Which 700x35 Gravel Tires?

[Gartenmeister]

I've got spring gravel rides on the brain. Looking for your experience with 700x35 tires, especially some compare/contrast if you've run more than one.

-must be 700x35 give or take a mm. No 32 or 38.
-30% pavement / 50% hardpacked dirt / 20% loose gravel
-under 400g
-order of priority: speed/RR, comfort, grip, durability, price

Options:
Schwalbe G-One All Around (popular, seems to be well-liked)
Compass Bon Jon (I love these but wish for more loose condition grip)
Challenge Strada Bianca TLR 700x36 (could it be any better than the Compass?)
Hutchinson Override Gravel (I know nothing)
WTB Exposure Road TCS 700x34 (I know nothing)
Michelin Power Gravel (I know nothing)
Others?

[thwart]

Similar Spring plans here.

Panaracer GravelKing seem like they should be on your (short) list...

[GregL]

Panaracer GravelKing SK. Raced on them last summer and loved them.

Greg

[Vientomas]

Rollin' G-One's on a Felt VR4 1x...really like them. Very good traction off pavement and roll nicely on pavement.

[merlinmurph]

Just to add to the confusion...

Donnelly (formerly Clement) X'PLOR MSO 700x36

I've been using the 40mm size for a few years now

[philhan89]

+1 Bon Jon. I got some Cross Boss's on right now, super happy with em but the on road commuting to trails kinda sucks. If not right onto dirt that tread wears fast.

[booglebug]

Another Gravel King fan here.

[weisan]

I am surprised that Gravel King 35 was not on your list.
For what it's worth, I did a gravel ride a while ago and during the transition on paved to the next section, we got passed by a group of roadies. I saw a friend in the group and gave chase, caught up with them and even went to the front to hammer a bit...was totally surprised that it rolled so fast and so smooth to be honest.

[yinzerniner]

Tire choice is completely dependent on conditions, but along the same vein it's also dependent on whether you're breakdown is simply based on time spent, or whether it's based on enjoyment.

If you're strictly breaking down the pie based on time spent the gravel king should be the top of the list. However if you enjoy one of the three surfaces more than another then a different tire will probably better suit you.

Case in point - I was going with a combo of gravel king sk, maxxis rambler and schwalbe g one bite, and since I had my most enjoyment on hard pack the ramblers were the best choice, even though I spent the least amount of riding time on hard pack. I picked up a set of g one all around and they'll probably fair better than the ramblers b/c of my leanings.

It's pretty tough to judge them based off recommendations so you'll prob have to do some sprr of side by side. Glwts

[GregL]

Originally Posted by weisan

I am surprised that Gravel King 35 was not on your list.
For what it's worth, I did a gravel ride a while ago and during the transition on paved to the next section, we got passed by a group of roadies. I saw a friend in the group and gave chase, caught up with them and even went to the front to hammer a bit...was totally surprised that it rolled so fast and so smooth to be honest.

My experience has been nearly identical. My first gravel race had several paved sections connecting the gravel roads. I was very impressed with the speed of the GravelKing SKs. Even at low pressures optimized for the loose gravel, the SKs rolled fast on the pavement.

Greg

[AngryScientist]

there are so many tires available now in the 'gravel" segment that it's definitely hard to choose, and you can be struck by analysis-paralysis.

i still believe that if the terrain is mostly hard packed and decently well maintained and not loose/muddy, the compass tires win every time as far as ride quality, but not ultimate durability.

once you stray from those conditions, i think you need to just pick one that looks good and go for it, and not worry too much about what else is out there.

to add my 2-cents worth of recommendation, i'm currently running terrevail cannonball 35's and like them a lot.

[weisan]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

i still believe that if the terrain is mostly hard packed and decently well maintained and not loose/muddy, the compass tires win every time as far as ride quality, but not ultimate durability.

It's true. Was thinking about that this morning when I was blastin' away with the Compass 650bx47mm Switchback Hills tires which have been on my Surly touring bike for like 2 years and have maybe 30 miles on it. What a shame! . The fear with puncture and wear is overblown. What good is a bike or a tire if we just let them sit there, afraid of rust, afraid of puncture....never ending "afraid of...",just stop it! Ride the damn bike!...or tires!

[CNY rider]

Love my Conti Cyclocross Speeds, and we have a similar terrain mix, with perhaps a little less gravel and a little more packed dirt/clay road surfaces.

[Spdntrxi]

Originally Posted by merlinmurph

Just to add to the confusion...

Donnelly (formerly Clement) X'PLOR MSO 700x36

I've been using the 40mm size for a few years now

these are really good.. using 650bx42... I also use Graveling SK in 700x35mm.. honestly these 42's are as fast as the GKSK 35's .

[weisan]

Originally Posted by Spdntrxi

honestly these 42's are as fast as the GKSK 35's .

I have both and I agree.