Are all Panaracer Gravelkings SK Tubeless?

12 replies · 7,468 views

kriskexplorer
81 posts
#1Jan 25, 2017, 9:35 AM
Are all Panaracer Gravelkings SK Tubeless? I'm looking at picking up some 35's but not sure if they are ok to run tubeless. Some sites say they are tubeless ready some not. Anyone running the 35's tubeless?
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trippertim
104 posts
#2Jan 25, 2017, 11:17 AM
The website does not show the 35's as Tubeless compatible for some reason, but I remember them discussing them initially on FB etc as being tubeless ready and I got one of the very first batch and chatted directly with them and they said it was ok to run them tubeless and to just not go over 60psi when running them tubeless. I've been really happy and got another set for my wife's bike too.
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kriskexplorer
81 posts
#3Jan 25, 2017, 11:23 AM
trippertim wrote:The website does not show the 35's as Tubeless compatible for some reason, but I remember them discussing them initially on FB etc as being tubeless ready and I got one of the very first batch and chatted directly with them and they said it was ok to run them tubeless and to just not go over 60psi when running them tubeless. I've been really happy and got another set for my wife's bike too.

That's been my confusion as well. I just wanted to be sure one way or the other.
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alembical
57 posts
#4Jan 25, 2017, 4:40 PM
Yes, all the panracer gravelking's are tubeless compatible.

1
kriskexplorer
81 posts
#5Jan 25, 2017, 5:07 PM
I wish they would update there website to clear up the confusion. By the site only the 40's are.

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Smale Rider
84 posts
#6Jan 25, 2017, 5:38 PMedited
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkXahcORWjk \n \n \nand then there is this video stating otherwise. "and even 32mm and 35mm non-tlc gravel kings can be set up as tubeless tires. Just make sure the rim is tubeless ready and are not inflated beyond 55 psi" \n \n \nhttp://www.gravelcyclist.com/bicycle-tech/review-panaracer-gravelking-sk-35mm-and-40mm-tires/ \n \nGravel Cyclist did this review on the tires in 35mm and 40mm. Did the 35mm tubeless and did well. Other people commended with some issues with 35mm tubeless, and others did fine. There might be some rim/tire combos that just don't want to work well. \n \nRead deep into the Gravel cyclist commentary, the Panaracer Gravel Team runs 35 tubeless, and they also run stans rims/and assumed tubeless gunk. \n \nhttp://www.cxmagazine.com/santa-cruz-stigmata-pro-bike-profile-robin-farina-2016-lost-found-gravel-race-winner/5 \n \nThen there is this little gem. Again 35's set up tubeless on some stans rims.
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Jhenk77
8 posts
#7Jan 26, 2017, 9:51 AMedited
I run a 35 GK SK in the rear and have it set up tubeless. With over 1000 miles on it I have had no issues. I have the 40 GK SK in the front which is tubeless and listed as such. Both tires are setup on WTB i19 CX rims.
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Johan Ny Toci
9 posts
#8Jan 28, 2017, 6:00 AM
Information in the Panaracer website confuses also me. Anyway, I bought my Gravelkings in 35 mm and succeeded to install them tubeless. The rims are Stans Grail and had no issues. The actual size is 38 mm which is pretty much what my GT Grade can take. \n \nI am interested to buy Gravelking in 28 mm for ride in gravel and tarmac, also for commuting. And in tubeless of course. Does anyone has any empirical evidence of that size in tubeless mode?
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ljsmith
762 posts
#9Jan 28, 2017, 7:18 AM
Smale Rider wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkXahcORWjk and then there is this video stating otherwise. "and even 32mm and 35mm non-tlc gravel kings can be set up as tubeless tires. Just make sure the rim is tubeless ready and are not inflated beyond 55 psi"

This is where you have to be careful. Notice how that is worded. They "can be set up tubeless." This is not the same as saying they have a tubeless bead. In reality almost any tire can be set up tubeless using the right rims or a rim strip. I have found Panaracer to be pretty deceptive about this. I bought a 42mm Panaracer Pari Moto, and just like with the Gravel King there seemed to be conflicting info about whether it was a tubeless ready tire or not. After several e-mails to Panaracer they eventually told me it did NOT have a tubeless bead, but "can be set up tubeless". I have read that Panaracer plans to eventually make every tire in their lineup tubeless ready, but they aren't there yet.
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Lbc
33 posts
#10Jan 29, 2017, 11:26 PM
I ran the 35's tubeless all 2016. Durable,fast,Corning traction, all good. Hold air remarkably well day to day. The 35's are mounted to the USA made A23's, orange seal, stans tape and velocity valve stems. I just set up some 32 gk slicks tubeless on a set of hplus son archetype wheels. These are "non tubeless ready" rims but it worked great and again holds air over time really well. 1 turn of gorilla tape, orsnge seal and stans valves . No real world rides on this setup yet just some rollers but very excited for the snow to melt and get some mileage on them . The way I understand is they're all tubeless compatible up to 60psi.
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Johan Ny Toci
9 posts
#11Jan 30, 2017, 5:08 AM
Tubeless compatibility is partly matter of faith and of course a lot depends on various facts like pressure and riding style and the weight of the cyclist not to forget matters like the shape of rim abd bed or width of tyre. One mechanic said that his rule of thumb is that when either the rim or the tyre is tubeless there is a good possibility that tubeless will work. And of course what one means by failing. In one case it means that the tyre won't hold the air while in other it won't stay on the rim which could be pretty hazardous. But it seems that 35 mm GravelKing SK is working. No need to consult your lawyer or physician.
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tschenkel
4 posts
#12Aug 10, 2017, 9:44 AM
Hi All,

Just wanted to add my two cent to this discussion, as I have just received info from Panaracer Tech support.
According to that email all GK SK are the same construction, from the 32 up to the 43 (used to be 40, but is now named 43 due to being larger than labelled in most cases). Panaracer said they are currently changing the labelling and packaging for the SK to reflect that (and also the website).
So, according to this ALL SKs are "tubeless ready" or as Panaracer call it "TubeLess Compatible TLC". This means they have a bead suitable for tubeless ready rims but need sealant to be airtight.
Just set up a pair of 35s on WTB i19 Frequency rims. Relatively easy setup without a compressor, just needed to mount it with a tube first to seat both beads, broke the bead seal on one side, removed the tube, reinserted bead into rim bed, wetted the open bead and started pumping with a floor pump (with valve insert in). After a few quick pump strokes it started to hold pressure and the bead seated at about 40psi. Deflated, removed valve insert, squeezed 2oz of Orange Seal through the valve stem, reinflated and gave it a spin and shake. Didn't have time to ride them immediately, each wheel lost pressure once over night sitting at 55psi to settle. But that was solved after reinflation and riding them for half an hour. Holding pressure nicely.
I came from Challenge Gravel Grinder 120tpi Race with latex tubes. Ride is a bit harsher on the Panaracers (as I expected, as the sidewall seems to be quite a bit thicker on them) compared to the silky smooth Challenge, slightly slower on the road, but a very nice sticky compound - saved my a*** this morning when I managed to stop 6 inches from a car door. A bit more grip off-road and better cornering manners (due to less pronounced change in thread from center to side knobs). Currently running them at 38/42 psi - @ 180 to 185lbs incl. bike and gear.
HTH

T

1
Zurichman
1,526 posts
#13Aug 10, 2017, 7:58 PM
Jhenk77 wrote:I run a 35 GK SK in the rear and have it set up tubeless. With over 1000 miles on it I have had no issues. I have the 40 GK SK in the front which is tubeless and listed as such. Both tires are setup on WTB i19 CX rims.

Jhenk77 I see you aren't the 1st person I have seen that are riding 40 mm in the front and 35 mm in the rear. I am the newbie here and trying to get a set up of tires running tubeless and my Clement mso 40 mm that was installed on my factory 2016 Raleigh Tamland 1 aren't tubeless compatible even though the rims are. I was able to get the front set up tubeless but no luck with the rear.

I have a set of Kenda Flintridge pro tubeless tires coming from Jenson USA and ordered 40 mm for front and rear.

I read somewhere that most people run 40 mm on the front to keep from having wipe outs on corners. I thought that I also read that some people run 35 on the rear I guess because they are faster. I am setting my bike up to ride stuff in Kansas I guess. They recommended 40 mm tires. Wouldn't the 35 m on the rear be not as comfy as the 40's on the rear? I guess I am just trying to learn the ropes of gravel riding/racing.

Thanks
Zman
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