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So, been using Sammy Slicks for my half road, half towpath commute for a few years now, but just noticed the current rear one is wearing thin and needs replacing.
What else should I consider now this gravel tyre thing has become more popular? Needs to be 700x35 to fit under the mudguards, around £25-30 and if possible lighter than the Sammy Slicks 490g.
Quite liking reviews of the Conti Speed Folding CX - similar tread pattern, and the Clement X'Plor USH, but finding either in stock seems problematic.
I quite like the challenge strada bianca race. EUR 35 delivered, so a tiny bit over budget these days
https://www.bike24.com/p2171380.html
Panaracer Gravel Kings, file tread or small knob (SK) versions. Work just fine tubeless if that matters.
Oh, that reminds me. Challenge Gravel Grinders. Also on that link, more pronounced file tread and decent size side knobs. Looks like they come in a 33c. I've had the 38s before and they were pretty good. They just look a bit lost in my Fargo....
Big Challenge fan here, but the base models aren't the best. Think Conti in a non Black Chilli format. They lack the supple feel of the Pro models, but retain the slight fragility regarding punctures. That would turn me off them for commuter duties.
Panaracer FTW.
The contis are good but they will wear down fast commuting.
Halo twin rails might fit the bill if you can find them in the right size.
I'd be looking at touring tyres for commuting though.
Trying the Gravel Kings - not many of the others available in that size.
Gravel Kings size up big apparently by approximately +3mm, if you're tight for clearance you might need the 32mm variant.
was going to suggest sammy slicks 😀 - tried the clements x'plor - quite a short trial as found wore very quickly and did nothing special for me whilst find the sammy slicks are fine on loose stuff and seem to roll well on the road
Been running there for a 2 years on my commuter on and off and quite like them https://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/TYVIVOHY/vittoria-voyager-hyper-folding-tyre
+1 for the conti's, lightweight, good grip, cheap (ish), I run them year round for commuting 75/25% road off-road.
Wear isn't brilliant but worth it for the weight.
I've the gravel kings (32mm small knob setup tubeless), I like them but if I was buying them again I'd get the bigger size.
Although I like the gravel kings if I was buying tyres for commuting that can still do off-road I'd get the Halo Twinrail. They roll fast and are pretty tough (they're cheap too). I had them on my - now sold - Genesis SS Day-one and only had one puncture in 2 years commuting.
My croix de fer came with continentals and they were very fragile, crap off road and didn't work too well on the road either.
I found the Conti Speed CX terrible. Slippery, harsh, puncture prone. They are cheap though.
I'd go GK for the size you're after.
How bad is the tow path? Ie is it fie gravel or full o big boulders.
If only fine gravel then any slick normal 25mm road tyre.
You don't need tread for even more bigger lumps if it's not muddy
Gravel Kings size up big apparently by approximately +3mm, if you're tight for clearance you might need the 32mm variant
Just checked this and you're right. My 35s measure up to 38 though this is on a wide rim.
I did 4 years commuting 25 miles each way twice per week, on back lanes, mixed bridle ways and towpaths.
Schwalbe Marathons handled it all no problem and not a single puncture. More important for the commute is puncture resistance over speed.
Unless you have lots of muddy stretches or sections of mtb type trails, then just go with a tough slick type tyre.
As above Voyager Hypers unless your commute looks like a cyclocross race
Amazing value and fast rolling
Schwalbe Marathons handled it all no problem and not a single puncture. More important for the commute is puncture resistance over speed.
A tyre with almost as good puncture resistance is the Continental Travel Contact. The folding ones come in lighter than marathons and are pretty good off road due to the side knobs yet ride well on road due to wide slick center area.
I've got Schwalbe Marathon Mondials on my tourer/commuter. To be honest I can't imagine a better all round tyre for toads and tracks. Nearly as puncture resistant as a Marathon Plus but a lot lighter. I've done 1100 miles on them so far and they still look brand new, I'd expect to get at least 6000 miles out of them, maybe 10000. They're basically s Marathon Supreme with a chunkier tread.
Spesh 'Triggers' come in 53c i believe. Worth a look.