Open for suggestions on what you’d like to see in the mix. I’m still testing. Continentals fastest gravel tire and fastest Mtn tire head to head was fun.
Are the Continental Terra Speed and Hard Packs not “traditional” gravel tires?
But plenty of others have tested other tires…from Pathfinders to Pirellis. I have yet to see anyone find a faster gravel tire on gravel that has tested faster than a MTB tire. Is there a “Magic Ticket” tire out there that no one has tested yet? I suppose that is possible, but at some point, we just have to accept what all the data is pointing to.
And Dylan has pointed out many times why they are faster - the larger volume allows them to run a more supple and faster casing even though they still have comparable puncture protection.
As I theorized awhile ago somewhere way ^ there, it will be interesting to see if tire suppliers come out with 48 - 50mm gravel tires that use a similar MTB casing, both in terms of Crr and puncture protection.
The terra speed is a good one to include. If you are going to keep testing more, I would say the Schwalbe g-one RS in 40, 45, and 50 would give a nice data set and comparison to use against the race king. And it needs to be on mixed surfaces like you have done before.
And btw, thank you for doing this testing and publishing the results. I listened to the pod with Ronan this morning and am following you on IG as well. Appreciate your work here.
Also a write-up is now posted on Escape…
Did Terra speed 45 already.
New schwalbe in 45 and 50 mm soon. Same for 50 mm Rambler and 40 mm challenge getaways.
Thanks for link. Ronan did amazing on the article.
Given that your bike is made for it, I’d be interested to see how a suspension fork changes things.
Today I went to order a backup smaller pathfinder for mud clearance at unbound if needed. Found one in stock and ordered.
Shortly after I got a call from the shop saying their inventory was off and not in stock.
He mentioned in the next couple weeks specialized will be releasing a new pathfinder pro with slightly different tread and casing. He said there will be new sizes, sounding like a 45, 48, and 50.
Pass. Haha, no way I’m redoing front brake twice for that… had a Lauf with the fork. Not my thing but plenty love them. Got some plans soon tho for something related to what you’re getting at.
Hutchison Caracal Race?
I think it would be interesting to see how two of the more common gravel tires stack up.
Specialized Pathfinder Pro in 42 or 47
Panaracer Gravelking SK in 40, 45, or 50 - or the SK R in 40 or 45
The René Herse Antelope Hill (700cx55) or Hatcher Pass (700cx48) Extralights should be faster than pretty much anything else. Based on the BRR Extralight 700cx44 result.
+1. Sworks pathfinder 42 would be an interesting comparison to the other similar tires.
With new pathfinders coming out in the coming weeks the existing pros will be obsolete. Not sure if they’ll continue the s-works. Seems like they might.
Regardless, I think the new 45 & 50mm pathfinder pros would be a good choice for testing, assuming the sizes I was told are correct.
Would be very interesting to see how the new models stack up against old.
Very true. I’m sure BRR will get their hands on them soon as well.
Thanks for head’s up. I just bought some 47’s for unbound yesterday at my LBS. I guess I’ll keep them in their boxes and keep the receipt, maybe return them if I can convince myself the new ones are better. But I’ve had pretty good luck on Pathfinders, not sure I want to roll the dice on a new model until it’s proven.
Yeah if anyone wants to send me “magic ticket” tires I’ll test em. Also want to get more “bread and butter” tires to compare a la pathfinder pros.
I’d be shocked if there wasn’t a 50 released at this point. The 45 seems a bit redundant since they already have a 42 and 47 and given the current trends, but I guess they can bring in some 45 customers from competitors who can’t fit a 47 in their frames.
Can you do path finder in 42 and 47?
A test with a front mtb tire and the rear on a 42 and vise versa.
But there 42 and 47 measure the same width when mounted.