This year I switched to the Panaracer Gravelking SS 45s. I’m currently at 2500+ miles/4000+ km. Due to my own foolishness, I’ve been half tubed, half tubeless most of that time. That has been an inadvertent benefit to this review.
These tires are incredibly good. Rolling resistance, cornering grip, durability, and multi-surface performance have been so great.
I’m in the Southeast, East TN, USA. We have a lot of pavement, red clay single track, and chunky gravel. Being so south, we don’t have much princess gravel and basically no hardpack. Thankfully, I have had time to ride in the Northeast and they were just as great on the NH/VT hardpack.
Single track has been the most impressive. My bike is around 22lbs and I’m 150lbs. I usually run 30psi when I know I’m on a multi surface ride and up to 35 psi when pavement only. Airing down allows the sidewall knobs to grip so well. Tacky red clay single track is a blast on these. The semi slicks allow great rolling resistance while the knobs corner perfectly on the dirt. I’ve set a number of flowy single track PRs on these tires. Mud is truly the only issue but hard to perform well with any gravel tire in sticky mud. Regardless, these have no disappointed when riding our mtb trails.
Gravel is where I can’t necessarily say I see a huge difference with other semi-slicks. Unless the gravel is small enough, you won’t see major changes in grip. Racing semi-slicks on chunkier gravel has really improved my bike handling. Nonetheless, I have still never felt they were inadequate. Heavy rains are the only instance that largely hampers the grip. These carried me to a podium at a local gravel race last weekend. Across damp pavement, 4×4 trail, and chunky gravel, they were basically flawless for the race.
Pavement is a dream, these grip so well and roll so fast. Being able to have such comfort from the 45s while not sacrificing rolling resistance with the smooth center is a huge win. I’ve done lots of road group rides, long road days, and many around town events. Surprisingly the roads around me are very clean but despite that these tires have been so durable for what I do run over.
TLDR: These are the most versatile tires I have owned. Pavement, single track, chunky gravel. They conquer it all. Fast rolling, durable, and comfy as can be. I’m very sold on Panaracer as a gravel tire brand.
In case you’re curious: Marin Gestalt XR, Sram AXS Rival w GX derailluer, Light Bicycle WR35 w i9
Solix hubs, Lizard Skin DSP ultra 2.7 tape, and an Ass-Savers fender.
by fivewords5
13 Comments
I have the 40’s and I agree with your review. Mostly pavement riding for me, very fast on road. Hardpack and singletrack has been a treat!
Being a nitpicker, but the tire pump is facing towards the front and looks like it got clobbered with dirt. I think of all the dirt you might pump into your valve and cause issues…like I said, just a nitpicker.
I run a 45 /40 SS and agree all around, I’ll definitely be getting another pair.
5000 ft road climbs, 3000ft chunky dirt mountain passes, to blue rocky singletrack, and 8 hour road centuries….I have zero complaints and zero flats.
I just plan some BS and go, the two wheel set days are dead. It should’ve been outclassed on some BS sharp rock singletrack and rock rolls but it’s been fine. Then I can ride pavement home and not miss a beat.
Wrapping up my Jamis Renegade S1 build and opted for 700Cx45 SS+ as the tire of choice. I’ll add some thoughts when I finally get some trail time with it.
Previously has 700Cx30 SS+ on a Cannondale Synapse and loved what they offered on pavement and crushed limestone. I got caught in several downpours and have no complaints about wet performance.
I have a set of the 45s and a set of the 35s. Did a century on crumbly shoulder and a bunch of glass on the 35s. Rolled smooth and no puncture. I just set my wife up on a pair of the pink 45s.
Great review. I was between these and the GK X1, ended up going with the X1 but still not sure if the SS would be better for me. Gravelking’s marketing says the X1 is their fastest rolling but the thick treads make me wonder if the SS would be faster.
I have around 3k miles on my 45’s, and I agree with everything you have written. I frequently ride these on some road group rides, avg 23-23mph, and they do surprising well.
The main issue–if it rains, they throw a HUGE rooster trail. People really don’t like to ride behind these.
A roadie called me the “guy on the beach cruiser”😂
What do you mean by half tubed, half tubeless?
Also why the lizard skin tape? IMO that would be cumbersome and add to weight and rolling resistance for not much benefit vs running tubeless with adequate sealant
These have been my favorite for awhile. Really bummed out they discontinued 38c.
The GK SS R 45 has been my go to all around tire for the past couple seasons. I agree with the review. Excellent traction on many surfaces. I was able to ride a peanut butter mud segment at Valley of Tears that had most walking due to their mud shedding characteristics (I assume due to lack of knobs). They don’t wear too fast on pavement, and they’re reasonably light. I’ve seen some hate for them on here due to lack of puncture resistance. I haven’t had issues with punctures. Thanks for the review.
I was as Hardford last weekend as well. Possibly way behind you though. Running Gravelking X1’s.
I’m more interested in your Headlands! Do you bikepack with it ever? The short chain stays make me worried about downhill stability but I’ve not had the chance to ride one so that could just be in my head. Found a killer deal on a frame which is why ima asking.
The best all round tires I 100% agree!!!