gravel/road tyres

inseine

Probably been discused so forgive me, but is there a tyre for a cyclocross bike that'll allow me to do decent road rides but also adventure onto gravel tracks if the mood takes me? Looking at the Continental cyclocross speed. Is it too off road orientated to be any use at all on road? thanks

bold seagull

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19730162#p19730162]inseine[/url] wrote:

Probably been discused so forgive me, but is there a tyre for a cyclocross bike that'll allow me to do decent road rides but also adventure onto gravel tracks if the mood takes me? Looking at the Continental cyclocross speed. Is it too off road orientated to be any use at all on road? thanks

Just started using a Schwalbe Land Cruiser 35c tyre and have been impressed with grip on grass and gravel, and the centre tread gives you decent speed on the road. Think I'll get them again, especially at £12 each!

andcp

Alternatively try Schwalbe Sammy Slick. Use these on my cross bike for exactly the reasons you're looking to.

ddraver

If you re not, Schwalbe are releasing the G-one (Gravel 35c & 40c) and the S-one (Cobbles - 30c) soon...

Edit - If you re not in a rush soz

antonyfromoz

I have been using the clement xplor mso in 32mm size for riding during my commute with the ability to go off road if desired. I have just ordered new one for the rear so that i can use it on the Wiggle Ridgeway sportive on the weekend.

trek_dan

Another vote for Sammy Slick.

inseine

Great advice guys, thanks. The Land cruisers are really heavy. The G-one looks interesting but are pretty dear. Think I'll be going for the Sammy Slick.

kajjal

I use roubaix pro 25/28 tyres which are comfortable on road without being slow and grip fine on gravel or fairly smooth trails. Loads of mud and grass and they will eventually run into problems.

luv2ride

I've been using Schwalbe Sammy Slicks with good results but the rear has worn quite badly after a season of road/gravel. Have read good things about these Challenge Gravel Grinders (38mm folding) so just ordered a pair:
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYCHGRGPL/challenge-gravel-grinder-plus-folding-tyre

northcliff66

Challenge Almanzo

mattsccm

If you really are riding gravel just buy a road tyre that has your choice of weight/puncture resistance against speed.
Tread is not needed on gravel, there is plenty of grip. I suspect the idea of gravel tyres comes from the USA where many so called gravel roads are mostly dirt. British gravel which is mostly FC tracks or green lanes tends to be coarse to the point of being plum sized or bigger.
If you venture on to slippery grass you might notice a difference but I doubt it. Cx will be different because the courses tend to be grassy which does need some tread.
Mud is best tackled with slicks as they don't clog up.
Based on about 20,000 miles of gravel in the last 5 years.

inseine

I've not done any 'gravel' riding on my CX bike yet (it's in the post!) but I've ordered the Sammy Slicks as recommended in this thread. It'sll come with Racing Ralphs but i figured they might be a bit hardcore for road riding any distance.
Round here there are loads of tracks that are more of a mix of sand and very small gravel, with occassional bigger pieces of flint type rocks. I'll tell you how i get on.