Specialized Pathfinder Pro, the sleeper hit of gravel tires

[EB]

Just got a pair of these in 47, which mount up more like a big 45 or 46 on 23mm ID rims. I am surprised I don't hear more about these tires, perhaps as they are relatively long-in-the-tooth relative to the myriad of newer "gravel" tires out there.

Pros:

- Affordable and easy to obtain - can be found for $42 to $54 each, and sometimes less on sale.
- Extremely easy tubeless setup - went on the rim in 45 seconds with just hand work, mounted the bead with a track pump through a normal Presta valve without removing the valve core.
- Fast rolling - and BRR has the numbers to back this up
- Surprising amount of grip for a tire like this which I chalk up to the compound
- Decent weight

Cons:

- Obviously not a mud tire

Especially for the price, I'm really impressed so far...

[Likes2ridefar]

Same experience. Mostly a paved tire, IMO, but keep it on that and it’ll last a long time and i never did flat wearing through at least 2 sets. I’ve used 650b and 700 versions. I find them squirrelly off road on my trails, but they’ll do in a pinch.

[fa63]

I have been riding them for the last 4 years or so, and love them. I was on the 42s until recently; just installed the 47s last month so I can lower the pressures a little more on chunky gravel.

We have a campervan and have been traveling quite a bit the last two years. We have room for two bikes, so I take my mountain bike and also my Crux with the Pathfinder Pros. They are very good on gravel (except mud), but also very good on pavement as the OP mentioned. So a great do-it-all tire for my needs and means that I don't miss having a dedicated road bike much (well, maybe a little ).

Plus they set up easily, hold air very well, and are very durable / long lasting.

[XXtwindad]

They came stock with my Crux. By far the best part of the stock build.

[kppolich]

38mm Pathfinder Pro user here on Enve G23 rims. Super happy with them on my 2018 Crux so far. Will test them out on some chunky gravel tomorrow and report back.

[herb5998]

I've been on the 38c Pro for 2 years now, easy tubeless setup (mounted on Shamal Carbons), hard wearing and good feel. Most of the gravel rides I do involve a bit of pavement, so having a smooth rolling center is a win.

Certainly not the lightest, maybe not the most "supple", but a great allrounder that doesn't break the bank.

[rnhood]

They have been loving them on Weight Weenies for years. A solid tire with no real shortcomings.

[Sarhog]

I’m also a fan of them, just wore out my second set.

Just ordered the S-Works version of them this time. Has anyone here used both that would like to share your experience?

[Stonerider]

I was on the 38mm Pathfinder Pros and upgraded to the 42mm S-Works Pathfinders. I love the S-Works because they are faster and more supple. Great tires.

[Stuff416]

I love them, best gravel tires I’ve used. Super fast and most importantly for me really good sand performance despite the tread pattern. The little side lugs are shaped in a way that they grab the sand and allow you to pedal through deep sand

[KonaSS]

I assume you mean you haven't heard much about them here, cause most of the gravel world has been a fan for many years. No one single attribute that is extraordinary about them, they just seem to have nailed the mix of rolling resistance, durability, fit on rims, price, availability and popular sizes. As long as you don't need knobs, they are always a solid choice.

They have probably won every major gravel race out there over the years.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by rnhood

They have been loving them on Weight Weenies for years. A solid tire with no real shortcomings.

Well except for handling on, you know, gravel.

The Pathfinder is crazy durable, fast as hell on the road and gravel, but when the road starts to point down and then proceeds to turn, you’ll be left in the dust (literally and figuratively) with Pathfinders. I tried a set because of all the raving on the internet, but they’re so sketchy on unpaved descents I ended up taking them off. I get that gravel is pretty variable, not everyone has the winding descents we have here, but man, they just don’t work on our terrain.

[vespasianus]

They are nice. They came stock on the Diverge STR. Solid all around tire. Not the fastest rolling, not the best grip and not the lightest but very good at all three.

The thing I really like is that they look like they are going to last a long time- unlike Terra-speeds which last about 500 miles.

Almost 800 miles in, they don't even look ridden. Solid tire.

[Lovetoclimb]

Been signing their praise for years. Glad to see others have positive experiences. I will say mounting them on some rims is a PITA but that is down to the rim as any other tires I tried on the same fought back equally.

I have them in 700x42 on my “gravel touring” set up. And 650x47 under fenders on my work commute bike. I would add durability to the pros column as they just keep on delivering ride after trouble free ride.

[polyhistoric]

I agree that these are a real hit of a tire - basically a faster version of the Donnelly MSO. I also find them superior to Gravel King SK in hard park dirt - way faster and the sawtooth edging gives just enough grip. They don't perform well for me on a surface that is very loose such as wet, leafy trails, mud or super chonky gravel