Replacing WTB Nano tires: Gravelking SK plus versus regular SK tires?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 918
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Liked 1,043 Times
in
441 Posts
Replacing WTB Nano tires: Gravelking SK plus versus regular SK tires?
My usual gravel tires have been WTB Nano 700 x 40c. They roll fast on pavement and give me excellent bite on the trails. Though last week I wiped out on the road resulting in some nasty elbow and leg scrapes. I was riding on dirt covered tarmac and lost control when I was corning fast on a turn. I believe the lack of adequate side tread on the Nanos made me lose grip.
After the crash, I decided to swap out the Nanos for my other set of gravel hoops which are GravelKing SK+ plus tires in 700 x 38c. They're grippy, corner adequately, work well on trails, but definitely slower. I even confirmed what I was noticing on Strava, with far slower times on numerous segments. Anyways, I've been offered a pair of regular GK SK tires (non-plus) heavily discounted and I was wondering if those would ride better than the SK+ version tires and at least match my Nanos in terms of speed while having better cornering grip? I've read the extra layer of puncture protection is what makes the SK + plus tires slower. If the SKs are still slow are there any recommendations for a fast gravel tire that has the traction bite of the Nanos with slightly better cornering tread? Thanks!
After the crash, I decided to swap out the Nanos for my other set of gravel hoops which are GravelKing SK+ plus tires in 700 x 38c. They're grippy, corner adequately, work well on trails, but definitely slower. I even confirmed what I was noticing on Strava, with far slower times on numerous segments. Anyways, I've been offered a pair of regular GK SK tires (non-plus) heavily discounted and I was wondering if those would ride better than the SK+ version tires and at least match my Nanos in terms of speed while having better cornering grip? I've read the extra layer of puncture protection is what makes the SK + plus tires slower. If the SKs are still slow are there any recommendations for a fast gravel tire that has the traction bite of the Nanos with slightly better cornering tread? Thanks!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 2,265
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 714 Post(s)
Liked 798 Times
in
475 Posts
Terrene Elwood(tough version) is the best rolling gravel tire I have ridden and far superior to the Gravelking SK, in my experience. They don't have the chunky knobs of the Nano, but I find that they have great traction in everything but mud. They roll very similar to a road tire on pavement and have great cornering traction.
People seem to love the Gravelking SK, but I don't think they have much experience with the other options available. My experience with Gravelking SK's was that they roll really slow on pavement and the cornering sucks, because of the almost continuous rib around the edge instead of individual knobs. That effectively turns the tire into a slick, at a time when you need knobs to grip the surface.
People seem to love the Gravelking SK, but I don't think they have much experience with the other options available. My experience with Gravelking SK's was that they roll really slow on pavement and the cornering sucks, because of the almost continuous rib around the edge instead of individual knobs. That effectively turns the tire into a slick, at a time when you need knobs to grip the surface.
Likes For dsaul:
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 918
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Liked 1,043 Times
in
441 Posts
Terrene Elwood(tough version) is the best rolling gravel tire I have ridden and far superior to the Gravelking SK, in my experience. They don't have the chunky knobs of the Nano, but I find that they have great traction in everything but mud. They roll very similar to a road tire on pavement and have great cornering traction.
People seem to love the Gravelking SK, but I don't think they have much experience with the other options available. My experience with Gravelking SK's was that they roll really slow on pavement and the cornering sucks, because of the almost continuous rib around the edge instead of individual knobs. That effectively turns the tire into a slick, at a time when you need knobs to grip the surface.
People seem to love the Gravelking SK, but I don't think they have much experience with the other options available. My experience with Gravelking SK's was that they roll really slow on pavement and the cornering sucks, because of the almost continuous rib around the edge instead of individual knobs. That effectively turns the tire into a slick, at a time when you need knobs to grip the surface.
The only reason I was even considering the regular SK tires was due to the discount I'm receiving. Though I still have to deal with mounting and testing the tires and I'd be disappointed if they feel exactly the same as the plus version. I'll definitely check out the Terrene Elwood. Thanks for the suggestion!
Likes For jonathanf2:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,751
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4379 Post(s)
Liked 3,014 Times
in
1,864 Posts
Consider Gravelking SS?
Likes For MinnMan:
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 918
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Liked 1,043 Times
in
441 Posts
I love the SS tires. I'm using those on my road bike in 32c. Though I'm bit concerned they might not be as grippy on some of the uphill trails I ride. The GKs at least have the small knobs. Though I could see myself going up to 43c (as opposed to 38c) on my gravel bike with the SS to get maximum cushion and grip.
#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
Realistically, it is mostly technique - but hey I've gone down in those conditions just because I was going to fast when the surface conditions changed. Smooth inputs and loose supple upper body will keep the tires in contact with the road surface, and maximize your grip.
As for the specific tires in question, the Nano's are known for being one of the slowest, most draggy tires out there. Specifically it takes about 60 watts to power those at 18mph. Interestingly, the SS+ is just as awful.
Contrast that to the regular SS, that takes about 46 watts, or the SK that takes 50 watts to maintain the same speed. So yeah, you can do a lot better.
Last edited by chas58; 03-16-22 at 11:57 AM.
#7
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
I love the SS tires. I'm using those on my road bike in 32c. Though I'm bit concerned they might not be as grippy on some of the uphill trails I ride. The GKs at least have the small knobs. Though I could see myself going up to 43c (as opposed to 38c) on my gravel bike with the SS to get maximum cushion and grip.
Likes For dwmckee:
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 918
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Liked 1,043 Times
in
441 Posts
I ended up biting the bullet and getting the regular GK SK tires. I tested them out today and they feel much more nimble and less sluggish than the SK plus tires. I guess the plus version really does prioritize puncture protection over ride performance. The regular SK tires feel much more nimble and less sluggish. Even though they have the same tread pattern, they definitely feel like different tires. Thanks for all the suggestion and help!
#9
Full Member
BRR tested the slick and SS in TLC and Plus, but they also tested the Rene Herse which are similar... the difference stays consistent and will be consistent for the SK.
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...&minknobe=-0.1
There's a significant rolling resistance / ride difference between the PLUS and regular TLC. The WTBs never test well in terms of RR, and roll like the Plus tires. The Plus have about 25% ( 26.6w vs 20.8w on the SS; 28.5w (inferred) vs 22.7 on the SK)
higher rolling resistance from the ~33% thicker rubber. That's per tire, so you're looking at about 2x those values, so if you're cranking out 200w, the regular tire would save you 12w or 6% of your power.
Maybe have a look at the Pirelli Gravel H (20.3w) in those sizes and save a few more watts. These would save 16w / 8% of your power output.
The SS is kind of useless in my view. For LA, you're looking at a layer of dry dust over smooth hardpack in most cases. You'll want mini-knobs to reach through the dust layer during braking and climbs and cornering knobs. The SK is the minimum you'll want to do that. TIres like the SS and g-one allaround just dont' have the knobs to deal with the dust layer. The Conti Terra Speed, Spec Pathfinder, and Pirelli H might work, but the cornering knobs are minimal. The
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...&minknobe=-0.1
There's a significant rolling resistance / ride difference between the PLUS and regular TLC. The WTBs never test well in terms of RR, and roll like the Plus tires. The Plus have about 25% ( 26.6w vs 20.8w on the SS; 28.5w (inferred) vs 22.7 on the SK)
higher rolling resistance from the ~33% thicker rubber. That's per tire, so you're looking at about 2x those values, so if you're cranking out 200w, the regular tire would save you 12w or 6% of your power.
Maybe have a look at the Pirelli Gravel H (20.3w) in those sizes and save a few more watts. These would save 16w / 8% of your power output.
The SS is kind of useless in my view. For LA, you're looking at a layer of dry dust over smooth hardpack in most cases. You'll want mini-knobs to reach through the dust layer during braking and climbs and cornering knobs. The SK is the minimum you'll want to do that. TIres like the SS and g-one allaround just dont' have the knobs to deal with the dust layer. The Conti Terra Speed, Spec Pathfinder, and Pirelli H might work, but the cornering knobs are minimal. The
Last edited by jfranci3; 04-19-22 at 02:33 PM.
Likes For jfranci3: