Tubeless Tire Recommendations for 50/50 Gravel and Asphalt
#26
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Rene Herse Barlow Pass (700C x 38mm) sound ideal for your application. I run them with tubes, but they can be run tubeless (better to use their sealant).
Those knobs on the the tire you posted won't really do anything.
If you need knobs, the Steilacoom is a good option. I use that on really rough stuff, and mud.
Those knobs on the the tire you posted won't really do anything.
If you need knobs, the Steilacoom is a good option. I use that on really rough stuff, and mud.
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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.
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.
#28
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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.
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.
Last edited by u235; 08-04-20 at 02:46 PM.
#29
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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.
#30
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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.
Last edited by u235; 08-06-20 at 01:18 AM.
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#31
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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/
https://www.feedthehabit.com/gear-re...-2bliss-tires/
What’s flat-out amazing about these tires on the road is the sheer grip they offer when cornering at speed. The 3000 ft. climb above turns into a whale of a downhill with twisty, turny corners that, with the Pathfinder 700×38’s, felt like a playground. The angulation you can achieve with the Pathfinders is off-the-charts as I’ve enjoyed every curvy downhill I’ve encountered.
#32
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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/
https://www.feedthehabit.com/gear-re...-2bliss-tires/
Last edited by u235; 08-06-20 at 02:43 PM.
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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/
https://www.feedthehabit.com/gear-re...-2bliss-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.
Last edited by chas58; 09-17-20 at 08:07 AM.
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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"
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"
#35
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Thanks everyone for your input... lots of tires here that I didn't know existed!
I think it's funny how in the road bike world, there's pretty much two tubeless tires that are loved by all... the Conti GP5000 TL and Schwalbe Pros. In the gravel world, I can see that the cream hasn't quite risen to the top yet... or there is a lot of cream
I'm going to have to read some reviews on all the tires suggested, although I'll admit I'm most intrigued by the Specialized Pathfinder Pro suggested by BluFalconActual as I like the center ridge. Since it's usually the the center of the tire that wears fastest, I'm assuming that any tire with minimal tread in the center soon won't have any tread ones the tire wears, negating the tread. I've had a little experience with Specialized tires in the past and found them to be really good tires... although my Trek bike might have an issue rollin' with a competitors tires!
I think it's funny how in the road bike world, there's pretty much two tubeless tires that are loved by all... the Conti GP5000 TL and Schwalbe Pros. In the gravel world, I can see that the cream hasn't quite risen to the top yet... or there is a lot of cream
I'm going to have to read some reviews on all the tires suggested, although I'll admit I'm most intrigued by the Specialized Pathfinder Pro suggested by BluFalconActual as I like the center ridge. Since it's usually the the center of the tire that wears fastest, I'm assuming that any tire with minimal tread in the center soon won't have any tread ones the tire wears, negating the tread. I've had a little experience with Specialized tires in the past and found them to be really good tires... although my Trek bike might have an issue rollin' with a competitors tires!
Last edited by dwmckee; 09-16-20 at 07:54 PM.
#36
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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 )
(Not many leaves on the section of trail shown below... this is more of a "obligatory picture to keep things interesting" pic )
#37
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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.
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.
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.
Last edited by u235; 09-28-20 at 06:44 PM.
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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 )
(Not many leaves on the section of trail shown below... this is more of a "obligatory picture to keep things interesting" pic )
Looks like an awesome ride.
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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
Other tires to consider:
- Ultradynamico Cava
- Schwalbe G-One Speed
- WTB Riddler
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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.
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#43
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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
WTB Byway SG2 Tubless Tire Review
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I love the Pathfinder Pro too. Great tire and rolls great on the pavement and in the dirt. It also holds air really well.
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#45
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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.
If you don't need to go single, maybe schwalbe g-one speed 30c or any 32c semi-slick tyres can be recommended.
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