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Doing King Alfreds Way with the family, son will be on MTB so will be fine, I'll be using whatever tyres are on my gravel bike but Mrs anagallis is less confident so we are looking for something grippy, her bike (liv devote) will take up to 45mm, my first thought is too go a bit narrower for mud clearance do 42 or 43mm tyres exist? I only use semi slicks but I think a full knobbly will be better.. Bonus points for cheaper too....looking at tubeless.
In a 'recommend what you ride' way I've found the Hutchinson Tundra (Skinwall) to work well everywhere I've ridden it. I'm running 40mm but they are available in 45mm (& 50mm) too.
If you've got a Decathlon near by, their own BTwin tyres are pretty good - had them on my CX bike for a year.
Do report back on the KAW - we're doing it in about five weeks, bike packing.
700C? 40mm WTB Nano's are very good and generally pretty cheap/on offer somewhere. Plenty of variants available though so don't get suckered into the cheapest only to find out they're sneakily selling you non-tubeless/wire bead variants or similar. They're quite tall as well so although 'only' 40mm they do seem to offer a bit more cushioning than the width suggests. They have a nice centre section that rolls fast on tarmac too and you wouldn't feel the need to swap them out for something slicker afterwards I don't think.
Also WTB Raddler in a 700x44 are a good all-rounder with decent corner grip, not on offer quite so often though and they're slower on tarmac.
I have really liked my Vittoria Mezcal ones. I think there were a couple or variants. The good ones were hard to find at a good price.
There were others I looked at for my gravel bike but they were unobtainable or stupidly expensive!
Not ridden them, but these seem a steal at this price
https://r2-bike.com/CONTINENTAL-Tire-Gravel-Terra-Trail-28-x-150-40-622-ShieldWall-TLR-black-brown
I've got a riddler/raddler combo on my Camino, seems to work well enough in terms of blend of grip/rolling speed BUT they're crap as tubeless, they just don't stay inflated well. The riddler on the back needs inflating every other day, if you were using tubes they'd be fine but it's hard to recommend them.
Thanks for suggestions of tyres...
Do report back on the KAW
Did it a few years ago wild camping with a mate, it's good, lots of variety. Surprisingly tough though.
I see quite a few people on it as it runs pretty much past my house (the Frensham/Farnham area of it) and they quite often look a bit shellshocked. I get the impression this section of it is the most mountain-bikey/least suited to a loaded up gravel bike if you're used to fire roads/forestry tracks.
Did the KAW on WTB Resolutes 700/45 last September with no problems. Not the fastest rolling but all good with most conditions save the chalk of the SDW after it hammered it down just before we got there.
Not Gravel Kings. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was putting "Gravel" in the name of those damn tyres.
I did KAW on Nanos, which are old but I liked them, and knobbly tread was good for it. (TBH, I think for most UK Gravel that isn't, say, the New Forest or towpaths, knobbly tread makes sense). Based on what friends run, we are coming down to: Vittoria Terreno Ms; Teravail Rutlands; Mezcals; G-One Bite/Ultrabite.
Gravel King small knobs are not good for any mud or dirt. I use Pirelli Cinturato M 45mm but you can get slimmer version. WTB resolute are also good. I’ve heard good things about Terravail tyres.
For UK riding I recommend these
I ran G One Bites for 18 months before changing to Pathfinders for this summer.
The Pathfinders are nice and fast, but are not confidence inspiring in anything wet or sloppy (which you still can find in the UK in the summer down secluded bridleways).
The Bites roll quite well and are grippy so probably a better all-round, all-season tyre.
Challenge gravel grinders for me - set up tubeless at 45 psi and just work
Bit of help please, what is the difference between Panaracer Gravel King Semi slick TLC and TLR?
Tubeless Compatible and Tubeless Ready? With TLR the later version?
What does it mean in reality setting up and on the bike?
Cheers
Bit of help please, what is the difference between Panaracer Gravel King Semi slick TLC and TLR?
Tubeless Compatible and Tubeless Ready? With TLR the later version?
Yes, I think TLR is just the newer version of TLC - maybe a little easier to fit and better support for hookless rims.
Cheers