Whereas prepping our bikes for just a few days of unknown adventures within the desert, with the potential for absolutely loaded bikepacking, I knew the tires wanted to be up for something.
However I didn’t need something too heavy, or too knobby, as a result of I knew we’d have loads of easy gravel miles to cowl. These constraints (alternatives?) led me to the Panaracer Gravelking SK+, a tire that checked all of the bins after which some. Particulars beneath, however listed here are 5 causes I’d advocate it for any journey:
Plenty of dimension choices
Tremendous robust puncture layer
Quick rolling but grippy
Matches hooked & hookless rims
Cheap costs
Gravelking Specs & Precise Weights
First, right here’s what it is advisable learn about Panaracer’s tire nomenclature. All of their gravel tires are the Gravelking, and there are 5 tread choices:
Slick – micro dots and sipes, principally a slick with some texture
SS – semi-slick with gentle dots main to 3 rows of cornering ridges
SK – semi-knob (examined) with sq. middle knobs and pronounced cornering ridges
X1 – tightly-packed middle knob part with transition & cornering knobs
EXT – principally an MTB tread with extensively spaced transition & cornering knobs for mud clearance
The Slick, SS, SK, and X1 are all designed to roll very quick and easy, simply choose the one which matches your terrain. They are saying the X1 is the quickest rolling and covers the widest terrain vary, however I just like the SK’s smaller middle part, and phrase on the road is it’s extra aerodynamic. Weights are comparable, and the SK is available in extra sizes (for now…).
I additionally suppose the small blocked middle tread part has extra grip on the standard dust-and-scree-over-hardpack surfaces sometimes discovered within the desert. And I identical to their seems higher. Vogue selection FTW.
The “+” means you get an additional layer of safety. Their customary tires have a single bead-to-bead puncture utilizing TuffTex. The “+” variations have a second bead-to-bead layer, which is new since March 2024.
TuffTex is the evolution of Protite (which is what my tires have, I began testing them in fall 2023). TuffTex is an identical materials, however a brand new manufacturing and software course of makes it extra supple. Protite had one bead-to-bead layer with a second layer solely beneath the tread cap, so the TuffTex variations even have higher total safety, too.
If you happen to purchase new tires now, TuffTex is what you’ll get, and that’s a great factor.
The opposite upgrades for the reason that March 2024 Gravelking reboot embody:
ZSG Tread CompoundZero Slip Grip compound has higher, extra constant grip from freezing to too-hot-to-ride temps. They usually say it’s simply as sturdy. So, the tires will grip nice it doesn’t matter what time of yr you’re using.
BeadlockRedsigned bead designed to suit higher on any tubeless-read rim design (hooked or hookless), and sometimes seat with solely a flooring pump.
My check tires have been nice, and the brand new ones accessible now declare to be higher in each method.
We examined each customary and brown wall tires, that are functionally the identical, however the further rubber on the black ones does add weight.
Panaracer doesn’t publish the entire weights for all of their tires, so I can’t evaluate to spec, however mine got here in at:
If brown seems good in your bike, I’d go along with that except you need that further rubber for… look ahead to it… safety.
Gravelking SK+ Trip Evaluation
We ended up doing day rides and automotive tenting fairly than loaded bikepacking, so there’s no loaded touring check to talk of.
Nevertheless, we did use the chance of lighter, unburdened bikes to experience via chunkier sections simply to check them out:
With the additional quantity a 50mm tire affords, we ran pretty low pressures to easy issues out. The additional safety, particularly with the brand new TuffTex fashions, provides the sidewalls loads of assist at decrease stress, too. We didn’t discover any squirming.
And on mundane sections with the same old weathered floor chatter, they’re elegant.
I’ve just a few caveats for this dimension and this tire particularly, although:
They pack up in moist clay.The tight tread blocks assist them roll quick, however they don’t let go of thick southeastern mud very nicely. If you happen to routinely experience in thick or sticky mud, the X1 is perhaps the higher selection.
50mm is bigWhile they cleared the Niner RLT RDO simply positive, we seen a bit of body rub on the Kona Libre DL. Really, we didn’t actually discover it whereas using, however there’s a bit of wear and tear on the paint contained in the chainstays, which may have come from stuff caught to the tire or occasional rubbing throughout laborious cornering. Regardless, be sure to have a minimum of 6mm clearance on either side of the tire simply to be protected.
It’s not simply the tire width, it’s additionally the peak. Wider tires are additionally taller, so ensure that it’ll clear your fork’s crown beneath full compression if working a suspension fork. I’d advocate a minimum of 1cm of clearance right here.
There’s a cause Gravelkings are so fashionable. I’m nonetheless working mine on the Niner and have been very pleased with them on a spread of floor sorts. In addition they maintain air nicely, and the tread’s holding up nicely, too.
It’s at all times a problem doing long-term evaluations, as a result of loads of manufacturers introduce new variations yearly. Panaracer definitely has an extended lifecycle than this, which is sweet, we simply occurred to fall right into a uncommon replace schedule for them. Regardless, I’d advocate this tire as a common function journey tire – reliable for stepping into the wild with out giving up experience high quality and efficiency.
PanaracerUSA.com
