About to purchase some Hunt 4 Season Disc Wheels.
I've always penny-pinched on tyres in the past, feeling that more than £20 per tyre is just over-indulgent!
But for these wheels, I want a proper TR set of wide gravel tyres.
My riding is at least 50% off road, throughout the year. They will be a do-it-all tyre ... Gravel, woodsy singletrack, muck, mulch, mud, easy bridleways & cycle paths, stony/rock in places. And to roll well enough on tarmac in between.
700 X 40-45.
Not really interested in a slick or lightly diamond type tread, so something mildly knobbly.
Shortlist so far is:
- WTB Riddler
- WTB Byway
- Maxxis Rambler
- Panaracer Gravelking SK
Others to consider? Or reasons for choosing one from the list above?
Cheers.
WTB Nano
WTB Nano
Meh. I've had them before (albeit cheaper, wire bead) and been underwhelmed ...
Planet X have some great deals on Bruce Gordon Rock'n'Road currently - £20 each.
If you can find any then WTB resolute should fit the bill nicely and get great reviews. If you find any let me know cause I want some too.
I run a Nano on the back with a Resolute on the front both tubeless.
WTB Nano
Meh. I’ve had them before (albeit cheaper, wire bead) and been underwhelmed …
Were you running them tubeless? Tubeless they should be rather good... Gravelkings may be better though.
Otherwise, I'd suggest the Terrene Elwoods that PX have as another option (£21 at the moment). They aren't as knobbly as you asked for, but they are more knobbly than the Byway's and Riddler's on your list at the moment. They're oversized (like 42-43mm on a 20mm width rim), supple and tough.
Actually, don't Byway's only come in 650b anyway?
Another for nano rear and resolute front. Great combo but you still need to unclip and speedway turn on very fast, wet, muddy, loose corners.
Avoid the 37C Riddler like the plague. Casing is like cheese. 50 or so K rendered them holier than Mother Teresa. Have heard better of the 45C version however.
Have always ridden Nanos in the past, with good result. Fast enough on tarmac, good in anything but that peanut butter mud.
Currently running the Maxxis Ramblers as I got them cheap, surprisingly grippy despite the small knobs (oooer)
WTB resolute, they have beem awesome for commuting, gravel and singletrack. running 42mm x 700
for what you describe OP I wouldn't reccomend the GK SK. They're fine on gravel, tarmac and hard pack but 'interesting' once the ground is soft or loose. I'm going try Resolutes once we're out of peak mudguard season. (Optimist)
I'm running the clement / donnelly XPLOR MSO in 700c x 40 size and find them great for a similar on-road/off-road split to what you are looking at.
They role really nicely on tarmac but also have enough bite on the trails as well.
Reviewed: Soma Cazadero 42c Gravel Tire by Panaracer
Where can you pick these up from then?
(My Google Fu may have deserted me)
Rock n Roads aren’t that quick rolling. Think 15mph average as realistic.
hardtailonly I got mine here
And the Terrene look good as well ...
Otherwise, I’d suggest the Terrene Elwoods that PX have as another option (£21 at the moment).
Not any more ... Must be sold out. Anyone know where else sells them?
I have byways, and they’re great but not the tyre you asked for.
I also have a pair of resolutes, and they do well in the mud. I think they’re excellent myself.
I’ll be trying Nanos next!
Another vote for WTB Resolutes - just picked up a replacement from Bike-discount.de
Nice balance of grip off-road and reasonably quick on tarmac too - seem to be much tougher than the Riddlers they replaced
I have the Byways in 650b flavour and use them for the mixture of terrain you describe - great tyres and I've taken them down red xc trails with no problems either.
Can't speak for 700c Byways I prefer 650b in my Marin Gestalt for the sort of riding I do on it. Is there any reason why you're not considering 650b? If you can have some spare 650b wheels give it a try - I find them so much better on rough stuff than skinnier tyres.
They're pricey, aren't they, 'proper' tyres ... The Resolutes from Germany (incl delivery) leave little change from £100 🤪
And black or tan walls? (For a Ti bike)?
for what you describe OP I wouldn’t reccomend the GK SK. They’re fine on gravel, tarmac and hard pack but ‘interesting’ once the ground is soft or loose. I’m going try Resolutes once we’re out of peak mudguard season. (Optimist)
Yes. I read one positive review. And then another which made the point that the almost continuous rectangular blocks on the shoulders were not very effective at digging into stuff when cornering. The advantage is I can get these fitted by Hunt when ordering the wheels, and at £79 for a pair, they're cheaper than some. But if they're not the right tyre (and no one on here has yet said they are!) then it's wasted money ...
Agree with the above on Gravel King SK, they're good tyres on dry stuff but have no real grip in the wet / slippery stuff as the tread is long and in the direction of travel.
I bought and used for Dirty Reiver in 650 flavour, I really like them but they're no use when things get slidey.
Cheers for the responses all.
Have ordered a pair of Resolutes from Deporvillage (never heard of them!) for £85 delivered.