Teravail Washburn Review: Bikepacking with a Center-Slick

Center-slick tires have grown in popularity these past few years, and it was only a matter of time until Teravail launched one of their own. Last month, they did exactly that. In our latest YouTube video, Neil checks out the new Teravail Washburn tires, sharing his thoughts on their overall performance and durability after 1,000 miles of riding. Also, he poses an interesting question: can a center-slick design be adapted to a larger volume tire?

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Hosted by Neil Beltchenko

[yaishk]

I've got almost 4000miles down on these, absolutely love them for road and gravel. They actually still look like they got another 4000 miles in them

[willywonka]

Had an unused set in my garage for a year. Thinking of throwing them on and trying. Thanks for the vid.

[RobMacKendrick]

(Semi-Slick is my rap name.) Thanks for the very thorough review, this was very helpful. I've been running the 700x38 Specialized Pathfinder, which has a serious centre slick, on my front wheel. (That slick rises a good quarter-inch, or seems like it, off the rest of the tire.) I love it, because it makes the tire roll very sweetly on pavement, which is most of my riding. It was however a bear to mount; this is a "tubeless ready" tire, which basically means it's a tubeless tire, and forcing it onto the rim was a total pain in the backside. As a tube guy, I don't appreciate that pointless sweat.

But once I got it on and seated correctly (another hour's work), it was brilliant. Unfortunately it seems Specialized has discontinued this tire now, so now that I'm ready to swap out the rear tire (an old, well-used Clement x40), I'm looking for something else in a centre slick. So thanks again for this really useful review.

[mola]

Hey could you do a video like how you go shopping in a supermarket while bikepacking and trying to prevent getting stolen stuff or the bike?
I want to go bikepacking solo for first time after winter😁

[SitavandaRita]

In the 90ies we had a semi slick for MTBs: Corratec Diamant Slick. That was a real classic at the time. Now you might want to look for the Schwalbe Sammy Slick.

[omera]

I have the rutland. Really happy with those. Fast on & off road.

[cafezaccx]

Im up to order 1 for the front. Would be cool to know earlier about this brand is here in the eu.... For the rear I ll keep 4 now my pana GK sk while it has still life in them ... Thanks to share your experience 👊

[MarlowWhere]

I run the 27.5x 47mm durable version (I weigh 190lb and also use them for bikepacking) and I have to say I really like these tires. The only downside as you noted is traction on freshly grated gravel as well as mud. But IMO the side lugs do hook up fairly well. Ive ridden in wet silty mud conditions with the tires, and as you feel the bike sliding out in a corner, the outer lugs will hook up. I was a little skeptical at first about their cornering ability, but I now trust them enough to lean more into turns. If anything I think trying to stay upright on the semi-slick through thick deep gravel (I call them gravel pools) or really anything loose is not advisable. Those transition and side lugs allow you to carve through the loose stuff fairly well.

[MetalTeamster]

Just bought a new Salsa Journeyer and it has these tires, I only have 75 miles on them and nearly zero off road, but these seem fine

[jameshuggins]

I've always liked the concept. I don't remember who made them but I remember seeing something similar to that 30years ago. If they came out with a 29er 2ish tire I'd buy them.

[DonnieX]

I have the feeling the side lugs are less for grip in deep cornering, but rather help from keeping your tire slipping down small rocks and roots when you are driving straight but riding over and hitting the obstacles at an angle.

[stevenh]

Love the idea of a 29 x 2.2 semi slick... would be a great combo for on a hardtail that commutes to some mellow trails.

[curtbrown]

The Washburns are stock on my new bike. Question is how low can I go with pressure?

[dascally]

Could you give your opinion on the Vittoria Terreno Dry in the 29x2.1/2.2 as this is very similar to what you describe in the end of this video?

[bmhvtt]

I am really enjoying your reviews. Unless I missed it somehow, it would be awesome if you could review the Industry Nine wheels!

[addingonbird]

I like the center slick concept. I ran some Clement X'PLOR in 36 that had a similar profile and it was sketchy on loose descents but great on tarmac. I moved to a larger resolute in 42 and currently running gravel king ss in 43. The SS obviously have a large middle slick and smaller side knobs but at 42 I can run them pretty low and have definitely under tired and they perform like a champ. Your idea of a big boy center slick would be fun to try.

[rightcoastermtb]

nice video brother, just ordered these for my girl's Salsa

[SteveFullerBikes]

In the 29x2.x category, I was a fan of the WTB Vulpines that came on my Gen 1 Fargo. File tread center, with a fairly aggressive side lug. Unfortunately, they were discontinued not long after I bought my bike, and I was never able to track them down again.

I have a set of Washburns on order in 700x42 for a new bike build and I think they are going to be a good tire. The bike has S&S couplers, and it will see pavement most of the time, but I want decent volume and the ability to hit gravel or some easy singletrack if I'm out and about. Your conclusions were about what I expected, but I was hoping to see a bit more grip and usability from the transition and the side lugs.

Thanks for the review!

[HeathensHaunt]

Picked up a set today my first few miles felt great even in the rain 🌧️ I was on concrete and pavement did hit loose mud a bit taking a short cut very briefly I would not enjoy a long stretch of said mud on anything 🤣 I like these better than the H5 Comps my bike had on it so far and I liked them

[johnhouston]

Agreed, on the 2.2 tread slick transition.