Which tire would you pick?

23 replies · 5,357 views

granfondousa
2 posts
#1Feb 4, 2021, 11:00 PM
Hi, appreciate any insight you have on the tires below. For road use/very light gravel to pair with Enve 3.4 AR. Here are the options I am considering, what would you recommend? Anything else to consider?
- Panaracer GravelKing 700 x 38c (340g)
- Rene Herse Barlow 700 x 38c (350g), concerned about weeping sidewalls and durability. The Standard version is not available in black.
- Schwalbe G-One Speed: 700 x 38c (465g)
- Schwalbe G-One Allround: 700 x 38c (480g)
- Vittoria Terreno Zero: 700 x 38c (510g)
0
stu
646 posts
#2Feb 5, 2021, 1:27 AM
I've used the GravelKing+ in 38-622, the Barlow Pass (Extralight) in 38-622, and the G-One Alround (original V-Guard, not Addix) in 40-622. I used light butyl tubes in all of them, never tried tubeless.

I found all of those roll and handle well on pavement. The knobs on the G-One wore down pretty quickly, I've read that the newer formulation lasts longer but has more rolling resistance. I got numerous flats in the Barlow Pass, significantly fewer in the other two. Among these I liked the GravelKing+ best and it was the least expensive.

More recently I've used the Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass (Endurance) in 44-622 and the Soma Shikoro in both 42-622 and 48-622. For me the wider tires are fine for road use, they're a little heavier but more comfortable on badly broken up pavement. On dirt and gravel I find the wider tires much better.

Even with the Endurance casing the Snoqualmie Pass gets more flats than I'm willing to put up with. It's also terribly expensive and occasionally follows road irregularities. I really like the Shikoros. They feel a lot like GravekKings but I'm not getting any flats and they're available in larger sizes. BTW only the 48-622 is listed as tubeless compatible, I don't know if the smaller ones work tubeless or not.

Another alternative would be a light touring tire such as the Schwalbe Marathon Almotion HS603 or Marathon Supreme HS469. I briefly tried the Almotion HS603 in 40-622 and thought it was fine but decided I prefer a wider size with a slick tread. Notes on Schwalbe: For each tire name they offer a huge number of variants. They're also much cheaper ordered from Europe.

I haven't worn any of these tires out but I'm pretty sure the Shikoro and Marathons will outlast gravel tires by a good margin.

If you can live with a 35-622 size you could also consider the Pirelli Cinturato Velo or Continental Urban Taraxagum (latter available only in Europe). These are road tires designed for training, commuting, etc. They're lighter, faster, longer lasting, and more puncture resistant (in the tread) than most gravel tires. I tried the Taraxagum and loved them but for my taste they're too narrow for rough surfaces.
1
Mark_S
144 posts
#3Feb 5, 2021, 5:17 AM
The GK's are great. Haven't used the others on your list. I use the 43 SK and probably do more off-piste riding than you, based on your description. I can't give you experience of my own but it sounds like the SS version in 38 might work well for you.
1
Volsung
878 posts
#4Feb 5, 2021, 8:51 AM
GK slick or maybe Maxxis Velocita AR. They're pretty comparable.

Or a 32mm GP 5K would probably be fine if your gravel is more packed dirt than rock.
2
mikbik
28 posts
#5Feb 5, 2021, 11:28 AM
I used Conti Speed Ride (the current name) lots on my CX bike, before I got a real gravel bike with more clearance. The Contis came in at 372g for the 35mm and 410-ish g for the 42mm. There was some variation in weights even at the same size.
But they wore well, rolled nice and did fine in the dirt. I wore out a few pair, so they lasted me just fine.
I ran mine tubeless.
FWIW, currently $25.46 for folding 42mm at BikeTireDirect. https://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/continental-speed-ride-tire-folding
1
stu
646 posts
#6Feb 5, 2021, 1:07 PM
Volsung wrote:Or a 32mm GP 5K would probably be fine if your gravel is more packed dirt than rock.

The GP 5K would be much faster than any of the gravel tires mentioned.
1
Editorque
12 posts
#7Feb 6, 2021, 7:27 PMedited
The GK 38 slick is an awesome all-around tire: light, tough, fast, supple and cheap. If I had to choose one tire for mostly tarmac, it would be that one. Its main weakness is that it's boring and unsexy because you rarely have cause to think of it. I changed it for the GK SS 43 mainly because I couldn't stand it and needed to know how the 43s roll. The SS are better tracking in rough stuff, and the greater volume is cushy, but they are noticeably heavier, so it's a trade-off. The SS roll fast at 40psi and come into their own when the going gets rough, sometimes let out to 30psi. Maybe at 38mm I would find the SS weight penalty minimized or eliminated.

Before the 38 slicks, I wore out Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass 43 (endurance). The plush ride of Rene Herse tires is undeniable, but they do weep a bit when new, they did not get along with my stock Giant rims, they don't last nearly as long as Schwalbe or Panaracer's own tires, and they are fully twice the cost of the GK slicks (although GK makes no wider than 38). For some the ride is worth the cost, I totally get that, but for me they are an extravagance that requires too much attention.

I've used the Schwalbe G-One All-Round 38s for a while on my other bike. They have a nice suppleness to them, and on tarmac they provide excellent traction on fast winding descents. They tend to pick up small pebbles, a minor annoyance. I have never run them tubeless. They feel heavy. One of these days I intend to try the G-One Speed, because I can't leave well enough alone.

I am starting to believe that anything beyond a 38 or 40 brings diminishing returns. I buy the widest tires I can fit on my bike on principal, because after years of wanting wider tires I intend to enjoy them, but for most of my riding, easily 80% and maybe even 90%, 38/40mm is probably just right. The flip side is that greater volume nudges me a little harder to explore uncharted territory. All the tires you list are probably great for a range of uses. These are nice problems to have.
3
nellborg
142 posts
#8Feb 7, 2021, 7:57 PM▲ Top
I can give you feedback on a few of those:

Barlow Pass EL casing - they measured 41 mm after setup on 22 mm ID rims. This was my first high volume supple tire and the improved silky ride quality was noticeable and it made it difficult to use other tires afterwards. Mine mounted easily tubeless and there were only a couple of "weep" spots at setup that filled in right away with a little more sealant and placing the wheel in an orientation so that gravity pooled the sealant over those areas. Afterwards, they were zero maintenance for about 2k miles on mostly smooth gravel/dirt roads which is about when the rear tire started wearing through. No flats.

Schwalbe G-One Allrounds - I have 38's, new one year ago and probably put 3k miles on them on mostly gravel roads, set up tubeless. Mine measure 40 mm on 22 mm ID rims. Other than being completely useless in slippery mud, I think they're a nice dry conditions gravel tire. Ok on the road but I'd rather have a slick on the road.

I have new GK SS 43's (regular, not the +) that I bought a couple of weeks ago and their casing feels kind of stiff (comparable to a RH Endurance casing) so I'm thinking that they won't be as fast rolling as the GK's of a couple years ago. I don't know if the GK slicks have this stiff a casing or not.

RH slicks in Endurance casing don't feel that special to me, so I'd say that if you're not getting the EL or standard RH casing tires, then look at the Panaracers or other slicks. The ride quality of the RH EL casing tires set up tubeless are worth it to me. My Barlows at about 32 psi on gravel made me feel like I was floating. They soaked up so much of the high frequency micro hits that stiffer casing tires don't.

Probably like Editorque above, I've developed an addiction to gravel tires - I feel the need to know how different tires ride. Right now, I have 4 gravel wheel sets, each with different tires, 7 new gravel tires still in packaging, and each week I have to talk myself out of buying more.
4
stu
646 posts
#9Feb 7, 2021, 8:57 PM
nellborg wrote:Probably like Editorque above, I've developed an addiction to gravel tires - I feel the need to know how different tires ride. Right now, I have 4 gravel wheel sets, each with different tires, 7 new gravel tires still in packaging, and each week I have to talk myself out of buying more.

I hear you! Tires make so much difference, are easy to change, and don't take up much space when folded. In about 4 years I've tried an even dozen. Unfortunately my bank account is deflating faster than a latex tube.
1
jfranci3
126 posts
#10Feb 7, 2021, 9:40 PM
granfondousa wrote:Hi, appreciate any insight you have on the tires below. For road use/very light gravel to pair with Enve 3.4 AR. Here are the options I am considering, what would you recommend? Anything else to consider?
- Panaracer GravelKing 700 x 38c (340g)
- Rene Herse Barlow 700 x 38c (350g), concerned about weeping sidewalls and durability. The Standard version is not available in black.
- Schwalbe G-One Speed: 700 x 38c (465g)
- Schwalbe G-One Allround: 700 x 38c (480g)
- Vittoria Terreno Zero: 700 x 38c (510g)
What's gravel near you?

Are you going to touch moistened dirt or snow at all? If so, the slick tires are out (incl g-One Speed).

The Schwalbe tires just changed rubber and casings to accommodate e-bikes and are now much slower. Get the OneStar / Microskin Evoulotion (evo) tires while you can.
0
wanderer
32 posts
#11Feb 8, 2021, 5:32 AM
stu wrote:
The GP 5K would be much faster than any of the gravel tires mentioned.

If you envision a fast road/light gravel for GF scenario, certainly the Panaracer GK 38s would be more than sufficient. In fact, overkill, if you are considering speed above all and a lot of climbing. 28’s were great for the Asheville Haute route with gravel. George Hincapie tore up the Asheville Gravel ride on some of the steepest, deepest, loose gravel I have ever ridden on (Maxis?) 32’s. So my view for competitive, mixed surface, light gravel, 28-32 is the sweet spot.
0
chas
1,305 posts
#12Feb 8, 2021, 12:24 PM
Sounds like I may need to pick up the Gravel king slick.
I do use the GP5000 32mm for a lot of my summer gravel (when our “gravel” can be smoother than our asphalt) . They are way way faster than these other tires. Sometimes a fast 40mm up front and 32mm GP5000 on the rear is the best of both worlds.
The G-One all round is/was great (not the new ones though I guess). No real benefit of the Speed over the Allround – just that the speed is horrible on non paved wetness.
0
chas
1,305 posts
#13Feb 8, 2021, 12:32 PMedited
I've wanted to buy those for years. While the CX tire was a well built high end tire (AFAIK), this tire is very different (extra puncture protection, no black chili). The biggest turn off is that it is 28 TPI. Not 120 TPI or 60 TPI, but 28!

I used Conti Speed Ride (the current name) lots on my CX bike, before I got a real gravel bike with more clearance. The Contis came in at 372g for the 35mm and 410-ish g for the 42mm. There was some variation in weights even at the same size.
But they wore well, rolled nice and did fine in the dirt. I wore out a few pair, so they lasted me just fine.
I ran mine tubeless.
FWIW, currently $25.46 for folding 42mm at BikeTireDirect. https://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/continental-speed-ride-tire-folding
0
Davis3inCO
39 posts
#14Feb 10, 2021, 9:43 AM
I run GK 700x35's now, but had a set of 38's. It's a great tire. I really only use them for road, but they are fine for the rare occasion there is dirt along my route. I run the SK's for dedicated gravel tires. I do run the GK's tubeless, and will likely go with the Plus casing next time. I've come back from a number of rides with my frame covered in sealant. No complete failures, but thinking the plus casing will provide that little bit extra protection.
0
Mark_S
144 posts
#15Feb 11, 2021, 2:20 PMedited
I'm curious about volume - my Grade can fit 43-622, and my sense is that all things being equal I should have the biggest tire I can, even though my riding is road biased. I am 100kg and use my current GK 43s in the 30-35psi range. My next tire will probably be the GK SS. Is there an argument for 38mm (what GK calls a 40) instead - in other words, is there any solid evidence that the same tire, mounted tubeless would be faster on the road in 38 versus 43?
0
ljsmith
762 posts
#16Feb 11, 2021, 2:33 PM
Mark_S wrote:I'm curious about volume - my Grade can fit 43-622, and my sense is that all things being equal I should have the biggest tire I can, even though my riding is road biased. My next tire will probably be the GK SS. Is there an argument for 38mm (what GK calls a 40) instead - in other words, is there any solid evidence that the same tire, mounted tubeless would be faster on the road in 38 versus 43?

A narrower tire will be lighter and more aerodynamic. So it will be faster on the road. The faster you ride the more aero benefit you get. If I had to guess the increase in speed would be small, so unless you ride predominately on the road you’re better off with the larger tire. Off-road the increased volume would make the larger tire equal in speed or even faster depending on how rough the terrain is.
0
Editorque
12 posts
#17Feb 11, 2021, 3:19 PMedited
I am a noncompetitive schlub but the closest comparison I have is one of my routine loops (33 mi., 2500 ft ele., all tarmac), which I rode with the RH 44 endurance at 425g each and, within a week or so, the GK 38/40 slicks at 330g each. My personal best came with the GK 38, by a whopping ten minutes, which could have been for a number of reasons: a reduction of 190g of rotational weight, the weather that day, my sleep the night before, my own weight fluctuation, I have no idea. Maybe even the livelier feedback from the reduced trail and quicker handling spurred me to put forth more effort? Don't know. Nothing aero-related; I don't ride fast enough. Then when I put on the GK SS 43 at 480g, I went back to the time I got with the RH 44s. The next step will be to try GK SS 38, to split the difference while bolstering confidence for unpaved detours. Or go back to the 38 slicks and relish the sketchiness. Or stay with the SS 43s on there now and enjoy the versatility and ignore the default splits on my Garmin.
0
Mark_S
144 posts
#18Feb 12, 2021, 12:09 AM
I'm not fast. 16-18mph on rolling road. But I'm going to be doing a 10-12 hour road event in six months (80 miles and 15,000'), and this will be done on the next set of tires. I'm thinking ahead to the event and all the training for it. Given the feedback, when I wear out the current GK-SK 43mm I will switch to the SS in 38mm. I'll expect to miss the extra volume when I dip off the road for sanity breaks, though...
0
cpark
46 posts
#19Feb 13, 2021, 8:18 AMedited
What is your priority?
Light weight, fast rolling, puncture resistance, grip, easy tubeless set up or price?
How is your skill set?
I'm a tire geek, and I have tested over a dozen tires last year alone, and here is my take:

Conti Terra Speed 35 mm & 40mm - light and fastest gravel tires. Not super puncture resistant. Easy tubeless set up.
WTB Riddler 37mm - similar to Conti, but heavier and slower.
WTB Riddler 45 mm - better grip than 37mm due to 2 more rows or knobbies.
WTB Resolute - heavier and more robust, not very fast on pavement. it also runs a bit big.
Spechy Pathfinder 38 mm - Similar to Conti, except it's heavier and more durable.
I believe Colin Strickland ran this tire in 2019 DK200, and he was the first person to break under 10 hours, and averaged over 20 mph. Good value
Gravel King SK - Nice all around gravel tires. Good value
Gravel King SS - Nice all around all road tires that can handle smooth dirt/gravel road.
Bontrager GR1 and GR2 - Nice all around gravel tires.
Teravail Cannonball - fast rolling and durable, but it's a bit heavy and the ride is less supple than most.
I think Schwalbe and Rene Herse make good tires, but they are a bit pricey.

Current, I have a set Resolute on Open UP, Riddlers 45 mm on Open WIDE, and Conti Terra Speed 40 mm on 3T Exploro, Cannonball 38 mm on S-Works Diverge, and just built up a Giant Revolt with Gravel King SK 650
granfondousa wrote:Hi, appreciate any insight you have on the tires below. For road use/very light gravel to pair with Enve 3.4 AR. Here are the options I am considering, what would you recommend? Anything else to consider?
- Panaracer GravelKing 700 x 38c (340g)
- Rene Herse Barlow 700 x 38c (350g), concerned about weeping sidewalls and durability. The Standard version is not available in black.
- Schwalbe G-One Speed: 700 x 38c (465g)
- Schwalbe G-One Allround: 700 x 38c (480g)
- Vittoria Terreno Zero: 700 x 38c (510g)
0
Davis3inCO
39 posts
#20Feb 13, 2021, 9:40 AM
cpark wrote:What is your priority?
Light weight, fast rolling, puncture resistance, grip, easy tubeless set up or price?
How is your skill set?
I'm a tire geek, and I have tested over a dozen tires last year alone, and here is my take:

Conti Terra Speed 35 mm & 40mm - light and fastest gravel tires. Not super puncture resistant. Easy tubeless set up.
WTB Riddler 37mm - similar to Conti, but heavier and slower.
WTB Riddler 45 mm - better grip than 37mm due to 2 more rows or knobbies.
WTB Resolute - heavier and more robust, not very fast on pavement. it also runs a bit big.
Spechy Pathfinder 38 mm - Similar to Conti, except it's heavier and more durable.
I believe Colin Strickland ran this tire in 2019 DK200, and he was the first person to break under 10 hours, and averaged over 20 hours. Good value
Gravel King SK - Nice all around gravel tires. Good value
Gravel King SS - Nice all around all road tires that can handle smooth dirt/gravel road.
Bontrager GR1 and GR2 - Nice all around gravel tires.
Teravail Cannonball - fast rolling and durable, but it's a bit heavy and the ride is less supple than most.
I think Schwalbe and Rene Herse make good tires, but they are a bit pricey.

Current, I have a set Resolute on Open UP, Riddlers 45 mm on Open WIDE, and Conti Terra Speed 40 mm on 3T Exploro, Cannonball 38 mm on S-Works Diverge, and just built up a Giant Revolt with Gravel King SK 650

WOW! Thanks for this CPark. You really do have a problem. LOL!
Prepping to race the Co2uT 100 miler in May. By then I will need new tires and this gives me something to chew on.
0

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