Summer riding on the gravel bike I have a set of wheels with 42mm wtb resolutes and a pair of wheels for more road based riding. Looking for s pair of tyres around 32mm 700c, that are similar to road tyres on the road but also ok on dry forest roads etc. Also going to the Pyrenees in summer and only space for one set of wheels and hoping to do a mix of road climbs and gravel climbs.

Specialized Roubaix 3bliss look to fit the bill, anyone using them able to comment, or any other recommendations

Many thanks

I have G-One Speeds that only have a very slight dimple on them and are good on road and on gravel. used them around the forest of dean including on the red route without any problems (in the dry!). They are good on the road as well.

panaracer gravelking SK or SS (semislick)

I’ve got two wheelsets for mine, one with 42mm Resolutes on and the other with 32mm Gravelking slicks. The gravelkings have held up pretty well over winter which has included single track farm roads, so pretty gravel-ly. Comfortable tyres on the road and reckon they’d hold up pretty well on dry forest roads.

I also use Speeds on the FoD red route. Commuting mostly. The other set of wheels for the same job have Hutchinson Overides on them . Bot are fine and fairly fast. Speeds in tubeless version, Overides in non tubeless set up tubeless.35mm allround.

WTB Expanse 32mm perhaps. Same tread as a Byway – just enough edge to give some directional grip if it slides a bit off-road but works well as a road tyre.

A slick gravel tyre?

Isn’t that a road bike?

I was really happy with my Gravel King SS, far more happy than I’ve been with my Gravel King SK.

Marathon Supremes size small so go 35 for approx 33mm, gives more puncture protection than GP 4 Seasons or GP5000s.

G One Speeds are quick all rounders, loved my 2.35″ set on the fatbike in summer, also option for tubeless. But I found the dimples wear quickly on tarmac and then began to get tube punctures quite regularly.

Landcruiser if speed isn’t a requirement?

+1 for

panaracer gravelking SK or SS (semislick)

I’ve just fitted some Vittoria terreno dry 38’s and so far I’m very impressed, even on some wet and muddy byways.

I’ve got the Spesh Roubaix and they are some of the best tyres I’ve ever used. Fast rolling, tough, comfortable and grippy. Will cope with a surprising level of off-road before they get out of their depth.

Surely you just want a strong road tyre?

I bought a pair of Schwalbe Durano on the advice of a long-distance roadie.

I just ride Conti GP5000s off road when we’re in Portugal – 32mm should be fine – my old road bike only took 25mm maximum which was a bit harsh. Tyres hold up very well though.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/ektzTt]Liz on dirt roads[/url] by Ben Freeman, on Flickr

panaracer gravelking SK or SS (semislick)

Stock up on tubeless plugs if you’re using Gravelking SK

The last tires I had on my gravel were Vittoria Revolutions. I swapped them for something else as they were wearing a bit thin, and I’ve regretted it ever since.

I bought a pair of the Specialised 2bliss roubaix tyres for bikepacking but they won’t hold air for more than a day so I’ve stuck them on my winter bike and I have to pump them up every time I use them. There are several reviews stating the same issue but also plenty of riders saying the tyres work fine so it seems a bit of a random problem. I got one tyre replaced under warranty but the replacement is no better. They should be a great tyre in theory and definitely would be if you get some that hold air. I’ve tried all sorts of sealant but the sidewalls remain porous.

+1 32mm Gravelking slicks

I bought a pair of the Specialised 2bliss roubaix tyres for bikepacking but they won’t hold air for more than a day so I’ve stuck them on my winter bike and I have to pump them up every time I use them. There are several reviews stating the same issue but also plenty of riders saying the tyres work fine so it seems a bit of a random problem. I got one tyre replaced under warranty but the replacement is no better. They should be a great tyre in theory and definitely would be if you get some that hold air. I’ve tried all sorts of sealant but the sidewalls remain porous.

IME life is too short for tyres like that, we’ve a local bike charity and I’ve given tyres that have plenty of tread but useless for tubeless to them. They’re happy and I just make a note to not buy any more.

I’m using 38mm Vittoria ‘trail tech G+’ year round, they’re not exactly slick but they’re not mud tyres either, sort of “micro tread” in the middle that seems to roll well on most surfaces (IME).

Fully slick, slicks would probably roll even better tough on tarmac.

I bought a pair of the Specialised 2bliss roubaix tyres for bikepacking but they won’t hold air for more than a day so I’ve stuck them on my winter bike and I have to pump them up every time I use them.

I mainly use latex inner tubes – loosing 10-20 psi over night is perfectly normal, pumping up my tyres before every ride is just ingrained behaviour now.

Marathon Supremes size small so go 35 for approx 33mm

This. Love these.

Gravelking Slicks are super fast and crazy light (330g for the 38mm if I remember correctly)

They come in a plus verion if you want more puncture protection (plus rear, normal front could be good)

I’ve been on Hutchinson Overide for 75:25 road:gravel for about 2 years and ~3000 kms so not huge distances and loving them. They seem to be bulletproof (touch wood), no issues at all and seem to be lasting well. Relatively cheap too – 35 smallest though if that’s not too big a squeeze.

Pathfinder pro if you want it to also do gravel, that’s what wins all of those us gravel races.

Or a Strada htlr if feeling flush

“A slick gravel tyre?

Isn’t that a road bike?”

No because gravel has so much grip. Often more than tarmac. Mud maybe different but generally you can get away with more than people ( and the marketing types) think.

generally you can get away with more than people ( and the marketing types) think.

Yep, I ran 25c Durano Plus for years with no grip issues at all. Granted they were not anywhere close in comfort to a 40C gravel tyre but comfort and grip are not the same thing.

Mrs_oab is riding Continental Speed Contacts in 35mm and folding sidewall flavour (hard to find, but £20 when you do). They are properly fast, supple and cope with off-road just fine.

ooh, they look good. (scuttles off to consult Mr Google)