GravelKing Slick: Regular vs Plus version?

I've ridden several pairs of GK Slicks now and while I love they way they ride, some of them got sliced out on the road within a few rides. So, I tried the Maxxis Velocita AR and they also seem to cut easily and they don't ride as nicely as the GK slicks IMO. I've been spending way too much time researching other options and ended up ordering a pair of the Vitoria Terreno Zero's from Competitive, cuz most reviews raved about their puncture protection, but I have a feeling that I might be bummed out by their performance, as they're fairly heavy and they have poor rolling resistance test results. 

So, I've been wondering about about the GK Slick Plus. My understanding is that the tread isn't any thicker than the regular GK's, so I assume they would still have a fairly short lifespan overall, but maybe the protection might help against glass? Has anyone ridden the plus and regular versions? Any difference in performance and any better luck with durability?

Or any other recommendations for slick(or semi-slick) tires in the 38 to 42 range? The only other one that I've ridden, other than the Velocita and GK Slick, was the Compass Barlow Pass, and I liked them overall, other than being expensive and terrible for tubeless.

My understanding is that many of the plus casings simply extend the protective layer bead to bead instead of just under the tread, to guard against sharp rocks slicing sidewalls. Whereas if you're having issues with roadside glass, that would call for more of an urban tire casing maybe? Also I wonder if you're running tubeless and whether sealant is able to cope with the sorts of punctures you're having regardless of tire. 

The Gravelking SS incorporates a supple 126 TPI casing with a nylon puncture-resistant belt and Panaracer’s proprietary ZSG (Zero Slip Grip) compound.

The Gravelking SS+ uses the same build as the SS but adds a bead-to-bead layer of Panaracer’s ProTite puncture material for even more protection against tread and sidewall cuts for those extra demanding courses or rides with sharp flint rock.no, nothing better unless you go the compass route.  Conti Terraspeed should be just as fast, but that one wears even faster!

Editorque wrote:My understanding is that many of the plus casings simply extend the protective layer bead to bead instead of just under the tread, to guard against sharp rocks slicing sidewalls. Whereas if you're having issues with roadside glass, that would call for more of an urban tire casing maybe? Also I wonder if you're running tubeless and whether sealant is able to cope with the sorts of punctures you're having regardless of tire. 

Yeah, they're tubeless, but most of the cuts are too big to seal, unfortunately.

 

chas wrote:

The Gravelking SS incorporates a supple 126 TPI casing with a nylon puncture-resistant belt and Panaracer’s proprietary ZSG (Zero Slip Grip) compound.

The Gravelking SS+ uses the same build as the SS but adds a bead-to-bead layer of Panaracer’s ProTite puncture material for even more protection against tread and sidewall cuts for those extra demanding courses or rides with sharp flint rock.no, nothing better unless you go the compass route.  Conti Terraspeed should be just as fast, but that one wears even faster!

The Terraspeeds look interesting, but they're pretty pricey if they aren't going to last very long. At least the GK's are cheap and widely available, so it's not a big deal if one dies prematurely. Still a PITA to deal with...

I've used only Plus versions of the slick in 38-622 and the SK in 43-622.  I did get glass cuts and flats with the slick but nowhere near as many as with the RH Barlow Pass or Soma SV.  I haven't put enough miles on the SK to say one way or the other.

I tried Panaracer FlatAway kevlar liners in the RH Snoqualmie Pass.  So far so good but not enough miles to be sure.  These liners are light and don't noticeably affect rolling resistance but they protect only the tread.  Going forward I plan to use these in most of my tires since I get cuts only in the tread.

stu wrote:I've used only Plus versions of the slick in 38-622 and the SK in 43-622.  I did get glass cuts and flats with the slick but nowhere near as many as with the RH Barlow Pass or Soma SV.  I haven't put enough miles on the SK to say one way or the other.

I tried Panaracer FlatAway kevlar liners in the RH Snoqualmie Pass.  So far so good but not enough miles to be sure.  These liners are light and don't noticeably affect rolling resistance but they protect only the tread.  Going forward I plan to use these in most of my tires since I get cuts only in the tread.

I had a look at those liners. I'm not against the idea, but kinda expensive at an extra $20/tire. Also, reviews on them seemed mixed--with lots of people saying they still got flats with them and that it didn't take much to push a sharp object through them before installation.

Have you had a look at the Terreno Zeros? They seem to rate very high on the BRR durability tests and I saw one review where I guy claimed that he found pieces of glass stuck in the tire that didn't make it all the way through. Rolling resistance and weight don't look to be that great though. They're $34/tire on Competitive right now though, so figured they'd be worth a try.

AmericanTemplar wrote:

I had a look at those liners. I'm not against the idea, but kinda expensive at an extra $20/tire. Also, reviews on them seemed mixed--with lots of people saying they still got flats with them and that it didn't take much to push a sharp object through them before installation.

I don't have enough miles on them to say much other than they don't seem to slow the bike down or change the feel.  I'll report back after more miles.  I may also try a tire wiper (only with slicks of course).

Have you had a look at the Terreno Zeros? They seem to rate very high on the BRR durability tests and I saw one review where I guy claimed that he found pieces of glass stuck in the tire that didn't make it all the way through. Rolling resistance and weight don't look to be that great though. They're $34/tire on Competitive right now though, so figured they'd be worth a try.

I looked at those, but as you say the rolling resistance and weight don't appeal to me.  Also they seem to run under the listed size, BRR measured the 37 mm size at 34 mm actual width.  At that width I could get the 35-622 Pirelli Cinturato Velo.  BRR rates the 26-622 Cinturato about 50% better in both rolling resistance and puncture protection than the Terreno and Pirelli says it's significantly lighter.

I've used the similar 35-622 Continental Taraxagum with no flats or even visible tread cuts after 1000 km.  Unfortunately 35 mm is small enough to be harsh on my stiff frame.

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stu wrote:I looked at those, but as you say the rolling resistance and weight don't appeal to me.  Also they seem to run under the listed size, BRR measured the 37 mm size at 34 mm actual width.  At that width I could get the 35-622 Pirelli Cinturato Velo.  BRR rates the 26-622 Cinturato about 50% better in both rolling resistance and puncture protection than the Terreno and Pirelli says it's significantly lighter.

I've used the similar 35-622 Continental Taraxagum with no flats or even visible tread cuts after 1000 km.  Unfortunately 35 mm is small enough to be harsh on my stiff frame.

Yeah, seems like I read about some of the Terreno Zero's being undersized and others being oversized. Haha, I'm already thinking that I'll probably send them back, in spite of not having even received them yet. I'm looking for tires that measure up as big as the GravelKing slicks or even a little bigger.

Also, I just went ahead and pulled the trigger on a pair of the GK Slick + tires. I'll post some feedback about how I think they compare to the regular version for anyone interested.

I use the 38 mm (622-40) Terreno Zero as my rear tire. When new, it inflated to about 39 mm on a 21mm ID rim. After six months, it has stretched out a bit to about 40.5mm. I typically have 38-40 psi in it. I have punctured it once since I installed it, but it was one of those stealth punctures that sealed without my knowledge. Only discovered it when I was pumping up the tire and noticed an abnormally low starting pressure.

This was part of an experiment to use a slick rear tire (I have the 38mm Terreno Dry on the front), but I honestly can't tell the difference on pavement from when I was running a 43mm GravelKing SK on the rear, so I will be going back to a treaded rear to improve traction on loose dirt climbs.

tofudog415 wrote:I use the 38 mm (622-40) Terreno Zero as my rear tire. When new, it inflated to about 39 mm on a 21mm ID rim. After six months, it has stretched out a bit to about 40.5mm. I typically have 38-40 psi in it. I have punctured it once since I installed it, but it was one of those stealth punctures that sealed without my knowledge. Only discovered it when I was pumping up the tire and noticed an abnormally low starting pressure.

This was part of an experiment to use a slick rear tire (I have the 38mm Terreno Dry on the front), but I honestly can't tell the difference on pavement from when I was running a 43mm GravelKing SK on the rear, so I will be going back to a treaded rear to improve traction on loose dirt climbs.

Yeah, you've probably seen the tests, but according the BRR, the SK rolls better than the Terreno Zero and the weight is about the same. So, if the climbing traction is worse, the only place where the Zero would win, would be durability. If you're not as concerned about durability and more concerned with off road traction, I be those Terra Speeds would be a good option for you. I'd be tempted to try them, but since most of my riding is on pavement, and I don't have a separate pure road bike, I tend to favor slicks.

I have used 35mm and 32mm in the slick plus srt up tubeless. Never got a flat on either pair. I personally liked the 35mm more. Thought it was fantastic tire, and still rolled pretty fast for the extra protective layer. I think you'll like them

AmericanTemplar wrote:Also, I just went ahead and pulled the trigger on a pair of the GK Slick + tires. I'll post some feedback about how I think they compare to the regular version for anyone interested.

I have used the GK+ in the 700x32 size, set up tubeless with Stans.  I used them for mixed surface rides, and they performed well on the road.  I only stopped using them because, while I intended them for smooth and maintained dirt roads, I usually went exploring and frequently ended up on some random mountain bike trail totally unsuitable for a 32mm slick.  I can't help myself.

I did have one flat from a large piece of broken glass on a paved road.  I don't think any slick tire would have survived, but I was able to quickly plug the hole with a Stans Dart.