Getting ready for a trip and I don’t think the 48mm Cava file treads on my gravel bike will be quite enough, but my hardtail is overkill. Gravel bike can clear 2.1s. What’s the current go-to for a nice mix of rolling speed, wear life, and some cornering juice? Also considering just replacing the front tire and leaving the cava on the back but same deal.
by Familiar_Part1795
7 Comments
Pirelli Cinturato H’s in 650bx50 (52mm on i25 rims). Good balance of speed, cornering, traction, and durability.
Vittoria Mezcals and Barzos come.in a 27.5×2.1, but it might be tight as they seem to run a bit big (at least the 2.25 ones on my wife’s bike are a bit oversized).
The new Continental Terra Hardpack in a 50mm looks like a solid choice, too, but I don’t have personal experience with them– tbe tread looks like it should be a great allrounder.
Vittoria Mezcal comes in 2.1 and is a really good balance of grippy and fast
I run the Cinturatos and my partner runs Mezcals. I’ve had a lot less punctures, the roll faster and the tread has lasted longer but that’s a sample size of 1.
Both are good.
the Cava come in 2.25 as well, maybe you can squeeze a little. i think they are the most supple ‚slicks‘ on the market right now.
Continental Race King 2.1. So quick they have the same rolling resistance than the GP All Seasons 35mm. They are the scientific proof rolling resistance has nothing to do with the tire profile. You can set them high pressure for road, or low for technical single tracks.
I think they were the second most used tires on the Tour Divide this year.
I love them so much I’m going to put them back on my current rig, until at least I put GP5000 on my road wheels.
Mezcal will always be my choice provided you’re not worried about your chainstays. Something crazy like 50% of the riders on the tour divide run them. Can stick a barzo up front if you want some extra cornering grip, super common XC combo.
Terravail rutland might also be a shout but given how cheap Mezcal/Barzo’s are I’d try those first.
If you’re concerned about width and find yourself in mud a lot I’d consider something like G-One Ultrabite’s in a 27.5 x 50mm.
I ride Terravail Sparwoods at 2.1 for the kind of gravel your bike is pictured on. Tubeless, good rolling speed from the slick-adjacent center tread, great cornering knobs, hard wearing and supple. A bit of a balloon profile so it’s not my top choice for rough and loose terrain, but perfect for gravel and cracked roads
For a more singletrack experience I use Hutchinson Pythons in 2.1. Much more tread, no slick center, and a nice flat profile for grip on shite terrain