5 Tips For Choosing Gravel Bike Tyres - Beginner's Guide

5 Essential Gravel Bike Tyre Tips To Help you Choose the Ultimate Tyre -Beginners Guide

Check and subscribe to my newsletter to receive the full report of my bikepacking trips and races⤵️

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some discounts/referrals from my partners:

⭐️ Find my favourite *Cycling Gear* at Alltricks link below ⤵️

Use discount code for *5% off* on all items at Alltricks: IRIDEFORCANDIES

🚲 *Fara Bicycles* use *Discount code* : BUZZALONG23
Free bottle cages and bottles with purchase of non-discounted bike

⭐️ Albion Cycling Discount Code, *10% off* Cycling apparel use link below:

📸 My Camera @insta360 Ace Pro use *discount code* below:

*15% off code* : Buzz15
⚡️ Kogel Bearings: KOGELVIP23

You can help support this channel using the following links (or above) when ordering anything from Amazon. It will not cost you anything extra but a small commission will go to this channel.

Time stamps

0:00 Intro
0:09 Gravel Tyres Test
0:31 Tip 1: Understand Your Terrain
1:19 Tip 2: Tire Width Matters
2:49 Tip 3: Tread Patterns and Knobbles
3:45 Tip 4: Go Tubeless for Better Performance
5:33 Tip 5: Match Tires to Your Riding Style
5:58 Best Gravel Tyre
6:36 Tyre Comparison Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M vs Schwalbe G-One RS
7:49 Conclusion

#gravel #gravelcycling #gearreview

[waytrails]

Great insight. We've added your insights to our trail users. On your video you show similar terrain and it's helpful!

[sherab]

I'd like to point out that tests on the Rolling Resistance page are really valid only on smooth surfaces, like tarmac. Rolling resistance off-road can highly and in unexpected ways differ from the RR test results. The Polish YouTuber, 'Wstał sprzed Kompa", has tested this quite reliably. Personally, I use cheap tyres, Obor Saturn Ring 700x38c, that came with my entry-level bike (Kross Esker 2.0 MS from 2023). Mostly because I did a stupid thing. Knowing that theoretically tubeless tyres can be run with the tubes, I bought the Challenge Getaway TLR model. The problem is, those things are so tight, that I couldn't install them on my narrow (19 mm inner wide) rims, not to say about inserting a tube in there. For now, original tyres serve me well, though I am thinking about upgrading - both tyres, as well as rims. I'm only not sure I will stay with the current bike or rather switch to something completely new, so I hesitate.

[pro-onwq]

I use the Specialized Pathfinder Pro. If you pump it up, it can go really fast on asphalt, with less pressure it is great on all kinds of gravel.

[davidramos]

I bought a Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 last year. My first gravel bike. It came with Bontrager 40 mm. I upgraded to Pirelli cinturato 45 mm tubeless. However, at 67 years of age, I decided to stay away from gravel and/or off road trails. I switched to Panaracer semi slick 38 mm tubeless. I love them! Still gives me balance and comfort while less road resistance. Via con dios, Sherry!

[rafacycle]

Did anyone test Pirelli cinturato 50mm on the front and 45mm rear ? I am thinking about this setup…

[stefanwagener]

If you have the tire clearance (55mm) the Conti Race King offer even less rolling resistance than the Schwalbe RS. The Conti Race King seems to be the favorite choice on the Tour Divide in US (where comfort and durability plays an important role as well).
Also to be considered: use grippy tire in the front and faster rolling tire in the back, e.g. Pirelli Gravel M in the front, Schwalbe RS in the back.

[neilclarke-smith]

Interesting - I run Pirelli gravel m 45 on the front and G-one RS 45 on the back - front wheel is usually quite unloaded so rolling resistance not so bad, where as lower RR on the back helps. Yet having the extra tread up front helps eliminate front wheel washouts where as skidding/washing out on the back far more controllable. I've not noticed much difference in RR over all but the extra front grip allows me to ride through rougher gravel faster.

[joepvanl]

@buzzlong for really sandy conditions you want slick tires but very wide slick tires. You want to float over the sand instead of digging your self in to the sand.
The rolling resistance table comes with big disclaimers, it is for perfect tarmac. It is good to use it as indicator but most information you can also get your self. The rolling resistance on broken tarmac or gravel can be totally different.
Also the puncture test is very inaccurate, it take is based on how much pressure is applied till a needle will puncture your tire. But the true fact is that you should also in counter the fact the when you riding knobs in the center of your tire or wider tires, you are likely to apply less pressure on the sharp parts on the road/gravel.

[aleksiumshanov]

I use combination Tufo Thundero rare and Swampero front

[RomanoCortesJorge]

Very helpful video. Would you recommend the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 700C x 45m tires for the Badlands/Sierra Nevada route that you did in Andalusia?

[andrewmcalister]

What’s the reflector/light threaded on to your Apidura?

[GravelHerault]

The thing I don't get with this super large tires trend for gravel riding is the WEIGHT. Riding a bike with 1kg of tire on rotating mass, especially on climbs, is a great penalty. I've been alternating between 44mm and 36mm wide tires (Tufos) recently and it's night and day! Climbing with the 44mm definitely takes a lot more energy than with the 36mm, mainly because of the weight. So as you say in the video it really depends on what the terrain is ; mostly roads, light gravel tracks, fire roads and a few tracks here and there combined with elevation? I think 36/40mm might best suited and easier to ride on longer distances because you'll save a bunch of watts in the climbs. Mostly chunky/rocky gravel riding, MTB-like descents, unknown offroad terrains and conditions? 45/50mm or more is absolutely the best choice. Last, don't necessarily believe the hype; Lachlan Morton and Dylan Johnson are great athletes but poorly represent the average common gravel rider if you ask me; so we probably should make choices adapted to who we really are and what we can actually enjoy.

[JustMikeH]

Great video! Thank you!

I wasn't paying attention, did you wreck recently? Well, at least you look like you got our with scratches and bruises -- glad you are okay!

[lydiecharouzova]

Thank you for another super video... I like looking forward to you next video.... 😇❤🚴🚵

[reidflemingworldstoughestm]

I won't use a tire unless it's been recommended by cheep.