Good Clincher Tyres for Gravel?

[badboyberty]

Right now I'm running 24C Vittoria Open Pave CX's and they hook up kind of well, but they seem to be taking a beating pretty fast. Anyone got better suggestions on a durable and predictable clincher for gravel? I'm considering trying Specialized Roubaix Pro's in 25-28 next.

 

[elapid]

Right now I'm running 24C Vittoria Open Pave CX's and they hook up kind of well, but they seem to be taking a beating pretty fast. Anyone got better suggestions on a durable and predictable clincher for gravel? I'm considering trying Specialized Roubaix Pro's in 25-28 next.

I like the Conti Gatorskins in 28.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

For the road bike I'm running Conti Gator Hardshell 28 on the front, Conti Contact 28 for the rear, sees gravel every time. For the dedicated gravel bike, Clement USH 35, or Origin8 Termin8er CX2 32 for the rough stuff. Challenge Almanzo 30, or Roubaix 27 for the faster hard pack gravel.

 

[Djave Bikinus]

Schwalbe Durano Plus (25mm)

Not as light as your Vits, but don't cut up on gravel, don't puncture easily. Also seem to be much grippier in wet than Gatorskins and don't have vulnerable sidewall.

Had a set on the fixed winter bike for a coupla years, plenty of life in em yet

 

[dolophonic]

Gatorskins. i usually run 25's but 28's sound good if you can fit them.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Right now I'm running 24C Vittoria Open Pave CX's and they hook up kind of well, but they seem to be taking a beating pretty fast. Anyone got better suggestions on a durable and predictable clincher for gravel? I'm considering trying Specialized Roubaix Pro's in 25-28 next.

These

http://www.vittoria.com/en/product/trekking/#product-4684

Pro if you can fit them, otherwise the standard..I use them on my wet weather bike and dirt roads, very nice tire.

 

[laziali]

I find Schwalbe DDs a good compromise between durability and weight.
Never had a DD puncture on gravel (or, for that matter, a Schwalbe ZX - they're on my race bike so don't see much gravel tho).

Durano's a good for gravel too, as a poster says above, but I find the DD's roll a lot faster.

 

[badboyberty]

I'm personally more into "race" tyres than dedicated touring / trekking jobs, my commute is about 60% gravel but all the gravel rides I do on skinnies I like to hit pretty hard (I have XC bikes for going slow and enjoying traction on). I had 34C Geax Mezcal and Vittoria XN's but unless I'm aiming for a forest they're just a bit heavier and slower than what I want. Clearance isn't an issue, I'm running a Specialized Crux with wide stance cantis. I guess I'm after the goldilocks tyre that'll let me take the quite roads home, while still being able to do the odd group rides and smash Strava segments when the wind blows the right way and my backpack isn't too full of shopping.

I've only cut the Vitt Pave's seriously once so far, and not entirely sure whether it was gravel or glass, but they've probably only got 500km under their belt so far.

I'll look into the Clement and the Origin8, but have never seen them in Australia yet.

 

[richwagmn]

These

http://www.vittoria.com/en/product/trekking/#product-4684

Pro if you can fit them, otherwise the standard..I use them on my wet weather bike and dirt roads, very nice tire.

I second the Vittoria Randonneur Pros. I use them on my cross bike for gravel riding and they work great. Light with good puncture resistance and the reflective sidewall is a bonus.

 

[durianrider]

My summer house has a fast gravel descent of about a mile. VERY gravelly and I run my race tires.

Had I have to run a super strong tyre yet fast then it would be the Specialized Armadillo Elites in a 25. They make everything else look like butter with the weight of lead.

 

[DirtyWorks]

A little late to this, but I have no issues with foldable Kenda Kwicks. Cheaper and reliable traction.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

I'm personally more into "race" tyres than dedicated touring / trekking jobs, my commute is about 60% gravel but all the gravel rides I do on skinnies I like to hit pretty hard (I have XC bikes for going slow and enjoying traction on). I had 34C Geax Mezcal and Vittoria XN's but unless I'm aiming for a forest they're just a bit heavier and slower than what I want. Clearance isn't an issue, I'm running a Specialized Crux with wide stance cantis. I guess I'm after the goldilocks tyre that'll let me take the quite roads home, while still being able to do the odd group rides and smash Strava segments when the wind blows the right way and my backpack isn't too full of shopping.

I've only cut the Vitt Pave's seriously once so far, and not entirely sure whether it was gravel or glass, but they've probably only got 500km under their belt so far.

I'll look into the Clement and the Origin8, but have never seen them in Australia yet.

Sounds like you'd like something similar to the Vittoria Pavé but more durable. Not taking anything away from Vittoria, they make great race day tires, but just don't wear well. Try the Challenge Roubaix, or any of the 28c Conti road tires like GP 4 season or Gatorskin.

Another tire worth mentioning is the Panaracer Pasela TG. Yes, it's a touring tire, but the lightest in its class, and plenty durable.

 

[Boeing]

I second the Vittoria Randonneur Pros. I use them on my cross bike for gravel riding and they work great. Light with good puncture resistance and the reflective sidewall is a bonus.

BTW do you still ride the HED Belgiun C2 rim? how long did it last?