-free in the South
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.
#11
Half way there
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,956
Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 986 Post(s)
Liked 880 Times
in
527 Posts
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!
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!
#12
Very Slow Rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: E Wa
Posts: 1,274
Bikes: Jones Plus LWB, 1983 Centurion Japanese CrMo bike
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 500 Post(s)
Liked 132 Times
in
101 Posts
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
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
#13
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,462 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Let's see a picture of the bike now.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Likes For davei1980: