Best jack-of-all trade tires?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Best jack-of-all trade tires?
I'm buying my tires on Wednesday and I them to be fast on the road, but also over 40mm (42-45mm). I'm thinking this width will give me enough to go on rougher gravel and easy singletrack. I'm training to be faster on road and do enjoy weekend gravel. Any suggestions?
Eventually, I will buy a separate gravel wheelset (650B) with 50cm tires, but in the meantime what can I use?
Eventually, I will buy a separate gravel wheelset (650B) with 50cm tires, but in the meantime what can I use?
Likes For BluFalconActual:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,468
Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 427 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 339 Times
in
229 Posts
Gravel Kings a re pretty versatile and fast and durable, and not too expensive. Also Vittoria Terreno Dry are good at just about everything.
Likes For dwmckee:
#5
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lititz, Pa
Posts: 3,328
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 885 Post(s)
Liked 990 Times
in
522 Posts
I like my Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tours. They go anywhere and I have not had a flat in 3000+ km
#6
Senior Member
#7
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lititz, Pa
Posts: 3,328
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 885 Post(s)
Liked 990 Times
in
522 Posts
Pump them up to 60 psi and I can move my fat butt along fast enough. I am 100kg and I was moving 25Kmph before 7 broken ribs and broken clavicle, sternum, and scapiula from a motorcycle accident has stopped me since Apr
#8
Senior Member
20.6mph is about 33kph. Does that mean that my tires are 32% faster than your Marathon Plus Tours? Well, no. Obviously this is a meaningless data point for the discussion at hand, since my ride is not your ride and I'm not you and my bicycle is not your bicycle, etc.
My point is: it doesn't matter how fast your fat butt moved on your tires, it matters how fast your fat butt moved on them compared with other tires.
The main point of comparison that I have is with a friend who races cat3 road. He's a big diesel and I can out-climb him when my legs are fresh, but on flat ground, there's no question that he's a stronger cyclist. When we're both riding flat pavement on our road bikes, he outperforms me on basically every interval length.
When we switch to our gravel bikes - me on those 53mm Rene Herse tires and him on ~37mm Marathon Plus Tours - on flat pavement he has to put in a significant effort just to hang on to my draft when I'm at a cruising pace.
Also, if the OP is doing any real mixed-surface rides, "pump the tires super stiff" is a poor option for paved performance even if it works.
Last edited by HTupolev; 07-13-20 at 02:42 AM.
Likes For HTupolev:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,186
Bikes: 2016 Surly Cross Check, 2019 Kona Rove ST
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 284 Post(s)
Liked 313 Times
in
211 Posts
Just got Nanos for my 700c bike. Very good all-arounder I think. The center tread keeps them feeling fast on pavement, and they hook up great on the dirt I've thrown at them (dry, rocky, SoCal).
Likes For pbass:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 444
Bikes: 1990 Trek 850, 2005 Cannondale R1000, 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 35 Times
in
21 Posts
Here is my short list:
Panaracer Gravelking SK (38 or 43c) - gets great reviews as an all around tire.
Contiental Terra Speed (40c) - overwhelmingly positive reviews, $$$, may wear faster than others
Schwalbe G-One Allround / Bite (38c) - the first 'standard' gravel tire. The bite has a bit more....er.... bite.
Panaracer Gravelking SK (38 or 43c) - gets great reviews as an all around tire.
Contiental Terra Speed (40c) - overwhelmingly positive reviews, $$$, may wear faster than others
Schwalbe G-One Allround / Bite (38c) - the first 'standard' gravel tire. The bite has a bit more....er.... bite.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Boston Roads
Posts: 975
Bikes: 2012 Canondale Synapse 105, 2017 REI Co-Op ADV 3.1
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 507 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
133 Posts
I have been riding 40mm X'Plor MSOs which are fantastic on pavement and gravel but a bit too bumpy on rooty singletrack. I wanted more volume and lower PSI.
#12
Full Member
Schwalbe G-1's in 38c would be my choice. I've got about 3k miles on a couple of bikes set up with these and I love them for all around use. I've ridden some nasty singletrack on these and 38c works just fine. I run 45psi (tubeless) if I'm doing all gravel, or 60psi for road use.
Likes For csrpenfab:
#13
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
These two were my top choices in the size that fits my bike. I could not source Terreno Dry in 2.1", so I opted for 50mm GravelKings. Just installed them last night, so haven't tried them, but all the reviewers were raving about them. They were a pain to put on my rims.
I have been riding 40mm X'Plor MSOs which are fantastic on pavement and gravel but a bit too bumpy on rooty singletrack. I wanted more volume and lower PSI.
I have been riding 40mm X'Plor MSOs which are fantastic on pavement and gravel but a bit too bumpy on rooty singletrack. I wanted more volume and lower PSI.
Those big GK-SK are pretty slow compared to G-One or Ramblers. I can't say the smaller ones are slow,but the big ones have a LOT of drag.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Boston Roads
Posts: 975
Bikes: 2012 Canondale Synapse 105, 2017 REI Co-Op ADV 3.1
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 507 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
133 Posts
-
So, I've done 165 miles on the big 50mm GK SK+s and the verdict is... I love them.
They feel slower, but at 40-50PSI I have had no trouble beating Strava records I've set on this same bike with 40mm XPLOR MSO tires @80PSI, or - get this - getting very close to records set on pavement on my road bike on 28mm slicks @ 100PSI. I am running with tubes.
I usually average 15+ MPH on the road bike over 20+ miles (sure, might be slow for some), 13-14 MPH on the gravel bike. These tires didn't really change my avg gravel speed. I did a 20mi all-pavement ride averaging 14mph.
Now, on the straightaways they kind of feel slower, but they really shine in curves. Whatever marginal speed losses there might be are completely eclipsed by the huge amount of confidence and comfort these provide, which is exactly what I was looking for - I got them for mostly single-tracky trails. Not sure whether it's the low PSI (run them at 30 on hardpack) or the large contact patch, but I could just point the bike straight and roll over everything in the path, even sandy or rooty areas where with the MSOs I had to slow down a bit and carefully pick my line. Traction was about the same as the MSOs - plenty for my needs.
Had the bike with me on vacation and did an impromptu 50mi daytour with my wife; I was carrying all our stuff in panniers. Had no problem keeping up with her and didn't feel beaten up by the rough pavement at the end of the ride like she reported she did (25mm slicks at 100PSI).
If you do more pavement or smooth/packed gravel riding, then 40-42 and a slimmer tread is probably enough. I might go for a lower PSI tire maybe - the MSOs are a bit harsh even at the lowest end of 50PSI. I was looking for comfort here, but if you want speed, maybe the GOne or Ramblers are the way to go - I have not tried them.
When you've got nice hardpack, you can handle it even on 28mm tires, GKs don't offer much here
On loose sandy terrain, or coarser/rougher gravel/dirt you'll be more comfortable and can perhaps corner better than on narrower tires
This is the kind of stuff I got the 50mm for, where I would not want to go with the MSOs and if I did, I would have to pick my lines very carefully. The low-PSI GKs just rull over this stuff like nobody's business and soften the bumps.
Nope, bring a fatbike. I didn't feel like dropping the pressure wicked low to test riding at the tide line, but at 30PSI the contact patch didn't seem wide enough, the tires would slide sideways in the wet sand.
Bonus pic: after riding in swampy muck
The one issue to complain about is that the rear tire is already showing some casing separation, that is probably from the loaded ride on pavement, which, admittedly, is pushing the boundaries for this tire
These were also a huge pain to get on the rims.
They feel slower, but at 40-50PSI I have had no trouble beating Strava records I've set on this same bike with 40mm XPLOR MSO tires @80PSI, or - get this - getting very close to records set on pavement on my road bike on 28mm slicks @ 100PSI. I am running with tubes.
I usually average 15+ MPH on the road bike over 20+ miles (sure, might be slow for some), 13-14 MPH on the gravel bike. These tires didn't really change my avg gravel speed. I did a 20mi all-pavement ride averaging 14mph.
Now, on the straightaways they kind of feel slower, but they really shine in curves. Whatever marginal speed losses there might be are completely eclipsed by the huge amount of confidence and comfort these provide, which is exactly what I was looking for - I got them for mostly single-tracky trails. Not sure whether it's the low PSI (run them at 30 on hardpack) or the large contact patch, but I could just point the bike straight and roll over everything in the path, even sandy or rooty areas where with the MSOs I had to slow down a bit and carefully pick my line. Traction was about the same as the MSOs - plenty for my needs.
Had the bike with me on vacation and did an impromptu 50mi daytour with my wife; I was carrying all our stuff in panniers. Had no problem keeping up with her and didn't feel beaten up by the rough pavement at the end of the ride like she reported she did (25mm slicks at 100PSI).
If you do more pavement or smooth/packed gravel riding, then 40-42 and a slimmer tread is probably enough. I might go for a lower PSI tire maybe - the MSOs are a bit harsh even at the lowest end of 50PSI. I was looking for comfort here, but if you want speed, maybe the GOne or Ramblers are the way to go - I have not tried them.
When you've got nice hardpack, you can handle it even on 28mm tires, GKs don't offer much here
On loose sandy terrain, or coarser/rougher gravel/dirt you'll be more comfortable and can perhaps corner better than on narrower tires
This is the kind of stuff I got the 50mm for, where I would not want to go with the MSOs and if I did, I would have to pick my lines very carefully. The low-PSI GKs just rull over this stuff like nobody's business and soften the bumps.
Nope, bring a fatbike. I didn't feel like dropping the pressure wicked low to test riding at the tide line, but at 30PSI the contact patch didn't seem wide enough, the tires would slide sideways in the wet sand.
Bonus pic: after riding in swampy muck
The one issue to complain about is that the rear tire is already showing some casing separation, that is probably from the loaded ride on pavement, which, admittedly, is pushing the boundaries for this tire
These were also a huge pain to get on the rims.
Likes For autonomy:
#15
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
Nice Pictures!
Certainly off pavement the big tires will be nicer. I'll throw on a Furious Fred (50mm) or Thunder Burt (54mm) for much of the stuff above. I do tend to choose the tire based on the terrain - from 32mm to 40, to 50, to 54.
Certainly off pavement the big tires will be nicer. I'll throw on a Furious Fred (50mm) or Thunder Burt (54mm) for much of the stuff above. I do tend to choose the tire based on the terrain - from 32mm to 40, to 50, to 54.
#16
Senior Member
N+1 votes for the Schwalbe G-One Allrounds. My Checkpoint came stock with the 35c version, and I've been very happy learning gravel on them (with the occasional bit of singletrack), commuting, and going for general 3+ hour road rides on them. Super versatile, adjusting pressure for the application. I would opt for the slightly wider 38c version, if given the choice.
Likes For dur4ce:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Had very good experience with the WTB Riddler. Good early season CX tire and for packed DG levee rides. Not too shabby on pavement.
#19
Senior Member
I've got one on the back, and I think its pretty spooky on gravel descents. It rolls fast on the road, but that slick section has a bit of a drop in the transition to the shoulder. I can run lower pressures to make it feel more gradual, but its still not perfect.
My cheap ass won't take it off until its worn out though.
My cheap ass won't take it off until its worn out though.
Likes For Phatman:
#20
Senior Member
I've got one on the back, and I think its pretty spooky on gravel descents. It rolls fast on the road, but that slick section has a bit of a drop in the transition to the shoulder. I can run lower pressures to make it feel more gradual, but its still not perfect.
My cheap ass won't take it off until its worn out though.
My cheap ass won't take it off until its worn out though.
The Pathfinder is really fast and provides a little of grip on the corners but it is for sure not something I would want to bomb down loose singletrack with.
Likes For BluFalconActual:
#21
Senior Member
Yeah, part of the "problem" with the gravel scene is that it is such a wide spectrum of what is considered "gravel". For where I live and where I like to ride, a subcompact 2x drivetrain and 42c Pathfinders are perfect for my choice of routes that are made of fire roads and the semi hard pack dirt of SoCal. Yeah, there are some guys who are all about "shred the gnar" and take their bikes down things I wouldn't dream of taking anything less than a full suspension mountain bike, but for me personally, that is not what I want my gravel bike used for.
The Pathfinder is really fast and provides a little of grip on the corners but it is for sure not something I would want to bomb down loose singletrack with.
The Pathfinder is really fast and provides a little of grip on the corners but it is for sure not something I would want to bomb down loose singletrack with.
BTW, I find the pathfinder to be sketchiest on smoother gravel descents where there's not much chunk and the speeds get high even though there's not much grip. On singletrack, I find myself more limited by the front tire/lack of suspension rather than rear grip.
#22
Senior Member
So the one that I have is a 38mm, I wonder if that's the difference? I seem to be the only one that doesn't rave about pathfinders and I've always assumed that people were just riding differently than me, but it could be the width and how the tread is spread across the casing. If that middle part were to end just a bit more gradually like it might on a larger tire, it would probably be better. It might even be better with a wider rim bed to make the top of the tread flatter across.
BTW, I find the pathfinder to be sketchiest on smoother gravel descents where there's not much chunk and the speeds get high even though there's not much grip. On singletrack, I find myself more limited by the front tire/lack of suspension rather than rear grip.
BTW, I find the pathfinder to be sketchiest on smoother gravel descents where there's not much chunk and the speeds get high even though there's not much grip. On singletrack, I find myself more limited by the front tire/lack of suspension rather than rear grip.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,437
Bikes: SuperSix Evo | Revolt
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 733 Post(s)
Liked 815 Times
in
414 Posts
So the one that I have is a 38mm, I wonder if that's the difference? I seem to be the only one that doesn't rave about pathfinders and I've always assumed that people were just riding differently than me, but it could be the width and how the tread is spread across the casing. If that middle part were to end just a bit more gradually like it might on a larger tire, it would probably be better. It might even be better with a wider rim bed to make the top of the tread flatter across.
BTW, I find the pathfinder to be sketchiest on smoother gravel descents where there's not much chunk and the speeds get high even though there's not much grip. On singletrack, I find myself more limited by the front tire/lack of suspension rather than rear grip.
BTW, I find the pathfinder to be sketchiest on smoother gravel descents where there's not much chunk and the speeds get high even though there's not much grip. On singletrack, I find myself more limited by the front tire/lack of suspension rather than rear grip.
#24
Junior Member
Another vote for Gravelkings. Ride surprisingly nice on tar, and can handle some aggressive rocky terrain too.
#25
Senior Member
What size rims are you using? I have a set of 38mm Pathfinders on the way, they'll be going on 23c rims. Thought about going for the 42s, but I haven't had any issues with 40mm Terra Speeds that measure out to 38mm (on 19c rims), so didn't feel the need to go wider. Hopefully they fit the bill for a fast tire that wears well (the Terra Speeds are def fast, but wear out quickly). If I don't get enough traction on the Pathfinders, I'll prob try out the Triggers next.