Gravel Tyres 2022 – Buyer’s Guide, Full Analysis and Model Comparison

A comprehensive overview and full analysis of gravel tyres for 2022. Tyres of the following brands: TUFO, Pirelli, WTB, Specialized, Maxxis, Bontrager, Continental, Kenda, Hutchinson, Donnelly.

TUFO gravel tyres – characteristics:

• The Czech brand TUFO has three models of gravel tyres in its collection
• Each is available in two widths, 700x40C (430 grams) and 700x36C (390 grams), and a uniform price range.
• The models differ in their tread, which behaves differently on other surfaces and has different rolling resistance on asphalt
• TUFO gravel tyres are a great choice for those just starting out on the gravel or looking for a spare set of tyres
• The brand offers tyres with a very attractive price/quality ratio
• TUFO gravel tyres consist of Oil Silica rubber compound

Pirelli gravel tyres are mainly composed of rubber compounds such as:

• SpeedGRIP Compound
• SmartNET™ Silica, Armour Tech

WTB Resolute – TCS Light/Fast Rolling SG2 700C / 650b is a gravel tyre with a large cube and tread similar to typical MTB tyres.

? Pluses:

• It is adapted to tough, wet and muddy conditions.
• The tyre is equipped with the SG2 anti-puncture layer, which makes it even more resistant to various types of spikes, thin stones and sharp objects.
• The gravel tyre has a fairly low pressure range recommended by the manufacturer – 25-50 psi.
• The tyre weight for size 700C is 565 grams and for 650b it is 525 grams.

? Minuses:

• Due to its characteristics, rolling resistance on asphalt will be noticeable here, but it should be noted that it was designed for very demanding terrain. It is worth noting, however, that the tread in the centre of the tyre has been placed quite densely, which should still reduce its resistance to the asphalt and reduce rolling noise.
• A notable downside so far is that it only comes in a 42 mm wide size.

WTB Byway 700C / 650b is a versatile fast gravel semi-slick tyre for both on-road and gravel riding. Only wet muddy or grassy surfaces will pose a problem for it.

• The tyre features a smooth central tread that flows seamlessly into a textured intermediate section and then into the outermost lug to provide unwavering traction on loose ground and gravel
• Side tread extends all the way down the sidewalls for an extra level of protection
• At this point it is worth noting that the Byway model is an identical replacement for the previous Exposure model. The manufacturer changed its name in order to standardise the naming structure, in which all tyres are named according to their tread pattern

? Pluses:

• The tyre is well suited for dry conditions, asphalt, gravel and gravel
• The tyres in several variants have the SG2 anti-puncture layer, which makes them even more resistant to thorns, thin stones and sharp objects of all kinds
• The gravel tyre has a fairly low recommended pressure range by the manufacturer depending on the model – 25-60 psi
• Tyre weight for size 700c x 34mm is 394 grams
• Available in various widths 34 – 47 mm
• Different colour variants available
• Suitable for tubeless kits – Tubeless ready
• High durability

? Minuses:

• Not suitable for wet mud, grass or snow
• To take full advantage of its properties, great care must be taken with the pressure range used

WTB Gravel tyres are mainly built on rubber compounds such as:

• Dual DNA
• DNA
• Distance+

The Specialized Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss Ready is a gravel tyre designed for hardpack dry gravel roads. It is both fast on the road and on hard off-road terrain.

? Pluses:

• The tyre is fast on road and gravel
• The tyre is well suited for dry conditions, asphalt, gravel and gravel
• With a very smooth central section surrounded by tightly saturated small diamond-shaped blocks on the sides, this tyre is obviously a good choice for on-road driving.
• BlackBelt protection layer minimises the risk of punctures
• The tread is made of GRIPTON® compound, which provides a good balance between rolling resistance and traction.
• Different colour variants available
• Suitable for tubeless kits – Tubeless ready

? Minuses:

• Not suitable for muddy or snowy conditions

Specialized Gravel tyres consist mainly of rubber compounds such as:

• GRIPTON®
• 60a
• 70a

The Maxxis Receptor 700C / 650b is a fast, semi-slick gravel tyre for asphalt roads, with an upper tread pattern similar to endurance road tyres. The manufacturer, Maxxis, anticipates that the tyre should be suitable for trips with only about 30% off-road. If you want an extremely fast tyre and don’t plan on going off-road, let alone into the mud, this is the tyre for you.

? Pluses:

• Low weight: 429 grams (700C), 484 grams (650b)
• Low rolling resistance on asphalt and paved roads
• Puncture resistance thanks to EXO puncture protection layer
• Tubeless ready

? Minuses:

• The tyre is not designed for use on demanding wet or muddy terrain
• Poor grip on gravel bends

The Maxxis Rambler is Maxxis’ first gravel tyre. It has an aggressive off-road tread It is available in a wide range of sizes and widths – up to 50 mm, which already brings it into line with MTB tyres

? Pluses:

• Lateral tread grooves for more grip on off-road terrain
• Great for sharp descents with wide tyre variations
• Suitable for difficult terrain (rocks, gravel, mud)
• The lightest variants of the tyre weigh just 375 grams
• Puncture resistance thanks to EXO puncture protection layer
• Tubeless ready

? Minuses:

• In some variants the tyre has only 60 TPI
• Noticeable rolling resistance on asphalt and pavement despite dense upper tread

Maxxis gravel tyres are made up of rubber compounds such as:

• Single
• Dual

Bontrager gravel tyres consist of rubber compounds such as:

• 50a
• 60a
• 60a/52a
• 62a

Continental Terra Speed is an all-round gravel tyre for dry gravel, but also for asphalt commuting to your destination.

? Pluses:

• Good grip
• High durability
• Acceptable rolling resistance on asphalt
• Super sticky Black Chilli rubber compound, also used in road tyres
• Low weight – only 360 grams with a tyre size of 700x35C
• Available in different colour variations
• Tubeless ready

? Minuses:

• Possible loss of traction during cornering on tarmac

Continental gravel tyres are mainly built on the following rubber compounds:

• BlackChili
• PureGrip

Kenda Alluvium Pro is a versatile gravel tyre for both off-road and road / asphalt riding. It performs well on dry gravel and rocky terrain. It performs poorly in mud and on damp, wet ground, but there are exceptions to this.

? Pluses:

• Good grip on dry surfaces
• Low rolling resistance on asphalt and dry gravel
• Possibility to drive on wet and more difficult terrain but with lower tyre pressures
• Several widths to choose from in the range 35 – 45 mm
• GCT anti-puncture protection
• High durability in relation to mileage
• Available in two colour variations
• Tubeless ready

? Minuses:

• Poor grip on mud and wet terrain
• Sensation of loss of traction during hard cornering on tarmac
• Libra with the narrowest tire size, the Alluvium Pro 700x35C is still around 424 ± 21 grams

Kenda gravel tyres are mainly made up of rubber compounds such as:

• Single
• Dual

Hutchinson Gravel tyres consist of rubber compounds such as:

• Bi-compound

Donnelly gravel tyres consist of rubber compounds such as:

• Soft rubber

Gravel Terrene tyres consist of rubber compounds such as:

• 60a
• 62a

If you’re wondering which gravel bike tyres to choose, the gravel tyre ranking above will certainly help. We have taken into account as many factors as possible in the compilation. You will also find tyres that belong to other categories, such as road, cross-country and MTB. However, it is worth noting that most of these are tyres whose manufacturers classify them as gravel tyres.

When planning to buy gravel tyres, you must individually identify the tyre parameters that best meet your expectations. Only the resultant of all these factors will allow you to choose which gravel tyres are best for you, whether they fit the size of your gravel wheels, the width of your rims and whether you have the right budget to buy them. Therefore, when choosing gravel tyres, it is worth considering factors such as:

• wheel size – you probably have the most popular wheel size, 700C, but you may also have 650b
• rim width
• budget
• width of the front fork and the rear triangle in the frame
• the maximum acceptable tyre weight for you
• tubed or tubeless
• tread type
• Your weight and the weight of your bike and planned equipment

The best all-round gravel tyres combine features such as:

• good grip
• good amortisation
• low rolling resistance on asphalt
• low weight
• ready for installation without inner tubes