Bontrager has the honor of the slowest gravel tire

I've seen so many people rave about the speed of these Bontrager GR1 tires, so I was eagerly awaiting this test.  Unfortunately they are the slowest tires ever tested.  The puncture resistance is poor also.  So another warning that just because a tire "feels" fast, does not mean it is fast.

 

It's so nice seeing relatively new/different brands in their tests. It's some variations of the same few brands and models over and over. I have been a "Pro" member since the start and I feel I'm one of the only ones voting for Wolfpack tires (the company started by the tire engineer that put Continental, Specialized, and Schwalbe on the top of the lists). I would love to see a 'new' brand or tire each month or so.

 

Bummer for Bontrager though. They are cool looking tires. Too bad they look like the Schwalbe G One from 5 years ago, but can't roll like one. 

The most frustrating part about BRR is that people will vote to test certain tires, I.e. Continental GP5000, in every possible size and the numbers are basically identical.  This means so many good tires never get tested.

Yes, I'd like to see the BRR voting system change to have a separate category for variations of previously-tested tires with a limit of maybe one per month.

I ran this as a rear tire for a bit.  I found it hooked up really well in the rough stuff.  Easy gravel/canal trails, it was slow but I also run a similar tire (Conti Terra Trails) now front and rear.  They're slow too but again, hook up really well in rough conditions.  Since most of my riding is not on rough conditions, I've been looking at other tires.  So while I like the Conti's and this Bonny tire, I think they're best used in the rough stuff.  Otherwise, go with a faster roller.

 

Oh, and this is the fastest wearing tire I've run to date also. 

Thanks for sharing that BRR review and @A_SingleSpeeder I appreciate your input. Public commentary on the GR1 is limited, at least in my searches.

 

I say this because I have a brand new Trek Checkpoint that has never been out of the garage (on the trainer all winter) and comes with a set of these GR1 tires. I've been wondering if I need to replace them in early spring with something else.

 

I'm registered for the BC Belgian Waffle Ride (Canada) at the end of May which is about 50% road with 10,000 ft of climbing over around 220km of distance. It will likely include mud, wet roots, gravel and lots of asphalt.

 

I get the feeling that the GR1 is not the tire based on the above reviews.

I ran the similar GR2 tires...and they were 'meh.' Okay, but nothing special. And for being relatively expensive, I was amazed at the short lifespan: the rear tire was shot in about 700 miles.

I found that interesting in these ways. In real world use those have been good tires having good traction for the amount of roll, supple and weight. I've repeated two particular rides many times with associates who've had tires BRR rates better to see their Schwalbe and RH models did not roll ahead of me on smooth pavement or did not do that in a way that would be concerning. When same group hit poor conditions the tread edge and dual compound of the GR1 seemed to have strong advantage.

The test for sure keeps me aware of ones that might be better but having worn out a few popular tires for gravel and bikepacking and trying different ones I cannot take the reaction I've caught from some over this review. 

Another thing that good out was a group ride where same road debris cut/flatted Panaracers I happen to like that pals had and the GR1 just had a moment where sealant worked. Two others were putting tubes in their GravelKings.

It is really easy for my brain to be attracted to rolling resistance or light weight but that's not everything.

I have two friends that ride the GR1s and my observations, compared to my Continental Terra Speed tires, is the exact opposite.  I roll ahead of them on smooth pavement, and have observed no advantage of GR1s in wet/muddy conditions.  In two seasons, I have never had a had a puncture, or even a minor leak, with Continental Terra Speeds.  On a ride two weeks ago, one of my friends experienced a serious puncture in a GR1.