Gravel Tyre Width for SA roads

[Butterbean]

So ive been tempted to try out gravel riding, and fortunate enough to pick up a GT Grade at sportsman's on clearance. Some some minor upgrade like wheels, and Tiagra 10 speed while keeping the same ratios.

 

The GT can only fit 35c, maybe 38c dependong on the brand, so wanted to see what most people are riding for the rocky SA dirt roads before I go all in?

 

A new bike with clearance for wider tyres is an option later on, but avoiding that would be nice... At the moment I use the GT as a nice all weather road training bike but I'm tempted by the offroad flavour!

 

What you running, and why?

[Nico van Loggerenberg]

Depends on too many factors. What kind of roads are you looking at riding?

 

I run GravelKing 38mm and I handle everything from pretty rutted single track to perfect tar roads happily. It is not comfortable on 'gravel' with larger rock chunks but it's not getting torn up. 

[Butterbean]

Depends on too many factors. What kind of roads are you looking at riding?

 

I run GravelKing 38mm and I handle everything from pretty rutted single track to perfect tar roads happily. It is not comfortable on 'gravel' with larger rock chunks but it's not getting torn up.

Mainly western Cape dirt roads, so fsulry good dirt with the odd larger pebble mixed in. I have a MTB to do proper trails and rides with... So I don't need to push it on the Gravel bike....

 

That's good feedback tho, thanks man!

[JulienR]

Agreed that this is a tricky question with no straightforward answer as there is no 'one' uniform road. Its all about compromise...

 

I have found that gravel tyres that are less aggressive are great for normal gravel roads / jeep track as long as there is no loose sand / mud. The more aggressive tyres give you more flexibility BUT they are heavier/slower on tar

 

I have used Maxxis rambler 34c (which runs a little narrower) which is a good all-round tyre. You may even find that the 38c fits your frame and this would be a good starting point. You may need more aggressive tyres if you tend to ride more sandy / muddy roads

[Chris_]

Joburg tar roads I'd suggest at least 42mm

[Tomik]

Get the highest volume tyres you can find (that fit). Width is secondary to that for comfort, in my opinion.

 

I found the Panaracer Gravel King 38's to be quite low volume which didn't suit me. Found WTB Raddlers 40c were a good balance (but had to import them from Germany). It's like the GK in teh middle but has nice lugs on the side for cornering grip.

 

Just rode a new event - The Dirty South - in the overberg and the 40c rear tyre was perfect in the mud, rocks and also on the faster sections (hit 70kph on one downhill before Bredasdorp).

 

I ran a higher volume WTB Resolute 42c on the front (it blows up to 44) so check what the max is for both front and rear. Usually the front can go a bit wider/bigger volume than the rear.

[Nico van Loggerenberg]

Mainly western Cape dirt roads, so fsulry good dirt with the odd larger pebble mixed in. I have a MTB to do proper trails and rides with... So I don't need to push it on the Gravel bike....

 

That's good feedback tho, thanks man!

On sandy dirt roads the GravelKings are super fast and surefooted, you won't find many better tyres. With rocky farm roads you'll probably want something fatter, so why not blow the budget and get a 650b set as well 

[wildwindfr]

I run 700x38 on my CX bike.

It is the biggest the rear can take and only just clears.

On the roads I ride it is ok, but not ideal, roads just to corrugated.

Waiting for my son to bring his Giant talon home December. Want to convert it into a monstercross.

 

The volume as said above is of greater importance than the width of the tyre.

 

Don't be afraid to just go and ride, you can get pretty far on 35 or 38c tyres.

[Grease_Monkey]

42mm Spez Pathfinder for me. I would go even wider if my frame could fit it. I find speed is only really influenced by tread pattern, so a very wide high volume tyre with smooth centre tread makes sense for me. Speed + comfort at the cost of some extra weight.

[Pure Savage]

I have 47mm, just struggle to find replacements that wide again, will have to order from the UK. They are a WTB tyre.

[mecheng89]

WTB resolute 42mm. Because of tan sidewalls  .

 

Bike I have came with Vittoria 40c. Puncture protection was just too poor, and I'm a strong advocate for comfort equals speed. 

[Fat Boab]

38 mm gravel kings have been quite successful. When new wheels are acquired, I might try 50 mm...

[lechatnoir]

Gravel Kings are the toughest tyre I've found that are a reasonable weight.

[TNT1]

Depends on too many factors. What kind of roads are you looking at riding?

 

 

Exactly.

 

I happily tackle the occasional farm road on my road bike with 28mm wide Lithion 3's.

[Jewbacca]

Just be aware that there is a difference between the GravelKing and the GravelKing SK.

 

The GravelKing in smooth while the GravelKing SK has quite a tread pattern.

 

Most people don't specify.

 

I found 38c to be the sweet spot while running the SK version.

[eddy]

 

The GravelKing in smooth while the GravelKing SK has quite a tread pattern.

 

I found 38c to be the sweet spot while running the SK version.

I have just done almost 300km on Western Cape gravel roads - smooth ones in the Overberg area and rockier ones in the Klein Karoo.

 

I ran 38c GravelKing SKs on an old Ritchey Swiss+Cross CX bike- 38psi front and 43psi back and they were perfect. They are as big as I can get past the Canti brakes but not sure I'd have gone for the 43c or 50c even if they fitted.

 

Sweet spot indeed