SpikedLemon

Around my neck of the woods: I can get quite a ways through the connected bike/walking paths and back roads. Most of them are the fine gravel though, one or two, tend to be the heavier gravel (so as not to wash away in the rain).

I've currently the OEM Schwalbe Lugano tires (25-622) on my Synapse and, while they're neither here nor there for me (being new to roadbikes): I can't help but think a jump to a 28-622 would benefit me on these gravel paths (and my larger size) so have been looking at new tires.


My question, however, is how much do you notice tread (or lack of it) when biking on gravel bike paths?

Would I suffer on the gravel by having a slick, or near slick, road tire?
Or is simply the tread on roadbikes (cyclocross excepted) inadequate to make any difference?

tekhna

Fine gravel is fine, coarser gravel you could pinch flat. Sandy sections you can wash out and go down pretty easily.

Hypno Toad

It all depends on the condition of the "gravel". Many people believe that you need 2" MTB tires to ride on non-paved surfaces, not true. My wife and I rode ~10 miles yesterday on slick road tires (23mm and 25mm*) on limestone trails, no issues. I've used my 28mm T-serv tires for gravel century rides; I was mostly happy, but loose/deep gravel is not fun. The issue is not the tread, but the width of the tire. CX or MTB tread is most helpful for fast turns and hard braking.

For firm, well maintained limestone, you can ride full pressure without an issue. For loose gravel, lower pressure (low-end of the recommended pressure rating) to get a bigger contact patch.

* My tires are Vittoria Rubino Pro, I forget which ones my wife has on her road bike.

indyfabz

It all depends. I have ridden some 20 miles of fine crushed limestone on no-tread 23c tires. Would I ride something like the Mickelson Trail on such tires? No way.

nitewing117

I've ridden a few fine to medium coarse gravel paths with my Tarmac on 23's. I've never ridden any of these paths recently with other tires or bikes, but I didn't have too much of a problem. Most of the effort staying aware and trying to avoid any large rocks and really coarse gravel.

Johnny Mullet

My 27 X 1 1/4 road tires do really well on gravel roads...........

caloso

I do this levee road from time to time. No problems where it's hardpack and small pebbles. Things get squirrelly where it gets deeper or washboarded. It's all about what you're comfortable with.



Forgot to add: I'm usually on 25mm road tires.

SpikedLemon

Sounds about par for what I'm seeing right now. So not much change to go to a slick then.

Your pic is much worse condition than my local paths. There's one spot, however, that's entirely washed out (where I need to carry my bike across)

It's the deeper gravel that makes me consider the larger tire to have better float.

caloso

I hear you. It can be a challenge, but if you can fit a 28mm tire it's going to make things a lot better.