Low rolling resistance tyres for MTB

[Hackster]

I do regular gravel road tours on my dual sus 29er.

Typically this means 70 - 110 km per day, for 4 - 6 days at a stretch, riding mostly good gravel roads.

I've always just run with my everyday trail knobblies (tubeless).

But I'm beginning to realise that my rig really doesn't give me any free miles. Sometimes it feels like I have to pedal to go downhill.

So I'm wondering whether switching to a smoother tread pattern tyre will offer much benefit, and if so, what brands/variants of tyres to consider.

Buying a gravel bike isn't an option.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DieselnDust]

you're looking for a 2.0 or 2.2 XCO tyre like a Pirelli Scorpion XC RC Lite.

[guidodg]

Continental Raceking 2.2s, Dubnitals… or Schwalbe Thunder Burts… game changers

[Prince Albert Cycles]

Vittoria Mezcal and Barzo combination . 

[W@nted]

Check on bicyclerollingresistance website. From what I recall the conti race king remains one of the fastest rolling tires, therefore used by the likes of dylan johnson during gravel races. Has all to do with the type of casing. Unfortunately, it is mostly a balancing act between fast rolling and durability/puncture protection. 

[Mook]

Shwalbe Rick XC or Vittoria Peyote ................  not many faster 29er tyres around

[dave303e]

Surely it is worth moving to a full on gravel bike then?

[Daniel de V]

Changing tyres can completely change the feel of a bike. My trail bike came with Bontrager XR4s (likely similar to Maxxis Rekons) front and rear. These are marketed as trail tyres. I do ride tar roads to my trails and do some gravel riding here and there. I changed my rear tyre to a Maxxis Ikon (marketed as an XC and light trail tyre), and it felt like I could pedal 1-2 gears faster for no extra effort. It was definitely worth the swap for me. Maybe you could try something similar and see how it works for you?

[Robbie Stewart]

I have a 42km tar route I ride often. I had a set of Maxxis Assegai / Minion DHR ii on the bike and it took me around 2 hours to do the loop. At the end of the ride I felt like I'd done twice the distance. 

I swapped that rubber for a set a Schwalbe Rocket Ron and Racing Ralph tires. The first time I did my usual route I cut 30 minutes off the time and felt much stronger at the end of it. Since then the ride time is fairly consistent on that route.

[sias]

Maxxis Aspen,

Maxxis Aspen ST,

Maxxis Rekon Race,

Conti Race King

Schwalbe Rocket Ron 

Schwalbe Racing Ralph

[DieselnDust]

If you want to ride on both tar and gravel and a dash trail then Schwalbe, Conti, Maxxis and Vittoria are going to be expensive options as these all use a multiple compound construction where the top layer is destroyed within a few hundred Km's of tar riding. BicycleRollingresistance will give you a value that is only applicable on a cold steel drum and not hot summer tarmac

[Bub Marley]

I use Vittoria Terreno XC Race on my drop bar hardtail. They’re essentially almost a slick pattern down the middle and knobs on the side. I think they’re great for non technical stuff and if you are planning do loads of training on the tar, they roll really well on that. 

Edited September 4, 2025 by Bub Marley

[NotSoBigBen]

14 minutes ago, Bub Marley said:

I use Vittoria Terreno XC Race on my drop bar hardtail. They’re essentially almost a slick pattern down the middle and knobs on the side. I think they’re great for non technical stuff and if you’re not planning do loads of training on the tar, they roll really well on that. 

These ones ...

[olmec]

16 hours ago, Hackster said:

I do regular gravel road tours on my dual sus 29er.

Typically this means 70 - 110 km per day, for 4 - 6 days at a stretch, riding mostly good gravel roads.

I've always just run with my everyday trail knobblies (tubeless).

But I'm beginning to realise that my rig really doesn't give me any free miles. Sometimes it feels like I have to pedal to go downhill.

So I'm wondering whether switching to a smoother tread pattern tyre will offer much benefit, and if so, what brands/variants of tyres to consider.

Buying a gravel bike isn't an option.

Thanks in advance.

 

I think we do similar things!

Let the data speak, and see the table at https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews

 

tl;dr Schwalbe leads the pack, but some of their older tyres are hard to find.  I swapped to Thunder Burt (bought direct from https://schwalbetyres.co.za/) and saved 20W on my rig.  Thats a free 10% more power going forwards. 

[Hackster]

1 hour ago, DieselnDust said:

If you want to ride on both tar and gravel and a dash trail then Schwalbe, Conti, Maxxis and Vittoria are going to be expensive options as these all use a multiple compound construction where the top layer is destroyed within a few hundred Km's of tar riding. BicycleRollingresistance will give you a value that is only applicable on a cold steel drum and not hot summer tarmac

Thanks, I'm specifically looking for a gravel option, very minimal trail and very minimal tar. 90% gravel.

[DieselnDust]

14 minutes ago, Hackster said:

Thanks, I'm specifically looking for a gravel option, very minimal trail and very minimal tar. 90% gravel.

then you should be ok with any fast semislick XCO tyre