tyre choice

[andremtb1]

good day all.    instead of buying a gravel bike and to make my current hardtail MTB faster on gravel races, what tyre would you recommend, many years ago i used Vredenstein killer bee,  don't know if they are still available..thankyou

[PWN]

Have a look at the Bicycle rolling resistance website and FlexFit By John on Instagram. They have some great data on the rolling resistance of MTB/Gravel tires and then make a call based on the terrain you will be cycling on.

If you are doing rough gravel, some of the MTB tires might actually be faster.

[Me rida my bicycle]

Gravel tyres work on 29er wheels, otherwise Schwalbe Racing Ralph's or Continental Race King if you still want a bit more comfortable ride. 

[Robbie Stewart]

I've found Schwalbe Racing Ray up front and Maxxis Rekon Race to be pretty fast rolling. I had a Schwalbe Racing Ralph at the rear but I encountered numerous flats. 

[DieselnDust]

18 hours ago, andremtb1 said:

good day all.    instead of buying a gravel bike and to make my current hardtail MTB faster on gravel races, what tyre would you recommend, many years ago i used Vredenstein killer bee,  don't know if they are still available..thankyou

Be careful of online tests of mtb tyres on gravel bikes and mtb with gravel tyres. suspension plays a big role.

Basically, if you have suspension you can opt for a narrower tyre. If no suspension  fast rolling 2.4mtb tyre is the way to go. Which one depends a lot on the terrain and your weight. 

There's no easy answer, i can only offer direction

[JoeMerida]

I find that Maxxis Ikons Roll Nicely on All Surfaces. 

[Mook]

19 hours ago, andremtb1 said:

good day all.    instead of buying a gravel bike and to make my current hardtail MTB faster on gravel races, what tyre would you recommend, many years ago i used Vredenstein killer bee,  don't know if they are still available..thankyou

I run a carbon 29" HT pimped to a gravel monster.

Schwalbe Thunder Burt or Rick, Vittoria Peyote, Maxxis Aspen or Aspen ST are gravel specific tyres for 29". The Schwalbe Rick and Vittoria Peyote appears to be the fastest of them all. I have been running Maxxis Ikons and Conti Race Kings for years, but recently switched to Maxxis Aspens. This was a good choice given the price I paid at the time.

My son ran Aspens and switched to Shwalbe Rick before the Transbaviaans. They are insanely quick with solid traction on gravel type surfaces.

All of the above are priced in the same bracket. If I have to buy now, it would be Rick's or Peyote's.

My 2 cent's worth