What 25mm gravel tyre for… my road bike

Getting to the stage where I need to replace the tyres on my ‘day-to-day’ road bike, e.g. the one that gets treated like crap, has mudguards, a 105 drivetrain thick with black oil, and I spend 95% of my time on 😀

Since this is my base miles bike I don’t really mind putting heavier tyres on it, will save the GP5000s for the good bike, but today’s ride saw me exploring up a wee gravel track right at the end of a long tarmac climb, would be nice to have something with a bit more tread material just so I’m more confident trying to put power down on the loose stuff that might cut up a thinner carcass.

Am thinking one of the Hutchinson Performance Storm or all-season, am sure I read they had a thicker crown on the tread but still (relatively) supply etc.

I know Marathons are the standard answer but am sure there is a better middle ground!

Anything else? Maybe even a touring tyre of sorts?

Ta

Hold the phone – Pirelli Cinturato Velo 26mm might be a winner, sounds like it has a road bike carcass, road bike tread (e.g. none) but a tread thickness almost double that of a normal tyre (3.6mm instead of 1.6/2.0mm).

Heavier, obviously, but with that tread thickness I’d be tempted to stick in some lightweight tubes to offset it.

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/road-bike-reviews/pirelli-cinturato-velo-2018

The sort of gravel I ride on (flinty, with many loose sections with larger stones) any road biased tyre would not last one ride without a puncture. The only tyres I can use are touring tyres and even most of those puncture. Wait for it, the best 25c tyre I have used in Marathon Plus for punctures (non ever in 1,000s of miles) and good grip in gravel (for a 25c) due to tread and squidgyness
If the gravel you ride is smoother, less sharp you may be okay.

Ha, was waiting for you to post, figured this thread had your name on it!

Gravel will represent about 5% of my riding on this bike and would only be easy smooth gravel, I have an actual gravel bike for the big chunky stuff, hence trying to find a compromise between a normal road tyre and a Marathon!

Think I’m sold on the Cinturato to be honest, should have done more research before starting this thread!

Ta