I did Pioneer last year. I had Maxis Recon Race 2.35 front and rear. No flats, no issues. If you prefer more grip on the front, maybe think about an Ardent Race.
They are tough to fit. Even worse with Spez Turbo's (I had this struggle last week)
Heat the tires up with a hair dryer before trying to pop them over the rim. Makes life much easier.
Also, ensure the tire beads are in the middle of the rim profile to ensure that the circumference of the rim is as small as possible.
I have a road bike and a gravel bike. Recently my gf took over the road bike and i rode the gravel bike with her on the road (43 mm panaracer ss). She started to get too fast and i put some 26 mm road tires on the gravel bike. Definitely added the speed that I needed to ride until argus, which is her goal. After I will revert to the 43 mm pana's.
HOWEVER, the gravel bike is unstable at high speeds (75 kph or more) with the road bike tires compared to the road bike. Only real downside I found thus far.
And a last minute note....flying down the road on a full blown aero road bike will always beat a gravel bike with a road setup. If you want to ride fast on the road. Get a road bike
Been riding Panaracer Gravelkings. The semi-slick ones in 43 mm. 3000 km of gravel. No complaints thus far. Ride is a bit harder than previous set of Maxxis (4000 km, dead) , therefore running pressures half a bar lower. This probably ties into previous comments of ramblers not "feeling durable". Compound on sidewalls seem softer than Panaracers.
Will probably try some Pirelli's next time out of curiosity
I have been riding a Giant Revolt for more than 2 years now. No issues with cracks or mechanical failures on bicycle. I have the 2 x 11 Force Etap groupset and I enjoy the 2 x drivetrain as it gives me more range when riding on tar roads or fast district roads. I prefer it to 1 x drivetrain.
I ride the panaracer semi-slick tires in 43 mm width. It handles well on tar road and district roads.
In my experience, wider is better. Currently running Bontrager Kovee Pro 30 mm rims with 2.35 tires. It's a treat. Was running 30 mm, went back to 26 mm that came on a new bike, and didn't like it. I found ways to roll the tire off the rim going through corners, tires didn't feel as well seated and stable as with 30's. Just not as confidence inspiring. Therefore back to the 30's for me after having experience on both.
