Semi-slick gravel tyre, mixed or with spikes

How do you recognise a gravel tyre?

A gravel tyre is a compromise between a road tyre and a mountain bike tyre. It has a fairly smooth centre for riding on the asphalt connecting the paths, and has knobs on its shoulders that grip during dirt turns. It is wider than a road tyre to run at low pressure, absorb stones, and float on sand, but lighter and more responsive than a mountain bike tyre. Most models are designed for tubeless, which has become the standard on trails.

Semi-slick, mixed or knobby: what tread for which terrain?

• Semi-slick: smooth or finely textured central band, small side knobs. The fastest option on packed tracks, dry paths, and long road connections.
• Mixed: tightly spaced small knobs across the entire tread. A versatile choice for alternating between gravel, dirt, and roots without changing tyres.
• Knobby: higher and more spaced knobs that shed mud and grip in wet terrain, at the cost of less efficiency on tarmac.

Some brands label their tyres according to the target terrain, while others offer the same model in different treads: read the manufacturer's description rather than judging by the photo.

What width of gravel tyre should you choose?

In 700C, the 622 mm rim, gravel tyres range from about 35 to 50 mm. A 700x35 or 700x38 remains nimble on rolling tracks and fits most frames; the 700x40 has become the most common width; the 700x45 and beyond offer comfort and traction on rocky terrain and for bikepacking. The 650B, the 584 mm rim, accommodates even larger tyres, starting from about 47 mm. The ETRTO rating on the side, for example, 40-622, indicates the nominal width and the rim diameter. The actual width varies with the inner width of the rim: check the clearance in the frame and fork, allowing a few millimetres for mud.

Tubeless, casing and protection

Tubeless-compatible gravel tyres bear the manufacturer's mark: TLR at Hutchinson or Pirelli, TLC at Panaracer, TCS at WTB. Fitted without a tube with a preventive sealant, the tyre can run at lower pressures without pinching on a stone and often repairs itself after a thorn. The casing does the rest: a high TPI, threads per inch, makes it more supple and more efficient, while a layer of protection under the tread or from one bead to the other reduces cuts on flint, at the cost of a few dozen grams. A flexible bead lightens the tyre and makes it foldable, while a rigid bead makes it more economical.

What pressure for a gravel tyre?

Much lower than on the road: for a 40 mm tubeless tyre, you often ride around 2 to 2.5 bar on trails, more with luggage, an inner tube, or lots of tarmac. The cyclist's weight, the actual width of the tyre, and the terrain affect this baseline. Always respect the range printed on the sidewall and the maximum pressure of the rim, which is lower on a hookless rim. An over-inflated tyre bounces and loses grip, while an under-inflated tyre bottoms out and wears on the sides.

Wheels, tubes and repair for gravel

The internal width of the rim determines the tyre: gravel wheels indicate this for each model. For a standard fit or a flat on the road, have a gravel inner tube ready; preventive sealants, plugs and pumps can be found in pump and repair. If you're looking for a tyre for tarmac only, check out the road bike tyres; for technical trails, the mountain bike tyres.

Which gravel tyre brands to choose?

Schwalbe offers its gravel G-One range in several profiles: the G-One Allround for everything, the G-One R designed for racing, and the G-One Overland, with a reinforced casing for travel and daily commutes, also available in a 365 version for year-round riding.

Vittoria rates its Terreno tyres on a terrain scale from T0, gravel close to tarmac, to T100, almost mountain biking: the Terreno T30 targets dry, fast tracks, while the Terreno T50 is for mixed terrain and endurance.

Goodyear offers the Connector, featuring tightly spaced knobs in the centre and more pronounced on the shoulders, the County, smoother in the centre, and the XPLR Slick, semi-slick designed for Zipp 303 XPLR wheels.

Hutchinson contrasts the Caracal Race, a racing semi-slick, with the Touareg, which is more versatile and also designed for travel; the Hardskin versions reinforce the casing with a textile mesh from bead to bead.

Continental distinguishes the Terra Speed, with low knobs for fast riding on dirt, from the Terra Trail, with more prominent shoulder knobs for varied terrains, both in BlackChili compound.

Panaracer, a Japanese manufacturer, has made the Gravelking a complete range: semi-slick, SK with small square knobs, X1 with tightly spaced central knobs, and EXT closer to mountain biking, offering lighter R casings or Plus reinforced against punctures.

Gravel tyres on sale

A change in side colour or generation is enough for a tyre to join the road clearance, which also includes gravel; tyres recently added to the catalogue are in the new arrivals. A set of spare tyres is often bought during the winter sales, before the long rides start again.

Frequently asked questions

Can you ride on the road with gravel tyres?

Yes, and many cyclists do so daily. A semi-slick of 35 to 40 mm remains pleasant on asphalt, especially if slightly more inflated than on trails. A tyre with large knobs, however, significantly slows down the bike and wears out quickly on the road.

Can you fit two different gravel tyres front and back?

Yes, this is quite common. Many riders fit a more knobby tyre at the front, which holds the line and brakes better, and a more rolling tyre at the back. Just keep the widths close to maintain balanced handling.

What gravel tyre for winter?

On wet paths, prefer a mixed or spaced knob tread, which sheds mud, and a width that leaves space under the chainstays and fork. A cut-resistant feature is useful when flints come to the surface. Slightly lower the pressure to improve grip.

Can a 650B tyre fit on a 700C wheel?

No. The 650B corresponds to a 584 mm rim and the 700C to a 622 mm rim: a tyre can only fit on the diameter indicated by its ETRTO rating. To switch from one format to another, you need to change wheels, if the frame allows it.

What do TLR, TLC or TCS mean on a gravel tyre?

These acronyms indicate, depending on the brand, that a tyre can be mounted tubeless on a rim with a preventive sealant. They do not change the tread pattern. These tyres also accept an inner tube: insert one if a cut too large prevents the sealant from sealing.