Rolling Resistance vs Aero Drag
05-26-21, 11:25 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 619
Bikes: Kona Kahuna DL Drop Bar - Sensah SRX Pro 1x11 (2012 Frame), Giant Toughroad GX 1 - Shimano Road Hydro + SLX 1x10 (2018), Diamondback Sync'r - SRAM NX 1x12 (2020)
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 97 Times
in
54 Posts
Rolling Resistance vs Aero Drag between Gravel and XC Tires
I was deciding on getting some Gravelking SK/SS+ tires in 700x43 for my gravel bike, but since my bike can fit full 29er tires I saw that I could run the 29x2.2 Conti RaceKing Protection tires, and they have less rolling resistance than the SK/SS.
I guess the only other thing would be that the larger tires might take longer to accelerate, and might have more drag. Not sure if I’m thinking about this the right way, but I’m curious to know where the middle ground would be when choosing between these tires?
I guess the only other thing would be that the larger tires might take longer to accelerate, and might have more drag. Not sure if I’m thinking about this the right way, but I’m curious to know where the middle ground would be when choosing between these tires?
05-26-21, 12:16 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,850
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6944 Post(s)
Liked 10,944 Times
in
4,677 Posts
I would choose the widest tires I need for the terrain. Unless you are a top-tier gravel racer, I'm not sure that aero effects trump any other concerns when it comes to tires.
Likes For Koyote:
05-26-21, 12:42 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 619
Bikes: Kona Kahuna DL Drop Bar - Sensah SRX Pro 1x11 (2012 Frame), Giant Toughroad GX 1 - Shimano Road Hydro + SLX 1x10 (2018), Diamondback Sync'r - SRAM NX 1x12 (2020)
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 97 Times
in
54 Posts
Okay so I’ll add a bit more info: I’m looking at a 60/40 road/off road ratio for my setup. Trying to optimize for speed/efficiency while not giving up too much comfort. Since I can’t afford a second wheelset for primarily off-road, I can’t do a full slick.
Again, I was thinking the RaceKing would actually be better on the road because of lower rolling resistance. I just didn’t know if there were any other factors that I should consider (I think the measured weights had a minimal difference compared to the 43mm SK+/SS+).
Again, I was thinking the RaceKing would actually be better on the road because of lower rolling resistance. I just didn’t know if there were any other factors that I should consider (I think the measured weights had a minimal difference compared to the 43mm SK+/SS+).
05-26-21, 01:45 PM
#4
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,507
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3657 Post(s)
Liked 5,393 Times
in
2,738 Posts
I don't know about rolling resistance but that tread on the Conti will be very unpleasant on the road. Is the GK you are considering an SK or SS?
Last edited by shelbyfv; 05-26-21 at 01:48 PM.
05-26-21, 01:58 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 619
Bikes: Kona Kahuna DL Drop Bar - Sensah SRX Pro 1x11 (2012 Frame), Giant Toughroad GX 1 - Shimano Road Hydro + SLX 1x10 (2018), Diamondback Sync'r - SRAM NX 1x12 (2020)
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 97 Times
in
54 Posts
05-26-21, 02:48 PM
#6
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
Well, MTB tires don't do great on the road. When I'm going straight on a MUP at <15mph, they are fine. But they feel draggy over 20mph (undoubtably aero is becomming an issue too). They don't corner well on pavement, and certainly are slow in the curves - because of the squared off tread profile and side lugs.
For me, it really matters what my speed and target PSI are. If I'm doing a long steady ride and want lower PSI, bigger tires are fine. If I want the crisp handling of higher PSI, and I'm doing a ride where I'll be sprinting, or fast road work, no. For fast gravel rides (paceline, sprinting), generally the biggest the best.
Low rolling resistance on a drum is different from the type of riding I do - unless I'm just riding in a straight line (MUP style).
Reply
For me, it really matters what my speed and target PSI are. If I'm doing a long steady ride and want lower PSI, bigger tires are fine. If I want the crisp handling of higher PSI, and I'm doing a ride where I'll be sprinting, or fast road work, no. For fast gravel rides (paceline, sprinting), generally the biggest the best.
Low rolling resistance on a drum is different from the type of riding I do - unless I'm just riding in a straight line (MUP style).
Reply
08-03-21, 06:36 AM
#7
Newbie
I was deciding on getting some Gravelking SK/SS+ tires in 700x43 for my gravel bike, but since my bike can fit full 29er tires I saw that I could run the 29x2.2 Conti RaceKing Protection tires, and they have less rolling resistance than the SK/SS.
I guess the only other thing would be that the larger tires might take longer to accelerate, and might have more drag. Not sure if I’m thinking about this the right way, but I’m curious to know where the middle ground would be when choosing between these tires?
I guess the only other thing would be that the larger tires might take longer to accelerate, and might have more drag. Not sure if I’m thinking about this the right way, but I’m curious to know where the middle ground would be when choosing between these tires?
08-03-21, 07:25 AM
#8
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,605
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10947 Post(s)
Liked 7,474 Times
in
4,181 Posts
@DarKris - what did you get?
Its really tough for me to conceptualize and accept the 2.2 knobby Race King having less rolling resistance than what I ride- Gravel King SS(normal, not plus version).
For 60% road, I would have no interest in those knobs, especially since I really dont need those knobs to enjoy my gravel roads either.
Its really tough for me to conceptualize and accept the 2.2 knobby Race King having less rolling resistance than what I ride- Gravel King SS(normal, not plus version).
For 60% road, I would have no interest in those knobs, especially since I really dont need those knobs to enjoy my gravel roads either.
08-03-21, 07:40 AM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 619
Bikes: Kona Kahuna DL Drop Bar - Sensah SRX Pro 1x11 (2012 Frame), Giant Toughroad GX 1 - Shimano Road Hydro + SLX 1x10 (2018), Diamondback Sync'r - SRAM NX 1x12 (2020)
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 97 Times
in
54 Posts
I got the race kings, tried them, and sold them after getting the Gravelking SK 50mm. The SKs have a better balanced feel to them and roll just as well IMO. Plus since I’m now running a sus fork I really don’t care too much about aero on this bike
For the size the Race Kings rolled deceptively fast, but not enough for me to want to run them for mostly pavement and hero gravel
For the size the Race Kings rolled deceptively fast, but not enough for me to want to run them for mostly pavement and hero gravel
