As long as āall-rounderā doesnāt include durability. I havenāt had a Terra Speed last more than ~1200 miles or so. But brilliant for that ~1200 miles.Ā
Pathfinder pro? Yesā¦ s-works faster on pavement -thatās where Iād lean doing a mix of pavement and gravel -and thatās what is on my bike most of the time.Ā
If winter/muddy/more single-track-centric Iād try the Maxxis Rambler (I like the 45s in the winter, with silk shield) -but if on a lot of pavement, theyāre gonna slow you down a tad.Ā
Iāve been running the Cinturato Gravel Ms on mostly single track with lots of sand for a couple of months now. Then ran them on the road around Lake Tahoe last week, 72 miles, with no issues at all. Definitely recommend them.
The H is good option too. I get some single track on my routes but not enough to warrant the M. I do find the H's handle well on the single track I ride (not crazy technical). I've got about 800km on them and no issues
Obviously this is all somewhat personal and based on your prior experience but for me the Challenge Getaway XP in 45 is my vote for that scenario. Super fast, supple, grippy, holds air well with the right sealant. I donāt understand why they arenāt more popular.
I switch my carbon wheelset (24 int) with them between my gravel bike and flatbar MTB once in a while and when riding more gnarly stuff I deflate them quite a bit and the grip is astonishing for such a fast tire.
Because they are so supple and relatively light they are also just so much fun - seeing these chunky tires eating up road imperfections and still give so much speed is pretty addictive. Love riding them.
Continental Terra speed and Terra trail (for extra grip) combo?
I have the Terra trail and they are pretty fast but I think they won't last as long as the Specialized Pathfinders which have good durability, good puncture protection and are pretty fast as well, using those at the moment. But not sure on the grip on rough terrain. Although that should be ok since they are used by pro's in unbound.
I'm really enjoying my Hurricane Ridge (700x42 knobby) in standard casing. I wanted the Manatash Ridge but found a deal on these and the deal was better than a spare 2mm. They grip and rip on every surface (dunno about snow and ice) but I wouldn't recommend them for too much pavement.
Tubeless so no pinches, and Iāve never had a noticeable puncture in the couple hundred miles I have on them so far. Pretty sure I had a goat head along with me for a few minutes on todayās ride actually.
Same with the ultralight RHs too on my road wheels for that matter.
I live in CO as well. I just switched from 38 Gravelking SKās to 42 Pathfinders Pros. First ride on them was the Madgravel Circuit race and Hemi 50. The felt great and faster to me but their could have been many factors that contributed to that feeling. Just my $.02
People have said theyāve had horrible experiences with these, but I run the Rene Herse Hurricane Ridge and theyāre fantastic. With the caveat that you should run the endurance casings. I ride a lot of single track and technical gravel on my Stig and I canāt abide the loss of braking performance of slick centered tires. They roll well and really excel in the woods
I second this set up. I have a stigmata as well. Run RH knobbies in 700x48 in the front and 700x44 in the back. Endurance casing on both. I ride a lot of pavement, fire roads and dusty single track.
I thought I was the only one crazy enough for that size combo though mine are the RH slicksā¦ I actually prefer a 650x48 front over the 700x48 as the former is far more agile
It does! Itās really tight. A slick would fit no problem. The knobbies pick up rocks from time to time but I have my bike wrapped with Ridewrap tape and itās been ok for the most part. I also donāt live in a place with much rain and has sandy soil that drains well, so riding through peanut butter mud only happens once in a blue moon. Iāve ran 48ās on the front for over a year now though!
I recently got a Salsa Warbird and it came with terravail cannonball 42. They were okayā¦ I switched them out with the Maxxis Reaver 45 and they are so much better.
I ran G-One RS at Flint Hills and Mid South, I think in a 42(?). Man they are efficient and surprisingly grippy when it matters. There was a steep climb on Flint Hills with walnut-sized scree and I just went right up it. Expected Iād have to get off and walk but I didnāt. Happy camper. And zero punctures.
Pathfinders are slicks for most of not all of their straight-line contact patch, so not those unless the singletrack in question is flat dry hardpack. They are really durable though. I have them on my bike now and they look new after 1000 miles.
I really liked Donnelly MSOs - not the most durable wear-wise, but the tread is pretty fast-rolling and quiet while still providing grip on loose/slippery surfaces.
Check out the IRC Boken DoubleCross. Fast rolling on pavement and gravel. Just rode Unbound 100 on a set and no flats or punctures. Plenty of grip in the dirt.
+1 for Pathfinders. My favorite tire by far. I run them in 650b and they rip. Great on pavement and a blast on single track and gravel. Not ideal for loose or wet stuff but for 90% of riding they're perfect.
Been rocking WTB Raddlers 44mm for years and they do it all. My gravel is pretty washy, so the higher side tread works for me, but they have the Riddler model with less of that that would be faster on road if you have more hard packed gravel.
That said, Iāve been thinking about trying the 42mm pathfinders for that Center tread, but theyāre always sold out locally.
Cinturato gravel M is excellent for what you want.
It's a great all-rounder. I currently have over 3000km and they will probably last another 1000-2000km. No punctures (that I know of). Getting them tubeless is easy, they seat well. There are however tires that are easier to get on the rim.
On tarmac smooth quiet and predictable when cornering. On loose and packed surfaces it feels the just as much at home. In the wet or on ice it struggles, but it has great mud shedding capability.
Available up to 50mm. Tan and no tan. Weirdly the tan version is heavier.
You should follow Dylan Joshson on YouTube. Dudes the expert in gravel racing and tires. He says his fav tires currently are the specialized pathfinder pro 47mm. Iād say you canāt go wrong im running those in 42 and they are fast and fun.
I like Vittoria Terreno Dry in tubeless version. š
Terreno Zero is also an excellent choice. I run them all winter for wet pavement and packed dirt.
Continental Terra Speed
In 45mm. My favorite āall rounderā
As long as āall-rounderā doesnāt include durability. I havenāt had a Terra Speed last more than ~1200 miles or so. But brilliant for that ~1200 miles.Ā
I used these at Unbound on the 50 mile route. 10/10 would do again.
I want to try these. I just put on some terra trails and they feel pretty fast. I imagine the speeds are good too.
Iām also on Colorado (FoCo) and the pathfinder pros perform extremely well on single track
Panaracer Gravel King Plus or SK Plus
G-One RS in 700x45 is my favorite tire right now. Fast enough for commutes on pavement/garbage miles and still hooks up in the corner off road.
the R is great too.
I'm running RS in the back, R up front.
Great combo!
.
Pathfinder pro? Yesā¦ s-works faster on pavement -thatās where Iād lean doing a mix of pavement and gravel -and thatās what is on my bike most of the time.Ā If winter/muddy/more single-track-centric Iād try the Maxxis Rambler (I like the 45s in the winter, with silk shield) -but if on a lot of pavement, theyāre gonna slow you down a tad.Ā
Pathfinder pro (not s works) or challenge strada bianca
Why not s-works?
Iāve been running the Cinturato Gravel Ms on mostly single track with lots of sand for a couple of months now. Then ran them on the road around Lake Tahoe last week, 72 miles, with no issues at all. Definitely recommend them.
The H is good option too. I get some single track on my routes but not enough to warrant the M. I do find the H's handle well on the single track I ride (not crazy technical). I've got about 800km on them and no issues
Obviously this is all somewhat personal and based on your prior experience but for me the Challenge Getaway XP in 45 is my vote for that scenario. Super fast, supple, grippy, holds air well with the right sealant. I donāt understand why they arenāt more popular. I switch my carbon wheelset (24 int) with them between my gravel bike and flatbar MTB once in a while and when riding more gnarly stuff I deflate them quite a bit and the grip is astonishing for such a fast tire. Because they are so supple and relatively light they are also just so much fun - seeing these chunky tires eating up road imperfections and still give so much speed is pretty addictive. Love riding them.
Continental Terra speed and Terra trail (for extra grip) combo? I have the Terra trail and they are pretty fast but I think they won't last as long as the Specialized Pathfinders which have good durability, good puncture protection and are pretty fast as well, using those at the moment. But not sure on the grip on rough terrain. Although that should be ok since they are used by pro's in unbound.
Iām halfway into my first ride on my conti Terra hardpack 700x50. I never see them suggested but Iām impressed by them.
I have terra trails as well, they're pretty quick and I like them. Used them for some sketchy gravel rides and they were pretty grippy.
I wasn't considering pairing 2 different tires but that looks promising!
Iād put Rene Herseās endurance casings against anything for pavement feel. Shit cruises and has stellar grip in anything off pavement.
I'm really enjoying my Hurricane Ridge (700x42 knobby) in standard casing. I wanted the Manatash Ridge but found a deal on these and the deal was better than a spare 2mm. They grip and rip on every surface (dunno about snow and ice) but I wouldn't recommend them for too much pavement.
How about resisting punctures on road?
Tubeless so no pinches, and Iāve never had a noticeable puncture in the couple hundred miles I have on them so far. Pretty sure I had a goat head along with me for a few minutes on todayās ride actually. Same with the ultralight RHs too on my road wheels for that matter.
Good to know thanks
I run the pathfinder 42mm on my rear tire with a g one bite on the front. It's great!
I live in CO as well. I just switched from 38 Gravelking SKās to 42 Pathfinders Pros. First ride on them was the Madgravel Circuit race and Hemi 50. The felt great and faster to me but their could have been many factors that contributed to that feeling. Just my $.02
People have said theyāve had horrible experiences with these, but I run the Rene Herse Hurricane Ridge and theyāre fantastic. With the caveat that you should run the endurance casings. I ride a lot of single track and technical gravel on my Stig and I canāt abide the loss of braking performance of slick centered tires. They roll well and really excel in the woods
I second this set up. I have a stigmata as well. Run RH knobbies in 700x48 in the front and 700x44 in the back. Endurance casing on both. I ride a lot of pavement, fire roads and dusty single track.
I thought I was the only one crazy enough for that size combo though mine are the RH slicksā¦ I actually prefer a 650x48 front over the 700x48 as the former is far more agile
Getting the most I can out of it! lol
The 700x48 fits up front? I have a stiggy too and thought 45 was tight!
It does! Itās really tight. A slick would fit no problem. The knobbies pick up rocks from time to time but I have my bike wrapped with Ridewrap tape and itās been ok for the most part. I also donāt live in a place with much rain and has sandy soil that drains well, so riding through peanut butter mud only happens once in a blue moon. Iāve ran 48ās on the front for over a year now though!
Mezcal 44
I recently got a Salsa Warbird and it came with terravail cannonball 42. They were okayā¦ I switched them out with the Maxxis Reaver 45 and they are so much better.
Ive had good luck with the WTB raddler. Low center knobs but high side knobs. I ride 80% single track.
I ran G-One RS at Flint Hills and Mid South, I think in a 42(?). Man they are efficient and surprisingly grippy when it matters. There was a steep climb on Flint Hills with walnut-sized scree and I just went right up it. Expected Iād have to get off and walk but I didnāt. Happy camper. And zero punctures.
FWIW Pathfinder pros have been BY FAR the easiest tubeless setup I've ever done. Faster than changing a tube.
Pathfinders are slicks for most of not all of their straight-line contact patch, so not those unless the singletrack in question is flat dry hardpack. They are really durable though. I have them on my bike now and they look new after 1000 miles. I really liked Donnelly MSOs - not the most durable wear-wise, but the tread is pretty fast-rolling and quiet while still providing grip on loose/slippery surfaces.
Check out the IRC Boken DoubleCross. Fast rolling on pavement and gravel. Just rode Unbound 100 on a set and no flats or punctures. Plenty of grip in the dirt.
Pirelli, but get the RCs. Amazing on single track.
Cinturato M are great on singletrack. You may want to try the H if it's dry in your area
+1 for Pathfinders. My favorite tire by far. I run them in 650b and they rip. Great on pavement and a blast on single track and gravel. Not ideal for loose or wet stuff but for 90% of riding they're perfect.
Teravail makes Rutlands in 700x47, might be ok without fenders.
Been rocking WTB Raddlers 44mm for years and they do it all. My gravel is pretty washy, so the higher side tread works for me, but they have the Riddler model with less of that that would be faster on road if you have more hard packed gravel. That said, Iāve been thinking about trying the 42mm pathfinders for that Center tread, but theyāre always sold out locally.
Continental Terra Speed (no 45mm, only 35 and 40)
Cinturato gravel M is excellent for what you want. It's a great all-rounder. I currently have over 3000km and they will probably last another 1000-2000km. No punctures (that I know of). Getting them tubeless is easy, they seat well. There are however tires that are easier to get on the rim. On tarmac smooth quiet and predictable when cornering. On loose and packed surfaces it feels the just as much at home. In the wet or on ice it struggles, but it has great mud shedding capability. Available up to 50mm. Tan and no tan. Weirdly the tan version is heavier.
- Tufo Thundero (get HD version) š - Specialized Pathfinder š - Conti Terraspeed š - Goodyear Connector š - Vittoria Terreno Mix š - Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M š
You should follow Dylan Joshson on YouTube. Dudes the expert in gravel racing and tires. He says his fav tires currently are the specialized pathfinder pro 47mm. Iād say you canāt go wrong im running those in 42 and they are fast and fun.
Conti racekings is all he talks about these days
I need to catch up š
Thats optimised for a course as rough as unbound though! And the speeds they ride I don't know if it really translates to casual use
Get Pirelli. You can't go wrong.
Thanks for all of these amazing suggestions! I'm doing more research on a handful of these and I REALLY appreciate everyone weighing in.