choosing the right gravel tire
It’s February 28th - the sun is shining, blue paints the sky, the roads are mostly clear and Charles just ditched work and go for a bike ride.
Since I’m stuck at the shop, thus not able to get an outdoor training ride in, I figure I might as well use this time to get a leg up on the gravel series another way — tire choice.
The first year of the Monarch Grind (2023) I road a BMC URS AL ONE with WTB Riddler 700 x 45 tires. These tires worked exceptionally well on a combination of 2% paved + 98% of mixed gravel roads that make up the route. They were quick and held little resistance on the tarmac portions yet had enough width and grip to get down chunky gravel without being compromised. “Aggressive cornering knobs meet a low-profile center tread,” as the online description says. Spot on.
In 2024 I mistakenly chose to ride my Specialized Epic Evo with Ground Control 29 x 2.35 tires. What was I thinking? I wasn’t. PTSD from descending a seven mile section on washboard gravel in 2023 left me thinking I needed more suspension, hence the Epic Evo (120/110). The suspension was amazing, the massive tires however were anything but. I got dropped on the pavement while pushing 400 watts (slight exaggeration? idk). The climb was a tad easier but I chalk that up to having an extra gear to use compared to the URS AL ONE. Overall terrible choice on my part. I don’t think I’ll ever let this one down.
For the 3/4 Minus Cykeltur, Two-Humper in 2024 I rode my trusty new steed: a burgundy Pivot Vault, with Maxxis Rambler 700 x 40c tires. They were perfect. Similar to the WTB Riddler, the tightly-packed center knobs are ramped for rolling efficiency on hardpack roads and asphalt. The further spaced cornering knobs towards the outside of the tire gave me all the control I needed on the gravel and single track portions that make up the 3/4 Minus Two-Humper.
New this year is Aether’s Traverse. While mapping out the route with Chaz and the crew I chose to ride my Pivot Vault with the Maxxis Rablers. Once again they worked beautifully. Aether’s is similar to Monarch Grind in that it’s also 98% gravel (a mix of logging roads, lux gravel and chunky chunder). If you’re looking for a one-tire-does-all, personally I’d go with the Rambler. They’re my go-to everyday gravel tire — road, gravel, clay, single-track, good for it all.
Justin and Charles right before they ditched me at work.
Overall Recommendations
3/4 Minus Cykeltur One-Humper
Panaracer GRAVELKING 700 x 26c (great for someone who has a road bike and can’t get a wider tire on)
3/4 Minus Cykeltur Two-Humper
Monarch Grind
If you want something that’s more forgiving on rough surfaces, go for a chunkier tread like the first two options
Aether’s Traverse
Questions? Pop into and see us at Syrinag Cyclery and we can chat about what suits you best. We stalk all tires listed above and I’d much prefer for you to buy them vs. myself.
