Advise on Gravel tyres

[Bravo1]

Looking at doing the Karoo-to-Coast with my gravel bike this year. Currently running 42c's but I'm considering going thicker.....something in the region of 50s

I need advise in which tyre to look at....? Looking for a fast gravel tyre but with a "not too flimsy" sidewall.....

 

Thanks

[splat]

16 hours ago, Bravo1 said:

Looking at doing the Karoo-to-Coast with my gravel bike this year. Currently running 42c's but I'm considering going thicker.....something in the region of 50s

I need advise in which tyre to look at....? Looking for a fast gravel tyre but with a "not too flimsy" sidewall.....

 

Thanks

The only gravel tyre that I have ever used is the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel Hard (45mm). If my bike could take the width, I would run the 50mm.
I haven't ever felt that I wanted more (or less) from another tyre, so haven't tired anything else.

There are lots of choices out there, so I sure that you will get lots of other suggestions.
Perhaps not many in 50mm though.

Panaracer has a few 50mm. Specialized has a 47mm Path Finder. Tufo has a 48mm Thudero. Of course, stock is always an issue.

What bike do you have ?

Edited August 4, 2025 by splat

[Prince Albert Cycles]

Panaracer Gravel King is available in 50

[Sid the Sloth]

I use a 2.2 Specialized Airtrak on the front and a 50mm Specialized Tracer on the back as that is the max I can fit on my gravel bike, and I have found it quite nice. Knowing the roads aroung K2C that would be my choice for the race (watch out for the potholes though).

[Rowl]

Consider the widest you can run for the rocky descents. The season has been dry thus far, some of the roads might be in okish condition.

Edited August 3, 2025 by Rowl

[Rock Guy]

Stock will likely be your biggest hurdle. Vittoria have some nice gravel options. If you can find something like their T50 in 50c that would be great. I couldn't find any great 50c options and opted for their Mezcal III 2.1 as my frame could fit these pretty easily. Rolling resistance and weight probably aren't the best, but I have no worries about sidewall issues or puncture resistance. Being able to run substantially lower pressures also makes a massive difference in terms of comfort.

Pick your battles, and decide what's most important to you. For me reliability and comfort are king. It's not like a lighter tyre that saves me 2 or 3 watts will make me win the race.

[mikkelz]

I've been impressed with the Specialized Pathfinder TLR Fast gravel tire so far (45c).

[Baracuda]

As mentioned, stock is an issue. This guy has great reviews of a range of tires and it seems like the Schwalbe Pro range is the puppies nuts, but good luck importing the 50mm. It can cost a fortune with courier fees and their additional import fees (over and above VAT) :

 

Otherwise: https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bike-tyres/816482/tufo-gravel-thundero-700x-48-new

[Spinnekop]

47 minutes ago, mikkelz said:

I've been impressed with the Specialized Pathfinder TLR Fast gravel tire so far (45c).

The TLRis the new one, right?
Couple of bad reviews online on it..........

[mikkelz]

27 minutes ago, Spinnekop said:

The TLRis the new one, right?
Couple of bad reviews online on it..........

Yup. My experience (~400km) on rock/mud/sand and tarmac has been positive. Good grip, fast rolling, etc.

[W@nted]

1 hour ago, mikkelz said:

Yup. My experience (~400km) on rock/mud/sand and tarmac has been positive. Good grip, fast rolling, etc.

Same her. Done about 800 km on the new pathfinders. No issues. Good rolling, good grip and no punctures to date. Feels more solid than the Schwalbe G one RS imo. With the G one RS I was always "waiting" to puncture. 

The pathfinders also wear a lot better than the Schwalbes. 

[Baracuda]

2 hours ago, W@nted said:

Same her. Done about 800 km on the new pathfinders. No issues. Good rolling, good grip and no punctures to date. Feels more solid than the Schwalbe G one RS imo. With the G one RS I was always "waiting" to puncture. 

The pathfinders also wear a lot better than the Schwalbes. 

Although the old version of the G one rs did feel like you were going to puncture (although I never did), apparently the new pro version is a lot tougher. But pathfinders and thunderos also do well in reviews and are apparently a bit slower, but tougher. 

 

[W@nted]

2 minutes ago, Baracuda said:

Although the old version of the G one rs did feel like you were going to puncture (although I never did), apparently the new pro version is a lot tougher. But pathfinders and thunderos also do well in reviews and are apparently a bit slower, but tougher. 

 

I had the previous gen G one RS tires, so unfortunately no feedback on the new models. The G1 definitely felt more supple than the pathfinders. I did not see an actual speed difference between them and pathfinders at 200- 250 watt power output. They just wear too quickly imo for everyday use. Definitely a fast race tire for the correct conditions. However, not suitable in loose terrain and wet conditions. The pathfnders I find just a better all round "set and forget" tire.

[Michael S]

So in terms of what can be easily sourced in SA, my feeling is a 50mm Tracer up front with a 45 Pathfiner or 50 Tracer at the back is a good combo. 

I currently have the 45Tracer front /42 pathfinder (old version) back which have given me no puncture issues or slipping/sliding issues. I don't ride in mud but the pathfinder can be slippy to put power down up a muddy / wet rocky hill. I did for the heck of it take it down some singletrack in Jonkers and was perfect (in terms of taking a gravel bike down places it should not be)

Really want some 50mm Schwalbe's though.