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Narrow gravel or cyclocross tyres (30-33mm) on road bike


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Posted

I'm looking to do a bit of light gravel riding on my Specialized Roubaix (2020 model) but the frame will only allow tyres up to 32-33mm which I believe seems to be the cyclocross standard. From what I've seen online, the Vittoria T10 Hardpack CX Endurance (32mm) seems to be an option for the rear and a Vittoria T30 Fine Loose CX Endurance (31mm) for the front. Anyone tried similar tyres on a road bike for light gravel riding or have any ideas of other options and where to buy them? TIA

Rear: https://int.vittoria.com/products/terreno-t10-hardpack-cx-endurance?_pos=1&_fid=d70811fa2&_ss=c

Front: https://int.vittoria.com/products/terreno-t30-fine-loose-cx-endurance?_pos=2&_fid=d70811fa2&_ss=c

Posted

Not sure where you’re based but I’ve seen them at Trailwolf, just not that size. Them or any other LBS would probably have to order in for you.

I’ve been running Challenge Getaway for a bit now and have been mightily impressed. 
Maybe there’s something there that could work https://www.dinao.store/brand/challenge/

Tufo and Mitas/Rubena could also be another option.

Specialized also do some proper CX/gravel tyres.

Continental, not sure about their local options but there may still be stock of their 33mm tyres.

Posted

It depends on your rim width as well. The tyres can look and behave so differently depending on rim width. For example 45mm tyres on my DT Swiss tandem rims look very sad compared to the same tyres on wider rims. The rims are narrow - I think 19mm inner width. 

If you’re not a purist I would personally look at the 28mm Decathlon tyres for R449 a pop.

I put 38mm tubed Decathlon tyres through things they never should have seen - proper MTB territory - on a 14kg hybrid bike carrying my inept, fat self, and didn’t get even a single puncture. (Then again I also put 28mm Innova cheap as chips slick road tyres and cheap tubes through 50km of corrugated North West/Limpopo gravel training on a 1980s tandem 😂 - The next day the rear had said No). On the hybrid the 40mm tubeless Pirelli Cinturatos that I put on looked only marginally different and I had a few punctures. They did handle a bit better but I think that was more to do with the tubeless setup (which I couldn’t do with the 38mm stock tyres). Those 38mm are still riding around with a local commuter. 

The Decathlon tyres are road tyres but they may surprise you in a good way with what you want to do. 

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