Sweet spot gravel tire width?
04-24-24, 11:34 AM
#26
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,072
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5008 Post(s)
Liked 8,187 Times
in
3,874 Posts
I was running 42s on smooth hard gravel on a current generation high-end gravel/endurance bike. Was like riding a farm tractor. I swapped the tires out for slick 32s pumped up harder, and noticed a definite improvement in speed and cornering.
Final test was going back to my old steel road bike with 23's pumped up hard, and was impressed on how much faster this setup was. Overall bike weights and fit was about the same, although the wheels and tires on the vintage road setup were much much lighter and more responsive. Obviously not for loose conditions. If you go fast enough, the narrow tires just plane over the little stuff.
If I was riding real gravel, then I'd save myself a whole bunch of fuss and money and pull out my 1991 Rocky Mountain with 26" wheels and 2" tires.
Final test was going back to my old steel road bike with 23's pumped up hard, and was impressed on how much faster this setup was. Overall bike weights and fit was about the same, although the wheels and tires on the vintage road setup were much much lighter and more responsive. Obviously not for loose conditions. If you go fast enough, the narrow tires just plane over the little stuff.
If I was riding real gravel, then I'd save myself a whole bunch of fuss and money and pull out my 1991 Rocky Mountain with 26" wheels and 2" tires.
As for "harder is faster", this isn't supported by science. Harder is faster up to a point, but there is a break point where increased pressure becomes slower at a much quicker rate. You're actually better off running a little under optimum pressure than you are being over optimum pressure. The rougher the surface, the lower the optimum pressure.
https://silca.cc/blogs/silca/part-4b...-and-impedance
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
04-24-24, 12:39 PM
#27
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,072
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5008 Post(s)
Liked 8,187 Times
in
3,874 Posts
When doing Ravel and Gravel I am most comfortable between 38mm to 34mm. If I need anything more then its time to go to a Mountain Bike. I have never ridden a True modern day specific Gravel Bike. Just my old beaters. The new Gravel bikes certainly do look real nice.
And for the new Mountain Bikes I have one word, "Complex".
And for the new Mountain Bikes I have one word, "Complex".
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
Likes For prj71:
04-25-24, 02:54 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 756
Bikes: Dahon Jetstream p8 (sold), customized Dahon Helios x10, customzed Dahon Smooth Hound x11,customized Dahon Hammerhead 8.0 d7, Planet X Free Ranger (mullet setup 1x11), Planet X Giovanissimi 20 (1x9), Frog 52 (1x9) and Frog 48 1s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 275 Post(s)
Liked 244 Times
in
180 Posts
My gravel bike is currently running 42mm S-works Pathfinder Pros. I was aiming for a fast rolling set up with these and it does that well...these are a really great set up for light gravel or a gravel/road mix. In the future, I might set up another wheel set with 2.0" XC MTB tires...more specifically, the Continental Race Kings(if they'll actually fit.) Not to get too nerdy but, these tires test faster than most gravel tires on the rolling resistance website...I run the 2.2" version on my XC bike and can confirm that they are fast, but with better traction.
Likes For Fentuz:
04-25-24, 06:53 AM
#30
Full Member
Wide tires aren't just for mountain bikes. All the newest iterations of gravel bikes (and a lot of cross bikes) have quite generous clearances. Throw some meaty rubber on there and go have fun people!
Likes For justin1138:
04-26-24, 09:37 PM
#31
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Tempe, AZ
Posts: 12
Bikes: 2020 Niner RIP9 RDO, 2022 OptOut Hooky, 2023 Salsa Journeyer, 1997 Trek Multitrack 720
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
5 Posts
I run 700x38c Specialized Tracers and they feel perfect for road riding to single track.
04-27-24, 05:36 PM
#32
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,653
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: 11012 Post(s)
Liked 7,542 Times
in
4,217 Posts
When doing Ravel and Gravel I am most comfortable between 38mm to 34mm. If I need anything more then its time to go to a Mountain Bike. I have never ridden a True modern day specific Gravel Bike. Just my old beaters. The new Gravel bikes certainly do look real nice.
And for the new Mountain Bikes I have one word, "Complex".
And for the new Mountain Bikes I have one word, "Complex".
Likes For mstateglfr:
04-27-24, 05:38 PM
#33
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,653
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: 11012 Post(s)
Liked 7,542 Times
in
4,217 Posts
I was running 42s on smooth hard gravel on a current generation high-end gravel/endurance bike. Was like riding a farm tractor. I swapped the tires out for slick 32s pumped up harder, and noticed a definite improvement in speed and cornering.
Final test was going back to my old steel road bike with 23's pumped up hard, and was impressed on how much faster this setup was. Overall bike weights and fit was about the same, although the wheels and tires on the vintage road setup were much much lighter and more responsive. Obviously not for loose conditions. If you go fast enough, the narrow tires just plane over the little stuff.
If I was riding real gravel, then I'd save myself a whole bunch of fuss and money and pull out my 1991 Rocky Mountain with 26" wheels and 2" tires.
Final test was going back to my old steel road bike with 23's pumped up hard, and was impressed on how much faster this setup was. Overall bike weights and fit was about the same, although the wheels and tires on the vintage road setup were much much lighter and more responsive. Obviously not for loose conditions. If you go fast enough, the narrow tires just plane over the little stuff.
If I was riding real gravel, then I'd save myself a whole bunch of fuss and money and pull out my 1991 Rocky Mountain with 26" wheels and 2" tires.
Likes For mstateglfr:
04-27-24, 08:49 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: NorCal
Posts: 535
Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur 4 TR, Canyon Endurace cf sl, Canyon Ultimate cf slx, Canyon Strive enduro, Canyon Grizl sl8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 230 Post(s)
Liked 919 Times
in
365 Posts
I prefer to refer to a road and light gravel ride as a "groad" ride. I normally hate when different words are combined to make a new word, but "groad" sounds dirty to me for some reason, and I like that about it.
Likes For Sierra_rider:
04-27-24, 11:43 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,502
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 979 Post(s)
Liked 1,644 Times
in
1,056 Posts
My short Torn Up Asphalt rides can be tough no matter what bike I am ridding. And honestly I am just happy to still be riding...
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
Likes For zandoval:
04-28-24, 12:34 AM
#36
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,653
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: 11012 Post(s)
Liked 7,542 Times
in
4,217 Posts
I really do get your concern. You are right. But what people called Gravel Bikes years ago seem to no longer qualify. Same thing going with Mountain Bikes and those rare Steel Road Bikes. I think its what roads ya ride and not necessarily what bike you are riding on it. I dont ride Gravel Roads but I do ride Ravel Roads. In many areas Ravel roads abound. Maybe I should just call my bikes Torn Up Asphalt Bikes.
My short Torn Up Asphalt rides can be tough no matter what bike I am ridding. And honestly I am just happy to still be riding...
My short Torn Up Asphalt rides can be tough no matter what bike I am ridding. And honestly I am just happy to still be riding...
Likes For mstateglfr:
04-28-24, 11:57 AM
#37
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,408
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,709 Times
in
2,528 Posts
There's an argument going on in long distance about what to call the surface on an unpaved trail. Now we're arguing about what to call gravel bikes?
Is nothing sacred?
Is nothing sacred?
Likes For unterhausen:
