New Gravel Tires Recommendations

[Dired]

Looking for a new gravel tire setup—ideally 38/40mm staggered, but 38/38 works too. Riding an Alfa Allroad with 25mm internal rims; max rear clearance is 38mm. Currently on 35mm Terra Speeds.

Just wrapped up a fast group ride, and those long descents were brutal—hands are wrecked. Definitely need more cushion up front.

Open to recommendations for mixed surface tires that handle well on both fine/small gravel and tarmac. If anyone's got a set for sale, hit me up.

Edit: I'm a sucker for brown sidewalls

[AngryScientist]

Of course not what you asked, but have you considered one of the new suspension stems like Redshift or CC?

The Redshift on my gravel bike is a game changer on fast bumpy descents...

Just a thought...

To the question: I'm running these, in light and supple, and love 'em

https://www.teravail.com/product/ter...p9gIpL25eBpIIi

edit: I see you're in NYC, where was this ride that featured long gravel descents? Just curious....

[Dired]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Of course not what you asked, but have you considered one of the new suspension stems like Redshift or CC?

The Redshift on my gravel bike is a game changer on fast bumpy descents...

Just a thought...

Yes - after this weekend it's def on my radar. The redshift drop bar attachments made a huge difference in hand comfort. The only real problem is my custom painted allied stem.

[Dired]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Of course not what you asked, but have you considered one of the new suspension stems like Redshift or CC?

The Redshift on my gravel bike is a game changer on fast bumpy descents...

Just a thought...

To the question: I'm running these, in light and supple, and love 'em

https://www.teravail.com/product/ter...p9gIpL25eBpIIi

edit: I see you're in NYC, where was this ride that featured long gravel descents? Just curious....

Dude - 3 Edits! I can't catch up with my responses.
Thanks for the recommendation, will check out.
The ride was shawangunk grit.

[Duvivr6]

I'm in you similar situation. My Gravel bike maxes out at 40 and have ridden a few on this size.

Favorite: Tufo Gravel Speedero 40 - feel so good and silky smooth crashed and killed my front one. Was a sad day, I also fractured my knee.

Speci Pathfinders 38, these roll great have lasted rather long and have zero complaints. The grip on gravel is soso, but I did ride a MTB race on my gravel bike on these. It was a bad choice, yes.

Zipp G40 40, randomly bought these because it was the only 40 tire in my shop when I needed some. No complaints really but also nothing special. Feel good, grip is pretty good on dirt.

American Classics Udden 40. These run skinny more like 38 but they were fine especially for the price. I set them up on a DT Swiss wheelset and rode them until they were gone. Middle of the road performance really, rode them 50/50 road and gravel.

Gravel kings the square knobs version 38, we all know this tire. I have a set as backup, first used GK like 10 years ago on my cross bike size 35. Can't be bad if they are still around.

[Dired]

Originally Posted by Duvivr6

I'm in you similar situation. My Gravel bike maxes out at 40 and have ridden a few on this size.

Favorite: Tufo Gravel Speedero 40 - feel so good and silky smooth crashed and killed my front one. Was a sad day, I also fractured my knee.

Speci Pathfinders 38, these roll great have lasted rather long and have zero complaints. The grip on gravel is soso, but I did ride a MTB race on my gravel bike on these. It was a bad choice, yes.

Zipp G40 40, randomly bought these because it was the only 40 tire in my shop when I needed some. No complaints really but also nothing special. Feel good, grip is pretty good on dirt.

American Classics Udden 40. These run skinny more like 38 but they were fine especially for the price. I set them up on a DT Swiss wheelset and rode them until they were gone. Middle of the road performance really, rode them 50/50 road and gravel.

Gravel kings the square knobs version 38, we all know this tire. I have a set as backup, first used GK like 10 years ago on my cross bike size 35. Can't be bad if they are still around.

Super insightful and helpful - thank you!

[Wunder]

I run the Tufo Gravel Thunderos in a 40mm, along with a Redshift pro stem. They feel fast and smooth on pavement or gravel. That said I'm uncertain on durability. I had an instant flat yesterday when I picked up a large nail and it wouldn't seal. I was able to insert a tube and finish the ride.

Haven't been able to get that tire repaired and set tubeless again yet, I think I messed up the tape installing a tube roadside. Not sure I can blame the tire as a nail of that size would likely have punctured the Michelins on my Subaru but they certainly aren't a hard case tire.

They do come in tan wall and look good:

[djg21]

Originally Posted by Dired

Looking for a new gravel tire setup—ideally 38/40mm staggered, but 38/38 works too. Riding an Alfa Allroad with 25mm internal rims; max rear clearance is 38mm. Currently on 35mm Terra Speeds.

Just wrapped up a fast group ride, and those long descents were brutal—hands are wrecked. Definitely need more cushion up front.

Open to recommendations for mixed surface tires that handle well on both fine/small gravel and tarmac. If anyone's got a set for sale, hit me up.

Edit: I'm a sucker for brown sidewalls

If you are limited to that frame, which is a very nice frame, you might consider a 650b wheelset. With smaller wheels, you probably could get a 45c tire on the bike. Even 45c is narrow by today’s standards.

[Alistair]

If you like the TerraSpeeds, you could upgrade the front to 40mm and see if that's enough.

If the 38mm rear clearance actual space or published spec? Most bikes will take a larger tire than the published spec.

Do you have any sense for what caused the hand fatigue? Are you sure you're not using a death grip? Keeping upper body relaxed and core engaged? Did the bike feel too sketchy? IE, would a more aggressive tire up front (regardless of size) help you relax and reduce fatigue?

[herb5998]

They've already been mentioned, but If you're looking for mixed surface, Pathfinder Pro's in 38 are a good option, they stay true to size on 25 internal rims.

I've recently been running some of the Pirelli Cinturato RCs in 40 (they are available in 35c). A little noisier of a center tread, but grippier in looser surfaces than the Pathfinder Pros. Still a pretty quick tire overall.


Both are easy to mount tubeless.

[Dired]

Originally Posted by Alistair

If you like the TerraSpeeds, you could upgrade the front to 40mm and see if that's enough.

If the 38mm rear clearance actual space or published spec? Most bikes will take a larger tire than the published spec.

Do you have any sense for what caused the hand fatigue? Are you sure you're not using a death grip? Keeping upper body relaxed and core engaged? Did the bike feel too sketchy? IE, would a more aggressive tire up front (regardless of size) help you relax and reduce fatigue?

Great point about just upgrading the front, but honestly, the rear was all over the place, and the front was digging in—it felt sketchy downhill at both ends.

I should mention, I'm 6'4" and 220 lbs, which doesn’t help the situation. Adding a dropper this year was a game changer, though.

As for the hand fatigue—this ride was an adventure. My handlebars started slipping mid-ride, so I was pushing hard into the drops just to keep the hoods at a normal angle. But yeah, I was definitely managing my weight distribution as best I could.

[jdp211]

As an alternate suggestion, have you thought about tire inserts? They'll allow you to run lower pressure in your existing tires while boosting comfort and grip in the process. I added Rimpacts to my gravel bike a year or two back and am mega pleased with the results.

[Alistair]

Originally Posted by jdp211

As an alternate suggestion, have you thought about tire inserts? They'll allow you to run lower pressure in your existing tires while boosting comfort and grip in the process. I added Rimpacts to my gravel bike a year or two back and am mega pleased with the results.

Good call, especially for a heavier rider.

And measure the rear space at CS and SS on the off chance it will actually take a 40mm tire.

You might consider a slightly knobbier tire on both ends - TerraTrail or the Swampero, maybe.

[Tall]

Originally Posted by Alistair

Good call, especially for a heavier rider.

In my experience (~190lbs, tires between 38 and 42), a supple tire will start feeling crappy (squirmy in turns) at pressures that are still pretty safe in terms of pinch flats. So an insert likely wouldn't help. With stiffer tires that may look different, but who wants to ride those...

[cuda]

It's possible that tires with more side hook up could help. Maybe, if you like Conti's run Terra Trails. I also like the Vittoria Torreno's and the Pirelli Gravel M. Imo i kind of think that the road bike geo on the Allied Alfa is always going to feel little sketchy/ on the limit on steep off road descents.

for your hands if you don't want to switch stems try double wrapping your bars