Fast rolling gravel tires?
#26
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i like my Byway 700x44 on my rear wheel. I have a Maxis Rambler 700x42 on front. I found the knobby Rambler on front to better hold the line on loose gravel descents.
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I'll throw some caveats in here.
In the interest of safety (and high pressure) conti has gone very very conservative on the bead design - to the point that they are practically un-mountable on some rims. They are much, much tighter than the tubed version, and even tigher than some Schwalbe tubless. If you have rims that are slightly oversized, they may not go on. I'm thinking they would probably work on my DT swiss rims, but I put them on some hookless carbon rims (which must be slightly oversized) and for the first time in my life, I was defeated. Took them to a shop where it took two stronger guys over 30 minutes to mount the tires (they took it as a challenge!).
It says "hooked rims only" but I heard a conti engineer clarify that they are ok on hookless rims as long as you don't go over 5 bar. Doesn't matter what the tire is, I'm not going over 5 bar hookless - or really anything tubeless. I just can't seeing having a blowout at speed at high pressure and low volume.
In the interest of safety (and high pressure) conti has gone very very conservative on the bead design - to the point that they are practically un-mountable on some rims. They are much, much tighter than the tubed version, and even tigher than some Schwalbe tubless. If you have rims that are slightly oversized, they may not go on. I'm thinking they would probably work on my DT swiss rims, but I put them on some hookless carbon rims (which must be slightly oversized) and for the first time in my life, I was defeated. Took them to a shop where it took two stronger guys over 30 minutes to mount the tires (they took it as a challenge!).
It says "hooked rims only" but I heard a conti engineer clarify that they are ok on hookless rims as long as you don't go over 5 bar. Doesn't matter what the tire is, I'm not going over 5 bar hookless - or really anything tubeless. I just can't seeing having a blowout at speed at high pressure and low volume.
I got both tires seated using the air shot and the rear was holding air before even adding sealant. The front is leaking I'm thinking the factory tape job may be bad. I could hear air coming out at the valve stem and also where the seam in the rim is. I cranked down on the valve stem a bit and thought that had solved it, but was a slow leak and I let it sit for a while and added more air, thought I had it solved but the tire was flat a few hours later. I also tried adding more sealant and that didn't help, so I might take it into my LBS today and see if they can take a look.
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My GP5000TL's are on. It was a bit of a battle. My wife helped hold two levers in place to keep the bead from slipping while I snapped the rest of the bead over the rim with a 3rd. I'm worried that there's no way I'd be able to get one of these off and back on during a roadside repair, but maybe they'll stretch out a bit?
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https://www.amazon.com/Tubeless-Solu.../dp/B01N1ZNJ6A
https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tir.../dp/B001AYML7K
I'd get some tire plugs too (I did) in case you get something that sealant won't seal.
Sometimes the tires will hold air better after riding a little and waiting a few days - if the sealant can plug up those leaks you are talking about. Usually I find it gets better after a few days if I have something that isn't sealed very well initiall.
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The Gatorskin is very tough but not fast and have little road feel compared to Rene Hearse, GP 5000, Gravel Kings, Panaracers and Challenge Strada Biancas. The Gatorskins are best for someone that finds flat resistace much more important than speed or handling.
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I am running Vittoria Zero 32mm gravel tires and like them alot. Hard pack and pavement are what they are designed for.
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Gp5000
Really depends on terrain, but another fan of the Conti 5000TL 700x32. I have three wheelsets that I switch around based on what I plan to ride. I don't have a true road bike, so my Aspero is my road bike and gravel bike.
For road rides or road with light gravel I run the Conti 5000 TL 700x32, Incredible tires, roll really fast and make my gravel bike feel like a road bike. If I had a dedicated road bike, I would run these tires on it.
For true mixed road and gravel I just replaced a pair of Challenge Strada Bianca 700x36 TL with a pair of Panaracer GravelKing (smooth) 700x38c. The Challenge tires rode really great and handled really rocky terrain well, but the sidewalls deteriorated and wore too quickly, good tires but they didn't last. The Panaracers feel comparable but I don't have enough miles on them to truly compare yet.
For real gravel rides I love the WTB Resolute 700x42. A great gravel tire that rolls extremely well on pavement, without a doubt my favorite gravel tire.
For road rides or road with light gravel I run the Conti 5000 TL 700x32, Incredible tires, roll really fast and make my gravel bike feel like a road bike. If I had a dedicated road bike, I would run these tires on it.
For true mixed road and gravel I just replaced a pair of Challenge Strada Bianca 700x36 TL with a pair of Panaracer GravelKing (smooth) 700x38c. The Challenge tires rode really great and handled really rocky terrain well, but the sidewalls deteriorated and wore too quickly, good tires but they didn't last. The Panaracers feel comparable but I don't have enough miles on them to truly compare yet.
For real gravel rides I love the WTB Resolute 700x42. A great gravel tire that rolls extremely well on pavement, without a doubt my favorite gravel tire.
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Rene Herse
I have the 38mm Barlow Pass and 38mm Steilacooms, both Extralight. I would go with ExtraLight if you can manage. I ride stuff a lot nastier stuff without issue. I've always run them with tubes. They sell a Panaracer sealant they say works well with their tires, but I haven't tried it. The sidewalls are thin and tend to weep if you use Stans or Orange Seal, from what I have been told. The tires wear surprisingly well. I've only replaced one so far. They last much longer than the Clement XPLOR tires I used to use.
If you don't mind reading their own info: https://www.renehersecycles.com/how-...e-herse-tires/
We also have a deliberative, objectively-detached review thread here: https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespe...e-warning.html
If you don't mind reading their own info: https://www.renehersecycles.com/how-...e-herse-tires/
We also have a deliberative, objectively-detached review thread here: https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespe...e-warning.html
#34
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Yeah, something like a bead biter or Koolstop tool helps a lot. I bought both, and use the koolstop all the time with tubless. Makes life a lot easier for $10. Never really needed to use the bead biter with that (so far)
https://www.amazon.com/Tubeless-Solu.../dp/B01N1ZNJ6A
https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tir.../dp/B001AYML7K
I'd get some tire plugs too (I did) in case you get something that sealant won't seal.
Sometimes the tires will hold air better after riding a little and waiting a few days - if the sealant can plug up those leaks you are talking about. Usually I find it gets better after a few days if I have something that isn't sealed very well initiall.
https://www.amazon.com/Tubeless-Solu.../dp/B01N1ZNJ6A
https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tir.../dp/B001AYML7K
I'd get some tire plugs too (I did) in case you get something that sealant won't seal.
Sometimes the tires will hold air better after riding a little and waiting a few days - if the sealant can plug up those leaks you are talking about. Usually I find it gets better after a few days if I have something that isn't sealed very well initiall.
The LBS just reseated and added more sealant and it held air for 2 days in their shop. I picked up the wheel and it seemed good to go, but was dismayed to find it had lost pressure while bouncing around in the trunk of my car on the way home. It wasn't totally flat so I just added more air and was prepared to return to my LBS, but it's held so I figured I'd just ride it and see what happens.
I did 30 miles on them this morning. The ride was great, tires feel fast, light and smooth. I ran them at 60psi which was probably too high, but they felt very smooth even at that pressure. I weigh around 165psi and have been running 28C GP5000's at around 65psi, so I feel like I could easily drop down to 50 or even 40psi on these. I have run 33C CX clinchers in the 30's and tubulars in the 20's so I'm used to lower pressure tires.
The front didn't lose any pressure on my ride and even a few hours after it's still holding so hopefully it's fully sealed now. I ordered a dynaplug racer set to keep in my toolbag.
#35
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The Gatorskin is very tough but not fast and have little road feel compared to Rene Hearse, GP 5000, Gravel Kings, Panaracers and Challenge Strada Biancas. The Gatorskins are best for someone that finds flat resistace much more important than speed or handling.
Their best trait is that they last forever. I have some that are over 10 years old, while some of the ones above last me about a year, maybe a year and a half. They are great gravel tires for hardpack in the 32mm size - certainly tough enough. The 4season is basically the same tire (performance wise) in a more modern construction - similar wear resistance and puncture resistance, but with a thinner more supple tread and a bit more traction.
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You have the GP5000's setup tubeless? If you have measured them, how wide do they end up (of course on what internal width rim)? Have one bike that ideally I'd like to find a fabulous tire, that mounts up at 34 wide on using rims that are 21 internal. Currently running compass 32's that measure out 33, and there's more room in there, but suspect 35 would rub in back.
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I did 30 miles on them this morning. The ride was great, tires feel fast, light and smooth. I ran them at 60psi which was probably too high, but they felt very smooth even at that pressure. I weigh around 165psi and have been running 28C GP5000's at around 65psi, so I feel like I could easily drop down to 50 or even 40psi on these. I have run 33C CX clinchers in the 30's and tubulars in the 20's so I'm used to lower pressure tires.
The front didn't lose any pressure on my ride and even a few hours after it's still holding so hopefully it's fully sealed now. I ordered a dynaplug racer set to keep in my toolbag.
The front didn't lose any pressure on my ride and even a few hours after it's still holding so hopefully it's fully sealed now. I ordered a dynaplug racer set to keep in my toolbag.
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First ride on 42mm Pathfinder Pros, def fast for a big tire (measure almost 44mm). My 40mm Terra Speeds (that measure at 38mm) are a hair faster, so I'd guess that the 38mm Pathfinders are prob on par for speed. My hope is that they last a bit longer, we'll see.
#39
Jedi Master
I've been meaning to ask if you have a separate thread on these or could recommend one. I've been giving a hard look at the Barlow Pass TC (700cx38mm). Are there any long term reviews on the differences between the three "grades", ExtraLight - Standard - Endurance? What version would work the best setup tubeless and ridden on "Midwest" gravel - quarried limestone rock under 7/8" aggregate without much sharp edges.
Then I've also been looking at Rene Herse's knobby version of the Barlow, I wonder how they wear?
Then I've also been looking at Rene Herse's knobby version of the Barlow, I wonder how they wear?
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G-One Speed vs the Allround
Anyone have some comparisons between the Speed and AllRound to share?
Oregon...
#41
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That is what they say on Bikeforums. They are not as bad as their rap. They have a tough tread, and very supple sidewalls - so they ride a LOT better than tires with thick sidewalls. I don't find them bad. I think the reason they have a bad rap is people run them at 120 psi and there is no sidewall flex. Run them at a reasonable pressure, and they are fine. Certainly running the 32mm at 40psi is not a bad ride.
Last edited by dwmckee; 11-27-21 at 08:46 PM.
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I’ve been riding a Giant Revolt Advanced for 6 months. I’ve off-road toured and also raced it on 38mm Gravelking SS. Over 2k miles on my first set and I will buy them again. Fast enough for group road rides and enough tread for rain coated gravel. They set up tubeless easily and 3 small punctures self sealed immediately. I’ve nervously ridden them over babyhead boulder sections and stream crossings with no issues.
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But G-One is really good against punctures. I had 1 puncture only when going on path next to a house being re-roofed and I caught a nail... Race king, 4 punctures in one last week while going through path with thorns...
So for reliability, I'd go G-One knowing that I will be slow and less comfortable.
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