How to choose your Gravel tyres?

The choice of tyres plays a crucial role in Gravel riding, a discipline suited to versatile terrain. You will be looking for a different degree of comfort, grip or robustness depending on your riding style and chosen terrain. Brands now offer dedicated ranges, with a great variety of models and variants so that every rider can find what they need.

Here are the key criteria to keep in mind to make the right selection!

Standards

• The wheel size for an adult bike: 700 or 650
• The maximum tyre width allowed by your frame / fork / wheel
• Tyre fitting types for your Gravel wheels: Clincher, Tubeless Ready and Tubeless

Tyre types

Beyond the technologies and options that vary by brand, two major aspects must be taken into consideration: the casing and the tyre width.

The tyre casing is made up of a weave of threads, usually nylon; the thread density is expressed in TPI. The higher the value A, the more supple, comfortable and generally lightweight the tyre will be. The average value is around 120 TPI.

There is a wide range of tyre widths B. The thinnest models are said to roll faster and are suited for use on asphalt where efficiency is paramount. Intermediate sizes are suited to versatile terrain, while wider sections give you maximum grip on trails where traction is essential.

Tyre fitting types

Clincher or inner tube A

It remains the most classic setup.

Tubeless Ready

Can be fitted without an inner tube provided a puncture sealant B is used, as this tyre is not airtight as standard.

Tubeless

Designed to be fitted without an inner tube (even though it can accommodate one) and without sealant.

Tubeless

Coming from MTB, Tubeless is gaining ground in the Gravel world. The advantages of a tubeless setup are numerous: the ability to ride at lower pressures to increase grip and comfort; no pinch flats and reduced risk of punctures with the addition of sealant, significant weight savings with a Tubeless Ready setup. Generally, slow punctures are managed without removing the tyre thanks to the sealant liquid. In addition, Tubeless offers reduced rolling resistance thanks to the absence of an inner tube.

The main drawback of Tubeless is tyre fitting, which requires compatible rims. You need to obtain sealant and have a compressor available, as a high airflow is needed for the beads to snap onto the rim flanges. Also, maintaining a tubeless tyre requires regular upkeep. Indeed, the sealant must be topped up frequently. If you get a puncture with your Tubeless tyre, do not ride on a deflated tyre. You will quickly damage your tyre to the point where it can no longer be used. Finally, the cost is higher and switching to Tubeless requires a small investment.

Which tyre for my riding style?

Your MTB riding style as well as the terrain you will be riding on will determine the choice of your tyre:

• Predominantly road terrain
  For riding mainly on tarmac roads, your choice will lean towards tyres with a rolling profile to maintain efficient performance. A narrower width, up to 35 mm, will allow you to ride more easily and maintain a high speed.

• Versatile terrain
  For mixed rides between trails and roads, a section between 35 and 40 mm, moderately pronounced side knobs and a fairly smooth tread will offer maximum versatility and grip. The aim is to find a tyre that is efficient, robust and comfortable.

• Predominantly trail terrain
  For riding on trails or tracks, a tubeless setup will be a bonus, with pronounced knobs for maximum grip. Grip will be your primary selection criterion. To achieve this, you can opt for a wide section up to 55 mm for improved riding comfort.

CONCLUSION

As you will have gathered, nothing is set in stone when it comes to choosing the right tyres. The specific surface near you, your riding style, your performance level, your preferences… all of this can influence your choice. Take the advice given as a starting point and experiment to find your perfect setup!