So, I've been riding gravel for about 10 years since the first Specialized Diverge came out. No races, just recreational. Often alone but occasionally with friends.
I have used various tyres over the years and have a good feel about speed and comfort (Snoqualmie EL, Hatcher Pass EL, Thundero 44, Swampero 44, Terra Speed 45, Thunder Burts 2.1 Race, Victoria Terreno Dry and XC, Cinturato H and RC, and my current ones Race Kings 2.2 Black Chilli.
Watched a recent video on bicyclestation where they tested Dubnital vs Race Kings and noticed their PSI was lower than mine. So I tried the SILCA calculator which gave me 16.5 PSI front and 17 rear.
What a transformation from 21/22 PSI I was running before recommended by SRAM. Everything immediately felt super smooth. I could keep pedalling when going over rough ground and I enjoyed the ride more when I wasn't being battered. Got home with a smile and noticed I got new PR's on both a gravel section and tarmac without getting the best power numbers I have done previously.
Looks like I've hit the sweet spot of a super smooth ride without increased rolling resistance.
by GeneralAmin
7 Comments
Have you tried per chance the Specialized Pathfinder or Tracer tires in your graveling?
I’m running Tracer now but am not sure whether to switch to Pathfinder since I do 50/50 gravel/road though some of my gravel are fairly gnarly paths (more hiking trail than bike path)
3,92 mi . Are you sure ? Not 100 , 200 mi ?
Nice to see Bristol representing! The Pill Path is great, especially if you get lucky with very few others using it. Chapeau!
Now try 12 and 13 psi. Another transformation.
Thanks for this, I’ve been 5psi too high and kind of suspected but now I know
Running 22F/25R on my 700×45 GravelKing X1’s and I’m tempted to go lower, I feel like my setup could easily handle 2-3psi less on both ends. I haven’t come close to a rim strike/bottoming out in ~500 miles of Flint Hills chunder.
I will probably go back to 700×50 now that that X1 is offered in that size, or I may try the new Specialized Tracer TLR 700×50.
What size of tyres and what’s the system weight for those pressures?